Just come back from 1600 miles around France

[Adam Woods]

The weather in Europe this year is not good - but France delivered and the waterproofs did not have to be got out. From Le Havre in the North, to Sete in the South, via the worlds highest road bridge the Millau viaduct see http://www.fosterandpartners.com/Pro...8/Default.aspx. The VFR had to be sailed across it - the wind was so strong....a bit scary sailing a VFR at 90mph alongside 40 ton trucks - and on to the West coast and the ferry across the Gironde..... a fantastic week.... all over, back to work on Monday

[nozzle]

Gla you're back safe. nice picks' that's a high bridge...

[Marley Davidson]

If I'm not wrong it´s the higher bridge in the world!

[reg71]

wow! I clicked on the link and checked out that bridge. that is incredible... I can see how that would be scary!

[derstuka]

Nice pics! Sounds like a good time. Glad you got back safe and sound. I saw that bridge being built on the Discovery Channel away back.

[Longerfellow]

Great story and pics... except the "work" part.

[foz]

Originally Posted by Adam Woods

The weather in Europe this year is not good - but France delivered and the waterproofs did not have to be got out. From Le Havre in the North, to Sete in the South, via the worlds highest road bridge the Millau viaduct see http://www.fosterandpartners.com/Pro...8/Default.aspx. The VFR had to be sailed across it - the wind was so strong....a bit scary sailing a VFR at 90mph alongside 40 ton trucks - and on to the West coast and the ferry across the Gironde..... a fantastic week.... all over, back to work on Monday

Nice pics Adam hope you enjoyed the tour it looks exellent .. Im touring europe this year with a few mates at the end of may for a week B&Bs holland, black forrest, france etc. could you give any tips or advice on gear to take and gear not to bother with this will be my first tour I want it to be a good one, all good advice welcome

thanx foz (stu)

[scoot]

Hi Foz,

Hope to be over in Europe myself in May, my one tip is to travel light, I have been abroad many times and never used all of the kit I've taken. As you spend most time on the bike you only need minimal off bike kit, I live up to a week in one pair of jeans, one pair of trainers. Obviously enough undies and T's but less is best otherwise. I try to allow layers in case it gets cold and some wet gear just in case.
Legally you need to take spare bulbs, ownership docs, medical E111 form, driving license, recovery etc but this changes by country and I'm no expert on this.
If you're looking for somewhere to stay between Holland and the Black Forest have a look at the Eifel region, it's close to the Nurburgring, Luxembourg and the Mosel Valley and all have some superb roads, and places to see.
This is a good biker friendly hotel:
http://www.mueller-kyllburg.de/english/
I can reccomend it, they have a garage for bikes, a good bar, comfortable rooms and not very expensive. and are on the edge of the Eifel and about 40 miles from the above mentioned places. Have a look at a map or on the internet for those roads that are marked as being "interesting" the place is littered with them!

Enjoy your first Euro ride,

Paul
Scoot

[benjammer]

Man I like that blue on the VFR.

[Adam Woods]

Foz
As Scoot says... travel lite. Put the stuff together then aim to halve it.
We always camp, its far more fun, and you are never on a mission to get to a given location. Tent from Lidl, if you must have a small stove (we generally manage without...there is always a cafe/routiers type place around somewhere). I agree with Scoot on the waterproofs - when you need them boy do you need them (again the cheapest litest ones you can get) - Everything in the "to pack" pile needs some real questions answering before it gets to travel - ask, are you sure you need them...after all there are shops in France! :-)

When you have traveled record on a bit of paper the stuff you used and did'nt use - keep the bit of paper with the E111 for next year - aim to reduce each year - it makes the bike handle better....and after all thats what it is all about, isn'nt it??

Remember you will want to buy bottles of wine/beer and food occasionally and travel somewhere with them, so you must not fill up every cranny. Even last Oct when I took the bike to John O'Groats for about 7 days (I'd never been.... and I can now say with authority "there is nothing there"!) , everything went in the side panniers and a small tank bag.
- Also remember t shirts, towels adn the like can be washed and dry out on the back of the bike after a morning.... so do you need a set of clothes per day... I think not - as long as you have something reasonable for an evening restaurant - shorts and a clean tshirt in a sealed poly bag somewhere where it won't get too creased :-)

Adam

[Adam Woods]

Oh ... forgot to say... that was two of us on that trip with one bike (see picture). You can see the luggage... not a lot!