First Euro Trip
Discussion
........on a bike anyway!
Pathetically excited 50 something, passed my test last Summer after a bike break of 30 odd years and in view of the forecast have decided to pay a weekend visit to family in Normandy on two wheels (GS1150).
I've been doing the trip for years in a car but this looming visit properly feels like a first.
Taking the Poole/Cherbourg route so nice roads when I get there, I won't need a map!
Any ferry/bike protocol I should be aware of from those that know? Likewise, I've never really looked but is it helmets off at passport control? (sorry if questions are dumb!)
Pathetically excited 50 something, passed my test last Summer after a bike break of 30 odd years and in view of the forecast have decided to pay a weekend visit to family in Normandy on two wheels (GS1150).
I've been doing the trip for years in a car but this looming visit properly feels like a first.
Taking the Poole/Cherbourg route so nice roads when I get there, I won't need a map!
Any ferry/bike protocol I should be aware of from those that know? Likewise, I've never really looked but is it helmets off at passport control? (sorry if questions are dumb!)
Hi..
Just follow the boat marshalls instructions, they'll guide you towards an aree for the bike and they will come and strap it down, maybe take an old jumper or something to go under the strap if you think it might mark paint or the seat, they tend to be reasonably carefula nd thorough as the last thing they wants is 30 to 40 bikes on their side !!!
Regards Passport Control, then yes, I've always removed my lid ......
Enjoy, and be careful one speed limits, its no longer the place to go ballistic .... oh I miss those days ....
Be safe .... and come back smiling ....
Just follow the boat marshalls instructions, they'll guide you towards an aree for the bike and they will come and strap it down, maybe take an old jumper or something to go under the strap if you think it might mark paint or the seat, they tend to be reasonably carefula nd thorough as the last thing they wants is 30 to 40 bikes on their side !!!
Regards Passport Control, then yes, I've always removed my lid ......
Enjoy, and be careful one speed limits, its no longer the place to go ballistic .... oh I miss those days ....
Be safe .... and come back smiling ....
You can't be a million miles from me if you are doing the Poole ferry 
Don't worry about the ferry, the guys will have strapped bikes down before and will usually have everything necessary including things to protect the bodywork etc.
Just enjoy it, anything you find you need you can purchase. Post up some pics when you go!
Don't worry about the ferry, the guys will have strapped bikes down before and will usually have everything necessary including things to protect the bodywork etc.
Just enjoy it, anything you find you need you can purchase. Post up some pics when you go!
No specific bike/ferry protocol. If you have a center stand then use it. They'll provide the "over the seat" strap. If there's no cushion on their strap, leave your gloves between the seat and the strap. If you want extra security, take your own strap to run from the center stand to the front wheel. There will then be no risk of the bike "rolling" off the stand.
Passports are sometimes helmet off, sometimes they don't even stop you and sometimes helmet on OK. Play it by ear!. I've never had to take my flip front off.
Enjoy your trip. Once you're happy with Euro touring, sign up to join us ... www.old-gits.org
Passports are sometimes helmet off, sometimes they don't even stop you and sometimes helmet on OK. Play it by ear!. I've never had to take my flip front off.
Enjoy your trip. Once you're happy with Euro touring, sign up to join us ... www.old-gits.org
Wow, thanks everyone, that was quick!
A nice early warm up run from home near Bath down to the 08.30 at Poole on Saturday (not done that run on two wheels either for that matter!).
Sure my kids would fully get dad doing an old-gits trip as being very appropriate! Funnily enough, a small gang of us 'bike returners' are planning to replace our normal car based Le Mans trip next year with a two wheeled adventure of some sort.
A nice early warm up run from home near Bath down to the 08.30 at Poole on Saturday (not done that run on two wheels either for that matter!).
Sure my kids would fully get dad doing an old-gits trip as being very appropriate! Funnily enough, a small gang of us 'bike returners' are planning to replace our normal car based Le Mans trip next year with a two wheeled adventure of some sort.
Last year didn't take lid off, calais this year I did
Going Germany in 2 days so who knows
Having done iom TT where you can put an easy 1000 miles plus in a week and the euro trip which i did atleast that in 3 days the advice I'd give is wear clothing you're comfy in all day. I'm good in my leathers but you might find something else works for you
Also take nurofen, ignoring anything else you might want to take for me atleast I was in pieces after a couple days on the bike. The nurofen took the a aches and pains away
I was a mess 4 days into my iom riding just not used to 200 miles every day on the bike
Going Germany in 2 days so who knows
Having done iom TT where you can put an easy 1000 miles plus in a week and the euro trip which i did atleast that in 3 days the advice I'd give is wear clothing you're comfy in all day. I'm good in my leathers but you might find something else works for you
Also take nurofen, ignoring anything else you might want to take for me atleast I was in pieces after a couple days on the bike. The nurofen took the a aches and pains away
I was a mess 4 days into my iom riding just not used to 200 miles every day on the bike
garypotter said:
Good advice all round, of to France for 4 days as my 1st European bike tour but only expect to do 100 - 150 miles a day max, portsmouth to Le Havre then using Caen as a base.
I hope you have a great trip but you've not necessarily picked the best location. There are lots of WWII things to see, lots of nice villages/cafes, restaurants etc but there's not an abundance of really nice roads. black-k1 said:
garypotter said:
Good advice all round, of to France for 4 days as my 1st European bike tour but only expect to do 100 - 150 miles a day max, portsmouth to Le Havre then using Caen as a base.
I hope you have a great trip but you've not necessarily picked the best location. There are lots of WWII things to see, lots of nice villages/cafes, restaurants etc but there's not an abundance of really nice roads. My GS threw an ABS headfit last night but carrying on with plan for Saturday regardless (first world problem!
)Thanks for the advice last week, weekend to Normandy went without a hitch.
Started with a stunning dawn ride to Poole, no traffic, super sunrise and onto the boat with no fuss. As you suggested, guided into a quiet corner and the bike strapped down in a jiffy.
Passport control both sides easy, helmet not needed to be removed but a flip front so maybe the reason.
Heavens opened as I arrived Cherbourg but stopped the instant I rolled off and then heated up big time as I headed South.
GS was a perfect weapon for the job, I've done the journey so many times in a car but this was a treat and the sun out made it quite special.
On the list to do again and certainly a taster for something a bit more adventurous.
Started with a stunning dawn ride to Poole, no traffic, super sunrise and onto the boat with no fuss. As you suggested, guided into a quiet corner and the bike strapped down in a jiffy.
Passport control both sides easy, helmet not needed to be removed but a flip front so maybe the reason.
Heavens opened as I arrived Cherbourg but stopped the instant I rolled off and then heated up big time as I headed South.
GS was a perfect weapon for the job, I've done the journey so many times in a car but this was a treat and the sun out made it quite special.
On the list to do again and certainly a taster for something a bit more adventurous.
LFB531 said:
Thanks for the advice last week, weekend to Normandy went without a hitch.
Started with a stunning dawn ride to Poole, no traffic, super sunrise and onto the boat with no fuss. As you suggested, guided into a quiet corner and the bike strapped down in a jiffy.
Passport control both sides easy, helmet not needed to be removed but a flip front so maybe the reason.
Heavens opened as I arrived Cherbourg but stopped the instant I rolled off and then heated up big time as I headed South.
GS was a perfect weapon for the job, I've done the journey so many times in a car but this was a treat and the sun out made it quite special.
On the list to do again and certainly a taster for something a bit more adventurous.
Great to hear you had a good time. Nothing beasts a Euro jaunt, especially when the weather plays ball.Started with a stunning dawn ride to Poole, no traffic, super sunrise and onto the boat with no fuss. As you suggested, guided into a quiet corner and the bike strapped down in a jiffy.
Passport control both sides easy, helmet not needed to be removed but a flip front so maybe the reason.
Heavens opened as I arrived Cherbourg but stopped the instant I rolled off and then heated up big time as I headed South.
GS was a perfect weapon for the job, I've done the journey so many times in a car but this was a treat and the sun out made it quite special.
On the list to do again and certainly a taster for something a bit more adventurous.
As said before ... sign up to join us ... www.old-gits.org
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