First Euro Trip
 

I'm just planning my first trip into Europe and had a few questions you guys might be able to shed some light on. I've also got a few links and resources to share which might be useful to others planning their first trip. Anyway, I've booked my ferry, quit my job and and planning to go through France, Spain and Portugal at first. I'm wondering whether I need to worry about booking campsites in advance or just turn up expecting there to be space for one pitch? I'll only be staying at each site for 1 or 2 nights. Also, although I'll be trying to learn basic phrases to get through can I assume most campsites and hotels which have English speaking staff?

Here is a rough outline of the route:

France, Spain and Portugal

I've planned the first few days out up to Paris:

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

I won't plan the rest of the trip out in so much details but for the first few day on my first trip I want to know what I'm doing and have a schedule in
mind. The rest of the route is very much subject to change depending on the advice I get and suggestions of roads to take.

Budget:
£15 a day for petrol
£10 a day for food/drink
£15 a day for camping
£30 a day for hotel when not camping (every 4/5 days)

Timescale:
30/35 days?

I have no idea if this is feasible for my first trip but I'm up for a challange. Any feedback on the route, budget and timescale greatly appreciated.

I have already got some things prepared:

Had the bike serviced a few weeks ago (16,000 miles)
Booked Ferry for 6th August from Dover to Calais £22.50
Got my free European Health Insurance Card
Got a tent (Vango Banshee 200), sleeping bag, sleeping mat
Travel Insurance (TheAA £60 annual europe multitrip cover, motorcycle travel okay, extended to 90 days per trip limit)
Breakdown Cover (Annual multi trip cover TheAA £112.43 covers trips upto 90 days)
Puncture Repair Kit - £20 from Hein Gericke
GB Sticker
Hazard triangle
The Best Rides Motorcycle Atlases (Use code BMFOFFER for free postage at Mapsman courtesy of this page
Sat Nav: TomTom Navigator Western and Central Europe with Speedcams from PocketGPSWorld
Luggage: Oxford First Time Panniers, tank bag,
Bungee cords and straps, cargo net, Link Strap
Solar charger for phones and gadgets Power Monkey Explorer

Things I've yet to sort and would welcome advice on and recommendations on:
Post Office Travel Money Card for commision free Euros on a prepay Visa card
Security - hoping a PacSafe 120 will be big enough to stash a backpack, helmet and jacket
Spare bulbs/fuses
Chain lube
Hi Vis Vest
Bike chain and lock?
Fixer Peg?
Headlight beam deflector?

? = Not sure if needed

Websites I've found userful:

http://www.bike-stay.net/ for biker friendly accommodation
http://www.ferrysavers.co.uk/ for comparing ferry prices, times and routes
http://www.eurocampings.co.uk/en/europe/ for finding camp sites
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/ for finding camp sites
http://www.bestbikingroads.com/ see url
http://www.alpineroads.com/alpmap.php
http://www.bmf.co.uk/pages/bmf_main_pages.php?area_id=8 Touring check list and guide
http://www.lazymotorbike.eu/tips/camping/ tips for camping with a motorcycle
http://www.rodjules.com/pyrenees/roads.php
http://www.janboersma.nl/gett/index.php for route planning using google maps then sending the route to your TomTom

Books:
The Best Ride Motorcycle Atlas France and UK See link above for discount and free postage
Route Des Grandes Alpes Reg F or from Stanfords
Alan Rogers Europe 2009: Quality Camping and Caravanning Sites
AA Caravan & Camping Europe 2009
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook

Re: First Euro Trip
 

15 quid a day in fuel won't get you a long way, but then if you've got 30/35 days I guess you're not looking at doing mega mileages, but I'd check anyway.

Other thoughts :-

Have you missed the alps out on purpose? Or is it just the google map route plotting? It seems silly to skirt round them when you're so close, at least do some of the French passes.

Staying in/around some big towns (Paris/Marseilles etc) may cost more, although I'm not sure.

Remember the euro/pound exchange rate isn't great at the moment, so 10 quid a day on food and drink may be tight, as being on a bike you can't carry much.

Sounds like a great trip though, I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself!

Re: First Euro Trip
 

Sounds like a good trip & looks like youve done a fair bit of research already :D

You wont need to carry a warning triangle on a motorcycle, but a GB sticker, hi-viz, spare bulbs & your vehicle documents (originals of V5/Insurance/MOT etc) are mandatory. Best to add some basic tools & chain lube to your list. As your going through Spain, make sure you get a Green Card (with bail bond) from your Insurers, if your current certificate doesnt already have one.

30 days should be more than enough to cover your route at a relaxed pace. Like Tim says though, your budget may be a little light, but not too much. You shouldnt need to book campsites in advance, although the first 2 weeks in August will be the busiest, especially in France.

Visordown has a good touring forum with plenty of advice: http://www.visordown.com/forum/forum...4&URN=9&V=2&SP=

Good luck, look forward to seeing the pics :cool:

Re: First Euro Trip
 

I will be taking in the Alps - think it would be rude not to! Just google maps has a limited number of points you can set and that's just a rough outline of the route. It will definitely be at a relaxed pace and I will stop for a couple of days wherever I find somewhere I'd like to explore or just have a rest. Think I will try and book accommodation in advance for the first week or so as it will be peak season. Cheers for clarifying a few of those points DMC and reminding me to get lube. Have got the suzuki tool kit which I hope will be enough tools wise but fingers crossed won't be needed at all. I will have a look into that Green Card - not something I was aware of at all. Also, about the warning triangle I realised that the cover for my old helmet had a warning triangle on it so will take that. I know that headlight deflectors are required for cars but not sure about motorcycles.

Edit:
Just looked into the green card and don't think they are needed anymore for Spain at least.

Re: First Euro Trip
 

Having your insurance certificate on you is a requirement here in Portugal.

Hazard triangle isnt needed here nor the jacket (it is only required for cars here).
However, this may not be the case in France. When riding through France, take note of the Stop signs, the police are hot on them, a foot down at them will suffice.

I recently reading somewhere about the main road back through France to the ferry (don´t recall the road name sorry) that is a major police trap for speeding bikers, cars making their way to catch the ferry. Dont be caught out here from what I read it is a hefty fine.

With regards to the puncture repair kit, buy new.

Filipe has more details on police unmarked cars in portugal but, IIRC they are BMW´s 330D and scoobies kitted by pro drive - they will get you.

Re: First Euro Trip
 

Get a Givi rack and topbox if you can afford one. You can then lock most of your valuables away from prying eyes. And the biggest and best lock and chain you can find.

Re: First Euro Trip
 

Cheers for the advice. I'll be taking all my original documents with me for the bike and insurance etc so should be no problems there. Got a few more things sorted this week so almost there now. Still debating whether to take a chain and lock for the bike - not sure whether the extra space and weight is worth the hassle or whether anyone would even want to nick it but will decide next week once everything's loaded up if I've got space.

Re: First Euro Trip
 

Check if it is an insurance requirement this might help with the decision.

Re: First Euro Trip
 

sounds fab....


i do my trip in october and november.

hope you enjoy :p

Re: First Euro Trip
 

You've missed most of the N260 in Spain! Absolutely amazing road but unfortunately doesn't seem to follow your general route so maybe another year. I took a disc lock with me in June when three of us went to Spain/Andorra/France. Didn't really have to leave the bikes for long but still got paranoid about the luggage (same gear you got). We didn't bother pre-booking anything except our hotel in Andorra. One campsite we went to in Millau was closed (at 8.30?!) so we had to ride a full 1/4 mile to one of the other dozen or so sites nearby! I too would suggest you're being a bit optimistic about your fuel and food budget tbh - not really a great deal cheaper than here, France especially.