Riding across Europe

[buddha]

Hi, im planning a trip from the end of November to travel across France to Gibraltar. I always wanted to travel like this, and since i got the some time off work, i thought it would be fun.

I understand there is some planning involved, and it would be slightly cheaper if i took a flight, but i cant stand flying, crap up, sitting next to some weirdo, but hey that the fun of it.

Was going to take the ferry from portsmouth to Bilbao or santander, bloody expensive, so going through the tunnel, and through France instead.

Like to know has any travel that far, cost of petrol, what to look out for, is it a good time due to the weather and so on.

Thanks.

[bath of kylies]

Expect there will be several replies, so I'll just include comments specific to my experience in France and Northern Spain. I assume you've biked on the continent before...

Having just got back from France, can say that the petrol is almost as expensive as here in the UK. Long gone are the days of the rest of Europe being half the price of the UK Don't know about Spain though...might be hope there.

Tunnel is great - used it loads.

Did Marseille to Calais (700 miles-ish) in a day once on a sports bike, wouldn't do it again (ouch). Peages (toll motorways) are expensive and boring (although you can see what the top speed of your bike is more easily than in the UK ) so if you've got the time, I'd suggest you enjoy the smaller roads and aim to do 2 to 300 miles a day. The twisties down through the centre of France are great. If you are on the back roads there are lots of small hotels that don't require booking (especially this time of year) and most are very biker friendly (had one guy France move his goats out of a barn so we could park the bikes inside )

Petrol stations (and almost everything else) can shut in France on a Sunday. Don't get too close to reserve...

Rode from the Bol D'or (when it used to be at Paul Ricard) in Southern France across to Santander once. That was also a great ride. The roads between France and Spain are amazing - through the mountains on wide smooth tarmac with hardly any other vehicles. On that occasion we had ridden down from Calais, but went back via Santanda. Bl**dy expensive, but it was a great end to the trip - almost two days of enforced relaxing on the ship really were good after the mad dash through France and Spain. Worth it as a one way trip if you leave Gibralta and don't want to face the whole of France again.

Have fun.

[tintin]

I would second most of the comments above.
The roads in France are great, other drivers notice you and move over out of the way, hotels are cheap and helpful.

The only issue with going that distance is your tyre will be a bit square if you use the motorways a lot and at that time of year the weather could be suspect in the north and middle of France.

I would advise getting a Euro assistance or AA cover - really just for peace of mind. Enjoy it, it's like a mini adventure....

bath of kylies
I used to go the Bol d'or in the old days as well, what a great laugh it was. I'll always remember that road down to the supermarket, bikes racing up and down, most loaded up with too much beer, straw bales on the bits that stuck out at the edge of the road, and the French police just picking up the debris...
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The older I get the better I was

[bath of kylies]

Tintin - IMHO the road from the circuit down to Bandol must be one of the best in the world

And that was how to do road safety - sod Gatsos and unmarked police cars, just gaff tape a few straw bales to the lamp posts and trees and let natural selection take it's course

[tintin]

But don't forget that they would park an ambulance on the really dangerous corners !

What was great was all the local kids on underpowered bikes making all the posh sportsbike riders look silly
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The older I get the better I was

[EuropeanNC30R...]

I'd advise using the autoroutes for at least the first 100 miles in Northern France. Most of the non-motorway roads there are constantly lined with villages and their respective speed limits which makes progress quite hard going. Crossing the Pyhrennes (sp) might be a bit interesting end of November, but I don't really know about that.

[aqualung1]

main one Bath of Kyles has already said..

petrol stations on a sunday can be impossible


and most places on chip and pin now, ensure you can use your card abroad..

french roads great/drivers courteous

have fun
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"still no idea where poohsticks bridge is"
www.bosunsbikes.com

[EuropeanNC30R...]