Heading off to Europe

[embee]

Loads of good advice.

If you're only doing France you can cut things down to a minimum. The hypermarket is your friend, good for light meals usually in the attached cafes. Meals on autoroutes are usually good if a little pricey.

Make sure you have the legal things, (original V5c, insurance cert, etc) plus one copy with you and one copy at home.
EHIC (old E111) will be good for essential treatment, but look at travel insurance making sure it covers bike use. I use Post Office insurance, not overly expensive and gives peace of mind.

Tell your credit/debit card folks that you're going. Always have some cash with you, credit cards can be expensive for small amounts and you can still have a few problems using them in some places (Germany for example).

Make sure you have space to carry some water with you, sip little and often when it's hot, dehydration is not recommended.

Eating out is cheaper at luch time than evening if you're on a budget. Lunch starts at 12 usually (until 2pm), don't leave it too late if you're going to stop. Avoid large towns at 12 and 2pm, they can be busy. 1pm is a good time though.

Be aware that petrol stations often will be closed after Sunday noon except on autoroutes and big main roads. I've been caught out more than once.

Have some sort of puncture kit for emergencies, you can be a long way from nowhere in France!

Remember it is an offence not to stop at a "Stop" sign, and it is frowned upon. A foot down is a wise precaution. Otherwise just be sensible. Speed limits in built-up areas start at the town sign, 50kph unless otherwise stated.

Most moderate sized towns have municipal camp sites, which are cheap and usually decent. Michelin maps have the towns marked with a tent sign. I never book ahead, no problems.

Tonnes of great advice, thanks alot everyone, really appreciate it. I'm currently making a list of everything i'm gonna bring and sort out. Also just got a new camera, so there'll be plenty of pics...hopefully as picturesque as Tims, they look fantastic.

I've not booked a ferry or crossing home...planning to end up in holland but heard ferrys can be expensive from there. Would it be cheaper to head back to calais and get the tunnel?

Originally Posted by Baph

Why you spent so much time (on the video at least) in Llandudno is beyond me...

We loved the place. If we had to live there we would. Best fish & chips on the island too, erm sorry guess this has nothing to do with this thread...

Originally Posted by zunkus

We loved the place. If we had to live there we would. Best fish & chips on the island too

You're not telling me you think Tribells is amazing (fish & chip shop in the town). The place at the bottom of town is better, but next time you're over this way, I'll take you to a place in Criccieth that'll blow your socks off!!

Anyway, what was this thread about again?

Originally Posted by Baph

Why you spent so much time (on the video at least) in Llandudno is beyond me...

+1 unless you're a granny
although i like the bobsleigh thing on the hill...

Thanks everyone, i`ve found the checklists really helpful for my own trip to Europe in 5 weeks... where the hell am i gonna put my clothes carrying all that lot tho lol

[pmapp]

Again, a good thread - it's saved me asking

We're heading over on the Sunday of the AR, seemed like a good excuse 'casue we were already down that way

Might even bump into some of you by the sounds of it.

Originally Posted by Baph

You're not telling me you think Tribells is amazing...

I can't remember the shop's name but it was near the beach.

Originally Posted by cb5_keith

+1 unless you're a granny
although i like the bobsleigh thing on the hill...

Well actually I'm a grandad, does that count?

[dyzio]

Think a breakdown cover could be useful.
Where can you try to get one?
My insurer quoted me 60pounds for a year long cover which would be also valid when abroad. Is that good?