What a nightmare.
Don't let it put you off though.
Don't let it put you off though.
UK to alps, first timer
- Thread starter grumpy
- Start date
To steer the read in a slightly different direction, make sure you're aware of the differences in road rules and customs before you go.
Prioritie a droite, especially in France, a flash of the headlights means 'I'm coming through', informal bike parking, unmarked speed limits in villages, unmarked speed cameras, illegal GPS speed camera warnings, lower drink driving limits, use of roundabouts etc etc.
Prioritie a droite, especially in France, a flash of the headlights means 'I'm coming through', informal bike parking, unmarked speed limits in villages, unmarked speed cameras, illegal GPS speed camera warnings, lower drink driving limits, use of roundabouts etc etc.
grumpy
Registered user
My baptism to french roads was with 2 lads who were on the eurotunnel train with me there was only 2 bikes on it, theirs and mine as we came off the train it was bucketing down and they said to accompany them to paris which I readily accepted as I could follow and see how the system worked, so we took off down the peage (pay but brilliant roads) we were blasting along at 95mph and when it got dark they slowed to 85. they had to fill my tank as my cards would'nt work at the petrol pumps, and I gave him euro's. the ride in the dark was a real helter skelter as I was just following a red tail light in the spray, they dropped me at the Premier Class hotel in the western paris suburbs.
As for the tent definately bin it no dry bag over the back.
Roundabouts I got to really like them, I found the peage payment bloody confusing, I had to get off the bike and rake through layers of clothing to find cash until I realised there was an external pocket on my rain suit which filled up with water and soaked the banknotes one fella at at garage dabbed the 20 euro note I gave him with a tissue to get the moisture off it, but at the peage I had one 44 ton truck driver actually reverse out and on to another booth as I took so long and usually had to get assistance at some to pay cash.
Another motor cyclist at a carrefour service station filled me up on his card.
I will go again but be a bit more researched into hotel location I think I have another couple of weeks off next month so consideration will be given, but not 960 mile days I am still walking as if I have just got over the flu weakish legs and my fingers are not as handlebar shaped as they were.
I only took 5 photos. well 6 but one was a bit dark in the eurotrain carraiage so I deleted it.
http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af264/john1swan/DSCF4393_zps896b96a1.jpg
http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af264/john1swan/DSCF4394_zps8661fa62.jpg
http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af264/john1swan/DSCF4396_zps352ea2f9.jpg
As for the tent definately bin it no dry bag over the back.
Roundabouts I got to really like them, I found the peage payment bloody confusing, I had to get off the bike and rake through layers of clothing to find cash until I realised there was an external pocket on my rain suit which filled up with water and soaked the banknotes one fella at at garage dabbed the 20 euro note I gave him with a tissue to get the moisture off it, but at the peage I had one 44 ton truck driver actually reverse out and on to another booth as I took so long and usually had to get assistance at some to pay cash.
Another motor cyclist at a carrefour service station filled me up on his card.
I will go again but be a bit more researched into hotel location I think I have another couple of weeks off next month so consideration will be given, but not 960 mile days I am still walking as if I have just got over the flu weakish legs and my fingers are not as handlebar shaped as they were.
I only took 5 photos. well 6 but one was a bit dark in the eurotrain carraiage so I deleted it.
http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af264/john1swan/DSCF4393_zps896b96a1.jpg
http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af264/john1swan/DSCF4394_zps8661fa62.jpg
http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af264/john1swan/DSCF4396_zps352ea2f9.jpg
Good to read that it hasn't put you off. Better luck next time. 
Was this recently? What problems did you have with credit cards? i thought this was more or less solved now.
grumpy
Registered user
I went last Sunday and was back wednesday night, Petrol pumps on the peage late on were definately cards only, mine kept coming up refusee or something similar, payment at the counters was no problem. There was some where the card was not accepted but the attendants in the shop could switch it over to obtain petrol and pay at the counter with card. After writing this I am now wishing I was still there with better weather.
you are still learning no bad thing.
i avoid the motorways except the bit out of dover no peage and fumbling and the roads sometimes are even faster [allegedly] petrols cheaper as well.
my credit card works most of the time but i dont use it if unmanned i ask a local to fill and pay them cash [have lots of change] to ovoid all the card charges,i dont speak French but its never been a problem.
go for smiles not miles is how i do it.
i avoid the motorways except the bit out of dover no peage and fumbling and the roads sometimes are even faster [allegedly] petrols cheaper as well.
my credit card works most of the time but i dont use it if unmanned i ask a local to fill and pay them cash [have lots of change] to ovoid all the card charges,i dont speak French but its never been a problem.
go for smiles not miles is how i do it.
What type of cards?
Hi Grumpy,
The most obvious answer is that you possibly forgot to tell the c.card companies that you where going abroad. Also which countries.
I know most will allow a single payment abroard, but then probably block the card until you contact them DAMHIK
Best of luck for further travels
Neil
The most obvious answer is that you possibly forgot to tell the c.card companies that you where going abroad. Also which countries.
I know most will allow a single payment abroard, but then probably block the card until you contact them DAMHIK
Best of luck for further travels
Neil
Grumpy 
Tourist of the year
. 
Tourist of the year
. 
grumpy
Registered user
I was using visa cards, I inquired at the bank before I went about being cut off whilst abroad I was told there was no problem and all she verified was my mobile phone number in case they needed to ask me about dodgy purchases.
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