Bike Trips on your own

[Spiderman]

Originally Posted by Richie

i
always have a full E111 (if they still have them)

Yes they do and a great bit of advice this is. Not enough people know about this card or its uses. Its now called the EHIC.

back when i first got one it was just the back page on the info leaflet that was stamped for you at the post office.

now its a credit card sized card so far easier to carry and use.

You can find out more info and apply for one here http://www.travelhealth.co.uk/advice/ehic.htm

Originally Posted by Spiderman

Yes they do and a great bit of advice this is. Not enough people know about this card or its uses. Its now called the EHIC.

back when i first got one it was just the back page on the info leaflet that was stamped for you at the post office.

now its a credit card sized card so far easier to carry and use.

You can find out more info and apply for one here http://www.travelhealth.co.uk/advice/ehic.htm

I ordered one last month and it took about 10 days to arrive. No fuss or hassle

In France you won't even need one tbh. Just walk in like you would in the UK.

when you thinking of going?

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by Spiderman

Yes they do and a great bit of advice this is. Not enough people know about this card or its uses. Its now called the EHIC.

Good call, I generally assume everyone knows about this as almost every travel website mentions it, but if you've never been abroad before - then you probs wont!

How do you keep your luggage safe if you're using soft panniers? I'm thinking about things like leaving it in a car park when stopping for a drink or on the ferry.

I did a 2500 mile round trip in France 3 years ago. I went out with MSL ttours for the Coupes Moto Legend at Dijon and carried on from there. The event was well worth it. I did have relatives to visit in St Antonin Noble Val and Brillac near Limoges.
I found it OK for a time enjoying the luxury of being able to go where I wanted, to stop for any reason, the first stop usually to put my ear plugs in.
Camping was a doddle bearing in mind this was June before the season starts.
Security can be a problem i.e. not having anybody to look after kit whils in the bog.
the big thing for me was missing my wife and I couldn't wait to get home so sid the last two legs 630 miles in one hit. Not bad for a 60+ on a K2 650s.
In short if you can find company great, if you can't still do it the chance may not come again.
Since then I have visited a friend in Germany and done the Pyrenees.

Originally Posted by ranathari

How do you keep your luggage safe if you're using soft panniers? I'm thinking about things like leaving it in a car park when stopping for a drink or on the ferry.

When I tour abroad I keep all my valuables and docs plus a small wash bag in a daysack. I then place my daysack into the larger bag I strap over the pillion seat and soft panniers. So if I stop for a short time I can take my daysack from the main bag nice and quick and be confident I'm carrying the stuff I value. (I kept copies of my passport, drivers licence etc separately in the panniers). If I'm on the ferry I can take the main bag and just leave the panniers on the bike. I pack low value stuff in the panniers, clothes, chain oil, maybe some food, water or drink and, eventually all my dirty laundry! You could place your daysack with all your goodies in one of your panniers and be able to take them with you without having to remove your panniers.

http://www.bikersoracle.com/vfr/foru...ad.php?t=58679

I think this check list just about covers just about everything.

Don't forget spare keys.
I got hold of a couple of canvass money belts and stitched them together and wore them like a bandelero. I kept my passport, documents, money, spare keys etc so I knew exacly where they were.
Also as I have my own web site I made up a page with copies of all my documents, so if all was lost and I needed details and numbers etc I could access them. Only I knew the link to that page of course.
I have heard of people keeping money etc under their knee armour in case of emrgency.

[BanannaMan]

Go for it mate!! You'll be glad you did.

Seek advice on good routes from others and places to see, places to avoid.



I take long weekend trips alone several times a year.....in fact.....

I'm going on a 900+ mile 3-day weekend trip through the mountains......1 week from today!!!
No need for any security or worries about keeping things safe on this trip. LOL
I'll be mostly traveling through dense forests and along high mountaintops....(see avatar, 'tis where I'm going)...and I get on well with the locals.
No cities on this trip and only 3 small towns along the way.
Getting new tyres fitted tomorrow!!!!
Can't wait!!!

Originally Posted by ranathari

How do you keep your luggage safe if you're using soft panniers? I'm thinking about things like leaving it in a car park when stopping for a drink or on the ferry.

It was a problem I had as well as I was always worrying about kit. I had a small zip off tank bag for valuables and you just trust no one will nick your tent and sleeping gear and be selective where you park. I wouldnt leave on city streets but terminals and tourist stops were fine. But even then worst case scenario of loosing kit wasnt the end of the world...