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Spain
Mar 29, 2009 23:36:23 GMT 1
Post by Spain on Mar 29, 2009 23:36:23 GMT 1
OK peeps I'm hopeing to be off to Spain in mid May, Leaving on the early morning boat to France arriving around 8:00 to 8:30 local time am hopeing to get south of Paris for me first night,trying to cover 350 miles a day, now is this asking to much for a days ride. This will be two up, ( she wont let me go on me own.........lol ) Looking to take 3 days each way.
Also any ideas on stuff to take, Know me what round most of Europe as done alot of truck and coach drivering over the years, any help or tips will be appreciated, I will post pics and a day by day blow of the 950 miles one way trip.
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Spain
Mar 29, 2009 23:39:29 GMT 1
Post by skyhook on Mar 29, 2009 23:39:29 GMT 1
Damm Its me that posted Spain.......lol Messed me log in up......lol
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Spain
Mar 30, 2009 9:58:23 GMT 1
Post by Buzzin (^_^) on Mar 30, 2009 9:58:23 GMT 1
Well, first things first: - Hi-Vis jacket/pull-over thingy for both (required!!) - First aid kit (small basic one) - Tyre repair set - Plate for under the sidestand, for parking on soft surface. - Something to drink in an easy to reach place. - To be sure: some rope/line to tie the bike down on the boat. (side stand + tiewrap the brake) Those you require no matter what you are going to do. Some optionals (although recommended) - Shoes. Unless you are cool enough to trip over your biking boots when getting hammered in the hotel bar - Tissues. For blowing you nose, but also to wipe your visor - medication: paracetamol (max 50 mg per pill), ibuprofen (max 50mg per pill) (no mixed ones! They are illegal in some countries....so are paracetamol with caffiene....the main reason I buy my headache cures in the UK ) - rainproof outfit or dry clothes stored in a watertight place (it IS still europe...) And take enough brakes/stops. Don't wait till you feel tired. Ow....and DON'T FORGET THE PASSENGER! It makes for a heck of a fight if you try to get off the usual way when she is still there.... (seen it happen....and ow, picking up the bike while someone is screaming at you seems difficult too ;D )
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Spain
Mar 30, 2009 10:40:48 GMT 1
Post by Jaz66 on Mar 30, 2009 10:40:48 GMT 1
Nice list buzzin, got most thing covered. Not sure if still used but the medical form from the post office, Just in case would be a good idea as well ps Sure you seen it happen, you had this friend, right ... ;D ;D Wonder if you've been forgiven yet.... Skyhook, know you don't need guidance re europe but did find trip report of france to spain if interested, think the pics is italy, but it sure looks like some road.. Dodgers European tour
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Spain
Mar 30, 2009 13:05:43 GMT 1
Post by Buzzin (^_^) on Mar 30, 2009 13:05:43 GMT 1
It's the famous stelvio pass (stilfserjoch in german I believe) on the border of Italy and Switzerland Something like 52 hairpins in close proximity. But also completely crowded with bikes at times....and well...it's 52 hairpins....how much fun is it after the first 20? (I hate hairpins) No I didn't drop my bike(s) yet And I hardly ever take on a passenger...no girls interested (well...none that I want on the bike...)
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Spain
Mar 31, 2009 7:54:50 GMT 1
Post by McF on Mar 31, 2009 7:54:50 GMT 1
Not sure if still used but the medical form from the post office, Just in case would be a good idea as well It used to be called E111 (now EHIC - European Health Insurance Card) and they are still in use covering the EU and Switzerland etc plus some other countries. It's a reciprocal health agreement and entitles you to reduced or free medical treatment while abroad in participating countries. The card is free, but you have to register which takes up to about 4 weeks. Most insurance companies waive your excess for medical treatment if you carry and use your EHIC. So - in addition to sound advice by Buzzin and Jazz: Check your insurance covers you to drive abroad Have you got breakdown and get you home cover? Make sure you have travel insurance and it covers you for motorbiking abroad The High Vis vest is mandatory in France for car drivers. The French police are targetting Brit drivers and landing a hefty fine if they do not carry one INSIDE THE CAR - their logic is you should put it on before you get out of the car. I'd be very surprised if they didn't expect bikers to carry one, or even wear at all times. Do some research on rules / laws for the countries you will be driving in. The RAC is a good place to start www.rac.co.uk/web/know-how/going-on-a-journey/driving-abroad/european-motoring-advisor.cgi350 miles a day is a comfortable target. You could predict an average of 50 mph so that's 7 hours in the saddle (if you're using the autoroutes you'll easily manage a higher average than that - probably 80mph if you and the bike can cope with it. It's probably two tanks of petrol but you might want to fill a little more regular and ensure you're never in the "I need petrol now and there's nowhere open at this time" predicament. Continental timings and cultures etc can be very different. If you plan to use a credit card make sure it's going to work OK abroad, same for your mobile phone. On autoroutes keep your card or some local currency handy for paying at the toll booths. I use my card, it's quick and strangely, they never need a PIN or signature.
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Spain
Mar 31, 2009 10:51:14 GMT 1
Post by Buzzin (^_^) on Mar 31, 2009 10:51:14 GMT 1
A tip if I may: You might not need the PIN of your creditcard often, but write it down, and remember it by heart. Why? If they do require it, they will assume something is wrong if you need to look it up right there and then. (plus, the queue of people behind you won't like it ) On the HiVis vest: yes it's mandatory for bikers as well, not sure if they should wear it, but they need to have one with them for every person. It might be a bright (no pun intended) idea to wear them while you are crossing the border till at least the next stop....(just so you don't get hassled). Ahh yes, that's the one, the E111 (I remember cause my gf had to take one every time she stayed with me in the Netherlands) I don't know what the insurance documents are called there, but here it's called a green card (no...not like the US one). It lists all the countries that you are able to drive in with insurance. (ow...and important: the emergency numbers for the insurance company) Ow and keep one more thing in mind: the french Gendarmerie and spanish Guardia Civil are military personnel...expect them to act like it.... e.g. no sense of humour. (Driving up to a Guardia Civil car, that was parked, at high speed, and stopping (on gravel....slliiiiide) behind them, jumping out to asking directions might not have been the brightest idea I ever had....but I did get directions) The local cops are just like any other country....best avoided when in a bad mood, but usually friendly.
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Spain
Apr 3, 2009 14:08:44 GMT 1
Post by skyhook on Apr 3, 2009 14:08:44 GMT 1
Thanks for all the tips guys, got most of them coverd, cep the plate thing for side stand when on soft grund (thanks Buzzin ) as for the Police Iv been there and done most of that with both french and Spainish police never had much of a prob with them, More so with customs in other countrys, But yes I will try and stear well clear of them........lol
As for dismounting with other half still on bike............lol Never thought of that one...........lol OUCH
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Spain
May 1, 2009 18:16:25 GMT 1
Post by skyhook on May 1, 2009 18:16:25 GMT 1
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Spain
May 1, 2009 18:56:26 GMT 1
Post by De Graaf van Salland on May 1, 2009 18:56:26 GMT 1
Yep, she does look overloaded....... Can the passenger reach her own footpegs ? Or will she be using the drivers' ? Also, please only put light-weight & soft stuff in that back pack (cloths, sleeping bags etc.). I know you don't intend to have an accident. But an accident with some thing hard in your back pack could have serious consequences. Ride safely ! Franklin
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Spain
May 1, 2009 19:24:36 GMT 1
Post by rj2para (Bisto) on May 1, 2009 19:24:36 GMT 1
My comment would be if you could possibly not use bungee cords I would.
I have a very tatty ruck sack that has been down the road when my bungee cords came off!.
I now use windsurfing straps, ie with the metal buckle you pass the other end of the strap through and pull tight for a positive fixing.
R.
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Spain
May 1, 2009 20:18:23 GMT 1
Post by wellsplattered on May 1, 2009 20:18:23 GMT 1
Looking good, I would place any exposed items into plastic bags in the unlikely case of rain. Out of interest, what is your pillion going to hang onto? Really need to finish my thread after reading this Looking forward to your pics!
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Spain
May 1, 2009 20:22:53 GMT 1
Post by wellsplattered on May 1, 2009 20:22:53 GMT 1
- To be sure: some rope/line to tie the bike down on the boat. (side stand + tiewrap the brake) You will be given a ratchet strap to tie the bike down on the ferry. It anchors on the floor by hooks. There is a cushioned bit for going over your seat. You will be expected to ratchet it down yourself. You will have to go onto the passenger deck when the boat is in motion. Make sure anything you leave with the bike is secure.
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Spain
May 1, 2009 20:48:32 GMT 1
Post by Jaz66 on May 1, 2009 20:48:32 GMT 1
Yo! sky... ;D..looking good but bike DOES looks busy.... still, enjoy trip, bike looks good, and the missus looks happy too, so all the omens are good. ;D Any thing you need for trip that one of us can offer...? Enjoy & travel safe jaz
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Spain
May 1, 2009 21:20:41 GMT 1
Post by skyhook on May 1, 2009 21:20:41 GMT 1
Yes she can reach her own pegs..lol and yes the only things in rucksack is sleeping bags and soft stuff.
All the hard objects are in panniers or top box, The bungees are more to hold the sleeping mats to panniers, But will be doing a dummy run up to Runnymede this Sunday, Back roads there and a cpl miles back on motorway,just to get the feel for all that weight.
So far 22 stone put on bike, thats with us both and all bags ETC
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