Trip report: 2,700 km scooter ride from Lacanau-Océan to Névache (Briançon)

From Lacanau Océan to Névache, July 4–13, 2024. Stopping at roadside markers and signs in towns, on trails. I left home in Corsica, took the boat from L'Ile-Rousse to Sète, then headed up to Lacanau-Océan for the start of the 45th parallel. Destination: north of Briançon, Plampinet (Névache municipality). For more info and photos, check out my FB page "45th Parallel". I did it solo, on a 125cc scooter, a Honda Forza with no mechanical mods. Under-seat storage, a top case, a bag strapped to the rear seat with bungees, and two side bags that gave out in the first few days due to poor quality. Used a GPS, smartphone apps like the famous "68°", "my exact location", and "Ventusky" for weather. Plus paper road maps and a travel journal. Various accommodations (camping, B&Bs, a yurt, and staying with friends). In total: 2,700 km total, including 1,800 km from Lacanau to Névache via small, lost-but-so-pleasant backroads. Crappy weather from Sète to Lacanau, then nice conditions. Estimated fuel consumption: 3 liters per 100 km. No mechanical issues—neither with the scooter nor myself. One regret: I didn’t take enough time to meet people. For info...: At nearly 77, I still feel the need to do things differently—like the GTA (Grande Traversée des Alpes 😠, the climb to the metallic globe at Nordkapp, Norway (which I did by sea)😠, the trip to southern Portugal😠, etc. On top of that, after an accident and two major knee surgeries, I can’t hike, bike, trek in the desert, or even walk 1 km on sand. That’s also why I can’t ride a motorcycle with bent legs… * Feel free to share your thoughts or ask for more details.

Hey there, just writing to keep VoyageForum going—I’m thrilled it’s back up! I just got back from southern Morocco on my 125cc, after a month and 7,000 km on the clock. I might not be the youngest, but I’m still eager to live life to the fullest. I shared my adventure on a 125cc Facebook group. There aren’t many of us doing long trips on small bikes. For me, this was my first, and definitely not the last. Speed isn’t the main goal—it’s the lightness and low fuel consumption (under 4L/100km) that make these bikes easy to handle and affordable for any budget.

Which FB group is it? I might be in it under my name: Patrice Bonnel... Congrats on your "ride"!!!

Hi on the ''road tryp 125cc'' site, Michel GARCIA.

A bit late... I think I recognized you on FB; I sent you a PM on your page.

Hey Chnoupi, Hope you passed through the Vercors?😉 It was probably on your route. Around Pont en Royans, which you can see in the photo of my avatar? I’m just saying, though—there are days, or rather some spring weekends, when we’d prefer to hear a little less of those rumbling two-wheelers... That nasty thing that happened to you... I can’t even imagine how I’d handle it if I couldn’t walk anymore!

Yeah, I went through the Vercors to get to Les 2 Alpes (Léoncel, Pont-en-Royans, Villard...). And discovered a famous peaty whisky at the Vercors distillery in St Jean-en-Royans 😉 The area is gorgeous—I rode through it too quickly, going from St Hilaire-du-Rosier to Les 2 Alpes in a day—but I promised myself I’d go back !

Yeah, you only skimmed the northern part; you’ve gotta come back and ride north-south or, even better, northwest-southeast! ;)

And discovered a famous peaty whisky at the Vercors distillery in St Jean-en-Royans ;)

I know exactly where it is, but since I’m not a big whisky fan, I’ve never stopped there.

Wow. Your trip looks amazing and you must be too.

Thanks! I just really want to avoid doing what everyone else does... Welcome to Corsica!