My first (short) tour. 5days

Jay89 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 03 Feb 2014 Karma :

Hi everyone!

This June me and 3 friends are travelling to northern france, we'll be gone 5 days in total and all of us are total novices to touring, never done anything like it before.

We will be camping every night and have tents, sleeping bags etc all sorted but what else will i realistically need? I want to be as light as possible and enjoy the ride but dont want to forget anything! I should say the max miles a day will be around the 200mark with plenty of breaks, no rushing here!

If anyone has any hints, tips or advice then they will all be welcome! Legal requirements? Helpfull knowledge? Thumbs Up

The web is a whole merry-go-round of conflicting stories, its hard to get the facts!

Jay

mentalboy · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 May 2012 Karma :

Phrasebook comes in handy if your French is rusty/non-existent
I'm not sure if it's a requirement over there but I'd usually take a small first aid kit (plasters, paracetamol and the like) and a full set of bulbs
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barrkel · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Jul 2012 Karma :

Much of northern France is flat and boring with long straight roads that connect towns and cities.

There are some curvy roads in Normandy, and a few in the north east as you head towards Luxembourg and Germany. But there's a whole lot of flat immediately around Calais, towards Paris and beyond.

IMO you have to go down to quite a rural road before you get something interesting to ride.

Personally with only 5 days I'd try and make the Ardennes on the evening / overnight of the start of the trip.

FWIW I've never needed any French. But my interactions are mostly accommodation (staff will have English) and food (menus are generally decipherable from knowledge of fine dining, if nothing else).

Re legal requirements: it makes sense to have spare headlight bulbs, but I don't go much beyond that; other bulbs can be bought, it's no harder to buy things than in the UK, except perhaps on Sundays. I don't have any reflective bibs, extra reflective tape on my helmet, or even a UK sticker. Never had any hassle, even when stopped by the police.
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doggone · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 May 2004 Karma :

If you can survive without proper tea, then forget any attempt to cook altogether

So that's waterproofs, tent, sleeping bag, one spare t-shirt... done.
5 days will go so quick you hardly need anything.
Money and/or credit card could be useful.

Jay89 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 03 Feb 2014 Karma :

we're heading towards Normandy, hopefully along the coastal roads.

why forget any attempt at cooking? we're taking a mini stove to cook some basics on.

Will need a few tops for the evenings and some jeans im thinking

I'll definitely look into Ardennes though.

The reflective strips interest me because that's where there is a lot of confusion!

Jay89 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 03 Feb 2014 Karma :

we're heading towards Normandy, hopefully along the coastal roads.

why forget any attempt at cooking? we're taking a mini stove to cook some basics on.

Will need a few tops for the evenings and some jeans im thinking

I'll definitely look into Ardennes though.

The reflective strips interest me because that's where there is a lot of confusion!

barrkel · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Jul 2012 Karma :

FrankGill · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 18 Jul 2011 Karma :

Just go and relax. Riding in France is joy and addictive. Normandy will be a good place to start with all the D-Day landing beaches, Suisse Normandy should give a good days ride.
For a short trip Brittany gets my vote but then I live just outside Plymouth so an overnight ferry gives me an the wife a long weekend.

doggone · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 May 2004 Karma :

willis1337 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 06 May 2009 Karma :

If any of you have a smartphone, check out what you need to do to use it cheaply abroad. I know vodafone so that eurotraveller thing for £3 per day to be on your usual tariff. It'd be useful to use for internet checking out local stuff, google maps etc.
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Previous bike: BMW K1300S

willis1337 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 06 May 2009 Karma :

You may find this useful too https://www.old-gits.org/hints&.htm
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J biker · Nova Slayer Joined: 31 Oct 2013 Karma :

3 to 4 hours riding would get you in the Nurburgring area. Superb local roads. English speaking Germans, great beer and they love motorcycles.
Northern France a bit boring compared to what is available just a few hours inland.

Derek1943 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 23 Nov 2013 Karma :

spnorm · Crazy Courier Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Karma :

Normandy is a fantastic place if you're interested in WW2 history and quaint old towns, but you need to go inland slightly for interesting roads.

The Belgian Ardennes, Luxembourg and Eifel (Nurburgring)/Mosel/Rhine area on the other hand offers great riding, food and beer, so is a great introduction to European touring Thumbs Up

Jay89 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 03 Feb 2014 Karma :

a trip to the 'ring is a possibility in the coming years, this is just a taster if you like to see how we all get along with it.

the plan is to visit Normandy and take in the history and that. the coastal route, although a bit longer, looks the better way to go.

Cheers for the links posted and the hints and tips from people! all very useful!

anyone know the law on reflective jackets and helmet patches for France? Do you actually need them?

Derek1943 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 23 Nov 2013 Karma :

Hi

Reflective jackets yes but only need wear in case of breakdown or accident not when riding. Helmets same as UK.

The following were either repelled or not enforced.

Reflective Jackets
Reflective Strips on Helmets
Breathalyser kits to be carries.

Derek

Jay89 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 03 Feb 2014 Karma :

a trip to the 'ring is a possibility in the coming years, this is just a taster if you like to see how we all get along with it.

the plan is to visit Normandy and take in the history and that. the coastal route, although a bit longer, looks the better way to go.

Cheers for the links posted and the hints and tips from people! all very useful!

anyone know the law on reflective jackets and helmet patches for France? Do you actually need them?

Peirre oBollox · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 04 Aug 2004 Karma :

Jay89 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 03 Feb 2014 Karma :

a trip to the 'ring is a possibility in the coming years, this is just a taster if you like to see how we all get along with it.

the plan is to visit Normandy and take in the history and that. the coastal route, although a bit longer, looks the better way to go.

Cheers for the links posted and the hints and tips from people! all very useful!

anyone know the law on reflective jackets and helmet patches for France? Do you actually need them?

Jay89 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 03 Feb 2014 Karma :

a trip to the 'ring is a possibility in the coming years, this is just a taster if you like to see how we all get along with it.

the plan is to visit Normandy and take in the history and that. the coastal route, although a bit longer, looks the better way to go.

Cheers for the links posted and the hints and tips from people! all very useful!

anyone know the law on reflective jackets and helmet patches for France? Do you actually need them?

willis1337 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 06 May 2009 Karma :