1 Day Kent Euro Trip 28th September

[Andy XRV]

Following on from the other post and a conversation with a few riding mates the 28th September is looking like the best day for a ride into Belgium.

The plan would be to get the 7:35 sailing from Dover to Calais and the 18:00 hours crossing back. At the moment the cost for this is £20 per bike. I'm not a big fan of the shuttle mainly because I like a breakfast and a social before heading off. Also the cost of the shuttle is £32 per bike.

Although there are quite a few published routes in Belgium if anybody knows of any hidden gems please shout

Scott - Have you tried here? http://www.thebikeinsurer.co.uk/pay-as-you-go-insu...

As usual it will be ride at your own pace with plenty of stops.

So far we have

Andy XRV
Mick
Phil-1
Phil-2

[Andy XRV]

Anyone can come along, it's the Kent BB ride out.

[Andy XRV]

steve954 said:

Just checked and it could be a 800 mile round trip for me

That's hardcore!

[Andy XRV]

I'm with you Ade, if it's tipping it down I'll sacrifice the £20 ferry booking.

[Andy XRV]

_Deano said:

Ooh, just noticed this thread.
I don't think that the RSVR would be good choice for a trip like this (think sore back and wrists), especially having to go back to work the next day and not wanting to walk like John Wayne. But the VTR will be a good alternative.
I've not ridden outside of the UK before, what is required?
Also i've have a range of about 80 - 110 miles per tank on the VTR, will this be an issue?

VTR is fine but if we find some top roads you might just regret not bringing the RSVR...

[Andy XRV]

Bump! It's now getting closer so who's still up for an end of season Euro ride? Just need a passport, insurance and a tank or two of fuel!

All of the the return crossings via Eurotunnel are full so the ferry is the only option. Looking at the times there is only 30mins difference between the two anyway. At the moment the return fare is £16.00 but this might go up as we start to book.

Once I have numbers I will call P&O to try and get a group booking at a fixed rate. This ride is happening and anyone is welcome. Slow, fast, young, old, fat or thin, male or female!

[Andy XRV]

Rather than blast around all day we've decided to head down to Ypres and have a look around the WW1 trenches. We will cut across country between Dunkirk and Poperinge and then into Ypres. Afternoon tea will be somewhere along the D108 which follows the river into Lille. Then across country back to Calais which is a total Euro distance of around 150miles. Add the UK miles to that and it's enough for one day.

Six confirmed so far, 2 x GS , 1 x ninja, 1 x 1000 Versys, 1 X VFR, 1 x Multistrada

[Andy XRV]

sc0tt said:

Andy, earliest I'll know is the 26th now but I can sort myself a crossing.

(House sale pending)

Im hoping I can get over pre oz

Did you need a bike? I'm selling the works Fazer so you could have that on "trial" I'm sure even a weeks insurance on that will be peanuts to someone like you :-)

[Andy XRV]

Nice one DG! Mick & Phil were asking if you were coming.

[Andy XRV]

Wildfire said:

I've been moving house and decorating, so it's been an expensive month. I need to see if the office is going to pay the £450 in expenses they owe me first. But I'd be up for this. 150 miles is an easy trip out.

With all that domestic stuff you deserve a decent ride out! £20.00 for the ferry and a couple of tanks of fuel and the jobs a goodun

[Andy XRV]

Everyone's welcome, be good to meet a few more from here.

[Andy XRV]

No problem Ade, with your busy life I thought you might struggle at the moment. Have a great weekend with Matt

[Andy XRV]

Here are the ferry details for those who fancy a change from the normal Sunday ride out. Plan is to ride down to Ypres, have a look around the trenches, have bit lunch and then head back. Nice and easy and a great little Euro taster for those that haven't done a left hand roundabout

Let me know who's booked, there are six of us so far




http://www.poferries.com/tourist/bookJourney.html

Edited by Andy XRV on Tuesday 16th September 15:11

[Andy XRV]

Yes, you need your name as it appears on your passport and your bike reg number when booking on line.

Below is a link to the booking page. Don't leave it too long as you may not get on the same ferry

http://www.poferries.com/tourist/bookJourney.html

[Andy XRV]

Nice one TC!

The meeting place is 06:15 in the fuel part of the services, Junction 8 on the M20. That way it should limit confusion at the port! If anyone is south of there we can arrange another meeting further on.

Just need the weather to play ball now.

[Andy XRV]

zippo said:

Got room for two more?

Of course.just book your ferry crossing as above.

[Andy XRV]

2OOM said:

Hi all ... Is there room for one more? it sounds like the perfect way to finish off the summer?

The more the merrier. As before,just make sure you book the same ferry as the rest of us.

[Andy XRV]

I'm back from my little trip to Greece so now it’s time to finalise the Euro ride! As we are all adults this won’t be one of those IAM style rides but below are a few tips for those that haven't ridden in Europe.

• Carry your European Health Insurance Card (Formally E111)
• Carry your insurance certificate, registration document and both parts of your driving licence. Don’t worry about MOT stuff.
• European breakdown with recovery is a good idea but as we’re not going far it’s not essential for this trip. I carry a puncture repair kit and a tow strap so no need for those either.
• Don’t bother with headlight reflector kits, hi Viz (unless you wear it anyway) or breathalysers.
• Make sure you get on the ferry with at least a 75miles worth of fuel as we’re not planning to stop in France. There is a 24hr garage in Dover for those with small tanks

Just two ride rules
• Absolutely no POLITE hi viz vests or main beam daytime headlights.

Meeting Place
• M20 services at Junction 8. Meet in in the fuel part not in the main car park.
• Leaving the services at 06:15 to arrive at port 06:45. Last check-in is 07:05. If you're running late just head straight for the port.

If anyone wants my mobile number just drop me PM.

[Andy XRV]

zippo said:

And don't forget your Passport!

[Andy XRV]

The weather is looking great for Sunday so fingers crossed it stays that way! I have put together a little route based on the Flanders Fields route. I'm not sure how much of it we'll cover but it's a good starting point.

If anyone wants the route to load into their satnav just drop me a PM

http://www.routeyou.com/en-gb/route/view/301518/mo...