Tour Reports & Reviews

Michelin Anakee 3 Review – First 400km

GPS Republic Community, Motorbike & Gear Reviews

It’s touring time again and this year I’ll be riding the Alps and Pyrenees on a F800GS instead of my now retired R1150RT. And with the F800GS as this years war-horse I was forced to choose a new set of tyres. Continue reading »…

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May 12 2013 No Responses yet

A motorcyclist has crashed badly. He might be your mate. Would you know what to do?

Mar 18 2013

I’ve recently asked myself that very same question and to be honest I did not like the answer! While at the recent 2013 Motorbike Show in Dublin I came across the FBoS or First Bike on Scene stand and I have to say I had a really good conversation the Nick and Rodge, the lads [...]

2012 Pyrenees Motorbike Tour. Day 3

Feb 01 2013

Route – Col du Pourtalet, Col de Marie Blanque, Col de la Pierre St. Martin, Porte de Larrau Col du Pourtalet The next morning I wake at dawn feeling refreshed and still elated from the previous day so I’m back on the road by 7am. I had no real plan for my last day in [...]

2012 Pyrenees Motorbike Tour. Day 2

Jan 23 2013

France, St. Beat The next morning I wake up with the strangest feeling that I’m not alone and I sit up to find a squirrel gobbling my nuts! I’d left the window open and a bag of mixed nuts and dried fruit on the window sill. A rather unlikely event I’d agree, but I’m in [...]

2012 Pyrenees Motorbike Tour. Day 1

Jan 15 2013

Departure: Spain – Valencia, Aragon and Catalonia Arrival: France – Hautes-Pyrénées

The TwistyRide lads. 2012 Euro Tour – The Stelvio Pass

Jan 03 2013

By Cedric TwistyRide.com As it so happens, Denis’s recent change of heart on the BMW R1200GS was echoed by a similar experience within the Twisty Ride crew. Two members took on the GS this summer and became… well, changed men. Really.

BMW R1150RT Retires & Upcoming Videos

Oct 28 2012

After 10 wonderful years and over 70,000km of touring heaven I’ve finally come to the difficult decision to retire my R1150RT work horse as I’m finding myself more often on more off the beaten track roads in the Alps, Pyrenees and Ireland. As much as I love the whole RT range I’m finding the RT [...]

RoadTrooper Teams up with TwistyRide

Sep 25 2012

Recently I teamed up with my like-minded friends at TwistyRide.com to test and review their motorcycle gear, much of which I already use or have used at some point. If you don’t know of TwistyRide.com it’s a new company that’s well worth checking out, it’s run by a couple of French lads, Cedric and Remi [...]

Michelin Pilot Road 3 – 10,000km review update!

Sep 04 2012

For those of you who have read my first review of the PR’3 I put on my R1150RT before last years Alps tour will know that I was more than a little impressed by them. After riding well over 7,000km they were still in near perfect condition. On returning to Ireland from a long ride [...]

Living with the BMW F800R, 1 year on!

Jul 01 2012

Well it’s just shy of one year since I bought the F800R, the honeymoon is well and truelly over. More often than not a year on from buying a motorbike I’m either bored, frustrated with it or both, either way I’m usually gunning for a change, but what about the F800?

2011 Alpine and Pyrenees Tour. Day 6

Apr 19 2012

Gorges: Gorges du Verdon, Gorges du Nesque, Col de Tempêtes and Mont Ventoux. Distance: 320km. Gorges du Verdon Day 6 finds me starting my day in Saint-André-Les-Alpes at the head of Lac de Castillon, fed by Le Verdon River which over the millennia has gouged out Europe’s version of the Grand Canyon.

2011 Alpine and Pyrenees Tour. Day 5

Mar 21 2012

Some of these passes I covered last year in which case I’m not going into too much detail blabbing on about them. For the 2011 trip I filmed the roads with a Drift HD170 Action Camera, I hope the videos attached to this blog will help you see for yourself what to expect better than [...]

2011 Alpine and Pyrenees Tour. Day 4

Feb 11 2012

Col Du Galibier (Alt. 2646 m) The northern ramp is currently not great from Valloire to Verneys but enjoyably none-the-less, riding through Verneys in September was an experience as it had no road surface at all, some lads from the road works dept had dug up the fecken lot leaving me to ride my R1150RT [...]

2011 Alpine and Pyrenees Tour. Day 3

Dec 29 2011

This was a big day riding some of the best roads I know of. Leaving Albertville I headed up Col des Saisies 1657m, Cormet de Roselend 1967m, Col du Petit St.-Bernard 2188m (Hannibal’s Pass), Col de l’Iseran 2,770m (Highest Paved Mountain Pass in Alps), Col Du Mont-Cenis 2087m, Col du Telegraphe 1566m, Col Du Galibier [...]

2011 Alpine and Pyrenees Tour. Day 1 & 2

Dec 10 2011

The 2011 Tour was 6500+ km through the Alps and the Pyrenees taking in 38 of the highest passes, many made famous from the Tour de France cycle race in 10 days. Starting in Albertville I rode through the French and Italian Alps down as far as Gorges du Daluis where I rode along Gorge [...]

2011 Tour Gear. Michelin Pilot Road 3 Review

Nov 22 2011

The 2011 motorcycle riding season is well and truly dead, so I’m back for another winter to keep your motorbike spirit alive with ideas, photos and videos to help plan your tours for next summer. The website will be continually improved and your feedback and ideas for it are welcome so don’t be shy… It’s [...]

Pre-Tour Servicing at Platinum Motorcycles

Sep 09 2011

I’ve had a number of motorcycles over the years with the bike I regret selling the most being a 1995 Kawasaki VN800A with a 21” front wheel, Cobra pipes and a load of chrome bolt-on’s it was my pride and joy. For the most part I’d do most of the servicing on those bikes. Nothing [...]

RoadTrooper’s 2011 Alpine/Pyrenean Tour Sponsored by Platinum Motorcycles!

Sep 09 2011

I’m more than happy to announce that RoadTrooper has it’s 1st official sponsor, Platinum Motorcycles in Bray, Co Wicklow (www. platinummotorcycles.ie)

Carcassonne to Andorra via 11 Passes/Cols

Apr 15 2011

Route Description – From Carcassonne through Cathar country, entering Spain through one of the highest passes, ending in Andorra la Vella Distance – 470km of mostly Pyrenees mountain roads with 11 great Cols Cols/Passes – Col de Portel (1,432m), Col de la Crouzette (1,246m), Col de Péguère (1,375 m), Col de Port (1,249m), Port de [...]

Route Camarguaises/The Camargue Circuit

Apr 13 2011

Route Description – The Camargue Circuit runs from Arles to Saint-Maries-de-la-Mer through the Camargue National Park and back to Arles. Distance – An easy 140km

Provence – Monasteries, Country Roads, Castles and Villages Route

Apr 06 2011

Route Description – Monastery, Castle, Open Country Road and Provencal Village Circuit. Starting outside Signes near Toulon this a great motorcycle route through the back country of Provence known mostly to the local bikers. Cant really recommend this route enough, it’s a really magic mix of smooth open country roads, typical old villages with a [...]

Provence – Golden Cliff Road, Frejus, St. Raphael, St. Maxime, Port Grimaud, St-Tropez and the Maures Forest

Mar 27 2011

Route description – Starting and ending in Théoule (west end of Cannes) this route takes the Corniche D’Or (gold road), Frejus, St. Raphael, St. Maxime, Port Grimaud, St-Tropez, the forest’s of Massif des Maures and a couple of great villages. Distance – 254km

Route Des Grande Alpes. Stage 8 – St Martin du Vesubie to Menton

Mar 27 2011

Route description and places to stay along Stage 8 of this great Alpine tour: Stage 8 – St Martin du Vesubie to Menton Distance – (Stage 7a – 148km) (Stage 7b – 157km) Cols – Col St.Roch, Col de Braus, Col de Turini featured in the first episode of Top Gear series 10 when the [...]

Route Des Grande Alpes. Stage 7 – Castellane to St Martin du Vesubie

Mar 27 2011

Route description and places to stay along Stage 7 of this great Alpine tour. Stage 7 – Castellane to St Martin du Vesubie Distance – (Stage 7a “Purple” – 148km) (Stage 7b “Green”- 157km)

Route Des Grande Alpes. Stage 6 – Barcelonnette to Castellane/Grand Canyon du Verdon

Mar 27 2011

Route description and places to stay along Stage 6 of this great Alpine tour. Stage 6 – Barcelonnette to Castellane Distance – 182km Cols/Gorges – Col de la Bonette (el. 2715 m./8907 ft.), Gorges de Valabres, Gorge du Daluis, Additional Routes – Grand Canyon du Verdon (Marked Yellow on Map)

Route Des Grande Alpes. Stage 5 – Briancon to Barcelonette

Feb 17 2011

Route description and places to stay along Stage 5 of this great Alpine tour. Distance – 114km Cols – Col l’Izoard, Col du Var Additional Routes – Lac de Serre-Poncon (Route 115km), Col d’Allos (el. 2250 m.) – Col des Champs (el. 2087 m.) – Col de la Cayolle (el. 2,326 m) (Route 116km)

Route Des Grande Alpes. Stage 4 – Lanslebourg/Val Cenis to Briancon

Feb 17 2011

Route description and places to stay along Stage 4 of this great Alpine tour: Stage 4 – Lanslebourg/Val Cenis to Briancon Distance – 110km Cols – Col du Telegraphe, Col du Galibier Additional Route – Including Col du Lautaret, Col de Sarenne, Croix de Fer, Col du Glandon (300km)

Route Des Grande Alpes. Stage 3 – Bourg Saint Maurice to Lanslebourg/Val Cenis

Feb 11 2011

Route description and places to stay along Stage 3 of this great Alpine tour: Stage 3 – Bourg St Maurice to Lanslebourg Distance – 76km (120km inc trip to Lac Cenis – 6/8hrs) (200km+ Bourg St Maurice to Briancon 6/8hrs) Cols – Val d’Isere, Col d’Iseran

Route Des Grande Alpes. Stage 2 – Grand Borand to Bourg St Maurice

Feb 09 2011

Route description and places to stay along Stage 2 of this great Alpine tour Stage 2 – Grand Borand to Bourg St Maurice Distance – 100km Aprox 3.5hrs, 4.5hrs inc Col du Pré +20km This stage passes – Clusez, St-Jean-de-Sixt, La Giettaz, Flumet, Les Saisies Cols – Col des Aravis – 1486 meters, Col des [...]

Route Des Grande Alpes. Stage 1 – Thonon to Grand Bornand

Feb 03 2011

Route description and places to stay along Stage 1 of this great Alpine tour. Stage 1 – Thonon-les-Bains to Grand Bornand Distance – 90km This stage passes by Morzine, Gets, Taninges, Cluses, Le Grand-Bornand Cols – Col de Gêts 1163 meters, Col de la Colombière 1613 meters Cols (Stage 1b) – Col du Ranfolly, Col [...]

So what the hell is Route Des Grande Alpes anyway?

Feb 02 2011

The Route des Grande Alpes is a tourist itinerary through the French Alps between Lake Geneva and the French Riviera passing over all the highest passes of the French Alps. It also hugs the Swiss and Italian borders so feel free to explore off route.

Tossa de Mar to Monserrat Monastery

Jan 31 2011

Route length 168KM At 1236 metres (4055 ft) above the valley floor, Montserrat is the highest point of the Catalan lowlands whose name means serrated mountain, it’s about an hours ride west of Barcelona and easily possible as a return bike ride from Tossa, plenty of petrol stations and places to eat and stay. Barcelona [...]

Tossa de Mar – Sant Feliu – Besalú

Jan 28 2011

This route takes you from coastal Mediterranean cliff side roads through Gerona, farmlands and low hills to the wonderful medieval walled town of Besalu.

Guadalest Routes

Jan 12 2011

Guadalest is the most visited town in Spain with more than 2 million visitors a year. The picturesque Guadalest bell tower perched on a rock pinnacle is now the icon for the Alicante province of Spain. It’s well worth a visit and the only Spanish village in the region that’s remotely like the perched villages [...]

Wicklow Mountains. Route 2

Dec 13 2010

This route starts just outside of Rathdrum simply because the stretch of road from here to Laragh is a great bit of crack if it’s quiet, there are a couple of really tricky turns on this road close to Rathdrum, you will know what I mean when you try them. Best to ride it slowly [...]

Wicklow Mountains. Route 1

Dec 07 2010

As a landscape photographer I get to spend a lot of time in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains and have gotten to know many of the most scenic back roads. So if you’re in the area why not check them out, as they are all within an hours drive from Dun Laoghaire port.

Tax Registration Certificate While Riding Across Europe

Nov 04 2010

A quick tip for bike trips to Europe for the Irish/English – we don’t have to carry our bike’s Tax Registration Cert here, but you bloody well NEED it in Europe.

GPS Republic Facebook page

Nov 04 2010

Just for the crack I’ve set up a Facebook page with more advice, links, videos, etc. Please feel free to comment or add your own advice for those thinking of making the trip. GPS Republic Facebook page – Routes for Bikers

Alpine Adventures – Col de l’Iseran

Nov 04 2010

I never get tired of watching this:Alpine Adventures – Col de l’Iseran »

Route Des Grand Alps Flickr Photos

Nov 04 2010

More photos of my trip along Route des Grande Alps are available on my Flickr page:Route Des Grand Alps at Denis Smyth Photography

Route Des Grande Alps – Tour Planning

Jun 06 2010

If anyone is interested in riding this route, as well you should, here are some useful links to help plan your trip, and a little advice of my own.

2010 Euro Bike Tour. Day 8 – Le Cote d’Azure

Jun 03 2010

I am not a real fan of the coast here, its crowded, over priced, polluted, seriously packed with tourists, car drivers are aggressive and the cops here seem to be worse then anywhere else. But in fairness I used to live here so have a different opinion than the normal biker just riding through.

2010 Euro Bike Tour. Day 7 – Barcelonnette to the coast

Jun 01 2010

My God I’m tired, it’s been a very long time since I’ve ridden a bike so far and the late nights and early starts are starting to get into my old bones, my pains have pains and my brain is on auto pilot. But my goal is in sight as I’ve decided to spend the [...]

2010 Euro Bike Tour. Day 6 – Briancon to Barcelonnette

May 30 2010

Today I had planned to attempt 5 Cols “mountain passes” in one day, Col d’Izoard (2360m), Col de Vars (2108m), Col d’Allos (2247m), Col des Champs (2087m), and Col de la Cayolle (2328m). The plan being taking Cols Izoard and Vars to Barcelonnette, unloading the motorbike at the hotel I had booked and taking the [...]

2010 Euro Bike Tour. Day 5 – Lake & Mont Cenis

May 26 2010

It’s the 24th of May and today I’m going to take it easy as by this stage, with 1700+km since leaving Cherbourg I’m getting pretty knackered so I take a short 90km ride back into Italy and another bike-tastic road, the N25 up to Mont/Lac Cenis and back down into France.

2010 Euro Bike Tour. Day 4 – Matterhorn to Briancon

May 26 2010

I really did not want to leave, I loved the little town of Torgnon in the Aosta Valley and for me the little place I had stayed in was perfect, rustic, full of character and charm. If your ever up there it’s worth staying with them, I’ll insert the GPS location soon, but for now [...]

2010 Euro Bike Tour. Day 3 – The Matterhorn

May 22 2010

Friday, 21 May 2010 As I write this, eagerly awaiting my wild boar stew, I look out over the mountain vista where across from the restaurant the owner’s son tends his goats, the faint sound of their bells hinting at the desert of goats cheese to come. Jesus, I wonder if I am really here [...]

2010 Euro Bike Tour. Avalon to Aosta / Matterhorn Valley

May 22 2010

Thursday, 20 May 2010 A difficult day as I lost a screw on the GPS holding bracket so the GPS got a knock and somehow lost the maps I loaded for the route into Italy with the result being I had to use the old fashioned way of navigation. After more then a few wrong [...]

2010 Euro Bike Tour. Cherbourg to Avalon

May 22 2010

Wednesday, 19 May 2010 What a day, Normandy in early summer is amazing, blue skies, and green fields emblazoned with yellow flowers of rapeseed, the vibrancy of the colours almost a shock to the system after the grey seas of the journey over. Unfortunately I had little time to take photos as the route I [...]

2010 Euro Bike Tour. Irish Ferries – Oscar Wilde – Rosslare/Cherbourg

May 19 2010

The Oscar Wilde Tuesday, 18 May 2010 On the ship there is not too much to excite the traveler, food is over priced and mediocre but no surprise there. The real disappointment is the lack of entertainment; there are only a couple of bars / lounges with no entertainment apart from some washed up twat [...]