France - the Great '3 Day Bimble'

[oldrascal]

I plan to be at 'A' or 'B' (they are only yards apart) from about 0745 or so. If everyone is there by 0800, that's great but I think that it would then be clever to head on through the controls to a boarding lane. Anyone who comes after 0800 or so can check through and just join the gang in lane. As Strider so rightly says, who the hell is going to say anything to a bunch of GSA riding louts. The port cafe looks a bit crappy but there is resaonable grub on the boat if memory serves and we start boarding at 0900 anyhow.

I've just bought a nifty puncture repair/inflation kit with plenty of spare plugs and inflation cannisters. Although it cost £30 it could be a cheap buy if ever needed. Anyhow, plenty of kit to go around if one of us is unlucky.

A final point - are we all happy with our shared contact details? I can laminate some small cards with everyone's name/number/details if it helps. Could be useful for the tank-bag as would a list of registration numbers in case of emergency or W.H.Y. If you all want to PM me with your bike details, I will group them, include the details on the crib cards and distribute on Friday.

 

[GreatScott]

A final point - are we all happy with our shared contact details? I can laminate some small cards with everyone's name/number/details if it helps. Could be useful for the tank-bag as would a list of registration numbers in case of emergency or W.H.Y. If you all want to PM me with your bike details, I will group them, include the details on the crib cards and distribute on Friday.

Great minds - I just logged to on to jot them all down. If you can laminate them that wold be fab. Can you put the B&B details on to ? I'll PM the bike's reg etc

 

[Harlequin]

Thanks OldRascal thats a great idea. Will pm you now.

So now we have three puncture kits beteween us!!

I will be there at 7.45/8.00, so see you at A or B, then ride in together.

Whose taking security chains/locks etc?

 

[oldrascal]

Thanks GreatScott for the bike info in the PM.

So that's thee and me on the list and Strider, WindyChuffer and ScubaSparky to go. Out of curiosity, do any of you travel with chain and padlock in the pannier? I am considering bringing mine but the bastard thing weighs a ton. As we have secure parking both nights.......

As I am writing this, Strider has just posted and is sending his details and it seems that we have the same question about chains and locks. It occurs to me that, at worst, 2 bikes don't need chains as we can always secure 2 wheels with one chain...........or none at all for that matter.

But we may leave the bikes in public parking areas such as those at Mont St. Michel so maybe chains are worthwhile after all.

 

[GreatScott]

I'll be taking my alarmed Xena disc lock. It's small and easy to stash and useful if we wander off anywhere. We could use it in theory I suspose to link to one or more bikes with a chain, but I have never tried it. But I reckon someone is more likely walk off with a nice shiny new GSA rather than mine !

If you haven't got a disc lock, take your chain. It might be heavy but we are only away for a short trip, so if you've got room to can carry it I think I would.

Lock it or lose it

 

[Harlequin]

nowhere to put a disc lock on the GSA, unless i am missing something...which just leaves my 'big b=stard abus!'

Also found a nice large scale route planning map, which i have copied for you all. Just the right size for the tankbag. Will try and have it laminated if i can find anywhere........

 

[Scuba-Sparky]

Hi All
Been to France loads off times , never taken a chain with me yet. But saying that I dont go where the tourists go. Can bring mine if it helps. Will Pm Oldrascal with details in a mo.
To top it all, took the Grey Zebra out for spin, only just got her started, just ordered a new battery!!

 

[WindyChuffer]

Thx for offer of laminated thingys but i'll pass on that as I've got all details in my phone. Not sure why we need each others reg numbers?
If I knew my reg, I'd PM it, but I dont, and cant be arsed to go outside now.

As for a lock, I never bother...have had no problems in London in 5yrs of riding.

 

[oldrascal]

It looks like we are in pretty good shape for the rapidly approaching trip.

As there is bags of room in the panners, I think that I will bring a chain along - getting the bike nicked would definitely detract from the fun of the weekend. Er......bags of room, that is, unless we need to add a tow-rope for Scuba-Sparky if his battery doesn't arrive in time,

As to your comment about registration numbers WindyChuffer, we are travelling as a group so having each other's info is just a precaution. If your phone gets nicked or is lost or damaged, you have no hard-copy info should the need arise and a small A5 sheet is pretty easy to slip in somewhere.

The point really is in case of mishap/accident, or if a bike is nicked and we get separated or any one of a number of stupid reasons. I always work on the basis that shit sometimes happens and anything that can be done to lay-off the risk and ease the potential problem can't be bad.

That said, if you are happy with what you have, that's fine too and just goes to show that we all have different priorities.

 

[oldrascal]

Ah, WindyChuffer, I nearly forgot to mention that if you don't accept the offer of a free, previously unused, genuine recycled paper laminated info sheet, you will miss out on a most wonderfully erotic drawing of a local Saint-James girl on the back. As one of a limited edition of five, its a thing of rare beauty and sensuality and sure to become a collector's item.

 

[Scuba-Sparky]

Hi All
Have a back up plan for the battery

One mate with a GSA + 2 x = borrow his battery

Will bring a tow rope for the 1200 owners Sounds like your all packing for a transcontinentel trip? I thought we were going for a three day trip?
Got some Euro's for my round

 

[Harlequin]

Hi All
Have a back up plan for the battery

One mate with a GSA + 2 x = borrow his battery

Will bring a tow rope for the 1200 owners Sounds like your all packing for a transcontinentel trip? I thought we were going for a three day trip?
Got some Euro's for my round

What do you mean we are only going for 3 days......

I thought it was three months!!!

You know how it is...the planning and endless (mindless) questions and banter all add to the fun and anticipation.....

Anyway a bit of planning never hurt anybody.... although i reckon it will be a monor miracle if we manage to meet at Newhaven, never mind get to France

 

[Harlequin]

anybody spot the 'allo allo' gaff in that last post?

 

[WindyChuffer]

Yep - got hard copy etc. But don't know if i'm being a bit thick here - still not getting it re: swapping registration numbers.

 

[oldrascal]

What's the betting we get a boatload of antis from the G20 summit nonsense heading back home. Green haired girlies, anyone.

I reckon that the minute we all hook up on Friday morning, it'll be a laff a mile with no thoughts of anything other than the open French roads, warm breezes, good riding mates, sunshine and the thought of a cracking Repas Gastronimique with free aperitif and free wine in the evening.

What say you all?

 

[oldrascal]

Good morning happy campers ..... ......no, not that sort silly boys, this sort.....

It looks like, as forecast, Friday and Sunday are going to be cracking days weatherwise with loads of sun and warmth but with perhaps more cloud on Sunday. However the Saturday forecast is now indicating rain which just goes to show that you can't trust weather forecasts or sailors' opinions.

So don't forget your rainsuits if you need them and I suppose that we had better plan on a more intensive investigation of Mont St. Michel unless you all fancy riding in the rain. That said, if you have a glance at Joybringer's report on his recent trip to Mont St. Michel - linky - its clear that there is a lot to see and more than a few intersting restaurants if it really starts to piss down. There may be other places of interest not too far away but the Mont seems the obvious one.
Of course the weather front might just shift leaving us with a dry day - to be seen - but at least the wind is minimal and the Channel calm. Anyhow, what's a bit of rain, standing water, slippery roads, spray and general crud to a brave bunch of hairy-chested bikers such as us.

 

[Harlequin]

Good morning happy campers ..... ......no, not that sort silly boys, this sort.....

It looks like, as forecast, Friday and Sunday are going to be cracking days weatherwise with loads of sun and warmth but with perhaps more cloud on Sunday. However the Saturday forecast is now indicating rain which just goes to show that you can't trust weather forecasts or sailors' opinions.

So don't forget your rainsuits if you need them and I suppose that we had better plan on a more intensive investigation of Mont St. Michel unless you all fancy riding in the rain. That said, if you have a glance at Joybringer's report on his recent trip to Mont St. Michel - linky - its clear that there is a lot to see and more than a few intersting restaurants if it really starts to piss down. There may be other places of interest not too far away but the Mont seems the obvious one.
Of course the weather front might just shift leaving us with a dry day - to be seen - but at least the wind is minimal and the Channel calm. Anyhow, what's a bit of rain, standing water, slippery roads, spray and general crud to a brave bunch of hairy-chested bikers such as us.

Is chest hair a prerequisite? Darn it.......

Should be great fun, and personally dont mind a bit of a splash along, as long as its not the whole 3 days.

However, i will be taking my one piece waterproofs FOR SURE!

Now to decide, should i wear the Rukka suit or the ReviT?? rolleyes:)

 

[Dazzle]

should be a good trip pity I could not come, if it rains take it easy on white lines, don't know what the froggies use but they are leathal.
Dazzle

 

[oldrascal]

Thanks for the warning Dazzle, its a pity you couldn't make it this time. Keep an eye on the other thread in this section - 6 Day 'Iron Man' Blast in May - (here is the link) which could be a hoot. Its not set out in any detail yet and may end up being less than 6 days and not so far South depending upon the availability of those invlolved.

 

[Scuba-Sparky]

Hi All
This time tomorrow. . .

What do you mean your passport is a year out of date!



Just worked out what time I have to get up!!

See you all at 08.00