Early planner!

[chrisb]

I am dreaming of doing a nice trip next year. Plans shot to pieces this year for many reasons. Teenage kids included
Considering travelling down to South of France by train from Calais and then across Pyrenese from Narbonne to Biarritz. Follow the coast then, north and up to Roscoff for return to Ireland.
Now heres a couples of ponders: The journey of about 500Km across the Pyrenese x two up plus luggage x loads of luggage and more luggage. Has anyone done this ride and is it hard going....is it suitable territory two up on a Transalp or do we need to trade up aka Ewen & Charles...We are kinda not exactly spring chickens and t'other half likes lots of stops and about 200Km per day max. That makes this all in all about a 10 day holiday. Only in the initial dreaming stage at this point but wondering if it's a bit too much. Have done lots of 200Km day trips together so far including France/Belgium/Scotland etc. Do you think the TA is suitable ?
Thanks for your thoughts,
Chris

[PHILinFRANCE]

Hi Chris
The TA will eat it up and then ask for more me and the better half did a little run out to the coast last year, 430miles one way fully loaded on a 600TA and no worries we stopped around every 100miles or so to fill up and have a smoke,could have doubled that distance but we wheren,t in a rush and the temp. was high 80° but the TA never missed a beat. OK when we got to our digs and dumped all the luggage the bike felt as light as a feather Total trip only about 1100miles but did it 4 days
Go for it mate you,ll love and call in if your passing
Phil

[POTSKI]

Hi chrisb
If you are two average sized people, can't see a problem. The humble Transalp is pretty good at everything you throw at it...does it all. Suggest as with all bikes, keeping the weight of gear down as much as you can, difficult with the misses on board, I know. But no worries, nice and steady and you'll be fine. If I can help with sugested route/stop points let me know.

Cheers
Potski

[steveR]

The 'alp will be fine as will you and the Missus, the biggest problem is carrying all the gear for 10 days. As it doesn't sound as if you are camping, that'll help as you can wash clothes etc as you go along and no cooking gear needed

Tell her she can have ONE pannier and that is all and then see what the packing looks like.....