Bought CBF600F and plan to tour In Europe

[ian505050]

So...........

I have recently bought a CBF600F and and decided that it would be a good idea to do a little tour in Europe. I have Invited 3 friends and we have booked the ferry from Hull to Rotterdam on the 13th October and then Calais to Dover on the 17th October. It was about £125 to per person and bike for the ferry which seemed reasonable.

Thats as far as we have got so far when i come to making plans and was hoping BCF could offer some advice as i have never toured in Europe before.

Can anyone recommend a good route? We would sort of like to aim for paris for the 16th of October (evening)

Can anyone recommend accommodation that will be cheap and safe for our bikes?

My Check list so far is as followers:-

1 PassPort
2 European SatNav
3 WaterProof Sack to throw over pillion Seat
4 International Breakdown cover
5 Make sure insurance covers for use of bike in europe
6 Make sure phone works in europe
7 Comfy Touring Gear
8 Basic bike tool kit? Tyre weld?
9 Make Sure bike is mechanically sound


any other suggestions are welcome.

https://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii302/ian505050/ian505050014/14370033_10154506053229414_2043600129170365697_n_zpsc0shrhni.jpg

https://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii302/ian505050/ian505050014/14333680_10154506053739414_4763920610858111682_n_zpsvatjcqpy.jpg

[CaNsA]

[Snowdonia Rider]

Book ferry first before sorting any other details whatsoever...



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[ScaredyCat]

[ian505050]

[ian505050]

[CaNsA]

[Enduro Numpty]

Assuming you have tubeless tyres I would use a plugging kit rather than tyre weld in the unfortunate event of getting a puncture.

[rubyhorse2]

what luggage are you going to be using, i'd avoid backpacks.

Equipment wise just think minimal.

puncture kit
satnav
small tool kit
comfy biking gear
waterproofs
credit card
phone
passport
insurance including breakdown
tshirts, shorts, jeans, pair of trainers
very small bottle of chain lube
visor cleaner

i'd treat europe just like riding in the uk, your just going on a long ride really. people worry about everything and yes its good to be prepared but you can buy most things so pack light and you will enjoy it more.

[-Matt-]

V5, MOT certificate and a print out of your insurance certificate. Unlikely to need them, but if you do you'll be glad you have them.

I always tend to ring my bank/insurer and confirm the dates im going away too beforehand to avoid any aggro mid-trip; particularly with the cards - some banks temporarily freeze them if they're suddenly used abroad. Check your card fee's too - can work out a lot cheaper to use cash/travel cards sometimes depending on what you have.

If you're on Three network (may well be others now) you should be able to use your standard UK minutes/text/data as if you were at home in a fair bit of Europe.

F1/Ibis hotels are a good budget option for France particularly, some are gated, others aren't and are in absolute shit hole industrial estates, just depends on your luck .

One of the Stop N' Go puncture repair kits or similar between the group would probably be a good call too.

[doggone]

Ride on the right, or down the middle

After the first time you'll wonder why you worried.
Not really any need to take anything you wouldn't take on a weekend away here, bike shops and garages are if anything more capable than here at fixing any issues for you.

With smartphone sat nav and translation ability its easier than ever.
They all speak a bit of English anyway especially if you shout louder

The route is a different matter, Paris is like a different country where they are all mentalists.
You do see similar sudden change in driving entering any larger town - more so than here (in France and Belgium at least)

[owl10]

After a few days, when tired , and you find yourself riding through a slow / boring bit, don't be tempted to fuck around on the bike.
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