02.45am… the loud phone alarm sounds. This is the earliest I’ve ever got up to go on a motorcycle ride. My partner Emily was less than impressed with the early start. She had agreed to join as my pillion today – her first ride with EKAM; if there was one way to put her off for life this was it. I don’t keep my bike at home usually, however on this occasion I wasn’t trundling around to the garage to get it at this hour – so it was on the drive. Cover off, and remembering to take off the disc lock, we were off on our way to Dover to join LSM 2025.
Today I was riding my fairly new, to me, Honda ST1300 Pan European. I bought it as a low-cost but reliable do it all tourer specifically to do more two up rides – today we would be putting it to the full test. After an uneventful but rather dark ride down the A2 from Faversham to Dover we arrived at the Port, and the excitement was building. I had been over the Channel a couple of times on previous bike trips but always from the Eurotunnel, so this was a novelty.
Clearing passport control and check-in it was time to find our departure lane. Of course, I would have looked at this before setting off (no, I didn’t!) but after a sigh from my passenger and a quick stop to double check the number we found our lane.
After a quick coffee it was time to board. I must admit I was getting a little nervous; big heavy touring bike with a pillion and a slippery ferry ramp, what could go wrong? But any anxiety was short lived, as my trusty Pan got us aboard with no issues. Now time to fasten down the bike. This was different to the tunnel. And of course, my second blunder of the day already, I got the strap caught in the ratchet! Thankfully, Adrian and Sarah were on-hand to help. (I got the feeling they’d done this before). Breakfast couldn’t come soon enough!
An uneventful crossing and Calais was soon approaching. Time for our briefing! Mark would be our ride lead today with Sarah keeping us all in check and acting as our TEC. Mark shared some useful tips for riding in France, particularly regarding priorité à droite and the need for caution at junctions where traffic from turnings on the right have priority to enter your carriageway.
Time to go down to the bikes and I was pleased to be back on the Pan. On the ferry we got separated so we immediately pulled into one of the lanes to ‘form-up’. Emily piped up on the intercom – ‘smile for a quick selfie’, and we’re off…
Mark said we didn’t want to join the motorway, so we set off for a little tour of the Port of Calais… Gate after gate was closed, and it didn’t look like we would make it out. I joked on my intercom. “that’s the day done, time to go home”. Eventually, Mark found us a way out and we were off to find some stunning roads. Leg one of the days ride would take us down to Hesdin, and it wasn’t long before I got to open the Pan’s V4. I’ve been to France many times before, but I have always neglected Northern France usually to get to the Alps or the Med. But you really don’t need to go far in France to find some stunning roads with virtually no traffic – this is what I bought this bike for.
After an hour and a half riding, we made it into Hesdin to make our first fuel stop. Not having a modern fuel gauge with any idea of range, Mark recommended I put some in. Refuelled, we were a bit behind schedule so no time to stop for coffee and a pain au chocolat, there were more roads to find. This time we’d be doing a loop back to Hesdin in time for lunch. Now if I thought the first part got fast, the second was just heavenly. It was great to see everyone letting their bikes stretch their legs with some lovely overtakes between the group, local farm traffic, and the odd Citroen heading home after presumably visiting the Boulangerie. And then Peter had pulled in and was flagging us down – time for a group photo before heading back to Hesdin for lunch.
Hesdin is well worth a stop if you’re in the area, and as with the case in France there were plenty of eateries! A group of us headed for La Belle Epoque which was delightful. We got very lucky with the weather and was able to get a table overlooking the river. After a delicious filet de boeuf, it was time to head back on the bikes. After lunch, Peter lead us on a 45-minute stretch heading back towards Calais stopping at Desvres. Again, another great ride however there was a noticeable difference in pace, the post-lunch slump had hit us all.
Time for coffee and cake in Desvres to wake us up for the final push back to Calais.
The last leg of the day saw us head back to the coast where there were some stunning views back over the Channel to the White Cliffs. Passing through Audinghen and Wissant Emily noticed some large concentre bunkers dotted around. I mentioned these were all part of Hitler’s Atlantic Wall during the Second World War. Some had now opened as museums and as a history buff this would be an interesting visit during our next trip. The coastal route was particularly busy with a mix of locals enjoying the late summer evening sun and with visitors like us. We passed what felt like a thousand other bikers heading west – all giving a friendly wave.
Back at Calais and after a smooth check in it was time to board. This was a different boat to the one in the morning and seemed to have a grippier surface. All strapped down, we all congregated in the bar. Sarah did an excellent job of organising the most comfortable seats for us all to unwind on the crossing back and to share our thoughts on what was an excellent day.
8.30pm…… back home in Faversham and what a fantastic day we’d had. Time for a shower, beer and bed. Thank you to Sarah and Mark for organising an excellent day out – roll on next year!
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