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magpiemale
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Posted: Sun May 4th, 2008 06:38 pm |
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Would it be good to have bike do a touring section or a touring (going abroad) article
I know bike has done a little in the past about going abroad but not talked about signs to look for when needing petrol or rest areas (etc) ways to pack things on your bike either panniers or roll bags or top boxes,the diffrence in driving standards just things about going abroad and what a first timer is going to encounter I mean it is okay for others to say ahh it's easy as they have been before but for the first times it can be daunting but also a good experience.I myself am going to germany in sept/oct (finances pending) and would like to know things on what to look out for best ways to pack your stuff and what into I was going to take a top-box and tank bag with a power supply for my nokia N82 as it has GPS (bags connection) and panniers (soft) if taking the wife or a tail bag on the pillion seat if i wasnt.Also how to ride on the left and things you'll encounter .......(nerves talking) maybe but info is a good thing also.
magpiemale
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Red Mick
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Posted: Sun May 4th, 2008 06:41 pm |
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magpiemale wrote: Would it be good to have bike do a touring section or a touring (going abroad) article
Also how to ride on the left and things you'll encounter .......(nerves talking) maybe but info is a good thing also.
magpiemale
Yes, it would be a good feature, "First time abroad?" kind of thing, Bike could even ask us what our experiences are.
By the way, most of mainland Europe drives on the right 
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KhalH
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Posted: Sun May 4th, 2008 06:43 pm |
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Last year, we did a huge touring feature that included lists of what to take, how to pack, the best destinations and a whole wealth of tips from experienced riders. It actually got mentioned on the BBC radio. Hurrah.
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mph999
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Posted: Sun May 4th, 2008 07:06 pm |
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magpiemale wrote: Would it be good to have bike do a touring section or a touring (going abroad) article
I know bike has done a little in the past about going abroad but not talked about signs to look for when needing petrol or rest areas (etc) ways to pack things on your bike either panniers or roll bags or top boxes,the diffrence in driving standards just things about going abroad and what a first timer is going to encounter I mean it is okay for others to say ahh it's easy as they have been before but for the first times it can be daunting but also a good experience.I myself am going to germany in sept/oct (finances pending) and would like to know things on what to look out for best ways to pack your stuff and what into I was going to take a top-box and tank bag with a power supply for my nokia N82 as it has GPS (bags connection) and panniers (soft) if taking the wife or a tail bag on the pillion seat if i wasnt.Also how to ride on the left and things you'll encounter .......(nerves talking) maybe but info is a good thing also.
magpiemale
Yes, this would be a good article, even if it's been done already....
There is stuff out on the inerweb too- for example:
http://www.btinternet.com/~ultrablade/index.html
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magpiemale
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Posted: Mon May 5th, 2008 10:07 am |
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would that be the may 2007 khal ? committed sports tourists..
If it was it was a nice feature but not first timer though ! from the point of view of the different signs and language or do they like in wales put it in English too if for say the road is closed or diverted or another scenario.Also do you have to convert your lens for the lights on your bike as not to many people say a lot about this except for cars.I was also told to carry an emergency bike kit like fuses and a bulb with first aid as it is the law in France or something or other this I did not know about if true.things like these to inform people about in an more in depth Europe riding cover.As to my post yeah I goofed up Europe does do the right and us the left typing to fast to see 
Last edited on Mon May 5th, 2008 10:10 am by magpiemale
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ExpatinIstanbul
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Posted: Thu May 8th, 2008 05:22 am |
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There's approximately a gazillion forums with such advice and help. Or maybe two gazillion.
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ConuNae
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Posted: Thu May 8th, 2008 06:20 am |
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No, woman! YOU CANNOT TAKE THE BLOW-DRYER !!! 
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mph999
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Posted: Thu May 8th, 2008 06:58 am |
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ExpatinIstanbul wrote: There's approximately a gazillion forums with such advice and help. Or maybe two gazillion.
Advice from forums.....
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the rest are merely games.
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ExpatinIstanbul
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Posted: Thu May 8th, 2008 07:15 am |
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mph999 wrote: ExpatinIstanbul wrote: There's approximately a gazillion forums with such advice and help. Or maybe two gazillion.
Advice from forums.....
Well, not this one obviously.
UKGSer - Best in the world. Buy a GS though.
ADVrider - Many Americans, but don't let that put you off as they're a nice bunch.
Horizons Unlimited - Be careful, one viewing of this site'll have you planning a round the world trip.
I'm sure there's an FZ1 forum out there somehwere, they'll have a touring topic, probably.
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karTER
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Posted: Thu May 8th, 2008 07:16 am |
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ExpatinIstanbul wrote: There's approximately a gazillion forums with such advice and help. Or maybe two gazillion.
Two gazillion? Doesn't that make a Brazilian?
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ExpatinIstanbul
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Posted: Thu May 8th, 2008 07:48 am |
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karTER wrote: ExpatinIstanbul wrote: There's approximately a gazillion forums with such advice and help. Or maybe two gazillion.
Two gazillion? Doesn't that make a Brazilian?
Yep, from the Bush school of economics.
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mph999
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Posted: Thu May 8th, 2008 07:56 am |
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ExpatinIstanbul wrote: mph999 wrote: ExpatinIstanbul wrote: There's approximately a gazillion forums with such advice and help. Or maybe two gazillion.
Advice from forums.....
Well, not this one obviously.
UKGSer - Best in the world. Buy a GS though.
ADVrider - Many Americans, but don't let that put you off as they're a nice bunch.
Horizons Unlimited - Be careful, one viewing of this site'll have you planning a round the world trip.
I'm sure there's an FZ1 forum out there somehwere, they'll have a touring topic, probably.
THX
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there are only three sports in life:
mountaineering, bullfighting and motorsport.
the rest are merely games.
attributed to Ernest Hemingway
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karTER
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Posted: Thu May 8th, 2008 11:05 am |
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ExpatinIstanbul wrote: karTER wrote: ExpatinIstanbul wrote: There's approximately a gazillion forums with such advice and help. Or maybe two gazillion.
Two gazillion? Doesn't that make a Brazilian?
Yep, from the Bush school of economics.
Still one of the funniest gags around.
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devonrider
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Posted: Thu May 8th, 2008 12:58 pm |
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If you spend too much time reading and thinking about it, you won't get around to doing it.
My advice would be to make sure your bikes tip top and all your docs are in order, and just get your arse on the ferry.
I never decide what I'm doing or where I'm going till I arrive in Calais, and then I see how my mood takes me.
Cheap accomodation generally isn't a problem on the continent, but a good tip would be to have a tent and sleeping bag strapped on in case, because you're never far away from a camp site.
Just go for it.
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wallywinker
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Posted: Thu May 8th, 2008 01:09 pm |
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Devonrider has summed it up nicely there. I've done quite a lot of biking in France and usually the best trips have been done on an impromptu basis. Just making sure that all of your documents are correct and that you have them with you is probably the most important thing. I've never had a problem finding accommodation and there's always someone willing to help should you need it. Apart from language issues it's really no more difficult than going for a ride in the U.K.
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ExpatinIstanbul
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Posted: Thu May 8th, 2008 01:23 pm |
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A bonus for a trip to France is you'll not need to carry soap or toothpaste.
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Red Mick
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Posted: Thu May 8th, 2008 01:52 pm |
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ExpatinIstanbul wrote: A bonus for a trip to France is you'll not need to carry soap or toothpaste.
..and the ladies don't need to shave their pits. 
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magpiemale
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Posted: Thu May 8th, 2008 03:41 pm |
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and why not the need to carry soap or toothpaste for then ?
I do no need advice for the hotels or camp sites as I will be doing 370 miles in one go after which I will be at my sister and dads house but what I will ask is what have you to take with you (document wise) also, when you board the ferry what luggage can you leave on the bike (is it kinda secure) I wouldn't leave my bag with the money or documents in or the gps on the bike but what about your soft panniers ? and or pillion monster bag ?
After you get off the ferry what is the procedure at the other end (do you just drive off I know when I went on the euro tunnel on a coach some bikers had to pull in prior to boarding or getting off at the other end.why I dont know) I know you need to think opposite road wise when your there as it's on the right.
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Batfastard
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Posted: Wed May 14th, 2008 07:39 am |
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Doc's
Get a plastic wallet - 99p from WH Smith, and put your insurance (remember to get a green card if you need it) reg doc, any tickets for ferries etc, you dont need bonds etc in the EU, carry your plastic photo licence - get one if you haven't already. Passport, and a note of next of kin, contact data etc. If your bike has an alarm that can be switched off with a code make a note somewhere in case the fob gets lost/bust. You need one of those European Health Insurance cards (replaced the E111) you can apply on line on the NHS website ISTR. Lastly get PROPER travel insurance, most does not cover bikes above 125cc. Try the BMF website for a quote - thier site also has loads of touring stuff.
Last year I got punted off whilst I was stationary and spent the morning in a French hospital having my thumb re-located. It ultimately cost me £25 but the card and insurance covered the other bills. French hospitals are rather good, but I was in on Bastille day, so they weren't really too chuffed to be at work.
These days I prefer the tunnel, so you stay with bike, but the bags are secure enough on a ferry as the car decks are locked for the crossing. You should simply ride off - remember to ride on the right though it's all too easy to go off on the left on a bike. Take a couple of small ratchet straps with you though - not all ferries cater well for bikes (another plus for the tunnel).
There are loads of tips/ideas floating about, but just give it a go, if you need something desperately you forgot, buy it. France is quite civilised really, in fact these days I think rather more so than the UK sometimes.
Why not take the long way around to you sisters - our best trips have been planned on the basis that "it's sunny over that way" who cares where you end up. We stopped one night in a 5 star hotel, and the next in a Farm pension, and I know which one was more fun. If I can ever remember where the feck it was I might go back.
Have a good trip.
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Red Mick
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Posted: Wed May 14th, 2008 09:02 am |
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If you have any spare keys/alarm fobs, for the bike, I like to let my pillion have them in a pocket JIC  Or if with other bikers, carry each other's spares.
I photo copy my licence/reg doc/insurance docs. Keep the breakdown/insurance numbers on my 'phone too.
http://www.direct-travel.co.uk/
the travel insurers I use. £43 for a year's cover for the two of us and it does include larger bikes.
Last edited on Wed May 14th, 2008 09:07 am by Red Mick
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