The infrastructure in France has changed as well. Twenty years ago it was pre autoroute, all roads went right through the lovely towns and villages. Now, you have to make the effort to search them out. Thes minor roads still exist but have all grown vast numbers of roundabouts, all obviously designed to curb speed and reduce the previous carnage on these roads.
I have been a loyal Honda rider for a few years, ever since my Triumph Trophy broke its cam chain. Over the years we have inwardly chuckled over the tribulations of other makes. Italian electrics, BMW quality control issues, Suzuki and Kawasaki not many represented but sometimes not making it to Dover!
Well now its happened! A Honda CBF1000 broke down and had to be retrieved by the Spanish version of Green Flag. It was taken to the Hotel where the brains trust consensus
was that it was not going any further. Rest assured I ventured no opinions of my own. Upshot was main Honda dealer in Gerona was called in and tour leader drove home two days behind everyone else.
All in all a testing mileage around 2,200 miles. Best moment for me was on Costa Brava paella night when I heard the young and pert waitress telling a senior member of our group that she had a brazillian. I thought this was too much information bearing in mind his age and delicate disposition. It seems I mishheard, she was from Sao Paolo