Belgium and more - Loads More Piccies!

[-Matt-]

Have you double checked you can't cancel your F1 booking's Nick? Depends on how you both booked, but you may be able to get your money back/not have to pay, possibly.
https://secure.accorhotels.com/gb/cancellation/search-booking.shtml

I think i'd be tempted to do what you mentioned as well though looking at the state of things over there at the moment if I was still going .

[chickenstrip]

We might still go and have a look within the first four days and use a couple of nights of the booking if it's viable. Don't know, we'll just wing it, see how we feel, and maybe we'll get a better sense of the situation once we're over there. I can hack losing the cost of booking the hotel, not like it's something we'll keep doing, and it wasn't exactly a five star job.
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Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!

[Pigeon]

Unfortunately I'm now flouncing.

Lack of fuel I was happy to deal with (2 jerry cans in the topbox). But the potential lack of recovery if we breakdown / get stuck, then the closure of ports and some flights currently (more expected), disruption to rail services with brown outs from the electricity cuts and I can't guarantee I'll be back to work Wednesday.

There are no guarantees in life of course, but I felt we'd mitigated enough to warrant going. I don't think that now, having seen today's news + statements from the Home Office and RAC etc.

To Nick & Neil. Sorry, thank you and bon chance.

[arry]

Best of luck guys - but I'm also out, I just can't afford to be stuck as I just have to be back in this country Tuesday at pain of death (well, certainly job loss).

It's a real shit as just after getting over ribs and everything else that's hindered me, I was starting to look forward to it whereas before I thought I'd never make it. To lose it to some dirty striking French socialist lazy tossers is just

I hope you have a great time, and hope to be involved in another trip with you guys soon.

Best of luck.

[Silver_Fox]

Best of British to you boys! For various reasons, I'd had to drop out of this a while back, so if something else can be arranged this season, lets do it
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CBR600 F3 FV
CG125

[chickenstrip]

Bikes are fuelled and packed, ready for the morning No damn froggies are gonna spoil my tour! I hope...
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Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!

[Silver_Fox]

Got your berets so you can blend in?
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CBR600 F3 FV
CG125

[Dave70]

Just demand they give you some petrol because if it wasn't for us, they'd be part of Germany now.
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There ain't no devil, there's just god when he's drunk.

2012: R125 killed by white van. 2016 R125 killed by 30,000 miles of redline. Current: 2016 Kawasaki ER6f.

[-Matt-]

Good luck guys, hope it all goes well .

Us 3 have decided this evening to try make the best of the situation and go off to Wales for a few nights since we we're all ready to go away still, so we'll make use of the time off at least.. Very gutted though .

Probably be a Welsh fuel crisis next knowing our luck .

[Silver_Fox]

Where in Wales? I'm looking for inspiration this weekend
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CBR600 F3 FV
CG125

[arry]

[chickenstrip]

[Silver_Fox]

Where's Dave? He's always nice to me at meets
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CBR600 F3 FV
CG125

[-Matt-]

Sent you a PM with the info mate .

[Pigeon]

[Pigeon]

[Kris]

Any chance of updates as you pass through France chaps?



Oh and good luck!
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NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
www.prisonplanet.com

[Dave70]

[chickenstrip]

No problems on the crossing itself, and fuel available immediately on t'other side. We were quickly into Belgium, and no trouble with Brussels traffic on the ring road. Got briefly lost in Namur, but soon sorted that out.

Had some trouble paying for fuel, as the machines at one petrol station (in Belgium) wouldn't accept any of Neil's VISA cards, nor my Post Office travel money card (MasterCard), but thankfully did accept my normal debit card. Only had this problem at one place so far.

Fuel is available in Charleville; one station for cash payment only, another for card payment only - or so said the fella in the kebab shop, we'll check in the morning, but plenty left in the tanks to get us well into Belgium tomorrow.

Got a couple of good soakings on the way down, could barely see where we were going at a couple of points. My kit held up well, but it went straight through Neil's old gear. The lightning was pretty spectacular - you could smell it in the air even on the bikes.

Didn't do any of the scenic route down, as it was a bit late for it by the time we reached that point, and the heavy rain kinda dampened our appetite for it but now have 3 days here to explore before we move on.

Obligatory photos, Euroshuttle:

https://i.postimg.cc/RVKyFfRv/DSCN3780.jpg

F1 hotel, Charleville-Meziere:

https://i.postimg.cc/MGKFdL8G/DSCN3781.jpg

Obviously hope to get something a little better than these soon!

If F1 hotels are all we can afford, I think we might be better off camping!

Having a lovely time, wish you were here etc
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Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!

[Kris]

Anyone checking for jerry cans?
____________________
NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
www.prisonplanet.com

[Matt B]

[chickenstrip]

[Dave70]

Good stuff.

I'm really glad it's working out fot you.

Keep us all posted on your journey when you get a chance, so you can make us all envious.
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There ain't no devil, there's just god when he's drunk.

2012: R125 killed by white van. 2016 R125 killed by 30,000 miles of redline. Current: 2016 Kawasaki ER6f.

[-Matt-]

Looks great mate, good to hear its panned out alright for you guys . Keep us updated (and jealous ).

[Ali in Austria]

Did you get those latest route suggestions I sent you on Google Maps?
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A Petrol Head in The Alps
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