[timwilky]

Strangely I was about to post a plea for people to check their bikes in view of experiences in the past.

We all know what the law requires on tyres, I know of one guy who had a ruined trip to the south of France because by Lyon his front brakes were metal to metal and it cost him not only the set of pads put a pair of disks as well.

If you have any "bodges" on your bike, check that they are sound (Gear lever bolts or tie wrapped mudguards sound familiar).

We don't know the weather, so a good set of waterproofs.

A quick check on your tyres, chain, lights, indicators, brakes, oil as Rictus has said. Bike shops are not within easy travelling of the site/route, so best avoid having to find one. For once go sensible with baffles/plates a large group in this area will attract plod attention and it would be a shame to get the whole group pulled over because one obscenely loud exhaust woke up a sleeping plod etc.

It might also be worthwhile carrying your docs. Just incase there are any pulls. The quickest way to get moving again is to stop him writing a producer.