Trip to Mont Dore French Elefant meeting

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At the 2010 Italian International Elefant meeting in June, the French invited me to their Mont Dore “get together” in September. Mont Dore is among some favourites of mine, having been there, 4 or 5 times previously. Although, my last trip in 2007, was brought to an abrupt end by having to dash home, due to the death of my mother. That 2007 phone call meant racing back, to England, on the Azzalin with crap tyres, in the rain, round the Paris Peripherique, so it was my intention to savour this trip. The ST2 had evolved over a period of time into a really good touring bike, but after taking it to Silverstone racetrack for advanced cornering courses, the brakes had started to show signs of wear. I had already designed some floating discs and I was keen to try these 355mm discs in anger.

I got 2 fully floating discs, made to my design, material specification and one disc went onto "Tony the Paint’s" S2R800 fant with the other going on mine. From the photos you can see the older disc design against the new disc.
This photograph shows the detail and general assembly of the disc. My engineering calculations, on the back of a French fag packet, dictated 10 “bobbins” plus a safety factor of 22% but I went eventually opted for 12, as I did not want to hear “PING” as I braked for the hairpin.
These discs are absolutely the “business” and I got them manufactured for approx £85.00. Forget all the so called “experts” telling you what “you need is” as most of them, know not what an elefant is and their only understanding, on the Theory of Coefficient of Linear Expansion” relates to the sensation, they enjoy, when visiting Mandy’s Massage Parlour in Dagenham, East London.
I planned to bed the disc and the new tyres in, on my trip down to ferry. I arrived at Dover safe and sound and tried to plan the rest of the trip. Day 1 was to be via main roads with day 2 to be taken up by N but preferably D roads, through France.

Whilst on one of our trips organising the 2010 Treffen, Shaun, my business partner and I, were returning from a very disappointing meeting with Azzalin (I’ll tell you the whole sorry story…one day) and faced, with a 850 mile trip back to England, we got the SatNav out and tried to cheer each other up by finding an Indian restaurant in France. I guess we came over all “Colonial”

“Garmin” said that there were 4 Indian restaurants, 3 of which were in Paris and the other was 384 kms northeast of our position, in a town called “Chaumont” So, faced with the whole of Europe, we chose Chaumont, madras lamb, poppadums and hopefully Tiger beer and a bit of lime pickle.

At the ferry, I remembered the town and set my sights on Chaumont, as it would get me over half way to Mont Dore and I knew, I could find the hotel again and maybe a curry!
After a night of French fags, Belgium beer and a Chinese food (the Indian restaurant had closed down, due to lack of interest!) I was feeling particularly “continental” and finally set down for the night, after a walk to the Roman Aqua ducts.

The following day was bright and dry with good road conditions, which made the 5 hours on the twisty roads to Le Mont-Dore, via Vichy and Gannet among the best biking roads I know.

At Le Mont Dore, the French started to turn up from about 6.00 that Friday night and the was topped off by 18 people congregating in the Italian Pizza Restaurant from 10.30 pm.

Saturday after breakfast, Valentino Rossi visited the meeting where seeing the ST2fant, wanted to try out my bike. I arranged a photo shot but he was busy “talking” to the bike…bloody artists!

By mid morning all the French had arrived.


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Once we were all there, they had scheduled a morning of: “Walk up a mountain” followed by a “Picnic at a waterfall” and finalising with “Collapsing at a stream” After the climb (approx 20000 metres or so, we passed through cloud, before seeing GOD) I was breathing heavier than an asthmatic porn star. But, the French, true to form, whipped out some bread, meat, cheese, fruit and started a Picnic.

After the climb, we were given a “severe talking to” after I tried to explain my plan to capture a mountain goat to Phil the Bike. Once back on the ground my spirits rose, as did the noise levels, as we all gathered for an impromptu pre- BBQ drink. I bought some bottles of red wine from the camp shop whilst others, more sensible, planned a trip to the SuperMarche to buy Meats, Pastisse and more cheese.

Once everyone was back from the Supermarche-reccy, it was time for group photo. The French are really serious about this little meeting and as you can see from the photos, got all the fants to line up in model order.

As the afternoon wore on we got into full party mood, whilst my french language got better, but my behaviour got worse. More drink followed and I tried to involve a German/French female in the theory of linear expansion!

At 1am I had to go down the mountain to get to the hotel, as camping is for others and those called Tarquin. Keys in ignition, gulps of beer are replaced with gulps of air in lungs, brain in gear and I’ve no idea ..no lights….fuse gone ….why is it still dark?? As I walk back to the party, crest fallen, like a broken man, as the bike wants to stay the night, without me and I’m offered a 1984 650 fant to ride the 6kms down the Mountain via twisties to my hotel. Where else would you get drunk and then find another person offering you their bike to ensure that you get home! Talk about sobering up quickly….I kick the bike into 2nd gear and with the rev counter on 2000 rpm, I head off in a trance, wibbily wobbily ing all the down the mountain. Sunday morning, was spent saying “Goodbye” and “Sorry” in equal measures. I returned to 650 to its rightful owner and headed over to the ST2fant where it stood all night, like an unwanted guest, at an “all ticket party”. Shortly after I left the meeting, the French got together and celebrated my departure, by having a group photo which did not include me or Rossi!

The rest of Sunday was spent following the fantastic little known BIS routes. I had discovered in a shop in Daventer, Holland an old Michelin map, showing the old BIS tourist routes through France. The BIS routes coupled to the Le Mont Dore meeting, are my strongest recommendations, for trying something new. By the way, the tyres I put one after Silverstone, were the new Michelin Anakee 2 and these are a bit different from the last Anakees (which, I loved) Even after 1500 miles the release bobbles on the front tyre, are still there and I was not riding like a man frightened to throw it over.

If you look you can see the changes in tyre colour from the middle, through to the riding edge, approx 10mm from the tyre edge yet the bobbles are there. I reckon these tyres will easily see 10000 miles before the need changing.

Until next time…..

Sept 2011.

Gavin the Scotsman