France in October

[Timolgra]

I'm heading off to France in early October, via Calais with a few others

Does anybody know how hot it will be?

We're going right down to the bottom, Montpelier I think

Do the temps drop a bit in October from the 30's in August

Never been down to the bottom of France, what's it like?

Are the roads ok? Busy or quieter?

Which suit is best, a vented rallye suit type or a 3 season Rukka type (don't wanna be too hot though, however i'm scared if it rains a lot and I've got the wrong clobber on)

I've just put Conti TA2's on my bike, will they last 3000 miles tops?

We're booking into some ok hotels, from the details I have received and I think there is parking available

Do I need to take a lock? (my bike isn't alarmed)

Also i'm worried about my BMW panniers, should I take them up to my room each night so I know they are secure and nobody will tamper with them, whilst i'm not watching over my bike

Which maps are best?

I have a sat nav, but it's old and the maps are well out of date - will I be ok?

What happens if they have built a new bit of road and my 2610 fails to recognise it, what happens then?

Do they accept British credit cards in the pumps over there, is there petrol on a Sunday or should I carry a few spare extra litres of fuel, purchased in the UK, then at least I know I have got real fuel to rely on - I suppose I could carry them in a rucksack, do TT do a fuel rucksack?

I have one other dilemma, because I booked later then my mates, we're on different ferries (i'm leaving the night before them)

Is it safe to travel on a ferry on your own, which is the best way to strap the bike down, on centre stand or sidestand?

As I'll be on my own, which is the best way out of Calais?

Which sign should I follow, anybody know?

I have a B&B booked for the first night, on my own...............will my sat nav find it ok?

The postcode in the French address looks different to the UK ones i'm used to, all numbers and the road names are different too

Is there a trusted way to find your B&B in France, is it best to ask a man in the street?

So many worries, so many questions

Hope it all works out, if you can help me that would be great.

 

[Engineer]

All of France is lovely, much better than Spain, apart from Madrid which is a cultured and a really cool place for the more discerning traveller

 

[Timolgra]

All of France is lovely, much better than Spain, apart from Madrid which is a cultured and a really cool place for the more discerning traveller

That's funny because the people who's opinion I trust say Madrid's a shit hole, but then perhaps they didn't have quick access to google to check which great artists have work there

 

[Engineer]

That's funny because the people who's opinion I trust say Madrid's a shit hole, but then perhaps they didn't have quick access to google to check which great artists have work there

Perhaps they haven't been to the Prado, I have, or perhaps they haven't been to the Palace, I have. Perhaps they have no interest in culture? I have.

 

[Phil-H]

I'm heading off to France in early October, via Calais with a few others

Does anybody know how hot it will be?

We're going right down to the bottom, Montpelier I think

Do the temps drop a bit in October from the 30's in August

Never been down to the bottom of France, what's it like?

Are the roads ok? Busy or quieter?

Which suit is best, a vented rallye suit type or a 3 season Rukka type (don't wanna be too hot though, however i'm scared if it rains a lot and I've got the wrong clobber on)

I've just put Conti TA2's on my bike, will they last 3000 miles tops?

We're booking into some ok hotels, from the details I have received and I think there is parking available

Do I need to take a lock? (my bike isn't alarmed)

Also i'm worried about my BMW panniers, should I take them up to my room each night so I know they are secure and nobody will tamper with them, whilst i'm not watching over my bike

Which maps are best?

I have a sat nav, but it's old and the maps are well out of date - will I be ok?

What happens if they have built a new bit of road and my 2610 fails to recognise it, what happens then?

Do they accept British credit cards in the pumps over there, is there petrol on a Sunday or should I carry a few spare extra litres of fuel, purchased in the UK, then at least I know I have got real fuel to rely on - I suppose I could carry them in a rucksack, do TT do a fuel rucksack?

I have one other dilemma, because I booked later then my mates, we're on different ferries (i'm leaving the night before them)

Is it safe to travel on a ferry on your own, which is the best way to strap the bike down, on centre stand or sidestand?

As I'll be on my own, which is the best way out of Calais?

Which sign should I follow, anybody know?

I have a B&B booked for the first night, on my own...............will my sat nav find it ok?

The postcode in the French address looks different to the UK ones i'm used to, all numbers and the road names are different too

Is there a trusted way to find your B&B in France, is it best to ask a man in the street?

So many worries, so many questions

Hope it all works out, if you can help me that would be great.

Is this some kind of joke?

 

[halfpint]

France

France hasn't changed for years , never travel alone only in large groups ,try sheering for a coach trip. Allway sit in the same seat its your piss nice and warm. As for the weather look out the window . just think leave the luggage on your bike gives the gipsy something to do!!. Remember to tip the waiting staff or they gob in your food. Be prepared to stand in a que with the smell of garlic and b o !

 

[knobby]

Just come back yesterday from Montpellier, Sete, and Carcassone after a round trip of 2500 miles and 3 weeks camping all the way in the car, temp there is 28 degrees, tolls take debit card, Motorway toll roads are very easy and quick, BUT boring.
Love France and especially Dordorgne area Rocamadour going North pretty

post codes in France nothing like Uk, the no's only point you to the area/district.

My garmin 590lm was great in conjuntion with my michelin maps... I booked with PO ferries months in advance £61 rtn weeks

Fuel pumps visa debit card no problem and in english and SUNDAY fuel no problem in the major towns diesel atm 1.09

IMO Avignon is great and very touristy but further on towards Montpellier I didn't enjoy , Sete was okish, and Carcassone well worth and afternoon there

As for B&B just head towards any motorway jucntion near towns and you will find cheap F1, IBIS, lined up and will take you in for 55ish euros per night and just turn up at any time

Lashing down bike on the calais boat do it yourself , rachet strap and a mat to protect the seat , side stand fine , GET there slighty earlier for the ferry as bikes go on first

 

[mcinlb]

Tongue firmly stuck in cheek .............

 

[JPR]

Im sorry Knobby.
But the phrase,hook line and sinker,comes to mind.

 

[Engineer]

Is this some kind of joke?

Yes! and so are a lot of the replies

 

[Timolgra]

Jh

France hasn't changed for years , never travel alone only in large groups ,try sheering for a coach trip. Allway sit in the same seat its your piss nice and warm. As for the weather look out the window . just think leave the luggage on your bike gives the gipsy something to do!!. Remember to tip the waiting staff or they gob in your food. Be prepared to stand in a que with the smell of garlic and b o !

That's great advise, thanks.

I'm also concerned about the women as I've heard they have hairy armpits which may of course be rancid so which deodorant is best to give them a discreet squirt.

 

[Lord Snooty]

Is this some kind of joke?

Nothing much gets by you does it

 

[flatdog]

For your return trip , I'd recommend taking your bus pass proving to you are British and not an illigal ISIS imam from Syria.

 

[kennyc]

make sure you take enough arrows, theres enough Froggies to go around !

 

[(RIP) Johno23]

I'm heading off to France in early October, via Calais with a few others

Does anybody know how hot it will be?

We're going right down to the bottom, Montpelier I think

Do the temps drop a bit in October from the 30's in August

Never been down to the bottom of France, what's it like?

Are the roads ok? Busy or quieter?

Which suit is best, a vented rallye suit type or a 3 season Rukka type (don't wanna be too hot though, however i'm scared if it rains a lot and I've got the wrong clobber on)

I've just put Conti TA2's on my bike, will they last 3000 miles tops?

We're booking into some ok hotels, from the details I have received and I think there is parking available

Do I need to take a lock? (my bike isn't alarmed)

Also i'm worried about my BMW panniers, should I take them up to my room each night so I know they are secure and nobody will tamper with them, whilst i'm not watching over my bike

Which maps are best?

I have a sat nav, but it's old and the maps are well out of date - will I be ok?

What happens if they have built a new bit of road and my 2610 fails to recognise it, what happens then?

Do they accept British credit cards in the pumps over there, is there petrol on a Sunday or should I carry a few spare extra litres of fuel, purchased in the UK, then at least I know I have got real fuel to rely on - I suppose I could carry them in a rucksack, do TT do a fuel rucksack?

I have one other dilemma, because I booked later then my mates, we're on different ferries (i'm leaving the night before them)

Is it safe to travel on a ferry on your own, which is the best way to strap the bike down, on centre stand or sidestand?

As I'll be on my own, which is the best way out of Calais?

Which sign should I follow, anybody know?

I have a B&B booked for the first night, on my own...............will my sat nav find it ok?

The postcode in the French address looks different to the UK ones i'm used to, all numbers and the road names are different too

Is there a trusted way to find your B&B in France, is it best to ask a man in the street?

So many worries, so many questions

Hope it all works out, if you can help me that would be great.

No

probably

When you get to the bottom, it gets wet.

busy and quiet

A dinner suit should be fine.

If your on an 1150 it will be on the back of a truck most of the time, so the tyres will be fine

It's an 1150, it won't be stolen........If it is, they will bring it back!

No, when the sidestand snaps, the panniers will protect the bike.

French ones.

No, you could end up in a French whorehouse having your willie sucked!

See above.....

No.and they only sell diesel. Fill your Zippo to the brim.

It is safe on your own but take your cwtch blanket and a pillow. Don't strap the bike down, lay it down on the pillow.

To get out of Calais, ride in the opposite direction to the sea!

No

It won't find you B&B but you will get your willie sucked...........no problem ( could be a bloke though)

French postcodes are deliberately confusing to tempt you to ask a man in the street where to go.... DON'T!... he will bugger
you up the botty ( it's just what they do)

Hope this helps........ have a great trip

 

[Toddmeister]

I think they drive on the wrong side of the road - the bloody foreigners

Hope that helps

 

[Rasher]

I think they drive on the wrong side of the road - the bloody foreigners

Hope that helps

They don't speak English.

The Food is Foreign

There are no good Pubs and you will not find a chip shop anywhere - McDonald's are on the rise, but you cannot guarantee to find one within 5 miles of anywhere you may be.

They no longer allow British riders to do 150mph on the Motorways

Most things close on a Sunday

No food vans by the roadside, just the odd fella selling Onions.

I really do not think you will like it.

 

[(RIP) andrewgsadv]

France mmmmm where's that .

Just looked on Google. You must be mad it's over the sea,by boat or a tunnel where they make you run the gauntlet Don't go don't go,why this obsession with going out of UK. I mean if you want a boat journey there's the Isle of Wight or Isle of Man. Really adventurous on you 115ibby the Channel Islands but I'm too scared to do that,, you rebel you.
You have to use different money that Euro thing,people won't know what you are saying . Don't do it biker mate is my advise. How's about a nice trip to Yorkshire instead to see that Johnny Boxer bloke. He will give you tips on where to seek best chips and pies and a bit o Eccles and pontefract caaaake tha knows. They speak a bit like English and tha knows I know what I ssss torking abaaaat. Gods Country, why go abroad man.
If that's not reet fo thi ows about Norfolk, I mean it's flat and you can see cars comin for miles.
Scotland well there's some lovely places up there when it's not raining or midge infested,, mind thi do talk funny tha knows.

There's Wales
Any road up hope I've sung Yorkshires Praises enough to mek thee see sense lad. Foreign travel aaaaa mean why wud tha

 

[Timolgra]

How's about a nice trip to Yorkshire instead to see that Johnny Boxer bloke.

Hmmmm, I would but which are the safest condoms?

 

[timeandtide]

Is this some kind of joke?

Of course it is . . It's Tim