A Ride from Toulouse...

March 3, 2026
|In Culture
|By Paul d'Orléans

[Originally posted on The Vintagent’s original Blogspot account on June 12, 2011]

After so much talking about, thinking about, and writing about motorcycles, I think its time for a ride.  Can we go for a ride now?  Let’s go for a ride.

A swift ride through the French countryside in the mountains east of Toulouse. [Paul d’Orléans]
Motorcycles are for riding…

David and Valeria Borras the weekend I met them, aboard their ’74 Triumph Bonneville, before David began building custom motorcycles as El Solitario. [Paul d’Orléans]
Okay, let’s go, how about a big loop from Toulouse, with a bunch of characters, the usual kind who bring all sorts of crazy bikes, and who make you laugh all day, one way or another.

A formidable lineup of mostly 1970s Britbikes and Moto Guzzis, the preferred weapons of choice among the Southsiders MC. [Paul d’Orléans]
Thanks to the Southsiders M.C. for organizing two days of fun in the south of France, to Vincent Prat for loaning his beautifully-sorted Norton Commando, to Derek at Lewis Leathers for the loan of one of his ‘archive’ jackets from ’62, and Jérome Coste of Ruby for the loan of one of his fantastic (and super-light) helmets. Who knew we were kicking off a big trend?

A sweet Corvette Stingray that tailed us all weekend, making a glorious noise between the walls of stone villages. [Paul d’Orléans]
The Friday Ride:  Toulouse to St. Ferréal to Saissac to La-Louviére Lauragais, 185km.

Southsiders MC founder Vincent Prat, giving us instructions. Note Ruby helmet, and Jeff Decker tee! [Paul d’Orléans]
After-party in Toulouse center; Blitz cycles arrive.

Paul d’Orléans speaking with his new friends, Fred Jourden and Hugo Jezegabel from Blitz Motorcycles. [Paul d’Orléans]
The Saturday Ride:  Toulouse to Castlenau to S. Antonin Noble-Val to the middle of Nowhere and back, 320km.

Saturday’s ride had a mid-point at Jerome Allée’s country farm in S. Antonin Noble-Val, with a lovely old Motobecane in the barn. [Paul d’Orléans]
I’d just told the Blitz boys they looked like a beer ad.

Hugo and Fred before they were actually featured in a whiskey ad. [Paul d’Orléans]
Valeria Borras. [Paul d’Orléans]
Momo and his Kawasaki ‘Digger’: original owner! [Paul d’Orléans]
Before we started: David Borras driving an invisible car. [Paul d’Orléans]
In Toulouse center, with fans of old bikes. [Paul d’Orléans]
A couple of Blitz cycles attract local interest. [Paul d’Orléans]
An amazing old suspension bridge in the mountains. [Paul d’Orléans]
Professional lounger: Christophe on his BMW. [Paul d’Orléans]
David Borras stares down the sun. [Paul d’Orléans]
Hugo Jezegabel of Blitz Motorcycles. [Paul d’Orléans]
No parking. [Paul d’Orléans]
The ride went late: I believe we arrived back in Toulouse at 2am – too late for dinner. [Paul d’Orléans]
A remote gas station, looking like a space ship at night. [Paul d’Orléans]
Sylvie. [Paul d’Orléans]
The future? A young man’s dream of two wheels. [Paul d’Orléans]
What’s it like to ride through the Languedoc region of France, in June 2011, with the Southsiders MC.

 

Paul d’Orléans is the founder of TheVintagent.com. He is an author, photographer, filmmaker, museum curator, event organizer, and public speaker. Check out his Author Page, Instagram, and Facebook.

 

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