France - the Great '3 Day Bimble'

[oldrascal]

I forgot to ask, Strider, is the fuel-pump problem year specific like it has been for a number of well publicised 'problems'. Mine is a 2008 model GSA and seems to have avoided the earlier glitches and recalls. What do you think and is it worth while me doing the same as you?

 

[ncpierce]

Had a nice ride in the rain today, testing out the panniers and getting a bit of wet weather practise!

Panniers are staying on. It actually looks the business with the luggage on (IMHO)

Also ordered a spare fuel pump controller.......just in case.......

This time next week, hopefully we will all be sitting down to a nice meal and a few bottles of wine!

Was it you I spoke to at Coopers Tunbridge Wells? -

You were just leaving at the same time as I was. I had just picked up a new small tankbag. (R1200GS with a MRA Screen)

Nigel

 

[Harlequin]

Was it you I spoke to at Coopers Tunbridge Wells? -

You were just leaving at the same time as I was. I had just picked up a new small tankbag. (R1200GS with a MRA Screen)

Nigel

Hi Nigel, it was!! We first met on the goodwood run!

 

[Harlequin]

I forgot to ask, Strider, is the fuel-pump problem year specific like it has been for a number of well publicised 'problems'. Mine is a 2008 model GSA and seems to have avoided the earlier glitches and recalls. What do you think and is it worth while me doing the same as you?

Hi OldRascal, i have the same bike, so also probably wont have the problem. I think as long as one of us has one it should be ok. The chances of more than one failure should be very slight.

Could someone else bring a tyre repair kit if they have one. I cant find mine!!

Also, the ferry says 2 hrs before for book in, and 45 mins before means you miss the boat!! What time are you all planning to arrive, and where should we meet?

 

[GreatScott]

Hi OldRascal, i have the same bike, so also probably wont have the problem. I think as long as one of us has one it should be ok. The chances of more than one failure should be very slight.

Could someone else bring a tyre repair kit if they have one. I cant find mine!!

Also, the ferry says 2 hrs before for book in, and 45 mins before means you miss the boat!! What time are you all planning to arrive, and where should we meet?

Good thinking.
Let's hope no one has either a fuel pump or a tyre go. Don't forget bulbs either. I picked up an extra litre of oil, just in case, from Vines yesturday, but I haven't got a tyre repair kit.
Got some euros too yesturday. Exchange rate nearly like for like

 

[oldrascal]

My ticket says passengers need to arrive at least 90 minutes before loading but I have never checked in more than 60 minutes before at Newhaven and its always been a doddle. That said, what say we aim for an 0800 meet because they will start loading at 0900 for our 0930 departure?

My suggestion is that we check through passport/ticketing/customs independently and then meet up in the lane that will have been allocated for bikes. I will call LD Lines tomorrow to confirm that we are all grouped and report back. The whole business from arriving at the port to getting to the boarding lane shouldn't take more than 15 minutes tops.

 

[Scuba-Sparky]

Hi All
Always have a tyre repair kit on the bike
Went for a test run to day , just to make sure all the plumbing and tank are leak free
Conclusion :- 215 miles + still had fuel in tank + = All ok
Still cant wait. . .
Oh and French roads

Scuba

P.S She sure is distinctive and individual, but above all the 'Grey Zebra' is mine and all paid for!!!!

 

[Harlequin]

Its all coming together now...... and weather looks good! might even get to take the thermal linings out of the Rukka!

Just checking you all have my contact details?? If not please pm me and i will respond with details.

It is suit and tie for dinner, right? beer:

 

[oldrascal]

I have just spoken with LD Lines about meeting as a group and it seems that Newhaven, because of its space limitations, does not separate cars and bikes pre-boarding. This might make grouping in the lane a bit difficult if we all turn up at different times.

I have had a look at the ferry port entrance and have marked two places marked 'A' and 'B' where I think that can stop until we are all there:

Both look fine although we won't know until we get there. That said, if 'A' is not possible (barriers/security etc.), then we do 'B' and if that's not possible either, what say that we just make our way through to the boarding lane and try and group anyhow?

So, 0800 suit everyone?

 

[WindyChuffer]

So looks like it's meet at the bike sheds at the back of the train station eh? Sounds a bit . LoL.

Sounds fine in principle if I can pull my finger out and get there from W4 for the silly 90mins b4 sailing checkin time... Worst case, the port looks tiny so guess v easy to find each other; or restaurant on the boat?

 

[WindyChuffer]

Theres a cafe @ the ferry terminal with free parking outside it?

 

[oldrascal]

The cafe sounds good but raises a few questions.

• Do we have to complete ticketing/passport/customs procedures before accessing the cafe?
• If so, and if we park outside the cafe and if its busy (Easter approaching) and if we don't secure our position in the lane, will we be stuffed somewhere at the back of the boat?

I've always taken the car and, if my memory serves me right, most people park in lane first before going looking for the cafe. Which is why I thought that meeting outside and getting into the embarcation lane as a group might be the best option. Then I suppose we could slope off for a pre-breakfast cuppa.

Alternatively and if this is getting too much like the boy scouts , everyone does their thing and we meet where we meet - we'll all be on the boat whatever happens.

Questions, always bloody questions.

 

[GreatScott]

We will work it out I'm sure. How many Tossers looking lost can there be ?

I'll try A then B then the Cafe if there's no one there then the bar on the boat

 

[Harlequin]

happy to go with the flow........ 5 fully kitted GSers wont be pushed around eh?

Park the bikes at the front of the queue, slope off for a tea, and then ride straight onto the ferry......... If only life was so simple........

 

[oldrascal]

What do you call a posse of GSA mounted Hell's Elders ?

Got my Euros today (ouch at 1:1) .........had the Conti Trail Attacks fitted (too soon to tell what they're like), sold the Tour X-3 (Shoei Hornet wins), tried out the Nippy Norman throttle rocker after working out how to position it (brilliant ) and loaded and fitted the panniers.

Now for a quiet pint.

 

[Harlequin]

Normal checklist completed:-

- Passport
- E11 Card
- Insurance certificate
- Spare key
- V5
- Driving license (both parts)
- Proper tea bags
- Emergency loo paper
- Lots and lots of oil
- Maps, maps and more maps
- Tye repair kit (found it!!)
- small towels to protect bike when being strapped down!

So, the left pannier with all the spare kit and techy stuff is packed and on the bike. On thursday will throw a pair of jeans, t shirt and a jumper in the right one and off we go!!

No euros as yet, and cant decide how many to get (its late and i have run out of decisions today.......)

Really, really looking forward to it.

Off to get a nice glass of wine now! Got to practise for friday night chaps!!

 

[Harlequin]

We will work it out I'm sure. How many Tossers looking lost can there be ?

I'll try A then B then the Cafe if there's no one there then the bar on the boat

HOw many tossers looking lost?? About 5 i should say!!

 

[Scuba-Sparky]

Hi All
Sounding better, got top box packed and still have room for the helmet as well!
Oh better put a map in as well!

 

[Harlequin]

Hi All
Sounding better, got top box packed and still have room for the helmet as well!
Oh better put a map in as well!

The rest of us will be packed up like we are following Charlie and Ewan down the shops.................

 

[WindyChuffer]

A or B or cafe then. Soz for confusing things... Will need some breakfast at some point, most likely on the boat by the time I get there.

Anyone have a 12v compressor they are planning on taking?