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| Itchy |
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Itchy
Super Spammer
Joined: 07 Apr 2005
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 Posted: 18:53 - 11 Mar 2007  Post subject: Touring questions |
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Touring questions
I'm awful at planning things , in the Northern section I have a bit of a rep for
poorly planned rideouts where my planning consists of lets go (direction on
compass). I thus have some questions to pose to experienced tourers best to
look a fool now and ask general questions before going out there and realising
I need to know or forgot someting.
My super minimalist touring thoughts are sort of falling by the way side...
Tyres:
How many more miles can I expect from these tyres? (see pic),
I changed them 5500 -6500 miles ago BT45s NTV650
common touring wisdom says get a fresh set for each tour you go on
but it seems a bit of a waste to change tyres when there might be a couple
1000 miles left on these,
Since Manchester -> South of France is going to be a straight point and
shoot how wise is it to keep these on wear them out by motorway to the South
of France and changing them there?,
Cheap Non French Hotels?./ General hotel questions
Do such places provide sheets? , I have a sleeping bag , just incase
Also what sort of voltage/ socket adaptors do I need for recharging stuff like phones/PDAs in such hotels incase my ciggie lighter mod doesn't work?.
Tent
Should I bring a tent incase I can't find a hotel? and some rudimentary cooking kit
just incase?
Stuff to bring:
gaffa tape , cable ties , super glue , first aid kit , tyre repair kit, tyre pressure guage are a given ,
but what about other stuff , like a laptop is this overkill ?, are net cafes common?,
Navigation
GPS , luxury or necessity? , reading maurice's 2004 tour of France seemed to make me think
he didn't bring one and was ok , my navigational technique it to go north/south then east west
once I see the water. What model / make?
Considering I don't massively mind getting lost , but I don't like staring into a screen all day to navigate
or a compromise of a PDA with GPS capability to use when I really get lost do?
I'll bring some maps anyway , what are some good quality maps of Europe?
Petrol ,
How do Europeans see iffy endurance tanks? , I have a spare fuel tap which is modded very slightly
with some plumbing equipment so that I can connect a 20 litre jerry can or NTV600 tank which is
bungeed to my rear seat. Or will a green 5 litre can do? (42 litres of fuel gives me exceptional range
running out of petrol is a big fear of mine)
Finally anybody else want to come? , its sort of dawned on me this is quite a large undertaking and probably best shared!.
Thanks! (edited for answers I found)
____________________
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. |
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| Modo |
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Modo
Spanner Monkey
Joined: 07 May 2006
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Posted: 11:19 - 12 Mar 2007  Post subject: |
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tyres I would definatly change, mine looked as good when I set off last year to the Alps had to get new rear whilst there. Save the one you have and keep it for spare.
All hotels even the cheap F1s supply clean bed linen. Get the standerd euro adapter plug from argos, I usually carry 2 (charge phone and satnav)
Finding a hotel is very easy, but can be quiet funny if you head off the main tourist route. Not many people will speak english but hey! thats all part of the fun 
Don`t forget to take a yellow flouresent jacket just the cheapo type, if you breakdown at the side of the motorway I think you HAVE to wear one.
Good old maps will do, satnavs do make life easier but can break. We had 2 last year on our trip and sods law they both went fubar 
As for petrol they smoke in the service stations so don`t think they will give too much consideration to your jerry can
Hope some of this helps.
Man I wish I was going  |
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| Itchy |
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Itchy
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Joined: 07 Apr 2005
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| Posted: 08:11 - 13 Mar 2007 Post subject: |
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Thanks for the advice!
____________________
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. |
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| Adam_P |
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Adam_P
World Chat Champion
Joined: 23 Jan 2004
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| Posted: 14:27 - 13 Mar 2007 Post subject: Re: Touring questions |
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| Itchy wrote: | Touring questions
Tyres:
How many more miles can I expect from these tyres? (see pic),
I changed them 5500 -6500 miles ago BT45s NTV650
common touring wisdom says get a fresh set for each tour you go on but it seems a bit of a waste to change tyres when there might be a couple 1000 miles left on these,
Since Manchester -> South of France is going to be a straight point and shoot how wise is it to keep these on wear them out by motorway to the South of France and changing them there?,
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Hard to tell from the pictures, but I'd stick with the ones you've got to be honest. They don't look that bad, there seems to be a fair amount of meat left on them, but if you feel they're on the second half of their life on the rim, then change them, you'll have better peace of mind.
| Itchy wrote: |
Cheap Non French Hotels?./ General hotel questions
Do such places provide sheets? , I have a sleeping bag , just incase
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As has been said already, even the F1 places have bed linen, no need for a sleeping bag, unless you're going to camp.
| Itchy wrote: |
Also what sort of voltage/ socket adaptors do I need for recharging stuff like phones/PDAs in such hotels incase my ciggie lighter mod doesn't work?.
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Usual UK to two pin euro adapters are fine. You can get twin packs for about a fiver from some places. I'd steer clear of the 'Samsonite' ones though, I bought one to use while working last year and it wouldn't fit in the sockets in mos countries properly so couldn't use it. A case of the cheapo ones actually being better.
| Itchy wrote: |
Tent
Should I bring a tent incase I can't find a hotel? and some rudimentary cooking kit just incase?
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This is where you do the basic of planning. Just make a decision whether you want to use hotels or camp. If it's just hotels, then just choose routes that will bring you into an area where there are hotels and B&B's. France is great in that every town, small or big, has directions to the tourist information office and every one of them is really helpful in finding a place for you to stay. I even asked each time for places with a garage for the bike, very helpful. (And they speak english) If you intend to camp at any point, better pack a tent! 
| Itchy wrote: |
Stuff to bring:
Gaffa tape , cable ties , super glue , first aid kit , tyre repair kit, tyre pressure guage are a given, but what about other stuff , like a laptop is this overkill ? Are net cafes common?
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As for your list, I took gaffa tape, first aid kit and a tyre repair kit. Didn't take super glue, could have taken a handfu of cable ties, but thought the tape would do in an emergency.
As for a laptop, why? Are you going to need it? And why are you going to want to visit a 'net cafe? Although, they can usually be found in the bigger towns and cities. But if its about the biking and seeing the sights, why bother.
| Itchy wrote: |
Navigation
GPS , luxury or necessity? , reading maurice's 2004 tour of France seemed to make me think he didn't bring one and was ok , my navigational technique it to go north/south then east west once I see the water. What model/make?
Considering I don't massively mind getting lost , but I don't like staring into a screen all day to navigate. or a compromise of a PDA with GPS capability to use when I really get lost do? I'll bring some maps anyway , what are some good quality maps of Europe?
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I used a GPS unit, found it a great help in actually finding certain things, although in France, things are pretty easy to find (see my note above re the tourist informations places) I had a map book of europe for the major routes incase the GPS went flat or broke. Only thing I had to take extra was the chargr to charge it each night in the hotel, but that's easy enough. If it all goes really wrong, find your way to the nearest motorway and head for th nearest town to get your bearing (and get a local map from the tourist info people!  )
| Itchy wrote: |
Petrol ,
How do Europeans see iffy endurance tanks? , I have a spare fuel tap which is modded very slightly with some plumbing equipment so that I can connect a 20 litre jerry can or NTV600 tank which is
bungeed to my rear seat. Or will a green 5 litre can do? (42 litres of fuel gives me exceptional range running out of petrol is a big fear of mine)
Finally anybody else want to come? , its sort of dawned on me this is quite a large undertaking and probably best shared!.
Thanks! (edited for answers I found) |
Don't panic about petrol. There are plenty of petrol stations and i you put in the most basic of planning to your route, you can choose to hop from sight to sight without the fear of running out. The handy thing about the GPS was that you could find petrol stations. But I never had to, ever. I certainly wouldn't spoil the ride and tour by rigging up a jerry can to the bike. You're meant to be enjoying the ride, not lugging around petrol like Mel Gibson in a Mad Max film.
Best advice, just go out there and enjoy it. It's not as hard as you think and the French actually have more respect for motorcyclists than the Brits do.
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Colin McRae MBE 1968 - 2007 RIP 
Orwell Rolls in his Grave
God is imaginary |
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| natv4 |
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natv4
Brolly Dolly
Joined: 31 Dec 2004
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| Posted: 14:18 - 16 Mar 2007 Post subject: Re: Touring questions |
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| Itchy wrote: | My super minimalist touring thoughts are sort of falling by the way side...
Tyres:
How many more miles can I expect from these tyres? (see pic),
Since Manchester -> South of France is going to be a straight point and
shoot how wise is it to keep these on wear them out by motorway to the South
of France and changing them there? |
That seems like a fine idea. Best practice is to stop in at a bikers campsite and ask where is the best (cheapest) tyre place.
| Itchy wrote: | Tent
Should I bring a tent incase I can't find a hotel? and some rudimentary cooking kit
just incase? |
No need at all, there are plenty of cheap hotels in all areas (especially the south) of France.
| Itchy wrote: | Stuff to bring:
gaffa tape , cable ties , super glue , first aid kit , tyre repair kit, tyre pressure guage are a given ,
but what about other stuff , like a laptop is this overkill ?, are net cafes common? |
I always carry a space blanket in my first aid kit. It is easy to find yourself caught in the elements and one of these could literally save your life.
Make sure you know how to use your puncture repair kit before you go. Its far easier to learn how to use it here than at the side of the road, in the rain, with no light. Ask your mechanic if they have an old spare tube lying around.
A mobile phone. I know, you were already taking it, but many people don't ensure that it is going to work in the country they are going to. If you are travelling through many countries, for a long time, then I would recommend you get a sim from either of these companies https://sim4theworld.co.uk or https://www.storytelecom.co.uk
Hide an amount of money on your bike. Just £20 is enough. It does not matter if its in foreign currency (it helps). Do not use it, unless you get really stuck. It saved me when I had all my money stolen.
I've already mentioned to you, but for anyone else; I would recommend against taking a laptop on a biking trip. Security is always an issue whilst travelling by bike and you will just end up worrying about it (and in my case breaking it). The less you take, the less there is to go wrong.
| Itchy wrote: | Navigation
GPS , luxury or necessity? , reading maurice's 2004 tour of France seemed to make me think
he didn't bring one and was ok , my navigational technique it to go north/south then east west
once I see the water. |
That works for me. I didn't use a GPS that much, but I will say that in a foreign city with a particular destination to reach (usually by nightfall) a GPS will save many tears and much heart ache.
| Itchy wrote: | What model / make? |
I like TomTom for its ease of use and full European mapping (easily downloadable from somewhere like mininova.org you law breakers).
| Itchy wrote: | or a compromise of a PDA with GPS capability to use when I really get lost do? |
sounds like a sensible plan.
| Itchy wrote: | I'll bring some maps anyway , what are some good quality maps of Europe? |
Michelin maps are very good. They even show scenic routes in green (usually good biking roads).
| Itchy wrote: | Petrol, How do Europeans see iffy endurance tanks? , I have a spare fuel tap which is modded very slightly
with some plumbing equipment so that I can connect a 20 litre jerry can or NTV600 tank which is
bungeed to my rear seat. Or will a green 5 litre can do? (42 litres of fuel gives me exceptional range
running out of petrol is a big fear of mine) |
I wouldn't worry, even with a 100 mile tank range, so long as you stick to riding on the top half (as in more than half full where possible) you'll be fine.
| Itchy wrote: | Finally anybody else want to come? , its sort of dawned on me this is quite a large undertaking and probably best shared! |
It would be nice, but alas I have my plans, I hope you enjoy yours. If you don't find anyone, don't loose heart. On these types of adventure, you'll meet lots of people out there. Being alone simply encourages you to talk and interact with people you meet. You always meet facinating people along the way and these parts are usually the highlights of the trip.
Good luck, have fun.
Thanks! (edited for answers I found)[/quote]
____________________
Travelling around the world...a bit at a time. Where am I now? / Visit my BLOG
Bike: Blue Honda VFR800fi (*NEW*) Mileage: 22k Countries visited: GB/F/D/CZ/PL/E/I/B/A/HR/H/Rus/E/MA
West Europe...2004, East Europe...2005, Russia/France...2006, Morocco...2007 |
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| Itchy |
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Itchy
Super Spammer
Joined: 07 Apr 2005
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| Posted: 14:29 - 18 Mar 2007 Post subject: |
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Thanks again ,
I've moved to 80-20 infavor of not going , the weather looks crap (I doubt it'll get hot in 15-25 days time), everybody who was going to go has decided to pull out and the people I decided to meet (riders who emigrated) are busy, and I'm not sure I'd approach random strangers in the middle of nowhere.
I think I'd rather go plan something else properly later in the year , unfortunately the company wins , since they scalp 18 days holiday off me (due to the moving of the company year end) , and I'm not getting compensated for them.
____________________
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. |
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| natv4 |
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natv4
Brolly Dolly
Joined: 31 Dec 2004
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Posted: 12:32 - 21 Mar 2007  Post subject: |
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| Itchy wrote: | Thanks again ,
I've moved to 80-20 infavor of not going , the weather looks crap (I doubt it'll get hot in 15-25 days time), everybody who was going to go has decided to pull out and the people I decided to meet (riders who emigrated) are busy, and I'm not sure I'd approach random strangers in the middle of nowhere.
I think I'd rather go plan something else properly later in the year , unfortunately the company wins , since they scalp 18 days holiday off me (due to the moving of the company year end) , and I'm not getting compensated for them. |
It seems a shame to chuck it all in. I would suggest before you decide finally, have a read of some of the stories others have written about their own travels. I would be surprised if you find even one person whom doesn't round up their travels by saying "and I'd do it all again, in an instant." (well that kind of thing).
No one who goes ever seems to regret it, just those that stay behind.
____________________
Travelling around the world...a bit at a time. Where am I now? / Visit my BLOG
Bike: Blue Honda VFR800fi (*NEW*) Mileage: 22k Countries visited: GB/F/D/CZ/PL/E/I/B/A/HR/H/Rus/E/MA
West Europe...2004, East Europe...2005, Russia/France...2006, Morocco...2007 |
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| Nb |
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Nb
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| ram_doom |
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ram_doom
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| Posted: 23:55 - 21 Mar 2007 Post subject: |
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Itchy, I want to go  keep us posted
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| Itchy |
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Itchy
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| Posted: 07:57 - 22 Mar 2007 Post subject: |
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I canned it the April one in favour of a June one , so there still will be a tour this year at least one, June = better weather , more people willing to go and its a period where my life gets less busy.
sub reasons:
 Work was getting busy meaning I'd always have a mountain of work at home to worry about , wheras in June this would have vanished. I may also sack this job in for another in June completely removing this problem.
Weather looked bad , Snake pass a 1100ft mountain is cold slippery and wet , the Alps are higher and thus this time of year colder slipperier and wetter (maybe),
Bike was having issues again , fixed the fuel pump wires , changed the sparks , batt rec, it was ok till about 5 days ago when it started making noises and refused to start, took it to a mechanic it behaved impecably flying through an MOT , then went back to being grumpy again, I don't want that trouble away from home let alone 1000 miles from home
my finances are a mess this month = knock on for April , I must have spent 2/3 of my pay cheque on fixing things non bike related and renewing subs for exams and stuff. And lots of unexpected bills from this that and the other.
Trev's Cadiz tour is also cancelled though , so I'm replanning something else, which I'll post the plan up here about 2.5 months in advance to get some names down and an agreed route. My snap nature meant this France , April tour was a spur of the moment thing.
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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. |
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| PsychoHippy |
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PsychoHippy
Jammy Git
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| Posted: 08:25 - 22 Mar 2007 Post subject: |
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Itchy, if you are planning on putting it off for a few months, why not join us (myself, MrsHippy and Feef) on our jaunt through Europe this year?
That way you will have untill the end of Aug to save some money, and you will be going with people who have some experience with this sort of trip. There is a Googlearth plan of the route somewhere on this thread https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=107509 - give it some thought 
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| Itchy |
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Itchy
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| Posted: 13:31 - 23 Mar 2007 Post subject: |
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I'll seriously think about it, I may do an indie one in June , giving jul and start of aug to get some cash together,.
Thanks
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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. |
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 18 years, 297 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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