Interview: European Mob Trip — 2,450 km by moped from France to Venice

Two childhood friends from the Berry region made a simple, slightly crazy bet: ride mopeds for more than 2,400 km in three intense weeks. In August 2016, they planned a loop from Châteauroux to Venice and back—without taking the same roads twice. This European Mob Trip is pure moped culture: light luggage, old-school mechanics, long days in the saddle, and a route built around small roads rather than speed. We asked Gaultier and Damien about their motivation, their machines, and the practical choices that make—or break—a long-distance moped roadtrip.

Meet the riders

Who are you?

Gaultier & Damien: We’re two childhood friends from the Berry (central France). We’ve both been into mopeds since we were kids.

What’s the reason behind this departure?

Gaultier & Damien: We want to use our young years to travel. Since we’re not in higher education yet, it’s the perfect moment to do it.

The idea and the timing

Why this idea in the first place?

Gaultier & Damien: It first came to us during a simple moped ride. Damien didn’t believe in it at the beginning. Then we saw online that people had already crossed countries—and even the world—on mopeds. So we decided to do our own version.

When are you leaving?

Gaultier & Damien: Early August 2016, for three intensive weeks.

How many kilometers are you planning?

Gaultier & Damien: We start from Châteauroux and ride to Venice in a loop—out and back, but without passing twice through the same places. Total: about 2,450 km in 20 days.

Planet Ride perspective: on a moped, distance isn’t the hard part—duration is. A 20-day loop means you’ll stack fatigue if you chase big daily mileage. The safe rhythm is the one that leaves you enough daylight for fixes, refueling, and recovery—especially when the bike is vintage and the route avoids fast roads.

Why Italy, and what they want to see

Why did you choose this destination?

Gaultier & Damien: At first, we wanted a much longer trip: Italy, then Slovenia, Croatia, and Germany before returning to France. But with limited time, we focused on Italy. It’s a beautiful country, and I’ve always dreamed of visiting it for its exceptional, unique heritage.

What are the things you really want to see?

Gaultier & Damien: There’s one place we really want to visit: Portofino. It has a special charm—built on the slope by the sea, with colorful houses.

On the road, concretely: reaching coastal spots like Portofino often means slow, narrow roads, tighter traffic in summer, and limited parking. On a moped, that can be a blessing: you’re rarely stressed by tight maneuvering, but you need to plan early arrivals to avoid heat and congestion.

The machines: vintage French icons

What are you riding?

Gaultier & Damien: Two Peugeot mopeds: a 101 and a 103 Vogue. They’re not exactly young anymore, and they already have plenty of kilometers.

Why these bikes?

Gaultier & Damien: For us, they’re flagship pieces of French industry. They’re robust, old, and symbolic—people will recognize them and remember their own youth. And the mechanics are simple, so we can repair them more easily if something goes wrong.

Will it work well for such a trip?

Gaultier & Damien: We don’t really know what to expect. It’s our first trip like this—so we’ll see on the road.

Micro-realities you’ll feel fast on a long moped roadtrip: sustained heat can push an old engine to run hot; headwinds can dramatically slow progress; and long descents demand good brakes. Small roads help, but they also mean more junctions—so offline navigation and a clear daily endpoint matter.

What’s in the bag: tools, spares, and comfort

What will you pack? Any advice you collected before leaving?

Gaultier & Damien: We gathered tips from people who’ve done similar moped trips. For example: bring tools to remove the spark plug (and a spare), work on the cylinder head, the flywheel and the carburetor. Bring what you need to repair inner tubes with a pump. And bring cycling shorts—the seats are hard after 200 km per day!

Your best tips for long-distance moped riders?

Gaultier & Damien: Travel light to avoid consuming too much fuel and overheating the engines. Tent, sleeping bag, and go.

One practical point many first-timers learn late: “travel light” also means thinking about how the weight sits. A poorly balanced load can make a small bike weave, especially with side wind. Keep heavy items low and centered, and check straps every morning—vibration loosens everything.

A word to future Planet Riders

A final message for roadtrippers?

Gaultier & Damien: “Impossible” doesn’t exist. When you have a crazy project and everyone laughs, keep believing and go all the way.

Support European Mob Trip via their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/EuropeanMobTrip/

À savoir aujourd’hui

This interview reflects a planned trip for August 2016: the spirit, the bike choice, and the logic of traveling light remain fully relevant. What should be checked before reproducing a similar route today are the current road rules for mopeds, any access restrictions in Italian coastal areas, and your insurance coverage for cross-border riding.