Touring over france.

[mysterious_rider]

Hiya guys, In a few months me and a friend will be going to france. We live in the south of the uk, planning on doing about 2000 miles ish, to hit up southern france with a bit better weather hopefully!

Any ideas on essentials, and what kind of money to bring? I was thinking £500 should get me sorted for a weeks stay?#

So like,

GB sticker for bikes, breathalysers etc.
Petrol money etc (£500)
Tent,
Some cooking utensils? Best thing to take touring foodwise??
Satnavs, maps etc

We will be taking the euro tunnel over there, it's quite cheap. Should be a good run! Would like some advice on what it invloves.

Any help would be appreciated!

[weasley]

I would take a credit or debit card and minimise the actual cash carried - most forecourts take cards, many are even unmanned (at supermarkets typically). If you do need cash, use an ATM whilst there.

I got a new number plate made with the GB logo incorporated as there is nowhere on my bike to stick a sticker.

If you use a satnav make sure to disable the speed camera warnings, or use them and face the consequences (they are illegal in France and roadside plod will take cash on the spot).

Eurotunnel works like a charm for bikes. You're usually loaded last, all bikes together. Turn the bike into the small 'kerb' at the side and, if on the sidestand, leave it in 1st gear. Then mooch about with your bike for 30 minutes (or use your tank bag as a pillow and catch some kip on the floor) until the other side where you ride off into bright sunshine and straight onto the autoroute. There is a petrol station just after you get off the train, if you need it. It's best to have your passports handy for embarkation, although on the England side I have never had mine checked. On the France side they will check passports at check-in, which means queues - last time I queued for 20 minutes in a cloudburst with nowhere to shelter and nowhere to go.
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Yamaha XJ600 | Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat | KTM 990 SMT | BMW F900XR TE

[garth]

Be careful using a debit card or credit card in unmanned fuel stations. Although you may only use 20 euros worth of fuel, they will debit (more like hold) 100 euros and refund the difference, which can take a week or so.

Then your card gets declined and you have a mini fit trying to figure out how you've spent £500 on £100's worth of fuel.

[ukdiceman]

Also depending when you go, you may require hi vis gear:-

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/General-news/2012/January/jan0912-hi-vis-gear-compulsory-in-france-from-next-year/
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FZ6 Fazer

[garth]

And breathalysers.

[arry]

[Casper]

Is the £500 your total spends? If so you will need a dam site more money.

[mysterious_rider]

seriously? 500 wont even last a week??? That's ludicrous lol.

[Casper]

[mysterious_rider]

[garth]

So, £500 budget.

2000 miles @ 50mpg (est) = 40 gallons.

40 gallons in litres = 181.6

181.6 litres x £1.45 p/l = £263.32


There's half your budget gone.

[RidersRest]

Some tips of mine can be seen --> here <-- I keep them up to date regularly...
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RidersRest Bikers only B&B in the beautiful Central Massif - France
Touring France not sure where to go? Central Massif on a motorcycle...

[doggone]

£500 is a reasonable amount to budget in addition to your fuel.
You likely won't need that much but it's no good penny pinching and wishing you'd gone on that cable car or tried that restaurant later on.
Simple answer is have a credit card and put fuel and any supermarket shopping etc. on that.

I don't see any point going an extra 500 miles to Italy unless you especially want to - Yes it's nice but France has great biking roads especially around the Alps, and the area around the Tarn and south is just gorge-ous.
Rather than hammer straight to the extreme south it's probably more fun to plan a winding route taking in some high passes one way and a more western route the other.
I found the Dordogne very agreeable and relaxing, much better than the Cote D'Azure - though it is nice to dip your toe metaphorically at least in the Med.

You can be into the scenic areas in a good days ride for France but Italy will be two long days each way.

[mysterious_rider]

Was probably planning on about 1000 miles not 2k. Maybe 1500 at a push! Like I said depends on the budget.

that website is very helpful, thanks for the info lads. If anyone wants to add anything just shout.

[mistergixer]

[Marmalade]

I'd bin the camping idea and just use cheap hotels.

It'll mean not having to take loads of kit with you and camping can cost as much as a cheap room unless you are wild camping for free.

Often a twin room will cost less than 2 small tents.
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[RidersRest]

[Golden Showers]

[garth]

[Bomberman]

[Golden Showers]

[Spudly]

[garth]

[doggone]

Still don't understand that, plenty of filling stations here you put the card in then pump, and when you stop it charges you for that amount.
You can't get fuel until it has your details and PIN

[garth]