First time abroad on a motorcycle. I’m off to France…..

tjmouse

tjmouse

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Totally PapHayd's fault for posting about Europe I'm off on the bike to leave the UK for the first time. Nothing super exciting as I only have a bank holiday weekend so Friday evening ferry Portsmouth to Caen then and Ibis and camping at Bayeux.

Important things:
  • Passport - sent off for a new one today
  • Bike Insurance - includes Europe for 30 days
  • Travel Insurance - annual policy and my GHIC is valid
  • Breakdown - includes Europe
  • Phone - free roaming
  • Money - got a travel card

More important things (routes):

Saturday - beaches and memorials. Currently got a copy of the one on MyRouteApp library.

1739732622923.png

Sunday - Ride magazine's Normandy countryside

1739732657369.png

Monday - no plans - ferry back is at 16:30 so I've got most of the day to go off exploring somewhere.


Any tips (other than ride on the right)? Anything obvious I'm missing? Any recommendations for the Monday?

Thank you all

========

I have amended the title of your opening post.

Richard
 
Last edited by a moderator:
tjmouse said:
Totally PapHayd's fault for posting about Europe I'm off on the bike to leave the UK for the first time. Nothing super exciting as I only have a bank holiday weekend so Friday evening ferry Portsmouth to Caen then and Ibis and camping at Bayeux.

Important things:
  • Passport - sent off for a new one today
  • Bike Insurance - includes Europe for 30 days
  • Travel Insurance - annual policy and my GHIC is valid
  • Breakdown - includes Europe
  • Phone - free roaming
  • Money - got a travel card

More important things (routes):

Saturday - beaches and memorials. Currently got a copy of the one on MyRouteApp library.

View attachment 386309

Sunday - Ride magazine's Normandy countryside

View attachment 386310

Monday - no plans - ferry back is at 16:30 so I've got most of the day to go off exploring somewhere.


Any tips (other than ride on the right)? Anything obvious I'm missing? Any recommendations for the Monday?

Thank you all
Click to expand...
Sorry not sorry 😁
 
V5, it’s what really interests the French plod.

Driving licence, see above.

Charger for phone.

Travel mains plug adaptor.

A bit of cash, say EUR 50 in fives and 10’s.

Waterproofs, even if it’s certain not to rain.

Spare keys for the bike.

Sun glasses.

A half decent paper map.

If you have time, get a Halifax Clarity credit card.

See the Bayeux Tapestry on Monday.

Luxuries:

Long charger leads.

A charging block thing, for the phone.

Puncture repair kit etc. but only if you know how to use it.

I take a spare pair of gloves.

PS Don’t overdo the clothes. You’ll not be meeting royalty. See Micky’s advice on how to pack.
 
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Wapping said:
V5, it’s what really interests the French plod. - didn't think of that, will add it to the travel documents

Driving licence, see above. - :thumby:

A bit of cash, say EUR 50 in fives and 10’s. - :thumby:

Waterproofs, even if it’s certain not to rain. - always!

Spare keys for the bike. - that'll be interesting, new bike is keyless but I do have a key somewhere!

I take a spare pair of gloves. - always!

A half decent paper map. - a what????? :ROFLMAO: will probably print route instructions and some maps

If you have time, get a Halifax Clarity credit card. - got 3 travel friendly cards already but thanks for the tip

See the Bayeux Tapestry on Monday. - good idea, I used to live in Reading so U've seen "it" already but could be fun
Click to expand...

Cheers Wapping - can always trust you to have plenty of tips :thumby:

Edit: thanks for the edit extras as well!
 
Brittany Ferries - do they strap the bike down for you or do I need to learn how to do that?
 
Nothing to add to the most useful contributions from Wapping and Arsey.
However I wonder if you are a little ambitious in your event planninng on both days?
The overall mileage daily looks about 100 and 200 - not much if you were going "somewhere", but so many places to see in what has to be one of the most significant areas of the twentieth century.
Unless you are selective you will run out of time and miss your ferry home.
 
tjmouse said:
Brittany Ferries - do they strap the bike down for you or do I need to learn how to do that?
Click to expand...
If you have a heated seat, don’t let them strap over it or else the heating element will break.

Undo the seat for them and ask them to strap down across the frame under the seat
 
Bem said:
Nothing to add to the most useful contributions from Wapping and Arsey.
However I wonder if you are a little ambitious in your event planninng on both days?
The overall mileage daily looks about 100 and 200 - not much if you were going "somewhere", but so many places to see in what has to be one of the most significant areas of the twentieth century.
Unless you are selective you will run out of time and miss your ferry home.
Click to expand...
I was going to say the same, be flexible with your itinerary, you may find you want to spend more time than you expected at some of your stops.
 
Cheers Pukmeister and Bem

The beaches day has lots of options for cutting the route short if needed and I can always head back on the Monday if I want to go back somewhere.

The Ride route is pretty long but the times I’ve used their routes in the UK I’ve found it ok. I might have a look at some shortcut options should I end up taking it slower.

I’ll just have to make sure I don’t drink all the wine for dinner so I actually wake up in the mornings!
 
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On a Wapping’s Wander years ago, our group formed up at Eperlecques, the site of a WW2 V1/V2 concrete launch bunker. We had plenty of time as we were heading to the Black Forest over a number of days.

An impressive structure, it’s worth a visit if you are nearby and have a couple of hours spare, although it’s hidden in woods and a bit of a bugger to find.
 
tjmouse said:
Totally PapHayd's fault for posting about Europe I'm off on the bike to leave the UK for the first time. Nothing super exciting as I only have a bank holiday weekend so Friday evening ferry Portsmouth to Caen then and Ibis and camping at Bayeux.

Important things:
  • Passport - sent off for a new one today
  • Bike Insurance - includes Europe for 30 days
  • Travel Insurance - annual policy and my GHIC is valid
  • Breakdown - includes Europe
  • Phone - free roaming
  • Money - got a travel card

More important things (routes):

Saturday - beaches and memorials. Currently got a copy of the one on MyRouteApp library.

View attachment 386309

Sunday - Ride magazine's Normandy countryside

View attachment 386310

Monday - no plans - ferry back is at 16:30 so I've got most of the day to go off exploring somewhere.


Any tips (other than ride on the right)? Anything obvious I'm missing? Any recommendations for the Monday?

Thank you all
Click to expand...
For the very first time???!!!!! 😱🤯😮😲😳

Dafuq you’ve been upto this point in yer life?

You will not want to return, ‘tis a promise. Enjoy it, which you sure will.
 
EVskij said:
Yes yes to all of the rest, bike dependant, I also carry a pair of contour work gloves, you do not want chain detritus or similar inside your riding gloves.

View attachment 386327
Click to expand...
I have a set of Nitrile Gloves (a few sets as they are disposable)

Can get some kinky looks though especially if your mate is bent over looking at the back wheel
 
EVskij said:
For the very first time???!!!!!

Dafuq you’ve been upto this point in yer life?

You will not want to return, ‘tis a promise. Enjoy it, which you sure will.
Click to expand...

Not my first time to France!

First time riding my bike overseas, always gone and explored the UK with my long weekends.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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