@@r-btoofficial7865 trans European trail, some are quite hardcore off-road but others are light trails, covers whole of europe, loads of stuff on internet and you tube
I did this trip in 2007 on a kawasaki er6f. Ihad brought it as my first big bike after passing my test in 2006 and touring the uk. I spent 8 months going through France and Spain with full panniers set and a tent. Great road trip, experienced no breakdowns or not even a puncture. Nothing wore out or broke on the bike, and I did a total of 10,800 miles. Great times. I chose the kawasaki because it was lightweight and reliable. I think it was the right choice, and I still have the bike, which has now done 35,000 miles, and she's as sweet as ever.
I am starting to watch. A small criticism if I may is the sense of hurry. When I am travelling I never complain about narrow roads and never have a deadline to beat.
Great journey. Reminds me of a journey I did back in 1985 from London to Paris on a small 125 cc motorcycle (Suzuki GS 125). Took about 8 hours from start to finish inclusive of ferry crossings, all completed in 1 day on non-toll routes. Very sore and stiff afterwards. Didn't take any waterproofs but luckily it didn't rain!
I can't believe some folk go away on "tour" then sit on motorways every day, we never use them unless we need to bail and sort an emergency or the weather turns shit and we just divert some place else that requires us to find some time.... great vid and vibe BTW 👌
I love back roads, not off roads. I have a Triumph Thunderbird 1600 and I take it where ever she'll take me. At my age, I only wish I could ride further. Cheers!
Great video as always One tip! I do a lot of camping Freddie - If I was you, I’d lean the bike away from your sleeping quarters. If the side stand fails, sinks or slips the bike could kill while your sleeping.
Fair play, lad, you had the guts to see it through; and rightly so. Once you you start something, you finish it - no quitting- therein lies life’s rewards.
Freddie ,your tent ,would be called a swag in Australia. They have been around for at least a hundred years, the simple ones were just rolled up canvas . Men who were out of work ,travelling the country in search of farm work were called swagmen . I enjoyed your journey.
I get the desire to keep the whole kit retro but that canvas swag tent, it's giant. And if you had to deal with it wet? No thanks. A modern tent is cheap, rainproof and about 1/4 the size and 1/10 the weight.
@@mitchellfox3130 Until the wind blows or you get a storm, then the swag comes into it's own. point your toes into the wind tie the top end to the bike then sleep tight. Also a hell of a lot warmer than a tent.
Swag is a WAY better option than a tent, they are also 100% rainproof ( once properly seasoned) I've camped in an unexpected storm in a swag with zero dramas.
Swags have their pluses and minuses ,no good if you want to wait out wet weather for a day or two. Brilliant for fast set up and pull down. A little bit bulky,too
@@mitchellfox3130 check videos on how to waterproof canvas. Basicaly just apply a mix of wax and grease or use silicone. Can be even cheaper as you can use fabric that's beeing given away or bought for cheap at a thrift store.
Brilliant video Freddie! You are leaving the UA-cam competition for dust!!! Way way better than someone riding a new bike bike around the UK. Keep it up Freddie, I'm totally convinced that you'll have 1 million subscribers by the end of the year!!! Fantastic video!!!!
What a great video! I am a Brit with a Bonneville who has lived in Barcelona for years, so you did what I have been thinking about for a long time. But I think I would do it taking my time. Too much stress otherwise. Thanks!
Having a hectic work day , I come home to watch a Freddie Dobbs video on another bike adventure doing what I love doing motorbikes changed my attitude and turned my day to a great day thank you Freddie!!
You cannot beat stopping in a small French village or town, right outside a coffee shop. Waitress service out in the sun. Usually great food, baguettes, salads etc. Excellent coffee. Love it. Been through France more times than I can recall.
This is a very good point- I completely overlooked this (I think I was travelling back to the UK when the news broke), but I used DFDS on the way back. It was a bad experience on P&O. Over crowded, nothing open and not pleasant.
Hello Freddie, someone commented that you will soon have a million subs. Well all I can say is I really hope so, it will be soo deserved. As far as I am concerned, no one comes close to the quality of your videos. Big Big respect mate. I honestly mean that. Thank you .
Saw you outside Greggs in Amersham with your Speed Twin yesterday afternoon. You were tucking into a rather large baguette sandwich. You're the thinnest person I've ever seen who frequents Greggs ;@) Would have come and said hello and had a chat, but couldn't as I was taking my elderly Mum shopping. Your Speed Twin looks good. ATB.
Great vid Freddie, And unlike other vloggers, you didn’t need a GS1250 to do it…..amazing! 😂😂👍. Doing it on the the Route Nationale is definitely the nicest way to do France. Just to say that nearly all villages have toilets and wash facilities in France (bring your own soap & bog roll), and all big supermarkets have petrol stations, clothes washing facilities. Also, generally in Summer most larger towns have camping areas that are secure, very cheap for tents with free showering and clothes washing facilities and generally a cafe/restaurant. Once again, great vid and well done for the journey. 👍👍
Freddie, Sir, this is just pure gold. This is the vid that we will all watch for years, it will inspire a new generation of bike minded folk and motivate established bike folk to rediscover why we love the road, two wheels and that adventure bug that some of us are born with. Old school adventure on a Bonnie. As an Irishman, I would have been less polite to the scammers at the petrol station. Anyways, bravo on the trip. More adventures, keep us motivated.
Freddie, thank you so much for your video's. Your enthusiasm for the biking world is infectious and you have certainly inspired me to try wild camping on my next adventure! Keep up the great work! Bravo dear boy 👏
France is so beautiful! I think we’ll end up living there in a few years time (we would be there now if it weren’t for Brexit!). I enjoyed your Maldon video too (place of my birth). Good stuff bro! Unique recipe. Keep it up 👊🏼
I haven't done a motorcycle with tent trip for 40 years but I still remember how free it was. I also remember having to get out of the tent and pack it all up and onto the bike in torrential, power shower type cold rain. All part of the adventure though. Great to live vicariously through sharing your trip videos.
You've outdid yourself yet again, Freddie: long distance touring, motocamping and filming without Monika all in one! Amazing and definitely great content. Enjoy the rest of the trip but do be safe.
Very brave without breakdown cover or a tool kit 😁 bikes do have a tendency to vibrate lose anything not thread locked. I'm with Start Rescue, they're great and EU is covered as well all for under £100 a year. Great value getting there, makes for a cheap riding holiday. Great video 👍
Omg you didn't even bring an adjustable spanner. Depending on bike 10 12 14 15 mm and hex set of course, bare minimum. Wouldn't ride two miles without!
Enjoyed watching the video; brought back memories of when I did a similar ride to Barcelona back in 1978 with pillion and luggage. The trip was carried out on OEM 650cc Triumph Tiger TR6R (proper Triumph and not a Blumph). We ended up on a camping site on the Costa Brava and we did this journey on a shoestring budget, I was still an apprentice and on a very low wage (no bank or credit cards). It did help when my pillions PIT mates turned up for their holiday and they kindly bought us many drinks in the bars we were frequenting. Back then you didn`t need to wear a crash helmet in Spain and I remember this one day I went for a cruise along the road heading towards Barcelona, my riding attire consisted of T-Shirt, Shorts, Flip Flops and Mirror Sunglasses (shear heaven with the warm wind in your hair). The only upset I had on this ride was when I passed two Spanish Police on Sanglas motorcycles parked up on the side of the road. After I had passed them I decided to look back to see if they were following me, this is when the wind caught my mirror sunglasses and they ended up smashed on the road, beyond repair!
Thank you for sharing this fantastic adventure! I am glad you were able to navigate the dangers of the road! From the Western US, I wish you the best of experiences! Be safe sir!
Top man! Great summary. Well worth the effort enjoyed by us all. You encourage all of us to get out on our bikes and just do it. Thanks ever so much for your excellent and inspiring videos!
Your videos are always spot on. It's all so chill and relaxed. I enjoyed it really much!
2 роки тому+3
I discovered your channel because I got interested in motor riding a few weeks ago. And stayed because of your great adventures and excellent reviews - lovely stuff! Going for my first motorcycle lesson next week. Stay safe my friend and keep the videos coming!
This is exactly everything I love about riding. I understand why folks burn motorway miles to cover good ground, but nothing like taking country roads and little lanes that showcase all of the beautiful hidden gems, save on fuel too. I also find the challenge of locating a place to pitch up and crash for the night, part of the fun! I always recce an area on Google Maps and give myself a few hours to make sure it's viable. I definitely feel you with time, being a content creator it's nuts how much it can consume when setting your camera up for these videos etc, so on top of timing yourself with travel, it can be stressful! Smashed it though. Ace vid Freddie, cheers dude! P.S I hope you put a shelf the wrong way round in the Ikea cupboard, out of spite. 😉
Great film. Not surprised Monika was excited to see you leaving. She's been promising to come and stay with me for ages. Your camping trip brought back a lot of memories. I crossed America and Mexico on a Yamaha XS850 with a girlfriend on the back. We slept in a 20-dollar Walmart tent with the guy lines on one end tied to the bike. Checked into a cheap motel once a week for showers, etc. Started cold in Canada and felt the air gradually warm up as we approached Mexico. Great feeling. Buena suerte hermano!
Excellent video; it reminds me of travelling when I was young - it was Vintage Austin Sevens then, not motorcycles, but byways and wild camping was the way to go. It looks like it still is!
You know Freddie, when you started out, I remember thinking “oh no, not another new to biking vlogger, who hasn’t a clue about bikes, just what we don’t need” but honestly? I find your video’s inspirational, beautifully produced and relevant. Well done young man. I intend to learn from your experiences for my next tour next year on an R1200RS (you’s love the riding experience of the R1200RS btw). One comment if I may? Get yourself some better protective kit! Those gloves will rip apart and offer no protection. Back protector a must as are lightweight waterproofs. For comfortable helmets its a personal thing but I find shark or shoei lids far better than agv. For a tent I much prefer the Robins bell type tents. Do check them out as for a more compact tent folded up you get 8ft of room! Single pole and half a dozen pegs job done and loads of room plus packs up smaller than yours and withstands very high winds. Polycotton means more weight but you can get lighter polyester ones. Polycotton way better in hotter climates though. Triumph quality would put me off wanting another. Mine proved unreliable hence I went back to a bmw.
did this trip in 2004 on a triumph Bonneville t100 spent 3 months touring France Spain Andorra Portugal , best trip of my life ,and a memory that will always stay with me .camping was cheap keep off the motorways , enjoy the ride infact don't have a plan . just go where your heart tells you to go on the day
Really enjoyed this and was pleased to hear about Hood motorbike jeans. As a new rider I’ve only been exposed to the really big brands so to hear about a small British firm is great. I’ve ordered a pair of their jeans and I let Hood know I heard about them through your channel. All the best.
DAMM YOU FREDDIE! I had forgotten how obsessed I became in travelling around Europe on the cheap I had become! I did a similar route on my T595 and GS at all times avoiding toll roads, keeping it scenic and running out of time BUT oh the memories of those lovely single tracks, sleepy villages, attempted scamming by ex pats and having my tail pack stolen are just priceless! BIG THANK YOU for bringing back some clarity to those fuzzy memories. Now I must go and find my one man tent, make sure my foot pegs are tightened and ……….
Another beautifully made video Mr Dobbs, we have family that live in Valencia, Spain and I've often wondered how much it would cost to ride and visit then, now I know (roughly) thanks to you. It was so nice to meet you at the Bike Shed Show this year. Thanks for all your hard work that you put into these videos for us to view.
Brilliant Freddie. Reminds me of my trip all the way around the outside of Switzerland a few years back. Using passes not tunnels, no motorways, and wild camping next to the bike. A different pace indeed. 3 days, 1600km. Awesome experience.
I ride year round here in the US and after being raised riding in Alaska I can definitely attest to your good choice to use a vest as an underlayer. You can get light ones up to the thermo lined ones or down. It keeps any wind that may leak through off you and your core just nice and warm w/o usually getting too hot as the day temps change. I guess riding back in the day (50+ years) we did not have the cool riding gear we have now. It was mostly work wear (like Carhart!)for that season! Underlayers for warmth and wet weather were the key. Anyway, a great vid my friend! I am thrifty also and would LOVE to do the ride you are doing. It is on my retired bucket list now! Stay safe in all your travels my friend!!
Just discovered your channel. Really enjoying it and i’m watching your videos a lot! This video gave me inspiration for when I’m having my T120 black next month😃 Keep up the good work mate, cheers from Holland!🍻
Thanks Freddie. You've spurred me on. Just made up my mind to bike it from Cardiff to Valencia on my rv125 at the end of August. Definitely no peage for me! Ps I have bigger bikes but there's no adventure likes small bike adventure....
I think I missed the news breaking on this while i was travelling from Tenerife to the UK. I made sure to book DFDS on the way back (infinitely better). P&O was a bad experience- under staffed, only one tiny, over crowded cafe open and it felt like the whole operation was in trouble.
Just made my first road trip ever (solo) with my bike a few weeks ago , and I can find this special feeling through this video. I am amazed seeing you sleeping like you did on your tent, on the side of the road... seems as scary than amazing. keep it up. Cheers
It’s a really special feeling heading off into the distance on a biking trip- glad you enjoyed your adventure🙂 It was an interesting experience wild camping. It does feel strange on the first night, but it feels very normal after that and genuinely you do get used to it🙂👌🏻
This has inspired me so much! I want to go from here in Malaga Spain to Rome Italy on my bike, I cant wait! Going to take all of the backroads I can. Much Love to you all and safe travels
Nobody else is doing this Fred!! Just taking off and doing such a cool solo experience that we can all share a bit of. Brilliant idea and execution. So sorry about the robbery dude I hope nothing too personal was taken and it doesn’t in the end stop you from exploring and taking us with you wherever you go. (Btw just off on my FIRST wild camping trip this weekend on the Svartpilen 401. So, so excited!)
Mate, you have the right idea about motorcycling here I believe, cheap simple and fun. I regular ride to the french alps and I feel your pain with trying to do the the journey in a timely manner. Next time I will give myself an extra day so I can relax more
Happy to see you there 🙂 You're right, just avoid those boring motorways and you will plainly enjoy the scenery! Nice filming too 😊 the soul of Monika was there 😉 Saludos desde Argel 😉
Freddie, I really love your vlogs for the enthusiasm that you show. But here comes a little warning: Although it might seem to be a good idea to put up your tent so close to your bike, because it is a wonderful way to attach the shelter to it, it is in fact highly dangerous. If your bike falls over or gets tipped over for whatever reason - stand sinking into the soft ground, when it starts to rain at night, curious big animals pushing it, drunken idiots … you name it - you might very well lose your life during sleep, when you get hit by your bike in the right (or rather wrong) place! Do not do that!
Just finished a 12 day trip to Corsica. Down from Switzerland all the way to Genoa, ferry, around Corsica and back up France through the Napoleon route! Fantastic video bro
I never found the Route Nationale in France that slow. I once drove my Bond GT equip from Frejus in the south of France to Calais in only 12 hours. I left Frejus at 12 noon and got to Calais at 12 midnight. Unfortunately though, the earliest ferry was about 6 hours later so I had to wait at the port before I could continue my journey.
You have officially convinced me, to do this myself, touring with a motorcycle. I'm in Cambridge and just aiming to get my motorcycle next year, this shall be a good life changer. Hope to see you around Mr. Freddie!
I’m currently traveling Europe and I have my google set to avoid highways and tolls. It takes a bit longer to get to your destination. But the roads are amazing in the countryside and villages. And i’m not in a hurry. 50 days traveling and 4100km 😎 Lovely video 👊🏽
Nice video I totally agree with you about seeing more on the trip I just did a trip to sitio de Calahonda on my C125 supercub Some motorways but no tolls I took this bike just purely to keep the cost down 150 + mpg The journey and experience just makes me want to do it again soon Keep making the videos and ride safe Enjoy your work 💪
Love your videos you give me hope that I can do something like this some day! Also, it’s amazing how many motorcycle riders are going by in Barcelona….so many other riders than I ever see here in the US.
I never had any breakdown insurance on my 1980s trips on my XT500. I don't think it existed back then. I didn't take a tent, either, just a sleeping bag. I always used to lean the bike away from where I was sleeping, in case it fell over. This is definitely the best way to do it, Freddie. As cheap and basic as possible. But by the '90s, I had graduated to dirt cheap hostals. Oh, and breakdown cover. I miss Europe [but not GB] so much. Great video.
Good one Freddie. My family and I do a road trip to central Italy every August and we often wondered about avoiding the rolls so this film has been very helpful.
Great trip roughing it Freddie! The tent looks lovely and is very quick to set up but I have to say my decathlon fresh and black is about half the size packed and twice the size up. Combined with a down sleeping bag it's an incredibly comfortable and compact package. Looking forward to more adventures like this
Goodness me it's been ages since I've ridden down through France on my BMW... my old boxer... we never went on the motorways always on the N roads.... was such a thoroughly lovely experience as you describe... thank you for bringing it all back to me
There’s something about a long adventurous trip, on your own, it really is fun. In the 80’s while in the RAF, a group of us (6 bikes) would, once a month, stick a pin in a map of the UK and go camping. Lake District in the sun to Brecon Beacons in 6ft on snow, all in single man tents and cheep sleeping bags … long before luxury’s like Wingman Of The Road. Great trips with great friends. We always took a small tool kit, set of spanner’s, players, cable ties just to get us out of trouble. Looking forward to your next instalment in “The Adventures Of Freddy Dobbs”. 👍
Great video and journey ! Never been to Barcelona! I have cycled and motorbiked down the west coast of France, camping as you say when you feel like it , the freedom of no plans is wonderful
Nice, simple, fun... I really like the approach. I'm planning my summer trip now, which will cover some of your route. Unlike prior years, I want to do things more spontaneously. I tend to overplan and overpack. Your kit is a little different than what I would consider essential here where I live in Norway, where rough, cold weather is a constant presence. Rain gear, cooking equipment, sophisticated camping tools ... it all gets to be too much. I look forward to minimalist, stress-free riding.
Just stumbled across this and just started to watch it. I can't get over just how much you sound like Quentin Willson. Looking forward to watching the rest.
id love to see more videos like this, bridge travel, wild camping etc .very good fun and keen to recreate it myself this weekend on my way to swizerland!
I think maybe " when you get back remember to put the ikea cupboard together" means get back home safely in mother-in-law language. Great video Freddie, I'm hooked.
Another great video Freddie.. brings back memories of hacking it through France in the 70's. You had a deadline to meet and quite a distance to cover.. hats off to you for taking the time to set up the camera and make an interesting watch for us. Shame about the laptop, that's always a worry for me when I leave the bike for a minute or two. Take care and enjoy Barcelona ( although you're back now I think haha)
Brilliant mate. Had to pull out a photo of my set up in ... 1984 ...MG V50II..purchased in London by a Kiwi who didn't even know what a Moto Guzzi was...but fell in love... backpack I found in the attic of the Kiwi house we all lived in (being a Kiwi as I am)...a wee tent and sleeping bag from an army place that cost 40 quid back then..20 quid each.....they both went in the backpack, which left room for a couple of t shirts, undies (not many) and two pairs of shorts. I think. Oh yes...and a tank bag...brilliant thing and I could put my paper map into the cover..Rode alone because flatmates pulled out...thank god..ended up in Israel...and years of adventure followed. I was in no rush, and just stayed in campsites. Cheap. Showers. Often had food and a bar. And friendly travellers. Buy a cheap bike and a cheap set up and take the little roads guys. Thanks Freddie for reminding me.
Reminds me of my trip to Venice in 1985 on an SP1000 Moto Guzzi where along with 5 other bikes our goal was not to plan our stops and not to travel on any motorway. The journey there and back was the two week holiday, we only spent two days at Venice, truly memorable
At 6'6" I didn't have the luxury of picking a pretty motorcycling tent lol. So few options, very jealous. Also so jealous of your trip through West Europe, rushed as it was.
Freddie..i found your channel 3 weeks ago. and from the first moment on I was captured by your charma :-) seriously you are such a humble good guy. your way to show your trips is absolutely fantastic. you are so authentic and symphatic, your channel will explode, I am sure. Therefore, I want to thank you. keep it going but remember to stay safe. Don´t do stupid things just for the success of the channel, the world is crazy. I am very sorry for your bad experience. I ride since i was 15 years old (now 45) and I did some great journeys on my bike too. Every time it is just an unforgettable experience. I hope you come someday to Germany ;-) Many fantastic roads in the black forest and bavaria. Another tip I can give you is the route des grand alpes. From lake Geneva to Menton (cote azur). A mindblasting trip...wish you all the best. best greetings from germany...Norbert
@@FreddieDobbs you are very welcome Freddie. Really keep this route in mind for the next years. I swear it is beautiful as hell, if you plan it you can extend it down to St. tropez and from there up north to lac de saint croix (verdon). i would recommend you min. 2 weeks of travelling from england, I know its muc time but its worth every mile :-) have a great time Freddie. Greetings Norbert
Nice video Freddie. Did France in the early 70s on my leaking BSA Starfire 250 then much later on a touring bicycle. Now back on a Triumph Street Twin. Love France. Secret is stick to D roads. They’ll take you through wonderful villages with lots of lovely cafés and restaurants
Hi Freddie. That was a mega run and I would be very tired after long days like that. I have always avoided motorways in France but I normally only cover 200/250 miles each day. I agree with you the countryside and little villages/towns are brilliant. I have always found the French people to be lovely as well. Ride safe.
This could be fun… and possibly an eye opener for you. France is BIG. If you stay on the D roads, you’re going to need most of a week just get to Spain. Good luck!
Another banger brother. Do you know of an app for locating scenic dirt roads? I just got some 80/20 tires for my Bonnie!
Appreciate it!🙌🏻🙌🏻 Hmmm, I’m not sure but I’ll pin this comment to see if anyone knows of one. Enjoy the tyres- that sounds fun!🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
TET maybe
@@nickdavies4123 TET?
@@r-btoofficial7865 trans European trail, some are quite hardcore off-road but others are light trails, covers whole of europe, loads of stuff on internet and you tube
Buy some old fashion maps, the detailed ones and you can figure out easily.
I did this trip in 2007 on a kawasaki er6f. Ihad brought it as my first big bike after passing my test in 2006 and touring the uk. I spent 8 months going through France and Spain with full panniers set and a tent. Great road trip, experienced no breakdowns or not even a puncture. Nothing wore out or broke on the bike, and I did a total of 10,800 miles. Great times. I chose the kawasaki because it was lightweight and reliable. I think it was the right choice, and I still have the bike, which has now done 35,000 miles, and she's as sweet as ever.
I am starting to watch. A small criticism if I may is the sense of hurry. When I am travelling I never complain about narrow roads and never have a deadline to beat.
Great journey. Reminds me of a journey I did back in 1985 from London to Paris on a small
125 cc motorcycle (Suzuki GS 125).
Took about 8 hours from start to finish inclusive of ferry crossings, all completed in 1 day on non-toll routes.
Very sore and stiff afterwards.
Didn't take any waterproofs but luckily it didn't rain!
How old are you sir?
@@ahmetaln348737+
I can't believe some folk go away on "tour" then sit on motorways every day, we never use them unless we need to bail and sort an emergency or the weather turns shit and we just divert some place else that requires us to find some time.... great vid and vibe BTW 👌
Motorways save time. You've done France 100s of times and you just wanna get it out of the way and explore somewhere else.
I love back roads, not off roads. I have a Triumph Thunderbird 1600 and I take it where ever she'll take me. At my age, I only wish I could ride further. Cheers!
Great video as always
One tip! I do a lot of camping Freddie - If I was you, I’d lean the bike away from your sleeping quarters. If the side stand fails, sinks or slips the bike could kill while your sleeping.
Fair play, lad, you had the guts to see it through; and rightly so. Once you you start something, you finish it - no quitting- therein lies life’s rewards.
Freddie ,your tent ,would be called a swag in Australia.
They have been around for at least a hundred years, the simple ones were just rolled up canvas .
Men who were out of work ,travelling the country in search of farm work were called swagmen .
I enjoyed your journey.
I get the desire to keep the whole kit retro but that canvas swag tent, it's giant. And if you had to deal with it wet? No thanks.
A modern tent is cheap, rainproof and about 1/4 the size and 1/10 the weight.
@@mitchellfox3130 Until the wind blows or you get a storm, then the swag comes into it's own. point your toes into the wind tie the top end to the bike then sleep tight. Also a hell of a lot warmer than a tent.
Swag is a WAY better option than a tent, they are also 100% rainproof ( once properly seasoned) I've camped in an unexpected storm in a swag with zero dramas.
Swags have their pluses and minuses ,no good if you want to wait out wet weather for a day or two.
Brilliant for fast set up and pull down.
A little bit bulky,too
@@mitchellfox3130 check videos on how to waterproof canvas. Basicaly just apply a mix of wax and grease or use silicone. Can be even cheaper as you can use fabric that's beeing given away or bought for cheap at a thrift store.
Brilliant video Freddie!
You are leaving the UA-cam competition for dust!!!
Way way better than someone riding a new bike bike around the UK.
Keep it up Freddie, I'm totally convinced that you'll have 1 million subscribers by the end of the year!!!
Fantastic video!!!!
1 year later: Not even made it to 100k subs yet...
What a great video! I am a Brit with a Bonneville who has lived in Barcelona for years, so you did what I have been thinking about for a long time. But I think I would do it taking my time. Too much stress otherwise. Thanks!
Having a hectic work day , I come home to watch a Freddie Dobbs video on another bike adventure doing what I love doing motorbikes changed my attitude and turned my day to a great day thank you Freddie!!
You cannot beat stopping in a small French village or town, right outside a coffee shop. Waitress service out in the sun. Usually great food, baguettes, salads etc. Excellent coffee. Love it. Been through France more times than I can recall.
Great video, shame about choice of ferry company. Probably no food available as they sacked all the staff.
This is a very good point- I completely overlooked this (I think I was travelling back to the UK when the news broke), but I used DFDS on the way back. It was a bad experience on P&O. Over crowded, nothing open and not pleasant.
@@FreddieDobbs ' It was a bad experience on P&O. Over crowded, nothing open and not pleasant'....That's probably all changed now, with the new staff.
Didn’t need*
Wasn't ferry good was it
Hello Freddie, someone commented that you will soon have a million subs. Well all I can say is I really hope so, it will be soo deserved. As far as I am concerned, no one comes close to the quality of your videos. Big Big respect mate. I honestly mean that. Thank you .
Thoroughly enjoyed that Freddie - good effort!
Saw you outside Greggs in Amersham with your Speed Twin yesterday afternoon. You were tucking into a rather large baguette sandwich. You're the thinnest person I've ever seen who frequents Greggs ;@) Would have come and said hello and had a chat, but couldn't as I was taking my elderly Mum shopping. Your Speed Twin looks good. ATB.
Thanks!🙂
are your mirrors vibratin'? You love that don't you? Almost as much as capitalising and cheap ads on other people's efforts.
Thanks
Great vid Freddie, And unlike other vloggers, you didn’t need a GS1250 to do it…..amazing! 😂😂👍. Doing it on the the Route Nationale is definitely the nicest way to do France. Just to say that nearly all villages have toilets and wash facilities in France (bring your own soap & bog roll), and all big supermarkets have petrol stations, clothes washing facilities. Also, generally in Summer most larger towns have camping areas that are secure, very cheap for tents with free showering and clothes washing facilities and generally a cafe/restaurant. Once again, great vid and well done for the journey. 👍👍
Freddie, Sir, this is just pure gold. This is the vid that we will all watch for years, it will inspire a new generation of bike minded folk and motivate established bike folk to rediscover why we love the road, two wheels and that adventure bug that some of us are born with. Old school adventure on a Bonnie. As an Irishman, I would have been less polite to the scammers at the petrol station. Anyways, bravo on the trip. More adventures, keep us motivated.
Freddie, thank you so much for your video's. Your enthusiasm for the biking world is infectious and you have certainly inspired me to try wild camping on my next adventure! Keep up the great work! Bravo dear boy 👏
Really appreciated, thanks Phil!
France is so beautiful! I think we’ll end up living there in a few years time (we would be there now if it weren’t for Brexit!).
I enjoyed your Maldon video too (place of my birth).
Good stuff bro! Unique recipe. Keep it up 👊🏼
And you keep up the phenomenal work on your channel
You'd be most welcome among us, mate ! Don't keep us waiting !
Yes hurry up and sod off.
Nothing stopping you emigrating.
I haven't done a motorcycle with tent trip for 40 years but I still remember how free it was. I also remember having to get out of the tent and pack it all up and onto the bike in torrential, power shower type cold rain. All part of the adventure though. Great to live vicariously through sharing your trip videos.
This is something I hadn’t experienced (packing a tent in torrential rain). I get caught out badly on the return trip😆🌧
How brilliant. Love the fact that it isnt a trip for content but a trip for your self..great job buddy
You've outdid yourself yet again, Freddie: long distance touring, motocamping and filming without Monika all in one! Amazing and definitely great content. Enjoy the rest of the trip but do be safe.
Very brave without breakdown cover or a tool kit 😁 bikes do have a tendency to vibrate lose anything not thread locked. I'm with Start Rescue, they're great and EU is covered as well all for under £100 a year. Great value getting there, makes for a cheap riding holiday. Great video 👍
I’ve never come across them but this is incredible value, thank you for sharing, Dale. I’ll shout them out in tomorrow’s podcast episode🙂
Omg you didn't even bring an adjustable spanner. Depending on bike 10 12 14 15 mm and hex set of course, bare minimum. Wouldn't ride two miles without!
Enjoyed watching the video; brought back memories of when I did a similar ride to Barcelona back in 1978 with pillion and luggage. The trip was carried out on OEM 650cc Triumph Tiger TR6R (proper Triumph and not a Blumph). We ended up on a camping site on the Costa Brava and we did this journey on a shoestring budget, I was still an apprentice and on a very low wage (no bank or credit cards). It did help when my pillions PIT mates turned up for their holiday and they kindly bought us many drinks in the bars we were frequenting. Back then you didn`t need to wear a crash helmet in Spain and I remember this one day I went for a cruise along the road heading towards Barcelona, my riding attire consisted of T-Shirt, Shorts, Flip Flops and Mirror Sunglasses (shear heaven with the warm wind in your hair). The only upset I had on this ride was when I passed two Spanish Police on Sanglas motorcycles parked up on the side of the road. After I had passed them I decided to look back to see if they were following me, this is when the wind caught my mirror sunglasses and they ended up smashed on the road, beyond repair!
Wonderful trip.
But what I enjoyed most was your positive outlook and attitude.
Cheers.
Thank you for sharing this fantastic adventure! I am glad you were able to navigate the dangers of the road!
From the Western US, I wish you the best of experiences! Be safe sir!
Thank you Julian- sending all my best!🇺🇸
The Bonneville makes a ride like this so much sweeter.
Best video I haver seen for a long time. It shows the very essence of riding. Well done and best wishes for lots more!
Top man! Great summary. Well worth the effort enjoyed by us all. You encourage all of us to get out on our bikes and just do it. Thanks ever so much for your excellent and inspiring videos!
Your videos are always spot on. It's all so chill and relaxed. I enjoyed it really much!
I discovered your channel because I got interested in motor riding a few weeks ago. And stayed because of your great adventures and excellent reviews - lovely stuff! Going for my first motorcycle lesson next week. Stay safe my friend and keep the videos coming!
The very best of luck with it, Andre! I’m delighted you’re enjoying the channel🙂
This is exactly everything I love about riding. I understand why folks burn motorway miles to cover good ground, but nothing like taking country roads and little lanes that showcase all of the beautiful hidden gems, save on fuel too. I also find the challenge of locating a place to pitch up and crash for the night, part of the fun! I always recce an area on Google Maps and give myself a few hours to make sure it's viable. I definitely feel you with time, being a content creator it's nuts how much it can consume when setting your camera up for these videos etc, so on top of timing yourself with travel, it can be stressful! Smashed it though. Ace vid Freddie, cheers dude!
P.S I hope you put a shelf the wrong way round in the Ikea cupboard, out of spite. 😉
Great film. Not surprised Monika was excited to see you leaving. She's been promising to come and stay with me for ages. Your camping trip brought back a lot of memories. I crossed America and Mexico on a Yamaha XS850 with a girlfriend on the back. We slept in a 20-dollar Walmart tent with the guy lines on one end tied to the bike. Checked into a cheap motel once a week for showers, etc. Started cold in Canada and felt the air gradually warm up as we approached Mexico. Great feeling. Buena suerte hermano!
Excellent video; it reminds me of travelling when I was young - it was Vintage Austin Sevens then, not motorcycles, but byways and wild camping was the way to go. It looks like it still is!
A great watch Freddie. Well done for mixing pressure with time with filming the experience. Enjoyed it.
Freiddie’s Channel became more Dream Factory then Hollywood itself 😍🏍
Thank You, Man! God may keep you safe on your roads!
I love this type of riding!!! A lot of people look at me strangely when I say ' it's not about the destination, it's about the ride'.
If Goose is considered small, then Big Agnes UL2 is microscopic 😂
Great video, I would love to ride there
You know Freddie, when you started out, I remember thinking “oh no, not another new to biking vlogger, who hasn’t a clue about bikes, just what we don’t need” but honestly? I find your video’s inspirational, beautifully produced and relevant. Well done young man.
I intend to learn from your experiences for my next tour next year on an R1200RS (you’s love the riding experience of the R1200RS btw).
One comment if I may? Get yourself some better protective kit! Those gloves will rip apart and offer no protection. Back protector a must as are lightweight waterproofs.
For comfortable helmets its a personal thing but I find shark or shoei lids far better than agv.
For a tent I much prefer the Robins bell type tents. Do check them out as for a more compact tent folded up you get 8ft of room! Single pole and half a dozen pegs job done and loads of room plus packs up smaller than yours and withstands very high winds. Polycotton means more weight but you can get lighter polyester ones. Polycotton way better in hotter climates though.
Triumph quality would put me off wanting another. Mine proved unreliable hence I went back to a bmw.
A great video Freddie - love it. Your positivity is so infectious. You've given me some serious travel ideas now...👌
did this trip in 2004 on a triumph Bonneville t100 spent 3 months touring France Spain Andorra Portugal , best trip of my life ,and a memory that will always stay with me .camping was cheap keep off the motorways , enjoy the ride infact don't have a plan . just go where your heart tells you to go on the day
Really enjoyed this and was pleased to hear about Hood motorbike jeans. As a new rider I’ve only been exposed to the really big brands so to hear about a small British firm is great. I’ve ordered a pair of their jeans and I let Hood know I heard about them through your channel. All the best.
DAMM YOU FREDDIE! I had forgotten how obsessed I became in travelling around Europe on the cheap I had become! I did a similar route on my T595 and GS at all times avoiding toll roads, keeping it scenic and running out of time BUT oh the memories of those lovely single tracks, sleepy villages, attempted scamming by ex pats and having my tail pack stolen are just priceless! BIG THANK YOU for bringing back some clarity to those fuzzy memories. Now I must go and find my one man tent, make sure my foot pegs are tightened and ……….
Very nice report. I love motorcamping too. Little tip, park the bike away from your tent, not towards. Sometimes the side stand sinks away 🫣
Dear Freddy you deserve many many 'Likes' maybe thousand more. Thank you for your sharing, it is like we traveled with you.
Another beautifully made video Mr Dobbs, we have family that live in Valencia, Spain and I've often wondered how much it would cost to ride and visit then, now I know (roughly) thanks to you. It was so nice to meet you at the Bike Shed Show this year. Thanks for all your hard work that you put into these videos for us to view.
Thank you so much, glad you found if useful!🙂
Brilliant Freddie. Reminds me of my trip all the way around the outside of Switzerland a few years back. Using passes not tunnels, no motorways, and wild camping next to the bike. A different pace indeed. 3 days, 1600km. Awesome experience.
I ride year round here in the US and after being raised riding in Alaska I can definitely attest to your good choice to use a vest as an underlayer. You can get light ones up to the thermo lined ones or down. It keeps any wind that may leak through off you and your core just nice and warm w/o usually getting too hot as the day temps change. I guess riding back in the day (50+ years) we did not have the cool riding gear we have now. It was mostly work wear (like Carhart!)for that season! Underlayers for warmth and wet weather were the key. Anyway, a great vid my friend! I am thrifty also and would LOVE to do the ride you are doing. It is on my retired bucket list now! Stay safe in all your travels my friend!!
Well done Freddie, great work filming when under pressure to get to Barcelona, hugely enjoyable as always.
Just discovered your channel. Really enjoying it and i’m watching your videos a lot! This video gave me inspiration for when I’m having my T120 black next month😃 Keep up the good work mate, cheers from Holland!🍻
Thanks Freddie. You've spurred me on. Just made up my mind to bike it from Cardiff to Valencia on my rv125 at the end of August. Definitely no peage for me! Ps I have bigger bikes but there's no adventure likes small bike adventure....
Great vid Freddie ......but why P&O !!?? . After the way they treated their staff I won't ever use them again !
DFDS are no more expensive
No one care about staff, they care about money n convenience
I was thinking the same. P&O no way.
@@the.communist Even the staff has lost the feel of solidarity. It's me, myself and I now fella. Extreme individualism is very in and alive.
I think I missed the news breaking on this while i was travelling from Tenerife to the UK. I made sure to book DFDS on the way back (infinitely better). P&O was a bad experience- under staffed, only one tiny, over crowded cafe open and it felt like the whole operation was in trouble.
@@FreddieDobbs yup DFDS , lovely friendly people, always DFDS x
Just made my first road trip ever (solo) with my bike a few weeks ago , and I can find this special feeling through this video. I am amazed seeing you sleeping like you did on your tent, on the side of the road... seems as scary than amazing. keep it up. Cheers
It’s a really special feeling heading off into the distance on a biking trip- glad you enjoyed your adventure🙂
It was an interesting experience wild camping. It does feel strange on the first night, but it feels very normal after that and genuinely you do get used to it🙂👌🏻
This has inspired me so much! I want to go from here in Malaga Spain to Rome Italy on my bike, I cant wait! Going to take all of the backroads I can. Much Love to you all and safe travels
Nobody else is doing this Fred!! Just taking off and doing such a cool solo experience that we can all share a bit of. Brilliant idea and execution. So sorry about the robbery dude I hope nothing too personal was taken and it doesn’t in the end stop you from exploring and taking us with you wherever you go. (Btw just off on my FIRST wild camping trip this weekend on the Svartpilen 401. So, so excited!)
Excellent video, Freddie. Well filmed and put together, it makes me want to ride more. Keep up the good work.
Mate, you have the right idea about motorcycling here I believe, cheap simple and fun. I regular ride to the french alps and I feel your pain with trying to do the the journey in a timely manner. Next time I will give myself an extra day so I can relax more
Hey Freddie, thanks for this fantastic video. What a great trip and idea. Take care. Regards Julian
Freddie Dobbs, the Alan Wicker of the motorcycling world! Keep up the great videos.
Ps, you remind me of Ed Skrein
Happy to see you there 🙂
You're right, just avoid those boring motorways and you will plainly enjoy the scenery!
Nice filming too 😊 the soul of Monika was there 😉
Saludos desde Argel 😉
Freddie, I really love your vlogs for the enthusiasm that you show. But here comes a little warning:
Although it might seem to be a good idea to put up your tent so close to your bike, because it is a wonderful way to attach the shelter to it, it is in fact highly dangerous.
If your bike falls over or gets tipped over for whatever reason - stand sinking into the soft ground, when it starts to rain at night, curious big animals pushing it, drunken idiots … you name it - you might very well lose your life during sleep, when you get hit by your bike in the right (or rather wrong) place!
Do not do that!
Just finished a 12 day trip to Corsica. Down from Switzerland all the way to Genoa, ferry, around Corsica and back up France through the Napoleon route! Fantastic video bro
I never found the Route Nationale in France that slow. I once drove my Bond GT equip from Frejus in the south of France to Calais in only 12 hours. I left Frejus at 12 noon and got to Calais at 12 midnight. Unfortunately though, the earliest ferry was about 6 hours later so I had to wait at the port before I could continue my journey.
Well done, Freddie! That's the way to tour! Looking forward to your next lap!
You have officially convinced me, to do this myself, touring with a motorcycle. I'm in Cambridge and just aiming to get my motorcycle next year, this shall be a good life changer. Hope to see you around Mr. Freddie!
I’m currently traveling Europe and I have my google set to avoid highways and tolls.
It takes a bit longer to get to your destination. But the roads are amazing in the countryside and villages.
And i’m not in a hurry. 50 days traveling and 4100km 😎
Lovely video 👊🏽
Nice video
I totally agree with you about seeing more on the trip
I just did a trip to sitio de Calahonda on my C125 supercub
Some motorways but no tolls
I took this bike just purely to keep the cost down
150 + mpg
The journey and experience just makes me want to do it again soon
Keep making the videos and ride safe
Enjoy your work 💪
Well done Fred. True biking legend.
Love your videos you give me hope that I can do something like this some day! Also, it’s amazing how many motorcycle riders are going by in Barcelona….so many other riders than I ever see here in the US.
I never had any breakdown insurance on my 1980s trips on my XT500. I don't think it existed back then. I didn't take a tent, either, just a sleeping bag. I always used to lean the bike away from where I was sleeping, in case it fell over.
This is definitely the best way to do it, Freddie. As cheap and basic as possible. But by the '90s, I had graduated to dirt cheap hostals. Oh, and breakdown cover.
I miss Europe [but not GB] so much.
Great video.
Good one Freddie. My family and I do a road trip to central Italy every August and we often wondered about avoiding the rolls so this film has been very helpful.
Great trip roughing it Freddie! The tent looks lovely and is very quick to set up but I have to say my decathlon fresh and black is about half the size packed and twice the size up. Combined with a down sleeping bag it's an incredibly comfortable and compact package. Looking forward to more adventures like this
Goodness me it's been ages since I've ridden down through France on my BMW... my old boxer... we never went on the motorways always on the N roads.... was such a thoroughly lovely experience as you describe... thank you for bringing it all back to me
There’s something about a long adventurous trip, on your own, it really is fun. In the 80’s while in the RAF, a group of us (6 bikes) would, once a month, stick a pin in a map of the UK and go camping. Lake District in the sun to Brecon Beacons in 6ft on snow, all in single man tents and cheep sleeping bags … long before luxury’s like Wingman Of The Road. Great trips with great friends. We always took a small tool kit, set of spanner’s, players, cable ties just to get us out of trouble. Looking forward to your next instalment in “The Adventures Of Freddy Dobbs”. 👍
I dream of making a trip like this one day. Thank you for posting Freddie. Very inspiring.
Nothing changes, I used to ride a Beezer A 10 50 years ago, a set of spanners was essential.
Just found your channel and loving it.
Great video and journey ! Never been to Barcelona! I have cycled and motorbiked down the west coast of France, camping as you say when you feel like it , the freedom of no plans is wonderful
Nice, simple, fun... I really like the approach. I'm planning my summer trip now, which will cover some of your route. Unlike prior years, I want to do things more spontaneously. I tend to overplan and overpack. Your kit is a little different than what I would consider essential here where I live in Norway, where rough, cold weather is a constant presence. Rain gear, cooking equipment, sophisticated camping tools ... it all gets to be too much. I look forward to minimalist, stress-free riding.
Just stumbled across this and just started to watch it. I can't get over just how much you sound like Quentin Willson. Looking forward to watching the rest.
Great video man! Really inspiring to do something like this, can't wait to get my motorcycle license!
id love to see more videos like this, bridge travel, wild camping etc .very good fun and keen to recreate it myself this weekend on my way to swizerland!
Favourite vlog from you so far. Thanks for sharing your ideas/route through France and onto Spain 👍👍
I think maybe " when you get back remember to put the ikea cupboard together" means get back home safely in mother-in-law language. Great video Freddie, I'm hooked.
Another great video Freddie.. brings back memories of hacking it through France in the 70's. You had a deadline to meet and quite a distance to cover.. hats off to you for taking the time to set up the camera and make an interesting watch for us. Shame about the laptop, that's always a worry for me when I leave the bike for a minute or two. Take care and enjoy Barcelona ( although you're back now I think haha)
Thanks very much! France in the 70s with no tolls… with CVs and Renault 4s everywhere I can imagine. Superb!😃
Brilliant mate. Had to pull out a photo of my set up in ... 1984 ...MG V50II..purchased in London by a Kiwi who didn't even know what a Moto Guzzi was...but fell in love... backpack I found in the attic of the Kiwi house we all lived in (being a Kiwi as I am)...a wee tent and sleeping bag from an army place that cost 40 quid back then..20 quid each.....they both went in the backpack, which left room for a couple of t shirts, undies (not many) and two pairs of shorts. I think. Oh yes...and a tank bag...brilliant thing and I could put my paper map into the cover..Rode alone because flatmates pulled out...thank god..ended up in Israel...and years of adventure followed. I was in no rush, and just stayed in campsites. Cheap. Showers. Often had food and a bar. And friendly travellers. Buy a cheap bike and a cheap set up and take the little roads guys. Thanks Freddie for reminding me.
Great - as always👍🏍💨💨 (hmm, for safety you might find it wiser to have the bike lean outwards from the tent, rather than into it🎪)
Reminds me of my trip to Venice in 1985 on an SP1000 Moto Guzzi where along with 5 other bikes our goal was not to plan our stops and not to travel on any motorway. The journey there and back was the two week holiday, we only spent two days at Venice, truly memorable
At 6'6" I didn't have the luxury of picking a pretty motorcycling tent lol. So few options, very jealous.
Also so jealous of your trip through West Europe, rushed as it was.
I love the concept of very low budget travel. And once on the road, enjoy the journey and problem solve along the way.
Freddie..i found your channel 3 weeks ago. and from the first moment on I was captured by your charma :-) seriously you are such a humble good guy. your way to show your trips is absolutely fantastic. you are so authentic and symphatic, your channel will explode, I am sure. Therefore, I want to thank you. keep it going but remember to stay safe. Don´t do stupid things just for the success of the channel, the world is crazy. I am very sorry for your bad experience. I ride since i was 15 years old (now 45) and I did some great journeys on my bike too. Every time it is just an unforgettable experience. I hope you come someday to Germany ;-) Many fantastic roads in the black forest and bavaria. Another tip I can give you is the route des grand alpes. From lake Geneva to Menton (cote azur). A mindblasting trip...wish you all the best. best greetings from germany...Norbert
I’m delighted you’re enjoying the channel Norbert!
Thank you for this tip- I’ve just saved the route🙂
Sending my best to you in Germany👋🏻🇩🇪
@@FreddieDobbs you are very welcome Freddie. Really keep this route in mind for the next years. I swear it is beautiful as hell, if you plan it you can extend it down to St. tropez and from there up north to lac de saint croix (verdon). i would recommend you min. 2 weeks of travelling from england, I know its muc time but its worth every mile :-) have a great time Freddie. Greetings Norbert
As always. Hugely enjoyable and entertaining film. Well Done.
Fantastic video mate! What a trip! Glad you limped back ok! Also glad UA-cam doesn’t have a ‘smell’ function! 🤣
This is very true- by the end I was embarrassed to go into supermarkets and cafes🤣🤢
@@FreddieDobbs You could use showers at trucker stops. If not there are always baby wipes.
Nice video Freddie. Did France in the early 70s on my leaking BSA Starfire 250 then much later on a touring bicycle. Now back on a Triumph Street Twin. Love France. Secret is stick to D roads. They’ll take you through wonderful villages with lots of lovely cafés and restaurants
This was lovely. Your enthusiasm was infectious.
Hi Freddie. That was a mega run and I would be very tired after long days like that. I have always avoided motorways in France but I normally only cover 200/250 miles each day. I agree with you the countryside and little villages/towns are brilliant. I have always found the French people to be lovely as well. Ride safe.
Loved it, please keep making videos like this, and not just reviews
You’re so inspiring man, love the videos you’re making
No breakdown insurance is one thing, but taking a simple tool kit is always a good idea!
This could be fun… and possibly an eye opener for you. France is BIG. If you stay on the D roads, you’re going to need most of a week just get to Spain. Good luck!