[Wally]

I know this is a really long shot, but I am heading to France on Sunday 18th on a middayish Chunnel Train, and then to Fromelles (or nearby) to stay the night. Heading to a memorial service (http://www.cwgc.org/fromelles/) in Fromelles on Monday 19th at midday, then heading home that evening.

Anyone up for a ride Even if you don't want to go to the ceremony, but want a ride, feel free to come along!!

*knows he is talking to himself coz nobody is in England with a bike on here [hr]
OH yeah .. anyone ridden in France and got some tips for me (Kenny and can't remember the other dude!!)

Tolls? How do you know which are the toll roads etc, or should I stick to the country roads (think I will anyway .. I'm on a motorbike after all!!!!)

Cheers

 

[Mr Orange]

Toll roads will have a blue sign with "peage" under the area name. They usually start with a booth that dispenses a ticket. You then insert this ticket into a toll booth at the end of that toll road. You are then told how much the toll is. My advice would be to use a bumbag or tankbag to keep these tickets and money for the tolls. Keep a few 5 Euro notes and a bunch of 2 Euro coins handy.

When we bisected france, I think the cheapest toll we encountered was just over 2 Euro, and the most expensive was just over 10 Euro.

The toll roads make short work of doing distance in france so if you're pressed for time they're very handy. The minor roads are excellent quality and in general, traffic is quite sparce on the minor roads.

www.viamichelin.com and the aa route planner site are very good for plotting your route.

 

[Ross748R]

Just drove through france recently and to get from the ferry in the west to the Swiss boarder in the East it cost over €50 in Tolls. Granted there were only 3 tolls, a €2 then a €25 and a €32 and I travelled something like 900Km on the roads at 150km/h permently and no traffic so they were worth it.

I don't think they care if you are on a bike or in a car the tolls are all the same.

 

[Hessian]

I'd join you but the sea is in the road.

 

[GG]

I wish i could come but i can't take a day off work

Am very very jealous you Europeans get to go anywhere on weekends for a quick weekend away! ... Here, it seems to take a long time to get to good places and it's limited.

I would love to ride in Switzerland. One day! Next European holiday!

 

[Wally]

Toll roads will have a blue sign with "peage" under the area name. They usually start with a booth that dispenses a ticket. You then insert this ticket into a toll booth at the end of that toll road. You are then told how much the toll is. My advice would be to use a bumbag or tankbag to keep these tickets and money for the tolls. Keep a few 5 Euro notes and a bunch of 2 Euro coins handy.

When we bisected france, I think the cheapest toll we encountered was just over 2 Euro, and the most expensive was just over 10 Euro.

The toll roads make short work of doing distance in france so if you're pressed for time they're very handy. The minor roads are excellent quality and in general, traffic is quite sparce on the minor roads.

www.viamichelin.com and the aa route planner site are very good for plotting your route.

Brilliant. Thanks!

It's only 110km's or so from Calais to Fromelles so doesn't really matter if I take the "back roads" .. if I was going a lot further, the toll roads would make sense I think.[hr]

Just drove through france recently and to get from the ferry in the west to the Swiss boarder in the East it cost over €50 in Tolls. Granted there were only 3 tolls, a €2 then a €25 and a €32 and I travelled something like 900Km on the roads at 150km/h permently and no traffic so they were worth it.

I don't think they care if you are on a bike or in a car the tolls are all the same.

After a brief google .. I think there is a reduced fare for bikes. Think I'll avoid it anyway.

And I used to complain about the cost of Melbourne toll roads .. cheap as chips compared to France![hr]

I wish i could come but i can't take a day off work

Am very very jealous you Europeans get to go anywhere on weekends for a quick weekend away! ... Here, it seems to take a long time to get to good places and it's limited.

I would love to ride in Switzerland. One day! Next European holiday!

Yeah, I was surprised when I punched it into Google maps So close! Can't wait. Might get there a bit early and check out some coastal roads in France

 

[Cerberus]

give me a year or two to ride over from sydney to the meet point in europe.. if i am 5 mins late.. sorry means i got held up in traffic

on a serious note.. i hate you! haha so want to do a riding trip through europe!

 

[Matt]

me too.

i'll be going in a couple of years...

 

[Wally]

Mr Orange, do I need one of those GB stickers on my bike / number plate? I remember hearing something about that when in mainland Europe.

(yes I know I'm lazy and google is the answer my friend .. too much on this morning!)

 

[K916]

When you riding to Austria Waldo?

Have a strudle for me ...*drools*

 

[ajhutch]

think you're also meant to carry spare lightbulbs. not sure if thats still the case tho

 

[Wally]

think you're also meant to carry spare lightbulbs. not sure if thats still the case tho

Thats crazy talk .. crazy French

Hmmmmm .. luckily I'm only going for a day basically, so touch wood I'll be ok.

 

[Osiris]

oh another thing not sure if it was mentioned ....always have your lights on as the cops will fine you big time!!! also don't be doing 240kph as they will chase you and not like it one bit and fine you up your arse!!

the speed limit is 130kph but you can get away with 140 - 150kph if you just keep your eyes peeled....also there are a lot of cars, white one, that look suspicious with a big plus thingy on their hood...these are ambos of sorts so just blast by them all you gota look out for are the Gendarmerie

this is the colour of vehical you need to look out for and also angry men inside like this dude.....ok he's not as manly as he thinks he is

 

[Wally]

LOL @ that cop dude. What rude pants .. and boots .. and hair etc

I have driven a fair bit in France, pretty cool how it's 130kph or 110 if raining / foggy. Good thinking and smart law.

I don't plan on breaking any rules while I'm there, and if you look on a map, it's only a very short ride east from Calais so hopefully won't be getting into any strife!

Might head up / down the coast a bit though depending how much time I have. Man I hope it doesn't rain!

 

[Osiris]

ah cool well you see i didn't fully read all the posts kinda skimmed over them with me being in work and all and with me being busy etc

yeah the cops didn't like me too much going that fast and with being chased for 20kms, which i didn't know about.....until they stopped me and gave out to me a bit and fined the shit outa me lol

nice well if the weather is anything like what you have been getting over in engerland you will be fine!!

 

[Wally]

One last question .. do I need an "international drivers license" or will I get away with my Aussie one if I get pulled?

Cheers again lads

 

[Wally]

Hotel booked .. in Belgium. Man this continent is small

http://www.dehollemeersch.be/pages/?menuId=17&contentId=21

Can't fooking wait

Anyone wanna come

 

[King Kenny]

Shit only say this now Waldo.


Bring your insurance cert & V5 docs in case you get pulled. You can get done for a noisey exhaust so that's always a risk. Always have your lights on & carry spare bulbs. Dunno about the Aussie license for sure but I's say you're good. You need to show a GB sticker too unfortunately.

If you get pulled IMMEDIATLEY let them know that your are an Aussie & maybe drop in the line that your missus is Austrian (they like continental Europeans). The French HATE the Pommes like no other & will assume you are a Brit until you let them know otherwise. Having basic French to say 'Hello' & 'I cant speak French, can you speak English' helps heaps too.

Have fun man!!

 

[Wally]

Shit only say this now Waldo.


Bring your insurance cert & V5 docs in case you get pulled. You can get done for a noisey exhaust so that's always a risk. Always have your lights on & carry spare bulbs. Dunno about the Aussie license for sure but I's say you're good. You need to show a GB sticker too unfortunately.

If you get pulled IMMEDIATLEY let them know that your are an Aussie & maybe drop in the line that your missus is Austrian (they like continental Europeans). The French HATE the Pommes like no other & will assume you are a Brit until you let them know otherwise. Having basic French to say 'Hello' & 'I cant speak French, can you speak English' helps heaps too.

Have fun man!!

Awesome! Thanks dude.

Good thinking with the insurance and V5 (whatever that is .. hehe) docs with me!

I always ride with my lights on, but don't have any spare bulbs .. think I'll just have to run that risk

Have a pretty noisy bike too so that sounds a little risky!

Grrrr .. going to have to pick up a GB sticker now then Hopefully can get them at a servo or something!

I'm not going to learn basic French in a day so will just have to go with my charm, Aussie accent and stunning good looks

Hoping nothing happens of course, but you never know. And again .. only traveling a little bit into France really so one would hope I can do it without incident! *touch wood*

So .. Belgium ....................................... just kidding .. I'll wing it

Thanks all!

 

[Stavros]

Can't fooking wait

Anyone wanna come

Yes. Very much.

The spirit is willing, but the bank balance is weak.