Europe. Was. Awesome.

[Fawbish]

Only got three more weeks (and a shitty Maths exam...oh dear) before me and a few mates piss off to Europe for two weeks on our bikes



I'd just like a comprehensive list of all documents Im gonna need, from the experienced people here, please

Will help me tick off and make sure I'm sorted.


I have travel insurance via my bank account for me and a "partner".

Got my Passport.

My E111 I think is out of date, Im gonna get it renewed.

I will get my V5 together and get a temp cover note sent out as I dont have my proper one (doh), and ring my insurance to tell them of my abroad escapades (I already know Im covered for 30 days abroad)

What else is needed? Want to make sure Im prepared at least for the very essentials
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"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Money for speeding fines.
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My Flickr

[Fawbish]

Heh, even though its not generally advised, I've had a lot of hassle with using cards abroad before, so Im taking a wad of cash with me anyways (stashed seperately on my person in little bits)

I'll be setting off with around £700, but get paid half way through also.


Hope its enough
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"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

[Phoenix]

E111 no longer exists, you need a health insurance card now, still free just have to send off for it so i'd get that done ASAP.

You ideally want a proper insurance certificate so get the company to send that not a cover note, they have to send a certificate it's their part of the deal. I've heard of companies that just send out endless cover notes, piss poor.

Travel insurance has small print, you'll actually find most policies specifiy that they will not pay out in the event of injury if you are participating in certain activities, with a large majority one of those is riding a motorcycle over 50 or 125cc. I personally get a policy that includes bike use, NCI is who I use, the benefits from bank accounts are never worth the cost.

You're forgetting breakdown cover, get it, again I use NCI as it's quite cheap for one vehicle £50-60, or £100 for personal EU cover on any vehicle.

You should also check your banks policy on foreign travel, some suggest that you ring them beforehand so that they don't cancel your card if you use it on suspicion of fraud, others don't want to know (like Nationwide).

[Skudd]

[Clanger]

Where are you planning to go Fawbish?? Which countries??
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[Fawbish]

Cheers for that Phoenix and Skudd, much appreciated. I did already have an EHIC (I just referred to it as E111, 'pologies) so I've sent off for that to be renewed online (cheers Skudd).


I did read through the policy that I have for Insurance Abroad with LLoyds, and it seemed ok but I will get seperate also.

Ringing insurance today, so should be able to sort all that out.

And Clanger, we're looking at France, Italy, and possibly Germany/Belgium...I dont think we're poppin into Switzerland, but incase, what are the requirements? I've heard its more strict on vehicles and a specific green card (? or something) was required?
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"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

[Phoenix]

Switzerland is worth it IMO, scenery is better than France/Germany and so are the mountain roads.

There is no green card, your European insurance covers you, I heard the same thing about vehicle checks but didn't witness any at the border crossing I used in Bargen. Some of the Swiss registered vehicles I saw wouldn't have passed a UK MOT without being completely rebuilt.

The only issues with Switzerland are they're not in the EU so you need either Swiss Francs or have to use card, everything is quite expensive but not as bad as Norway/Sweden. You also have to buy an annual Vignette if you use any of the motorways, you can buy this at the border crossing, it was about £30 if I remember correctly, if you get caught without one it's a lot more.

[Fawbish]

Oh reet, cheers for the info

Will definitely consider it
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"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

[Shay HTFC]

You could always try western Austria if you want the Alpine scenery. Good beer too!
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Full Motorbike License - GS500E '95

[Dav1son]

Stay out off France
It full of Frence people
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Future: ....
Present: GSXR-750 L0
Past: ZX10R C2H, TL1000R, CBR400 NC29, GPR50RR/RS50

[Fawbish]

You're coming with me you Prick!


Frence? Sure that wasnt Phil typing?
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"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

[Tonka]

In addition to all the documents and money bits do you need to have the hi-viz jacket, first aid kit and spare bulbs too? Seem to remember reading it somewhere - only cars have to have the hazard triangle as well
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'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
Suzuki SV650S (Clean); Yamaha XT250 Serow (Dirty)

[Fawbish]

We're taking spare bulbs, first aid pack and docs. Not bothering with hi-vis vest I dont think. However, Dav1 may be able to grab a couple from work so if they can be packed small enough, boom.
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"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

[Phoenix]

Hi-vis is probably one you really should have because it's immediately obvious if you don't have one when the police see you broken down (should it happen). Can't think exactly which countries require them off top of my head, am sure Spain and Italy do but I believe every country has been following suit recently so it's possibly all, UK will be next probably, would take one, free from work (so many jobs need them) or £1 from poundshop.

[Fawbish]

Hmm, to you experienced boffins, does 75 euros a day sound like enough to get bye on? Im thinking it might even be too much, but as a rough guide, I have around 450 euros to last me for 6 days, until I get paid again. Then a further 9 days after that.


What we thinking on a basis of that I will be half camping/half hostels/hotels and want to eat/live "comfortably" but am willing to make some cutbacks.

EDIT: There will be three of us, so if anyone makies calculations for hotels etc, we'll be paying equally.
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"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

[Phoenix]

Should be fine, my 7 day trip was just over 2000 miles, minus the ferry crossings it cost me about £360, that's including a swiss vignette at £30, 3nights in hotels and the rest camping, only two takeaways rest was cooked on stoves, some motorway services food though which wasn't cheap. That equates to about 430 Euros given the exchange rate back then.

[Fawbish]

Cheers for that Phoenix, also ta for the files


When reading Itchys blog, it makes me feel like ours might be fairly timid, but just keep reminding myself that this is the first time either of us have done this, so 3.5k miles will be quite enough this time


Lack of money is some bad shizz, I'm down to 60 euros a day.

Definitely gonna consider rough camping where we can, can only add to the adventure

Hopefully, worst they can do is move us on... Gambling ftw
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"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

[Rhys]

Fawbish yeah I kinda the same, my first trip in 3 weeks and its only 2100 miles compared. Still gonna be 160-200 a day but got to treat it as own lil trip, dont know how I'll fair up to riding that distance everyday as not done it before. Hopefully have a balance of riding and time off the bike. Hope your first trip goes well for you

Itchys done quite a few trips and doing a big one now, hopefully I'll build up like him and do something like that in the future too!
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[Fawbish]

Cheers mate, hope yours goes well too


I've been stupid and lost the paper part of my licence....

So here's hoping I dont get stopped by anyone too official.


But other than that, we're pretty well prepared, ish now.

Did a check last night, looks like we've got everything that we think we'll need.

Only issues are cashflow, and inexperience. But fuck cashflow, and hello experience.
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"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

[Fawbish]

One questions, peeps.


Leaving gear on the bike when going off exploring.


I presume the only "fairly" safe method is if you're staying in a hotel near or in the city, so you can dump baggage, but what do you lot usually do when wanting to go off exploring?

Clearly wherever I go, my essentials will be with me, but whats the dealio? Do you feel comfortable leaving stuff on the bike?
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"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

[tatters]

[Clanger]

Actually a bike with a tarpaulin makes me really inquisitive...I want to see what's under there (although I'm not a thief).

I'd be inclined to lock the zips together with a small padlock or even tie wraps, and leave a fat chain around the wheel when off exploring, and just take the expensive stuff with you.

Very similar to what we did when backpacking!
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[mistergixer]

I always put all my valuables in one easily removable bag - that way whenever i stopped somewhere, all that was left on the bike was clothes - if someone was desperate enough to steal my ka-ka stained keks, then they must be desperate enough to need them more than me.

EDIT: Excuse for a photowhore really. You can see the large bumbag strapped on between the tailpack and the panniers. All valuable stuff lived in there(plus it had 2 handy bottle holders), then i could just remove it quickly if i ever i stopped away from the bike:
https://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj243/Andy_B_photos/TheGreatEscape226.jpg
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Don Eladio is dead. His capos are dead. You have no one left to fight for. Fill your pockets and leave in peace. Or fight me and die!
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[Phoenix]

I never ventured too far from my bike but did leave it alone with the kit on for an hour or so while at a couple of places. I had all my valuables in my jacket with me, wallet, camera etc.

The only valuable thing I left on the bike was the stove which I could hardly carry around with me, if it gets nicked it gets nicked, I usually had a towel in the process of drying and a jacket netted over my luggage making it not immediately accessible.