First Euroride - advice please! (luggage, gas, kit etc)

[gypsyjackson]

Sorry if this is a bit rambling...

Ok, I'm going to do my first bit of riding on the continent soon - I'm off to the Netherlands. My friends are all getting the Eurostar to Brussels, then a connecting train to Amsterdam - they want to save the environment, so won't fly or drive.

In order to give a bit of balance, and increase the amount of burnt carbon, I'm going to ride over, getting a ferry from Dover to Calais. As it happens, this works out well for them, as it's the only way we can pick up the keys to our houseboat, as their trip takes about 8 hours, and they're not leaving until the afternoon - didn't think of that while they were distracted hugging trees.

So, I need to get a long weekend's worth of stuff on my bike (er6-f). My top box is fine for commuting, I can get a change of clothes and a pair of trainers in there, but it won't do the job for this weekend. Therefore, I'm thinking of buying a tankbag and a tailpack. The tankbag will be useful for sticking a map in, too.

Am I thinking along the right lines? Oxford do these for about £70:

https://www.busters-accessories.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=OXOF412

https://www.busters-accessories.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=OXOF417

I also reckon I'll need to fill up twice en route from Calais to Amsterdam (and vice versa), as my bike goes about 120 miles before the fuel light comes on. How easy will it be to do this? I gather in France that petrol stations are fairly sparse, but I have no idea about Belgium and the Netherlands. I live about 120 miles from Dover, so I'll probably end up filling up this side of the channel anyway (a few quid more, but peace of mind).

Finally, I really don't know what sort of kit I should take along. My plan was to take spare bulbs and a hi-vis jacket. I have a pretty poor underseat toolkit, but I don't know enough about how to use it anyway! Is it worth taking tyre or chain repair stuff if I'm too thick to work it?

I apologise for giving you my life story, but I be really grateful for any advice you could give.

[Itchy]

Ermpetrol few quid more? in the UK , a couple months back petrol cost MORE over there than here, especially on Autoroutes and in big cities (lowest 1.28 only at automated petrol stations , which require credit cards highest at 1.54 I think or was in 1,56 Euro/litre), anyway its northern Europe theres petrol stations everywhere.

for a quick weekend sprint a small bag will do = tank bag, esp if you aren't camping. + add more time , it may well say omn the RAC website 8 hours but it'll take longer , you may get lost , you may need to stop for a slash etc.

tho that said next year is a camping year so I'll probably bring just as much crap as I did this year (I bought X2 40 litre side bags, a 40 litre tank bag and stacked tons of crap under me seat).

for extra extra piece of mind bring a 5 litre spare petrol can, even though I never bought ont the piece of mind when you fuel light comes on in unfamiliar territory is worth alot.
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[gypsyjackson]

[EuropeanNC30R...]

Don't worry about petrol, there'll be loads of stations on the way there. France is usually only iffy on Sundays in rural areas, you'll be on a motorway and only for a very short time before you get into Belgium.

Have you considered using Norfolk Line ferries? They go to Dunkerque instead of Calais, so you're a bit nearer to Belgium. They're also usually quite cheap and do a relatively decent value breakfast.

I've done the route in a car before, they have non-marked gatso's etc on the motorways in Holland or Belgium iirc. But as of the moment Brits can't be had from foreign speed cameras. Belgium police are known to be quite speed nazi, so beware of speed traps.

[gypsyjackson]

[McJamweasel]

I did that same route a couple of months ago and you won't have a problem with fuel. There are stations every 30 miles or so on the autoroutes, chances are you'll be stopping for a break more often than 120 miles anyway, you may as well top up every time you stop.

There are gatso's on around Gent and Antwerp, but they are signed. Expect a bit of traffic around there too, it was fairly heavy while we were there.

We did the journey in around 8 hours, but that was with at least 2 hours of stops and about an hour of stop/start in roadworks.
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[Adam_P]

I've just driven to Spa and back, not on the bike I know, but the route is similar.

As has been said already, don't panic about fuel, there's plenty of places to get it on the autoroutes. As for prices, it can be costly in France, but when you get over the border into Belgium you'll find its cheaper, especially if you find a fuel stop away from the motorways. Don't know about Holland though.

How long are you going for? I've been away for a long weeknd and managed to survive with all my stuff in my top box, although it's a 46 litre one, not sure how big yours is, just pack light!

As for what else, don't worry about a hi-vis jacket, no point.Spare bulbs can be handy, but you'll be near civilisation, so finding one if you need one shouldn't be hard either. Do you have AA or RAC membership? Or does your insurance have breakdown cover, if so, get it for the time you're away in Europe if you can, will only be a few quid and worth it for the peace of mind. The only thing I would say to take would be chain lube, if you haven't got something like a Scottoiler fitted.

Oh, and tell your friends that they'd have saved a bigger carbon footprint by taking the ferry direct to Hollan, rather than going via Brussels, taking into account the amount of passengers etc. That'll piss them off
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[Itchy]

oh and tell your buddies that trains use MORE energy per passenger mile than a diesel car VW polo , (if a VW polo has 4 passengers from a Edinburgh to London trip) , compared to a 100% packed out no standing room train

Since trains are rarely packed out cept commuter time the train has a much worse footprint! . (note Assumes Eurostar is not powered bu french nuclear power)

I used to know a guy who worked on the rail ways he said trains used so much energy they had to upgrade many of the power substations to power some of the trains.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[ncrn]

Just to point out for the luggage you can get those two bags AND panniers for £75 (inc p&p) from here.

I bought that from them and the luggage works really well you can fit loads in the bags.
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[phil2alp]

I've never used them myself ( as I have hard panniers) but Ortlieb dry bags are very good for carrying a weeks kit. They are totally waterproof and can be bungeed onto the back of your bike. Pretty cheap as well. Camping stores sell them.

Keep money/change handy for any toll roads but I can't remember for sure if you pay tolls in Belgium or Holland. I don't think so.

Don't bother with tools etc if you don't know how to use them. You have a pretty new bike so you should be ok. Probably best to pay for RAC/AA cover just in case you break down or have a puncture though.

[jacqui]

I crossed France about four years ago, fuel stations are abundant, as are toll roads and speed cameras!

I'd go for panniers before a tank bag, i wouldn't be able to see over the top!
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never say "never"!!!

[gypsyjackson]

[ram_doom]

[Itchy]

I thought you lived next to busters?
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[ram_doom]