Going to France - any advice?

[Adam_P]

Folks

Me and two of the other race team have decided that we're going to ride our bikes down to the next round of the series at Magny-Cours in France.

I've already asked McJam for his advice since him and Karen went on holiday over in France last year.

But has anyone else got any advice or info that we ought to know about before we go? Its at the end of the month.

Cheers
Adam
____________________
Colin McRae MBE 1968 - 2007 RIP
Orwell Rolls in his Grave
God is imaginary

[R4nger]

Learn some french?

[Nolongerhere]

Thery drive on the Right in France Sorry someone had to say it!

[mr.z]

Reminds me of a post aaaages ago...

[TOM M]

i think its now law for every vehicle to carry a first aid kit now???
and dont 4get ya headlight deflectors, french police can hit ya with a big fine if yaint got em


tom

[natv4]

Obviously take:
- V5 (reg docs)
- insurance certificate
- MOT etc.
- Passport

I'd also take:

- A wad of cash (if you intend to speed) (or credit card)
- NO radar detetors (they may crush your bike if you use one)
- A road map
- First Aid Kit
- Can of tyre weld (just in case)
- Some drinks + food (in case of unforseen waits)

Ensure your bike has had any services coming, or tyre changes.
**Remember on Sundays everything shuts down pretty much.
Don't expect to find a petrol station thats open, they are few and far between. You cannot use brittish credit cards at the automatic petrol stations either.
____________________
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

[Courageous T]

good thing about france is once ur out of a main city, there are not many speed cams:)

[binge]

[EuropeanNC30R...]

I didn't see one speed camera in 2000 miles of France last summer. Saw one mobile trap, which I almost went through a red light infront of as I was staring at my speedo . The motorway speed limit is something like 84mph so the cops won't bat an eyelid at 90mph.

I agree with the Sunday petrol issue. If you have to travel on a Sunday make sure you tank the bike up the day before, unless you're going straight onto autoroutes (where petrol is readily available).

There are some petrol stations open on a-roads/towns on Sundays, but they are few and far between. If you see one open and you've less than 50 miles left till reserve... tank it up!

When a car moves out of the way to let you past, it's customary to acknowlege them by waving your right leg as you pass. Same for passing other bikers.

Oh and 99.99% of French bikers will wave at you, even cruiser riders . Only ones that don't seem to be on small mx bikes.

[Inspire]

Sort out some European breakdown cover perhaps? And take a space bike key as well? It would be a sh1tter to lose the bike key in the middle of rural France!

Hope you have a good time.


Rob

[instigator]

Aaaaah. You'll have to admit part of this plan was down to you getting that GPS unit, wasn't it adam Cheers for the pictures by the way

No big bulky map for you. (assuming you can load france onto the garmin quest)

[stinkwheel]

Carry money for a speeding fine because they will want it there and then.

Don't try to argue with the police if they stop you or you will find yourself looking at the wrong end of a gun (well maybe that's a trifle severe but the French respect their police and the Gemdarmes therefore expect to be shown respect.)

Leave plenty of room in your luggage to take wine home in.

EDIT: Notice how many dented and pranged cars are on the road, consider why this might be, ride accordingly.

I presume they have got the right of way thing sorted out so it is the same on all the roundabouts now?
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Adam_P]

[Adam_P]

[EuropeanNC30R...]

[Adam_P]

Does anyone know if they have the same Bank Holidays as us in France? Just that we're planning on coming back on the Monday. And fuel might be in short supply.
____________________
Colin McRae MBE 1968 - 2007 RIP
Orwell Rolls in his Grave
God is imaginary

[EuropeanNC30R...]

I wouldn't let the fuel issue put you off, Mike managed a Sunday last year on a 250 with a 85 mile tank range so 600's should be ok. It's just something to bear in mind, i.e. don't leave it until you're on reserve.

[Adam_P]

More concerned that if they do Bank Holiday monday that even some of the autoroute places might be shut too. Although, we'd planned on using quiter roads.

Might need to change that part of the plan for the way back!
____________________
Colin McRae MBE 1968 - 2007 RIP
Orwell Rolls in his Grave
God is imaginary

[Keen]

I think the main thing is they are a nation of bad drivers, I'm living near Nice and its supposed to be at its worst down here, but they seem to just chuck the cars out of junctions and into lanes and expect other drivers to brake.... they all just accept this.

Know any french? they can be touchy about having to speak english, but they really appreciate it if you at least make an effort.

also if you tell me what date you're going, I can tell you if its a bank holiday over here or not no problem....
____________________
"he who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man"- Dr. Johnson

[cqueen]

i would advise going south to antebe & monte carlo...check out the birds there!
i hope to marry rich old granny & be her toy boy just so i can live there! (and then of course cheat on her 6 times a day and spend all her money mwahahahaha)

[Adam_P]

[tintin]

[EuropeanNC30R...]

To be honest I didn't think they were bad drivers either. When they do crash, it tends to be good style though (saw a nicely totalled car on it's roof in a residential limit).

They're very keen on lane disclipline, and always try to make room for you.