Silky attempting his 1st foray to Johnny Foreigner - help!

[silky666]

My first attempt at engaging foreign types by bike.
Have searched - but I have so many questions that my first thought was to just ask the BCF oracle.

ok here goes !:

LeMans.
I cant do Ferry due to the fact I am gay So Channel tunnel it is.
Load of others are going ferry to Le Harve

I figure: Dover to Calais via tunnel.
Then ride down to LeHavre - meet them and then continue on to LeMans (and stay at b&b).

What can go wrong with above ?

What do I need ?
Sat Nav ? - this is a given I guess ?
Special Insurance - ?
Passport ? - do i still need this to visit my euro chums ?
Rucksack ? - thats acceptable right ?
Recovery ?

Anything else / ideas / experience ?

Its all a bit last minute and I have f*ck all except a motorbike !
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There's nothing that shouts "Poor Workmanship" more than wrinkles in the Gaffa tape.

Gaffa tape is like "the force" - it has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.

[Maruchino]

What do I need ?
Sat Nav ? - this is a given I guess ? Not necessarily. Navigating in France is no more difficult than in England.
Special Insurance - ? No. All insurance companies have to provide 3rd party cover as a minimum abroad - check what cover you have if you're paranoid
Passport ? - do i still need this to visit my euro chums ? Yes you need your passport
Rucksack ? - thats acceptable right ? wtf?
Recovery ? - preferable although I have done thousands of miles in France with no breakdown, depends on your risk factor

Anything else / ideas / experience ?
It really isn't that difficult, it's practically the same but they speak another language and use funny money.



You'll also need all the new stuff by the time Le Mans rocks around. Breathalyser kits (x2), hi vis shit on your helmet, hi vis patches on your clothing, GB sticker, beam reflectors etc. Chances are you can avoid having all of these but again depends on what your appetite to risk is. Oh and make sure you disable your speed cameras on your sat-nav if you're taking it.[/b]

[D O G]

Went to gay France with the family a few weeks ago.

We managed to navigate to the small town on the coast of the Vendee with no sat nav, a Google Maps print out of 'France', a 1988 French road atlas, and a more detailed road map of the Vendee itself.

You don't need sat nav at all, especially to get to Le Mans (or Le Havre in fact) it is signposted from hundreds of Km away.

We didn't have breakdown cover, as Maruchino said, it all depends on your approach to risk. Given that you are meeting your mates, I'd not bother.

[Tonka]

Bonjour Monsieur ou Madame

First put your hand down the front of your leather troos, if there's less than a handful you are now officially a LadyBoy and entitled to ask limp questions on BCF!!

Congratulations!!



What do I need ? Bike in servicable state, fuelled (it's cheaper over there) and ready to go

Sat Nav ? - this is a given I guess ? as said by clever sausage above, disable the camera notifications and then this is fine. However, I think the taped to tank directions are easier to follow having done your planning before leaving home

Special Insurance - ? Check your bike insurance for cover and then IMHO yes to Health cover, get online and buy insurance cover for the time period you will be over there and ensure you have an up to date E111 as well

Passport ? - do i still need this to visit my euro chums ? Yep, and also your driving licence and original docs for the bike

Rucksack ? - thats acceptable right ? I don't like riding with a rucksack and use panniers, but it depends how much space all your LadyBoy toiletries and makeup will take!

Recovery ?Check your insurance as some already have this for UK and it can be extended for overseas, especially as only EU travel. Be aware that if bike value is low they may decide it's not economic to recover the bike - be aware if it's a personal love rather than a sparkly new stead

Anything else / ideas / experience ?Remember it's all the other side of the road (foreign weirdo roads, but better for waving at everyone and you will wave lots, cos they're lovely and chummy over there!). Check the requiremetns for hi-viz etc as stated above.

Fuel stations can be a bit hit and miss, as they have afternoon closing and sometimes don't take some types of cards if unmanned. I'd take a couple of credit/debit cards with you just in case and possibly notify your Bank if they get touchy about unexpected transactions as you don't want the hassle of cards being suspended if you can help it.

I've got luggage you can borrow if that's of any help! It's very lovely and BCF certified, as it came form MrGixxer originally!!

If I think of anything else I'll add!!

Its all a bit last minute and I have f*ck all except a motorbike !If possible locate and reattach b0ll0cks before you go and remember to have a lurverly time
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'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
Suzuki SV650S (Clean); Yamaha XT250 Serow (Dirty)

[silky666]

I am scared.

its going to end in tears I just know it.
1) I dont even have a passport at moment.. and god knows where my licence is (its an old paper thing thats ripped to buggery).
2) I dislike people that dont use yer actual English Pound.

Maybe I am better off just riding to Cadwell for a trackday !
They talk English up there right ?
____________________
There's nothing that shouts "Poor Workmanship" more than wrinkles in the Gaffa tape.

Gaffa tape is like "the force" - it has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.

[Tonka]

My Goodness, you are such a Gurl!!

If you're really scaredy kitty, I'll come and hold your hand...........


............and that'll be proper scary, so travelling overseas will seem like a breeze! MTFU!!



____________________
'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
Suzuki SV650S (Clean); Yamaha XT250 Serow (Dirty)

[silky666]

[Tonka]

[silky666]

[shereen]

So you leave in about 18 days and you dont havn't applied for your passport yet? Leaving it a bit late IMO.

https://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Passports/howlongittakesandurgentappplications/DG_174148


P.S Stop being a big old ghey!!
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"The Internet is the first thing that humanity has built that humanity doesn't understand, the largest experiment in anarchy that we have ever had"

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Take photos of your imminent fails.

Better take a bigger memory card.
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[silky666]

First Contact:
I have managed to sort out an emergency passport application for tomorrow in London.
It will arrive by 30th August

Holiday is booked at work.

Plan is get chunnel across to Calais - then ride down to LeMans via non toll roads where possible.

What can go wrong !

Live report to follow - may start a new thread.
____________________
There's nothing that shouts "Poor Workmanship" more than wrinkles in the Gaffa tape.

Gaffa tape is like "the force" - it has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.

[Skudd]

[garth]

Le mans is really close, it will be a piece of piss, fo further South if you want decent roads though.

[lihp]

Remember the tunnel goes from Folkstone not from Dover, so you will leave your group earlier.

Don't forget also you have to carry 2 approved breath test kits with you in France now also

[Marmalade]

[lihp]

[Marmalade]

Number plate, mudguard, helmet.

Depends if you like being stopped or not. I prefer not to so I have one on the number plate of gixxer
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Nobby the Bastard: How yo tell the difference between the actual japanese and her just screaming because she's had live fish stuck up her arse? [url=https://www.nicks-shop.co.uk/bcf-goodies-15-c.aspGet BCF stickers and things here[/url] Reflective helmet stickers - Legal requirement in france - Clicky

[map]

[Marmalade]

I am sure that this is an old wives tale and any speeding tickets at the booths are issued by plod with a speed gun catching people speeding up towards the booth.

If it did give out a ticket for speed how would it do it at the automated lanes?

I tend to not go much over the limit in France as having to hand over hard earned cash to plod or getting bike impounded wouldn't go down well.
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Nobby the Bastard: How yo tell the difference between the actual japanese and her just screaming because she's had live fish stuck up her arse? [url=https://www.nicks-shop.co.uk/bcf-goodies-15-c.aspGet BCF stickers and things here[/url] Reflective helmet stickers - Legal requirement in france - Clicky

[Peirre oBollox]

[silky666]

I have my passport now

Its ON !
____________________
There's nothing that shouts "Poor Workmanship" more than wrinkles in the Gaffa tape.

Gaffa tape is like "the force" - it has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.

[Skudd]

Injections? You always need injections................... just you.
____________________
Famous last words of Humpty Dumpty. " Stop pushing me "
Petty Anarchists look at "1984".............. The Visionary looks at "Animal Farm".

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

https://i.chzbgr.com/completestore/2011/2/12/4849afc4-7dfa-4fde-9eaf-6fd260bd9965.jpg

You are cleared to leave the Country.
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[Skudd]

But will he return?
____________________
Famous last words of Humpty Dumpty. " Stop pushing me "
Petty Anarchists look at "1984".............. The Visionary looks at "Animal Farm".