riding in France

[chutz]

Off to motogp in le mans next month and have never ridden abroad before. Anything I should know about and any tips would be greatly appreciated too.

[chris8886]

they drive on the right hand side of the road!

[dizzyblonde]

it nice ridin to Le mans. Big tip get a gel seat if you don't already have one...and keep your fingers crossed it don't rain( I dont like france in the rain)

biggest tip...enjoy yourself

[Frank]

make sure you always pull in to the near side lane after an overtake,and I mean always.
I have seen a hugh German lorry push someone out of the way who was lane hogging

[rick0361]

Respect the speed limits and watch out for mobile speed traps. Gendarmarie officers with very powerful bikes will chase you down and move the traps regularly.

If someone flashes you there is a good chance there is a speed trap ahead - everybody warns everybody else - but be aware it is an offence and they take a very dim view of it if they catch you.

Watch out for roads where there is priorité a droite - vehicles entering from the right have priority. There are also a few roundabouts where vehicles on the roundabout have to stop for traffic entering onto the roundabout. Not many but a few.

Oh and don;t drink and drive they are hot on that at the moment

[Tim in Belgium]

A map is handy to have. E111 card thing. Insurance. Breakdown cover. A clean pair of pants unless you are going to do the turn around, inside out thing;)

And some headache pills for the morning after all that red french plonk.

Have a good time.

[chutz]

got the e111, can fit a few pairs of pants in my rucksack!!!

I'm praying it's dry as I hate the wet. Travelling as light as possible but waterproofs are an essential!!!

Will take some pain killers for post vin rouge pains!!

[falc]

Hey Chutz,

Only got back from France and planning on doing a little write up on with some pics but heres some things I learnt.

Driving on the right isn't so bad once your on the road just be careful on the roundabouts, its so easy to look to the right but its the left (both to be sure). Also setting off again when there is no car/bike about and your instincts say the left. Always have the drive on the right firmly in your mind.

The drivers are pretty good over there, if its a single lane they will move across and let you pass. Alot leave there left indicator on when they are overtaking as a sign that they will move back when they complete the overtake. General good road manners will see you right.

I saw several speed traps and some warnings, so general rule of thumb don't speed...much :)

Toll roads are fairly easily once you get the hang of it, you take a ticket on one booth and at the exit you pay by credit card or cash. Don't take the automatic ones where you use your credit card with no cashier because they charge you car rates, we were doing that and a mad French man ran out and pointed at the cash booth with the people, turns out bikes get charged less so its worth queuing for an extra minute.

Document wise, driving license, passport, E111 card, travel insurance, breakdown cover, V5 doc, bike insurance (that covers europe) and maybe a photocopy of that lot.

Oh and enjoy ;)

[rick0361]

also try and speak french even if it is just helo ,goodbye , please and thank you. I have found if you make the effort people appreciate it more and can be more helpful

[Davies]

Off to motogp in le mans next month and have never ridden abroad before. Anything I should know about and any tips would be greatly appreciated too.

Why don't you come with us on this (http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=106303) as a trial run? ;)

[chutz]

tempting...will get back to you