jimbogs1200
Registered user
Thanks Richard, have a good time...
France May 2009
- Thread starter Wapping
- Start date
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Deleted Member I
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Really looking forward to this 
Have all my questions written down ready for our first petrol stop
Have all my questions written down ready for our first petrol stop
Paper work
A couple of people have asked me what 'Paper work and bits' it might be sensible to have.
I always take:
A current passport
Original driving licence. I have a photocard version, so I take the green counter-party, too.
Original V5
Original insurance certificate
Original MOT certificate (if applicable) - I am never quite sure if it is really needed. But you never get fined for having too much paper, that's a certainty.
I have been asked for all of these, more than once, in spot checks and / or when hiring a car as a replacement for a motorbike.
It's a nuisance if you haven't got them and a big fine if you can't produce them to the French rozzers on demand.
===
I have an EU Health card. The thing that replaced the E111 paper. It allows you reciprocal health care in the EU without too much fuss. A hospital or doctor will very probably ask to see it. They always have with me, at least.
Easy to apply for: http://www.ehic-ie.org/apply.html
===
I have Motor breakdown cover for the motorbike. I buy an annual policy from the AA. There is lots of choice out there and policy periods of one day, a weekend, multiple days or annual. If you plan another trip (or trips), it may be cheaper to go for a 90 / 120 day or even a full blown annual.
===
I have an annual Travel policy from the AA. This runs in parallel to the EU card. It has been worth its weight in gold, more than once. Again, lots of choice out there and a real bonus should the worse happen, tripping over the curb, say.
Again, like breakdown cover, it is cheap and available in lots of different sizes. They are all pretty similar.... but do check it covers motorcycling, some definitely do not.
If you have to take regular medication, bring it, too. A good friend is diabetic and always brings her kit, with a bit to spare. My father - now 82 - has always been epileptic and does the same. Common sense, really, I guess even if you are never going to outer Mongolia.
===
Yellow vests, triangles, bulbs, first aid kits? If you want to but the average French 'motard' wears shorts and a t-shirt. A very small pack, lobbed under the seat or in a tankbag is not a bad idea, really. If I am truthful, a dripping finger is a bloody nuisance and messes up your expensive gloves, no matter where you are.......but forget the triangle.... and don't prepare for open heart surgery, unless you are very sure you can do it.
I make sure my mobile works abroad for voice, text and mailbox and that it's charged.
I take one half decent map, hopefully of where I am going.
I make sure my bank knows I am going, so they don't suddenly fly off in a blind panic when a bill for petrol in St Nowhere-sur-Pot turns up on their fraud computers. They have got used to it, slowly, but do still call, sometimes.
A credit and debit card and some Euro cash. ATM machines are on most French High Streets and many UK banks are now 'free' to use.
Basic tools I will bring, so don't worry. The truth is, if a problem is bad enough the bike will probably be making its own way back. Mine did once in a container with several others, all the way from the south of France. I didn't mind as I had a VW Golf diesel with aircon instead and it was v hot. That's what insurance is for, after all. 
===
Any problems or questions PM me, please.
It's a part of the purpose of the trip, after all, to get a feel for what is handy. 99 times out of a 100 you will never need them, any more than you do at home. Having them for the one time you do and it's loshing with rain on the D597, is perfect.
A couple of people have asked me what 'Paper work and bits' it might be sensible to have.
I always take:
A current passport
Original driving licence. I have a photocard version, so I take the green counter-party, too.
Original V5
Original insurance certificate
Original MOT certificate (if applicable) - I am never quite sure if it is really needed. But you never get fined for having too much paper, that's a certainty.
I have been asked for all of these, more than once, in spot checks and / or when hiring a car as a replacement for a motorbike.
It's a nuisance if you haven't got them and a big fine if you can't produce them to the French rozzers on demand.
===
I have an EU Health card. The thing that replaced the E111 paper. It allows you reciprocal health care in the EU without too much fuss. A hospital or doctor will very probably ask to see it. They always have with me, at least.
Easy to apply for: http://www.ehic-ie.org/apply.html
===
I have Motor breakdown cover for the motorbike. I buy an annual policy from the AA. There is lots of choice out there and policy periods of one day, a weekend, multiple days or annual. If you plan another trip (or trips), it may be cheaper to go for a 90 / 120 day or even a full blown annual.
===
I have an annual Travel policy from the AA. This runs in parallel to the EU card. It has been worth its weight in gold, more than once. Again, lots of choice out there and a real bonus should the worse happen, tripping over the curb, say.
Again, like breakdown cover, it is cheap and available in lots of different sizes. They are all pretty similar.... but do check it covers motorcycling, some definitely do not.
If you have to take regular medication, bring it, too. A good friend is diabetic and always brings her kit, with a bit to spare. My father - now 82 - has always been epileptic and does the same. Common sense, really, I guess even if you are never going to outer Mongolia.
===
Yellow vests, triangles, bulbs, first aid kits? If you want to but the average French 'motard' wears shorts and a t-shirt.
A very small pack, lobbed under the seat or in a tankbag is not a bad idea, really. If I am truthful, a dripping finger is a bloody nuisance and messes up your expensive gloves, no matter where you are.......but forget the triangle.... and don't prepare for open heart surgery, unless you are very sure you can do it.I make sure my mobile works abroad for voice, text and mailbox and that it's charged.
I take one half decent map, hopefully of where I am going.
I make sure my bank knows I am going, so they don't suddenly fly off in a blind panic when a bill for petrol in St Nowhere-sur-Pot turns up on their fraud computers. They have got used to it, slowly, but do still call, sometimes.
A credit and debit card and some Euro cash. ATM machines are on most French High Streets and many UK banks are now 'free' to use.
Basic tools I will bring, so don't worry. The truth is, if a problem is bad enough the bike will probably be making its own way back. Mine did once in a container with several others, all the way from the south of France. I didn't mind as I had a VW Golf diesel with aircon instead and it was v hot.
That's what insurance is for, after all. ===
Any problems or questions PM me, please.
It's a part of the purpose of the trip, after all, to get a feel for what is handy. 99 times out of a 100 you will never need them, any more than you do at home. Having them for the one time you do and it's loshing with rain on the D597, is perfect.
Really looking forward to this
Have all my questions written down ready for our first petrol stop
You velly bad man!
And, I'm ready, too....
the-other-bradders
Guest
hi, really sorry, change of plans means GS went on Friday and cant make the trip. maybe next time
Thanks Richard - looking forward to the trip and meeting some of the guys
Deleted account 210609001
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Thanks, Richard.
My return booking is 17:20 local time from Coquelles, arriving back in Folkestone at 16:55. (PM sent.) Is everyone else on the 18:20, then?
Robin.
My return booking is 17:20 local time from Coquelles, arriving back in Folkestone at 16:55. (PM sent.) Is everyone else on the 18:20, then?
Robin.
jimbogs1200
Registered user
If anyone is going past Hs cafe on the A2 and stopping for a cuppa, let me know, it would be good to wish you Bon Voyage...
Can someone tell me how to load the Tom Tom software onto my TT720 please...you wouldn't believe I work for an IT company! I do appreciate this is for the one day and I am not going on that one but thought i'd check the process out incase some kind soul converts the 4 day trip for TT.
I am also on the 17:20 coming back and out on the 08:20....thought that was what we agreed originally? So Robin you and I will need to make better time to get the earlier chunnel unless its changeable?
I am also on the 17:20 coming back and out on the 08:20....thought that was what we agreed originally? So Robin you and I will need to make better time to get the earlier chunnel unless its changeable?
I would not worry - the shuttle operates on times slots and I would imaging that the 17.20 and 18.20 are in the same slot - therefore no extra charge. Unlike ferries, bikes do not seem to present the operators with a problem, they just fill up the carriages. When Wapping and I did the "dry run" last month, we were in a carriage with cars on the way back and in a carriage with about six other bikes on the way out.
IIRC unless they've changed it, a Flexi Ticket (which was a bit more expensive) allowed you to turn up early or late and they would fit you in if they had room.
LBL
Registered user
changing times
Guys,
I changed my ticket the other week and it was no charge and they just amended the time and i kept the same referance number.
Richard may confirm this, but are you sure you are talking about the same jaunt ?, the quoted times on the last page are for the One day Jaunt, not the Four day one
the times are slightly differant.
Guys,
I changed my ticket the other week and it was no charge and they just amended the time and i kept the same referance number.
Richard may confirm this, but are you sure you are talking about the same jaunt ?, the quoted times on the last page are for the One day Jaunt, not the Four day one
the times are slightly differant.
4 Day jaunt
Well spotted that man! I do indeed appear to have booke dthe correct times for the 4 day jaunt after all!
As per Richard's original post;
FOUR DAY JAUNT - 22-25 May 2009
I have booked my tickets.
£66 return.
Out 08:20 - 22nd May
Back 17:20 - 25th May
---
I have contacted the two hotels, now only waiting to hear.
Richard
Well spotted that man! I do indeed appear to have booke dthe correct times for the 4 day jaunt after all!
As per Richard's original post;
FOUR DAY JAUNT - 22-25 May 2009
I have booked my tickets.
£66 return.
Out 08:20 - 22nd May
Back 17:20 - 25th May
---
I have contacted the two hotels, now only waiting to hear.
Richard
FOUR DAY JAUNT
Here are the routes for the four day jaunt.
I have had to split into two as they are too big.
Richard
Here are the routes for the four day jaunt.
I have had to split into two as they are too big.
Richard
Second batch.
Deleted Member I
Guest
Forecast for rain on saturday 
As a mate of mine said once. "Don't worry about it - its only water".Forecast for rain on saturday
If you're in a good group, you'll have fun anyway.
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