The Honda Owners Club

Three Shires are looking into riding out to Normandy begining of July 2008 for a long weekend. If any other branch or member would like more information or fancy joining us on this contact Paul Gbel or leave message below.

Hi Paul, sounds good but me and the wife are doing Scotland and Ireland next year so dont think we'll be abale to come.... Hope you get a good turn out...... And by the way if its raining on Sunday morning STAY IN BED......!

I done it once I do it again

heheh Yeah got a big bike cover if you want thou not tried riding with it on yet

Got one or 2 friends that might also join us but told them if it raining ring me first to see if ride still on got a new phone number btw 0782 5728258 so if it raining up there and you not going give us a bell as it might be sunny in sheffield.

Pray's for Sun and see you sunday if it is.

Possible date for the Normandy Extended long weekend is the 27 June 08. Leaving Portsmouth at 2230 Ferry (LD Lines) for the Overnight Ferry to La Harv. and Returning on to Portsmouth on the Tuesday at 2100.

If anyone Else would like to join Three Shires Please contact Paul Gbel Via the Three Shires Website or Use the there forums for latest information

If you would like more information and are thinking about joining us even a hmm maybe please let me know asap as I can talk nice to the ferry company and work around some figures (Nothing will be in Stone at this Point)

Just been checking out some prices for Normandy, these are based on 2007 price lists so could change. With about 230-miles to Portsmouth and looking at the sailing times, I think we’d be better crossing to France on the ferry and returning via Eurotunnel to avoid a long ride north at night. I’ve highlighted my preferred options in yellow that would cost me £72 but I'm happy to go with what the majority wants. Usually I do the Return STD seat @ £40 but then again I’m a night shift driver so it’s easy for me.

Ferries: -
Departure from Portsmouth every day at 11pm and arrival at Le Havre at 7.30am the following morning.
Departure from Le Havre every day at 5pm and arrival at Portsmouth at 9.30pm
1 bike solo - Portsmouth / Le Havre (prices for single & return journey)
Single STD seat £33 – Return STD seat £40
Single 1 x berth cabin £78 – Return 1 x berth cabin £133.50
Single 1 x berth cabin outwards + STD seat return £111

1 bike rider & pillion - Portsmouth / Le Havre (prices for single & return journey)
Single 2 x STD seats £40.50 – Return 2 x STD seats £55
Single 2 x berth cabin £105.50 – Return 1 x berth cabin £178.50
Single 2 x berth cabin outwards + 2 x STD seat return £146

Eurotunnel: - 13:20 depart Calais to Folkestone
Single 1 x bike solo or with pillion £39

Accommodation: -
Arromanches Campsite E3.50 per pitch per day + E3.50 per head per day Inc Shower.
B&B approx E60 per room per night sleeping 2/3/4 persons – breakfast E8.00

Have you looked at the fast crossings to Caan from Portsmouth as that puts you in Normandy no long rides either way on th French end.

When I did this trip before my largest chunk of mileage was the journey in England too and from the Portsmouth ferry terminal, a total of 460-miles for me… I bet I didn’t cover 500-miles while I was in Normandy, there’s just too much to see. The coast road from Le Havre to Arromanches, through all the villages and towns is fantastic but you’ve really got to have breakfast overlooking the harbour in Honfleur and there’s a market there on a Saturday morning as well.

My mid-life crisis is still going strong,
I fear when it ends I’ll become a gardener…

Just one thing to consider between now and when we go (well two things actually)
1. European motorcycle insurance – all my bikes are insured on one policy with ebike who give me a fully comp that covers me in europe the same as it does in GB.
2. Breakdown and recovery policy – mine is through MAG which costs me around £50 per year and also the £20 (I think) annual subscription to the group so £70 in total and they cover bikes upto 20-years old
Having said that I don’t think we’d see anyone stranded over there would we?

I just spoke to the other half and got his hopes up about joining for the Normandy weekend, then...doh, realised we're gonna be in Corfu...guess who's in the dog house now!
Have a great time though x

Well I nip over there 2-3 times a year so if I plan to go later in the year I'll shove it on the forum...

Or earlier in the year!!!

I'm also working on gaining the club a discount with Erica on any future crossings with LD Lines for all club members. Talking with a lovely frenchman called Fred from the Office in Le Havre. No I don't speak French, tried a few times but French and Welsh I always got muddled up so gave up, But luckily he is very good with english. Thou I do keep on at this issue to gain a discount with the ferry company I do need a idea of how many are likely to join this rally.

If anyone also has any information about how often the club organizes trips abroad or is planning any this information could also be handy. At the moment we are at that sort of stage and he is willing to give a club a discount on a yearly basis but the more that we travel the bigger the discount. So even if you go to france in the car with wife and Kids things could get cheaper soon thou LD Lines have some good offers atm anyways and there staff are really helpful and polite, where nothing is to much trouble for them to do for you, much better than thou prices aren't out yet ring back in new year

Erica is also helping me with this and Fred has contacted His headoffice to see if there are interested in advertising within the Goldenwing.

Day 1 – Friday 27/06/08

Barlbrough to Portsmouth - 207 miles



Meet up 2-3 pm place to be arranged, maybe M1 Junction 30 Barlborough.

Ride down to Portsmouth ferry terminal allowing for 2 breaks en-route, last checking 9:30-pm, board ferry to Le Havre, departing 11-pm overnight. (To be confirmed)



Day 2 – Saturday 28/06/08

Le Havre to Arromanches - 72 miles



Ferry docks in Le Havre around 7:00-am (subject to timetable and Time zone confirmation)

Depart ferry around 8:00-am towards Honfleur arriving at Honfleur 9:00-am for breakfast and a short visit of the town before heading off to Benouville around 11:30. We should arrive at Benouville about 12:30 and have the opportunity visit the Pegasus Bridge Memorial have some refreshments. Departing for Arromanches around 14:00, and arriving Arromanches Municipal Campsite around 15:15 where we can pitch tents and familiarise with the area.



Day 3 - Sunday 29-06-08

Beaches of the D Day Landings – 100 miles



Leaving the campsite around 10:00 am we head west only a few miles to Longues Sur Mer to visit a German gun battery which still has 3 of the 4 six inch guns still intact, the forth gun having sustained a direct hit from the allied forces assault. Back on the road again and still heading west to Grandcamp Maisy for Lunch and calling at Pont de Hoc and the Omaha Beach on the way. After lunch we head back towards Honfleur visiting an American Cemetery and Port en Bessin on the way.







Day 4 Monday 30-06-08

Cherbourg - St. Vaast – Arromanches – 145 miles



An earlier start today around 9:30 and a ride along the main roads to Cherbourg and a visit to the Maritime Museum. Here we have the opportunity to take an audio guided trip around the museum dedicated to underwater world with petting pools where you can stroke the Rays. Take in a tour around a nuclear submarine, “Le Redoubtable” which is part of the exhibition. Returning down the coast via the lovely fishing port of St Vaast and a shopping opportunity





Day 5 – Tuesday 01-07-08

Honfleur – Le Havre. – 72 miles



Departing around 10:30-am to allow enough time to reach the ferry terminal at Le Havre before the last check in at 15:00 am sailing at 17:00 pm. Following the same route down calling at Trouville and Deauville for lunch and maybe more shopping.



Portsmouth to Barlborough – 207 miles



After the crossing and allowing time for unloading and passport control, we should depart the terminal around 10:00 pm and returning to Barlborough around 2:00-am.

I think the trip looking promising and the itinerary’s just a suggestion. Depending what the majority want to do, there’s also Caen, the city where William the Conquer came from, there’s the city of Bayeux and its tapestry and something that I’m currently trying to find out, where Calvados is distilled.

It’s also a perfect introduction to riding on the continent as well, with people who have done it before so there will be help and advice on hand for anyone that needs it.

I have today received an email from Fred at LD Lines and confirm a nice offer.

1 Bike and Rider will be £55 Return in Club Class saving £12

1 Bike and Rider with Pillion will be £72.50 Return in Club Class saving £24

if anyone would like a Cabin or Sleeper seat I'm also looking into that option.

The tickets need to be booked before the end of the year to hold at those prices thou there is room for the odd addition afterwards.

Those prices seem very good. Did Fred give a price for a 2 or 4 bunk cabins with solo riders, i.e. 2 bunk cabin to accommodate 2 solo riders etc?