How far would we get slip streaming you two up on a 310GS
How / where should I cross the Channel to go on my first motorcycle trip abroad?
- Thread starter Runnerboy
- Start date
No problem.
Let us know what crossing(s) you decide on, please and (just as importantly) how you get on with your first motorcycle jaunt abroad.
Don’t you think March is a bit early in the year ?
There’s some cold days even into April.
There’s some cold days even into April.
Will do, appreciate all the advice.No problem.
Let us know what crossing(s) you decide on, please and (just as importantly) how you get on with your first motorcycle jaunt abroad.
It could well turn out that way, but we’ll make the go/no call closer to the time. Hopeful mostly because these are the two worst months of the year for us, cold wet, bikes stuck in the garage. We need something to look forward to.
If you are going to make a late ‘Go, no go’ call (a la Houston Mission Control) you might like to look at the terms of the booking you make.
Despite the cheapest tickets being non-cancelable, the Chunnel will (if you call to ask, before the crossing’s date) transfer a booking to an alternative date, subject (sometimes) to a fee. Or just book a refundable ticket.
Despite the cheapest tickets being non-cancelable, the Chunnel will (if you call to ask, before the crossing’s date) transfer a booking to an alternative date, subject (sometimes) to a fee. Or just book a refundable ticket.
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When you have a stop during the day try to ALWAYS stop on your side of the road. If you don't it's very easy to start off on the UK side of the road!
Tunnel is the easiest, simplest and least stressful way of getting to France - I've done it many times.
In terms of easiest way to get across the channel - totally agree. However its location at the extreme SE tip of the UK (& the NE tip of France) does make it a lot less attractive to a large chunk of the UK population. Fortunately there's a lot of other options which cut out a huge chunk of driving miles.
Yes I've used it for the last 4 years. 20% off if your 60+ but you have to book over the phone.
Indeed. The journey from my last home in Cheltenham was bad enough. Since moving to Mid Wales, the shortest route means getting around Birmingham. The gambit of M42 to M40 then the M25 past Heathrow & Gatwick or M6 onto M1 and Dartford crossing. Yuck, so many opportunities for a bottleneck.
Poole and Portsmouth are much more civilised to get to, or Plymouth for Spain.
M5 always feels like going on holiday. M1 or M6 going to work. M40 the sneaky way to London. M42 must be airport time.
Re motorway tags, I’ve got a Fulli one and whilst you need an account that can be direct debited in Euros, it’s worked faultlessly for my motorhome, car and bike.
You just need to go to your account and change the reg number before traveling.
No charges if you dont use it (unless not used for over 12 months) and a very low charge each month you do use it.
You just need to go to your account and change the reg number before traveling.
No charges if you dont use it (unless not used for over 12 months) and a very low charge each month you do use it.
Thanks for that, just ordered a Fulli card! Good tip.
To be honest, unless I get a physical ticket at the booth and pay on exit I don’t trust any toll operator these days.
We’re in Northampton and the tunnel is our favoured way to get across the water though I will admit the M25 is a pain.
It’s particularly horrible coming home again.
If I think I’m going to arrive at the tunnel, all going well, at 2pm I’ll book at train for around 4pm. This takes all the stress out of the ride down should there be hold ups.
You can arrive upto two hours early and opt for an earlier train free of charge when checking in.
I also use what used to be the ibis in Coquelles If I’m travelling later in the day. That gives us an early start on the right side of the water to just crack on without the potential for hold ups on the tunnel to screw our first day up.
All that said, if Spain is the destination I use the Plymouth/ Santander ferry. It’s not cheap but if you factor in fuel, accommodation, tunnel price into riding down through France there’s really not that much in it.
First time we used it we did it going down and rode back up through France and visited Milau, I have to say the ride back up was lovely.
There loads of options as you’ve seen and you’ll find what suits you. But what we all agree on is touring in Europe is brilliant. You’ll have a great time.
It’s particularly horrible coming home again.
If I think I’m going to arrive at the tunnel, all going well, at 2pm I’ll book at train for around 4pm. This takes all the stress out of the ride down should there be hold ups.
You can arrive upto two hours early and opt for an earlier train free of charge when checking in.
I also use what used to be the ibis in Coquelles If I’m travelling later in the day. That gives us an early start on the right side of the water to just crack on without the potential for hold ups on the tunnel to screw our first day up.
All that said, if Spain is the destination I use the Plymouth/ Santander ferry. It’s not cheap but if you factor in fuel, accommodation, tunnel price into riding down through France there’s really not that much in it.
First time we used it we did it going down and rode back up through France and visited Milau, I have to say the ride back up was lovely.
There loads of options as you’ve seen and you’ll find what suits you. But what we all agree on is touring in Europe is brilliant. You’ll have a great time.
If you need to stay close to Newhaven, Lewes is not far away and much more pleasant
Must agree, it is a stupid location . Fuck knows why they chose Folkestone . Why couldn’t they have started it in Birmingham or somewhere similarly central?
I always book a hotel near the tunnel on this side so I can take a leisurely ride down the day before the crossing.
If I was going to the Picos I'd always get the boat to Santander.
I stay here when I use the Newhaven > Dieppe ferry. Get the morning feery. Only 20 minutes away.
