Planning a trip abroad.....

Wonda-Boy · 05-03-2014 2:22pm #1

With the influx of lads heading away this year (myself inld) I think it would be great for any advice to be in the one place. Maybe the mods can create a STICKY for easy reference.

I copied this from a post already up and sure we can add to it as we go. Try to stick to advice rather then reminisce about a lovely drive.

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A couple of travel requirements:
Original Registration Document
License
Passport
Original Insurance cert
European Medical card (See here http://www.ehic.ie/)

You should get travel insurance as well, food poisoning can happen anywhere.

Some things you should bring:
Buy an Airhawk Seat Cushion (The best purchase you’ll make for your trip!)

Lots of ear plugs! You can get ~50 pairs for ~€10 on ebay.
Cameras (For that nice bike picture in the alps )
Electrical Chargers and Euro adapters (Phones/Cameras/Video/GPS. Test them and make sure they work)
Chain lube (every morning)
Tool Kit (There will be plenty of bike garages but a few tools won't hurt)
Small Head mounted Torch
A few pairs of gloves (1 Gore-tex, 1 ventilated)
Sun Glasses
Chain(s)/Lock(s)
Spare Fuses
Bring some rags for the ferries. Some of them don’t have any to put between the ratchet tie downs and your seat and paintwork! Ireland-France crossing had them.

Optional:
GPS with updated maps + Mounting Kit
Top Up Oils/Fluids. 1l bottles (you could end up paying €30 for 1l of oil in a petrol station when you really need it)
Puncture Repair Kit and/or a can of tyre weld
Spare Bungees/Cargo Net (Handy for drying your clothes on top of your topbox)
Tablet/Laptop if you can fit it. Lots of places have free wi-fi (McDonalds). So you can upload photos of your trip to make us all jealous
Ultra absorbent thin towel
Visor cleaner + cloth to wipe it off properly
Sun Cream
Cable Ties
Gaffer Tape
Side stand plates for earthen ground
Fire extinguisher
Ratchet Tie Downs
Pens and paper to keep track of spending
Vitamin tablets. It's a long trip so it’s important to keep your strength up

Before the trip.
Try to check everything on the bike. Tyres, chain, bearings, throttle and brake cables (one of the lads throttle went in Gibraltar so we ended up wasting half a day there).

Pack and unpack preparation. Plan and re-plan what to take with you a week before the trip. Organise what you're bringing into the luggage. Think about weight distribution on each side of the bike when you’re doing this, you don’t want to be veering to one side

Try and plan where you’ll be each night and look up possible accommodation in each place before you leave.

Make a list of things you want to see in each country. Have 2 things in each country that you’d really like to see. Other attractions can be left on the list or taken out depend on time.

Take a look at road watch websites of the countries your visiting. It’ll let you know of any road works on your route and delays that may be encountered due to them.

On the trip.
Arrive at your destination each evening no later than 8. If you arrive after this it's too late to look around and find the best priced place, have a shower and then find a place to eat. Recently a friend did a trip where he was leaving at 6am and riding until 4pm. He had a few hours of the roads to himself then beat the evening work traffic chaos.

Have plenty of bottled water bought for the nights and mornings.

The tolls in France and Spain are expensive so stay off them if you can. The other roads are better biking roads anyway

French bikers are great and every one of them will salute you!

If you’re not making as much progress as you thought then don’t go too far into Europe. You don’t want to have to rush the last half of your trip in order to make a ferry!

Wonda-Boy · 05-03-2014 2:23pm

Copy and pasted from another post on boards. Dont suppose it matters if some advice is duplicated as people will pick the bones from what they need and dont need.

Things that were invaluable to have:
- rain suit - by god when it rains in Europe it's something else!
- insurance docs
- bike ownership papers
- old school maps
- puncture repair kit
- duct tape
- cable ties
- spare gloves
- bungee cord
- helmet and luggage locks - you need to be able to secure your bike and all the luggage and helmet/jacket if you want to explore. I think a guy on here had his jacket nicked while travelling around Europe
- change in your tank bag for tolls
- give yourself enough buffer time to make the ferry back
- zip lock bags for your phone etc in your tank bag

Other things
- the tolls sometimes give you a ticket, and check it when you're leaving the tolled road, if you lose it, you'll have to pay the maximum toll
- some tolls are free for bikes, look out for the half barriers
- European city drivers have usually very little patience for drivers who don't know where they are going, especially the French!
- don't book too much ahead accommodation wise as it means you need to make your destination even if it's late
- loads of bikers on the roads on the continent, usually get chatting to them at petrol stations or in towns

Main thing is have fun, don't worry about covering distance.

Wonda-Boy · 05-03-2014 2:25pm

http://www.rac.co.uk/travel/driving-abroad/travel-abroad-checklist/

http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/media/pdf/8/o/A_guide_to_taking_your_motorbike_abroad.pdf

http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/media/pdf/8/o/A_guide_to_taking_your_motorbike_abroad.pdf

BrokenArrows · 05-03-2014 2:26pm

Fire extinguisher...Really?

Mr Sheen! · 05-03-2014 3:11pm

BrokenArrows wrote: »

Fire extinguisher...Really?

Just incase of a fire . . . . Next on the list is the kitchen sink !!:D

Mr Sheen! · 05-03-2014 3:15pm

@ Wonda great idea coming into the good weather. A good pint if going away in a group is plan together. e.g one person take duct tape and one take cable ties. As 5 riders prob wont need 5 rolls of duct tape over a few days LOL

blu3r0ri0n · 05-03-2014 3:41pm

leppla wrote: »

@ Wonda great idea coming into the good weather. A good pint if going away in a group is plan together. e.g one person take duct tape and one take cable ties. As 5 riders prob wont need 5 rolls of duct tape over a few days LOL

Bring yer own feckin duct tape...

The Don · 05-03-2014 5:19pm

Nice to see 'my' list being reused by you Wonda

There were 4 of us on that trip so we distributed items between bikes.

Wonda-Boy · 05-03-2014 5:40pm

The Don wrote: »

Nice to see 'my' list being reused by you Wonda

There were 4 of us on that trip so we distributed items between bikes.

As I said I "copied" these from boards not claiming they are mine. Dont have to name names there are no royalties....;)

Mr Sheen! · 05-03-2014 5:45pm

The Don wrote: »

Nice to see 'my' list being reused by you Wonda

There were 4 of us on that trip so we distributed items between bikes.

Food and drink can be distributed to my bike!!

MonstaMash · 05-03-2014 6:12pm

Wonda-Boy wrote: »

Things that were invaluable to have:
- rain suit - by god when it rains in Europe it's something else!
- insurance docs
- bike ownership papers
- old school maps
- puncture repair kit
- duct tape
- cable ties
- spare gloves
- bungee cord
- helmet and luggage locks - you need to be able to secure your bike and all the luggage and helmet/jacket if you want to explore. I think a guy on here had his jacket nicked while travelling around Europe
- change in your tank bag for tolls
- give yourself enough buffer time to make the ferry back
- zip lock bags for your phone etc in your tank bag

All of the above +
- extra skins, baccy, roaches, lighters, essential herbs

two wheels good · 05-03-2014 6:17pm

Spare bulbs are mandatory in some continental countries.

Spare keys hidden on bike; ignition, luggage, U-lock keys.

Inner bag from wine box useful for fuel emergencies and very compact. A length of syphon tube too.

A battery earth strap, flat woven type better than 6mm stiff copper. (Having seen how much hassle a broken battery connector can cause)

Wonda-Boy · 05-03-2014 7:52pm

Good stuff lads keep it coming.....

Wonda-Boy · 05-03-2014 7:53pm

leppla wrote: »

Food and drink can be distributed to my bike!!

Whoever has the biggest panniers will be getting the "GRUB"

blu3r0ri0n · 05-03-2014 8:11pm

Wonda-Boy wrote: »

Whoever has the biggest panniers will be getting the "GRUB"

That'd be me, 45ltrs in each one.

Zascar · 06-03-2014 10:46am

Nice work, stickied!

Wonda-Boy · 06-03-2014 3:13pm

Zascar wrote: »

Nice work, stickied!

Not all my work but will come in handy for all of us at some point.....;)

bogman · 07-03-2014 1:12am

You need a green card in some eastern countries as I found out last year, you "may" be able to purchase one at the border crossing
A Carnet de Passages is necessary for many countries outside Europe including a lot of South America, Aisa and Africa excluding Morocco and Tunisia
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/get-ready/paperwork/carnet-de-passages-en-douanes-list-of-countries

mr chips · 07-03-2014 10:20pm

Midges love me. They would eat me alive if they had the chance, and any bite leaves me with really itchy marks/lumps on my skin - irritating wee feckers! Over the last five years though, every time I have taken a trip to the Scottish Highlands I've used the "Avon Skin So Soft" stuff in an effort at preventing midge bites - I have never had a midge bite since I tried using it. The stink (in a perfumey way) is a bit overwhelming but it seems to do the job.

thecivvie · 09-03-2014 6:12am

Don't hide spare keys on the bike, I use a Velcro watch strap which I leave on all the time and a spare key attached to it, key pushed under the strap, you never know it is there and you always know where it is.

Wonda-Boy · 11-03-2014 8:18pm

thecivvie wrote: »

Don't hide spare keys on the bike, I use a Velcro watch strap which I leave on all the time and a spare key attached to it, key pushed under the strap, you never know it is there and you always know where it is.

Very good idea....can you imagine the hassle of losing a set of keys abroad omg!!!!!

Hotblack Desiato · 19-03-2014 1:47am

Have a spare set of keys/alarm fob with a trusted person back home, they can freight it to you overnight in an emergency. They should have good quality photocopies of all your documents, too.

Small 12V air pump (the cheap less than a tenner at bike shows type) is light enough and usually the plastic casing can be taken off to make it smaller. Slow but does the job. The CO2 canisters you get with puncture repair kits aren't really up to it especially on a rear tyre. Sometimes air is hard to find at garages, or you have to have the right coin on you (PITA in non-euro countries)

A lot of travel insurance excludes riding anything larger than a scooter, which is odd as half-pi$$ed tourists in shorts and flip-flops on a 50cc with no experience and dodgy lid is about as dangerous as it gets, but there you go.
What you want is a policy that will get your bike fixed, or sent home, in the event of a failure and that'll get you fixed up or sent home too! AA 5-star for instance, there are a lot more and probably cheaper options online these days. Your ordinary insurance policy might cover breakdown or could be extended to cover it. If you have health insurance it might cover you too but you'd need to be certain motorcycling isn't excluded.

No need for tons of clothes, nobody needs to bring 3 weeks of dirty jocks home, wash as you go. Gets cold at night in the mountains though (and even in summer in the daytime, on the highest roads) so worth having a warm jumper.

rat_race · 21-03-2014 5:06pm

What about chain maintenance? We'd rather not bring a big can of chain lube...any suggestions on small bottles of non-spray oil?

Wonda-Boy · 21-03-2014 8:08pm

A bottle of ATF (Automatic Transmission) Fluid will do you a treat.....its much the same stuff as in the scottoiler machines. A large bottle will cost you €5.50 in the motor factors. You can use any amount of things to put it on the chain.....Failing that a can of 3-1 oil is the next best thing. If going mainland Europe dont be panicking as even bog standard engine oil is great lube and you will get that anywhere.

BrokenArrows · 21-03-2014 10:58pm

One thing I would recommend NOT to wear on a long trip is a backpack. After a few hours day after day on the road any backpack will start to feel like a tonne of bricks.

By all means bring one for when your walking around but don't wear it on the bike.

Wonda-Boy · 22-03-2014 8:40pm

Another excellent read....

http://www.motorcycle.co.uk/articles/motorcycle-touring/first-time-motorcycle-touring

Hotblack Desiato · 22-03-2014 9:29pm

Not sure if the ferry companies still give you a big car-sized 'IRL' sticker with your tickets? These are made out of vinyl and stick pretty well but are easy to peel off. What I used to do with them was cut out an arrow shape about 2cm long. When I landed in France I stuck it in the middle of my speedo, so I was constantly reminded to ride on the right. On the ferry out of France I reversed it to remind me to ride on the left again

I only ever had one screwup in Europe and that was when I got distracted turning into a petrol station on the left, I looked the wrong way and moved off and an oncoming car had to brake like hell :rolleyes: and one time I was coming back through the UK after 3 weeks riding on the right, I was fine until I stopped overnight (a pub with real ale and B&B on a little single carriageway road in the middle of nowhere

) and the next morning I pulled out of the car park and rode off and came up to a bend with 'SLOW' painted on the road and wondered why it wasn't in the lane I was riding in :eek:

Wonda-Boy · 25-03-2014 11:31am

Anyone have any experience of landing in the Hook of Holland and nice roads towards the "MECCA" of motorcycle roads the B500 at Baden Baden in Germany, all the way down to the Black Forest. Looking to piece together my route from the Hook. Be nice if others had any feedback for routes and or places to stay with secure bike parking etc.

Wonda-Boy · 02-04-2014 11:51am

Did you know that if you dial 112 in any European country you will get the emergency services that will be fluent in ENGLISH.

BrokenArrows · 02-04-2014 7:54pm

Wonda-Boy wrote: »

Did you know that if you dial 112 in any European country you will get the emergency services that will be fluent in ENGLISH.

I knew 112 was an international emergency but wasn't aware it would be English.

The Don · 03-04-2014 12:15pm

A good tip is to put your chargers, cables, etc into a lunch box. This will keep them dry and in one easy place. You can also use sealable freezer bags but these can hole easily.

If you have an alarm/immobiliser on the bike then replace the batteries in the fob before you go.

If you have a camera with a waterproof housing like a GoPro then bring both the waterproof and the 'open' back doors. You've probably already noticed that the waterproof case can fog up after 30 minutes of use and you'll have foggy videos

. In hotter countries the camera will heat the air even quicker in the housing and mist it up. Alternatively there are reusable anti-fog filters you can insert into the housing which will soak up the moisture.

This is a great video to watch to get some ideas of what/how to pack. It's amazing how much you can actually bring if you're determined and organised enough.
Rick Peterson BMW GS1200 Kit Layout

thecivvie · 04-04-2014 1:18pm

Found an advert on donedeal for paracord bracelets so got one made with rings for 2 keys for the motorbike

Had it on for the last few hours as comfortable

http://www.donedeal.ie/view/6342719

thecivvie · 04-04-2014 11:11pm

The Don wrote: »

This is a great video to watch to get some ideas of what/how to pack. It's amazing how much you can actually bring if you're determined and organised enough.
Rick Peterson BMW GS1200 Kit Layout

Amazing video. Gave me a few tips for my trip

Skill Magill · 24-06-2014 4:03am

BrokenArrows · 25-06-2014 8:32am

Today is a day I'm glad I brought 100% waterproof overcoat and over trousers.
Its hammering down in Milan and from the weather forecast its not gona stop. I'm going to have to suck it up and go for it.

groovy123 · 26-10-2015 9:25am

Always been a dream but would love to go to the states and cruise with my Harley I just love the sportsters

BrokenArrows · 31-10-2015 3:56pm

groovy123 wrote: »

Always been a dream but would love to go to the states and cruise with my Harley I just love the sportsters

Expensive trip.
I looked into it before. Shipping a bike to the USA and back costs about 2.5k if I remember correctly.

Renting a bike there works out about the same and you don't need to worry about all the shipping.

StephenHa · 12-01-2021 2:07am

Ive ridden for years across most of northern Europe. France demands that you carry up-to- date breathalysers and an emergency (folding obviously) triangle and reflective vest. I would advise wearing a reflective vest on every trip - day or night. If you don't have the gear and they stop you - you'll be fined. If you are caught speeding or indeed any offence they will drive you to the local cash dispenser to take the fine off you! If you claim not to have the cash. Speeding fines were around €200 when I last passed-through France.

Germany has similar attitudes but at least there you can ride to excess on certain (very few these days) autobahns.

It always rains in Belgium. Like always.

A GPS is essential but beware: it is an offence across most of Europe to have a GPS that shows the location of speed cameras. More fines!! If you can, turn this option off - especially while in France.

In most countries you can - slowly - filter through the middle of traffic if in a traffic-jam: avoid Antwerp and Brussels if possible. Local A and B roads through the countryside are wonderful anyway. But 'filtering' will be tolerated if you have your hazards flashing and go slowly. But you're always going to get that one cop!

I once had a race with two Holland motorcycle cops - at their invitation - down the A15 from Rotterdam.

Check out the IronButt website: ironbutt.com and learn from the experienced.

Ride safe!

punisher5112 · 12-01-2021 2:10am

StephenHa wrote: »

Ive ridden for years across most of northern Europe. France demands that you carry up-to- date breathalysers and an emergency (folding obviously) triangle and reflective vest. I would advise wearing a reflective vest on every trip - day or night. If you don't have the gear and they stop you - you'll be fined. If you are caught speeding or indeed any offence they will drive you to the local cash dispenser to take the fine off you! If you claim not to have the cash. Speeding fines were around €200 when I last passed-through France.

Germany has similar attitudes but at least there you can ride to excess on certain (very few these days) autobahns.

It always rains in Belgium. Like always.

A GPS is essential but beware: it is an offence across most of Europe to have a GPS that shows the location of speed cameras. More fines!! If you can, turn this option off - especially while in France.

In most countries you can - slowly - filter through the middle of traffic if in a traffic-jam: avoid Antwerp and Brussels if possible. Local A and B roads through the countryside are wonderful anyway. But 'filtering' will be tolerated if you have your hazards flashing and go slowly. But you're always going to get that one cop!

I once had a race with two Holland motorcycle cops - at their invitation - down the A15 from Rotterdam.

Check out the IronButt website: ironbutt.com and learn from the experienced.

Ride safe!

5 years too late

Betsy Og · 05-09-2021 10:32pm

Don't rely on your phone and Google maps. I've data roaming and all the rest but it just wouldn't work. If the guy I bought the bike off hadn't given me a SatNav it would have been a fair hassle to get home (I had printed off Google maps but still, one wrong turn and that'd have been useless).

SmartinMartin · 02-11-2021 2:29am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117851378#Comment_117851378

Just download offline maps from the play store, no data connection needed. There are a few different ones like map.me, offline maps, here, even Google offline maps, but I find Sygic the best. Install the app, download the maps you want and away you go, very straightforward.

12-04-2022 11:52pm

Planning my first road trip to Spain:

The ferry direct to Bilbao seem to be booked for my dates. Can anyone suggest a route either via U.K., or France?

Also, what can I expect to spend in terms of fuel and tolls?

Itineoman · 18-04-2022 11:22pm

I’m in northern Spain at the moment having ridden here from Cherbourg at the start of the month. Fuel is around 1.80 per litre last time I looked. Been walking the Camino del Norte for the past few weeks but due to pick up the bike in Bilbao this day next week. If you use Autoroutes it is an easy two day ride to Spain. I took the slow way avoiding tolls for the first day and then did Autoroute for day 2. Tolls are fairly expensive. I think I paid around @30/40 to get from Bordeaux to Bilbao.

However, I saw the Brittany ferries Pont Aven leaving Santander earlier this evening. I think it only came online recently and may be an option for you?

dubal2008 · 04-07-2022 2:57pm

A good tip for travelling is to email yourself all important documents including bookings, passport, bike paperwork, absolutely anything you may need. it is always easy to access your emails from your phone.

Bluefoam · 24-01-2023 1:42pm

I need to get away this summer for a bit of solo time... Considering one of two routes: Ferry to Cherbourg and leaving again from Bilbao, doing Nantes, Bordeaux, Biarritz on the way; or in and out of Bilbao doing the north coast of Spain, over to Porto & back...

The idea is to do 10 to 14 days, small daily mileage, avoiding motorways, and stopping at interesting places... Taking in some culture and happy to spend a couple of days vegetating... Accommodation is likely to be Airbnb or similar, bike is an unfaired V7. It's not about accumulating km's, just about the adventure and finding interesting stuff...

Any recommendations?

Itineoman · 24-01-2023 11:19pm

Picos de Europa is highly recommended if travelling the north coast of spain. I almost did it last spring but headed east from Bilbao instead and regretted missing it - neighbour was there a few weeks later and confirmed that it is definitely the business.

I did travel the N260 along the southern Pyrenees as far as Perpignan which is just perfect - sweeping bends, mountain passes, rock tunnels, twisties and hairpins. Perfect surface. Stunning scenery. And practically empty.

Regarding France, the coastal route is a bit bland IMHO - lots of small towns and roundabouts, with a few big places like Nantes in between. Weather is Atlantic which means variable but mostly nice once south of the Loire.

There are some lovely biking roads as you travel farther south and a bit inland - Gorge of Tarn, Lots of scenic routes around Provence, Dordogne, the Lot and more. Southeast there are the balcony road mountain passes such as the Col d’Allos. Amazing scenery and lakes in the Verdon valley. Plenty of interesting and historic places to see as well, especially off the beaten track. Depends what you’re interested in.

The Nutty M · 20-04-2023 3:44am

Any recommendations for the easiest way to ride to northern Sweden? I don't mind boat or train or riding, it just needs to be around 3 days or less of trip.

I've a few routes looked at and they are all ok. But maybe there is some unknown ferry service there that might be easier.

Thanks

muddle84 · 20-04-2023 9:48am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120497804#Comment_120497804

If I remember correctly from when I spent some time in Hull, there was a ferry from Immingham to Sweden. Not sure if its freight only or not, but worth looking into!

Bluefoam · 29-04-2023 6:37am

Ferry is booked for mid July to Bilbao!

Can anyone recommend some good sites for cheap accommodation? The bookings for campsites don't seem to be open for July yet.

Im looking for cabins/rooms/whatever, just not pitching a tent as I'm on a basic bike with little luggage accomodation.

Itineoman · 01-05-2023 12:33am

Which direction are you travelling in? Los Picos or Pyrenees?

Bluefoam · 01-05-2023 12:48am

Los Picos, I'm gonna stay mostly near the coast.

Planning a trip abroad.....

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