Just thought I would start the conversation on what to take on the Euro Trip.
Got this from the IXXRA (Blackbird forum C/O Hawks post)
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Here's some more info for you, pay particular attention to the EHIC. It goes over the top a bit but I took most of this stuff, plus electric tyre pump and spare cables, oh and fuel pipe in case 1 of run out of fuel, which we all nearly did at midnight saturday coz the petrol stations close about 17:00 hrs, well, when they want to close basically.
1.
Bits you must take.
* Passport.
* Credit card/money.
Bits that will make life much easier if you get nicked or have a spill..
* Driving Licence.
* Insurance Certificate showing European Cover.
* Logbook (if your bike is financed or not in your name).
* Breakdown Cover.
Useful things to take:
* Spare key and alarm fob (give to someone else in the in case your bag gets nicked).
* Alarm instructions and manual disarm code.
* Bike owners manual (if pocket sized).
* Puncture repair kit.
* Bike tool kit (make sure it's in there).
* Mobile phone & charger. (make sure that international roaming bars are lifted and you have set up a pin number to get your voice mail messages 'cos you can't do it once you're abroad.)
* Batteries/Charger for two-way radio.
* Magnum (Extra Large) Condoms (or smaller if necessary you poor things). Get the "ribbed for her pleasure" ones, although I suggest that you actually be a selfish ba%$*#d and wear these inside out, as you're not gonna see her again anyway.
* Dark visor or sunglasses.
* Small can chain oil (if you don't have a Scottoiler).
* Visor cleaner/demister. (You think that there were a lot of bugs at the AGRO, huh, you ain't seen nuffin yet, try doing 200 miles through a French forest at 100+ mph and you'll discover at least 50 new species). Try to get disposable wipes because after wiping a few hundred dead bodies from your visor, your cloth will start to stink a bit.
* Travel pack of tissues. These double as emergency bog roll and if you have ever stopped in a French public toilet, you understand why you need some.
* Pocket map of route if you don't have a print out.
Other useful bits.
* Small Torch.
* Light weight length of nylon rope.
* Duck Tape
* Multi tool (Leatherman).
* Codeine (Aspirin).
* Small electrical block connector.
* Small roll wire.
* Portable GPS Satellite navigation unit with route programmed in.
Clothes
* Loads of T-shirts, pants and socks, maybe as many a seven of each, particularly if you are a very sweaty ba%$*#d.
* Shorts/Swim shorts
* Jeans, - Preferably a black pair which you can sometimes get away with in a night club or titty bar.
* Maybe just a couple of ordinary short sleeve shirts.
* Shoes, something multipurpose is ideal, like black trainers. You may want some beach shoes/sandals too.
Wash stuff
This will of course vary depending on your levels of personal hygiene, but just don't bring any family sized bottles of anything, or any bottles that are going to break or leak when you start chucking your bike about.
Top wash stuff tips:
* Take a small bottle of shaving oil (tiny) not a fecking great aerosol.
* Don't bother with a towel. Use the hotel's ones and then nick one of them for the beach .
* Take a small pot of foot powder. After 7 days and 2500 miles in the heat, with your feet crammed into leather boots, you'll have heat rashes and no friends.
* It's worth remembering that every extra pound you take that you don't need to, slows down the handling of you bike a bit more. Take too much and you might as well take a Harley and be done with it. If you go to Boots, they do travel sizes of just about everything.
2.
your spare clothing
- camera
- bottled water
- maps
- bike, insurance & breakdown docs
- book
- mobile
- can emergency tyre repair
- small can chainlube
- toolkit (of course)
- bits of wire, string and odd nuts and bolts (yes I know it's a VFR, but it's an old habit)
- summer gloves (wear the heavies going down)
- sunglasses (hopefully)
- chainlock or U-lock
- small towel (could be round your neck) and washkit
- sandwiches
- small flask something strong (for medicinal purposes only!)
- daysac can be useful, if your tankbag won't convert
- hat (against the sun if you're like me) and suncream
- probably other stuff
- oh yes, and swimming cozzie unless you're only going to places of nudism.
As you can see, it soon mounts up.
See, it could be raining almost all the way down if you're unlucky. But then, it could be sunny and warm
3.
Just need waterproofs, couple of T's, one pair light cotton trousers, one pair of shorts, wash kit, camera, spare visor, sun glasses, maps, spare gloves, Teva sandles, socks undies. travel docs.
Tools and multi tool and mini chain lub under seat with high vis vest
Please be aware people the EHIC only covers 25% of the cost of any medical care ( read the small print on the back). It will not pay the lot.
This was found out by a mate of mine who had to take out a personal loan for £7,000 to cover the bill when a deer ran out in front of his bike and put him and his wife in hospital for 7 days and the only cover he had was the EHIC.
The other thing to take note of is some insurance companies will only cover 75% of a claim as they expect you to have the EHIC for the other 25%
France shuts down on Sunday and, aside from autoroute services, manned petrol stations are few and far between. And the automated pumps don't take UK sourced credit cards, which can spoil your day unless you persuade passing locals to fill your tank in exchange for handfuls of cash.
Take as little as poss, first time I went I took FAR too much stuff and almost dumped half of it at a camp site.
Documents, as mentioned. Spare bulbs and a couple of fuses. (Wrap them in a cloth and hide them under the seat with a decent emergency tool kit.
Jack up the preload on the rear to cope with the extra weight rather than just adjusting the headlight down.
Hard luggage is a God send, reasonably secure and waterproof, throw overs will have to be removed every food stop for security.
Lock and chain, unfortunately there's scum abroad too...
Too many bungees, in case a couple snap or you have to lend them out, you never know.
Take a small amount of washing powder or liquid, most B&Bs hotels and camp sites have a wash room, so you can chuck all your clothes in and they'll be dry by morning in the heat, it'll save on space as you don't have to pack many clothes.
Socket adaptors for any electrical equipment (phone chargers, digital camera chargers etc).
LIGHT waterproofs that pack up small, just in case.
Maps & phrase book (if you can't speak the lingo).
Dark and clear visors and spray wash stuff to clean off the dust road side.
One of the main hazards encountered in France was the French drivers' reluctance to use indicators on roundabouts, which made it a bit of a guessing game.
There are several aspects of the French and their driving habits! Roundabouts and indicators is certainly one!! The prevailing rule seems to be 'if you can get into the flow without being hit you do'!! Merging I think they call it!! Indicators are for the 'roast beefs'!!
The other overiding factor is there politness to bikes and bikers in traffic. If you are making your way down the centre of two lanes, they will invariably make room for the bike!! The same goes on a single lane road when you are on the outside, room is made for you to go past without traversing the white line!! The French way of saying thank you is to lift your right foot off the peg and give a little dip/waggle! I was ammazed when I followed a French biker past a queue of slow moving traffic! Wiggle wiggle all the way!! The French do regard bikers with respect and courtesy, which deserves thanks and praise.
On the otherhand the attitude of car drivers overtaking into blind bends leaves me speechless! Corner coming up, car in front MUST overtake!! It's in their genes!!
I found their Gendames very friendly, had a long chat with a couple in a Aire de Repos about BMW and Honda bikes, their BMW's were immaculate!!
And beware, I saw far more radar traps this trip than ever before!! Mostly in towns and the outskirts They do have a serious problem with road deaths which the government has pledged to reduce! Something to do with overtaking into blind bends!!!The road is never long enough, and too many bastid cages.
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Ok let me know what you think of this list and if you can think of anything to add/amend etc.
Les.
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