Friday 30 August 2013

Nobody's Fuel

Don't know what I was worried about. I've managed to identify fuel stops for the entire tour already, though I might revisit it to see if there is anything more suitable.

Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on which way you look at it, I discovered that Via Michelin maps have a friendly little petrol pump symbol, which when clicked shows them all on the map. Unfortunately because, I'd already done two thirds by my tried and trusted method of scouring Google maps for service areas on the big roads or for buildings that looked petrol station like on the smaller ones. Easier when GM shows a little petrol pump but it is by no means as comprehensive as VM.

One thing that became quite apparent though during this exercise, is the number of major roads, that's motorways or dual carriageways the route is taking. I'm not sure now whether this was something I was previously aware of but I may duplicate the route maps to see what we get when motorways are omitted.

There are a lot of very decent single lane roads on our route and I think it unfeasible to expect to avoid all motorways but the other Hogs are somewhat uneasy with multi lane roads, so I'll take another look at maybe offering a better balance and try smaller roads that run close to the existing route. The issue with the smaller roads though, as we found out on the Reservoir Hogs Tour in 2012, is that even on motorcycles it can be difficult to pass and we don't really want to spent our riding days stuck behind farmer Jules or the European's favourite, the white camper van. Not such a problem if we are just riding A to B but with places to visit, time saved on the road, is time we can spend at the 'attraction'.

I'll let you know how I get on with that.

Meanwhile, it struck me that when the Hogs come to town, they're gonna need somewhere to stay, I just don't have the room in my little flat for three additional bodies and gear, so I've booked a hotel just up the road.

Finally for now, there's a bit of a question mark over whether we shall be four or just three Hogs on this tour. Biggsy is doing up his house at the moment and all his spare cash is being ploughed into the property, so as yet he is unable to commit to coming. We're all hoping that he can, as the four of us had such a great time last year. He's got some time to make his mind up, I shan't be looking to book the Eurotunnel crossings until the new year. Fingers crossed.

1 comment:

  1. Woody, anywhere I travel around here, I do my best to avoid motorways. National roads or dual carriageways are fine. I might need an extra night at the hotel. I was thinking of heading over a day earlier. Let's hope there are four of us.

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