I,ve just done a hard week trail riding!
Only the second time out this year,and I,m feeling the strain/pain.
(not really-I seem to be in pretty good shape despite my advancing years)
About 2 months ago I was approached by a couple-Vaughan and Helen
about doing a few days off roading whilst they were in France.
I have to say that they are a delightful couple,
I hope we meet up again.
They were taking 5 months off,between jobs,and doing a European recce in their campervan.
Starting in Spain they did the Picos,Galicia,southern France,canoeing in the Ardeche etc etc
Seems a hard life to me!
They stayed for several weeks in the Creuse with old friends
and then moved down here with me.
Fairly new to trailriding,they have already done a 7 month
round Australia tour on XT600s-a babtism of fire!
They duly arrived last Sunday in their VW LT camper and swish
box trailer,containing a KTM 250 and a Sherco 390.
Monday was superhot-we stared early and finished at lunchtime.
The action was somewhat truncated as Vaughans thirsty KTM went onto reserve
early on-necessitating a 20km deviation for refueling.
Good fast progress-easy flowing trails.
Everywhere is incredibly dry and even the permanent bogholes have dried out.
Tuesday was a rest day and a chance for a swim in the lake
adjoining the campsite at ST Mathieu.
Wednesday was cooler-much more pleasant.
Good trails took us to the woods at Bussiere Galant.
This is a fabulous area-medium hard.
Lots of steep climbs and nadgery technical stuff.
My wife Ann met us with a sandwich and spare fuel
but half an hour after lunch ,Brother in law Paul Robson
punctured the rear tyre in my 250 GasGas that he had borrowed.
We continued, and he got a lift home in the van.
Rest day Thursday and Friday was “Vassiviere”
The lake at Vassiviere is a man made hydro electric source.
It is a super camping and watersport venue.
It is also famous as the home of the legendary “Gilles Lalay”
12 hour enduro-a super hard event.
The event was dropped after his death but the trails he used
are still there.
I have ridden here on 3 or 4 occasions.
I have not even begun to scrape the surface with regard
to riding all the trails.
The potential is immense.
The landscape all around is one of rolling,heavily wooded hills.
Every hill is steep.
Every trail is steep.
Those that arent steep are very rocky.
This is SERIOUS trailriding.
At 2500 feet above sea level,it is often icy!
Anyway
it wasnt icy(or too hot)on this occasion.
Within 5 minutes of leaving the carpark we were making desparate
attempts to climb the first hill.
The track climbs steeply off the road,it is an alternative to the
almost vertical trial section stone filled gully to the side
which is a part of the enduro course.
We looked,pondered then decided “NO THANKS”
Did she save it?
This set the tone for the day.
Reckless attempts at giant climbs.
Vaughan and Helen were nothing if not enthusiastic!
Despite her diminutive size,and her improbably tall Sherco
Helen was game for any challenge.
Several offs and a soaking in a river crossing did nothing to
dampen( no pun intended)her spirit.
SHE IS A STAR.
5 or 6 hours can be happily spent in 10 mile radius of the lake.
If you fancy a crack at it-give me a call.
You wont be disappointed.
pkcheetham@wanadoo.fr
0033555784926
We returned to the carpark by the lake and said our farewells.
An hour and a half trip back home for me
and an hours trip north for Vaughan and Helen
who were staying with their friends ,again,in the Creuse;
They were due to watch the start of the “Tour de France”
but fully intend to revisit Vassiviere,
presumably to have another crack at that “big hill”
Good luck to you both!
