riding to amsterdam.

[mysterious_rider]

Helloooo peeps. Ive booked up with the gf to go two up on the enfield. Im going to bring spare innertubes and basic tools. (Has panniers) .

Im going for 7 days. Do i need any compulsory items. Insurance docs, v5. Breathalyzer things? Ive never done this before.

Id also take any advice on preffered roads. Motorways are boring.

Going from brighton to dover, then ferry to calai, ride to bruuges then off to amsterdam.
Cheers
____________________
KAWASAKIIIII

[waffles]

You need a copy of your insurance, v5 and copies of any relevant booking information. Basic tools that come with the bike and a puncture repair kit is a good idea but as you are going for a short amount of time I wouldn't bother with much else. You can pick up anything you might need quickly enough.

No need for a breathalyser kit now as the fine is nothing. But to go through France you need a high vis for yourself and pillion if you break down.

Are you staying in Amsterdam itself or nearby?
____________________
Theory test - 19/8/09, CBT - 11/10/09, MOD 1 - 16/8/10, MOD 2 - 27/10/10
Past rides Yamaha XT125X, Triumph TT600, Honda XR250
Current rides Suzuki GSXR 600, Honda MSX125

[Matt B]

Bruges to Amsterdam, 2 up, on an Enfield, avoiding motorways. Wow, you are a braver man than me Long old slog at 40-50mph that route.
____________________
stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[mysterious_rider]

You sure about the fine?

Ill be staying in amsterdam itself. Yeah ill print out copies of stuff.
Otherwise general clothes and waterproofs.

Enfield is happy at about 55-65 two up. Its a new one.

Also is there a drink drive limit? Can u have a beer?
____________________
KAWASAKIIIII

[mysterious_rider]

her natural habitat.


https://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/mysterious_rider/IMG_20160604_152204_zpstz9f3vi4.jpg~original
____________________
KAWASAKIIIII

[Matt B]

Breathalyser fine is definitely not being enforced in France but as Waffles said each of you must carry a hi-viz on the bike. No need to wear it.

Blood alcohol limit in France, Belgium and Netherlands is 0.5 (ours is 0.8). So yes you can, but less than here and it works out to about one small beer.
____________________
stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[waffles]

[Casper]

Google says near on six hours avoiding highways.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Bruges,+Belgium/Amsterdam,+Netherlands/@51.7755463,3.4398605,8z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m17!4m16!1m5!1m1!1s0x47c350d0c11e420d:0x1aa2f35ac8834df7!2m2!1d3.2246995!2d51.209348!1m5!1m1!1s0x47c63fb5949a7755:0x6600fd4cb7c0af8d!2m2!1d4.8951679!2d52.3702157!2m1!1b1!3e0!4e1?hl=en

Dont think i would fancy that for a short trip but if you must you must. I have did North to South Holland quite a few times and must admit the motorway is starting to be a chore. What might be a nicer trip is spending two days and going up the east border and having a more relaxed trip.

[mysterious_rider]

Not even mad. Weve got the whole day. Even if we found our hotel in the eve it doesnt matter. Plenty of time. That distance is £9 of fuel. And we'll be going halves on it. So £4.50

It's going to be quality.
____________________
KAWASAKIIIII

[Ste]

Prefered route is Gatwick to Schiphol.

https://www.coffeeshop.freeuk.com/Maps/Map.png

That map so useful, it ought to be compulsory.

Where are you staying in Amsterdam?

[waffles]

Hopefully you aren't going to get to Dover in the next couple of days as the queue to get in is currently 12 hours and the rozzercopter is flying in supplies for people stranded.

Linky

As for Amsterdam itself, there is loads to do and plenty to keep you interested. Obviously the head shops and cafes (if you are up for that?), the red light district is super weird, the Van Gogh Gallery is very interesting and definitely worth a look (sunflowers = huge, the famous self portrait = small), the Rijksmuseum is also fascinating and there is also the Heineken brewery where you can sample many freebies

There is a lot of stuff there!

Oh and definitely watch out for cyclists as they get a shift on and don't swerve for pedestrians. First day one of you will nearly die.
____________________
Theory test - 19/8/09, CBT - 11/10/09, MOD 1 - 16/8/10, MOD 2 - 27/10/10
Past rides Yamaha XT125X, Triumph TT600, Honda XR250
Current rides Suzuki GSXR 600, Honda MSX125

[Ste]

Everytime you cross the road, at least one of you will nearly die.

Renting pedalos is another interesting way to nearly die.

The Red Light District is best when you've got Amsterdam newbies with you. They think you're only joking when you tell them that this road is called big black momma alley. They think you're only joking when you tell them they're going to be chased up the road by hookers. They think you're only joking when you tell them to watch out for hookers armed with whips.

Ignore street dealers. That means don't even acknowledge their presence by turning your head, if you just keep walking then they'll go and hassle someone else.

[mysterious_rider]

Going in sept. So a little way off yet. Cheers.
Im not sure if i should manually set my route, or tell satnav to avoid tolls./avoid motorways.

Yeah ive been told to watch out for trams and cyclists haha.
I cant smoke anything due to my job. Its not worth the risk.

Id like to get some bike shots in city with my camera. I assume this is possible?

Ill be seeing the beer factory for sure.

Thanks lads. Karma all round.
____________________
KAWASAKIIIII

[Casper]

[Snowdonia Rider]

We had a day free in Amsterdam whilst over in Holland training. Nice city, we did all the Van Gogh museum, Anne Frank house etc in the day, porno shops towards the end of the afternoon and then hit the bars and pubs for the rest of it. My drink got spiked and omg I thought I wasn't going to make it, to cut a long story short, I'd never felt anything like it and miraculously recovered hours later in a back alley cafe with a hot chocolate. Lads helped me to the coach but the next day I was rough!

You'd be hard pressed not to have some kind of adventure in Amsterdam Enjoy it
____________________
I want your clothes, your boots and your motorcycle.
Suzuki GP125 Suzuki GSX600F Suzuki SV650S KTM EXC250F SkyTeam Bongo 125
My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SnowdoniaRider

[Matt B]

[grr666]