I am due to be riding in France for the first time, and unsure of what i need to take with me apart from my passport and insurance and breakdown/recovery of course.
What is it like riding on the other side of the road?
What do i need to do for securing my GTR on the ferry? or do the ferry staff secure them for you.
I will be gratefulm ,of your advice.
Glen
read this thread , the link is page 3 , read my post about what to take to france, i did quite a bit of research before i went as there are lots of myths about what to and not to take. Ive not had my definative list contradicted as yet .
im not a fan of the ferry as the chunnel is so so so easy and safe, the chunnel cost is about £25 each way and pillion goes free. The ferries, most make you tie down with their ropes as to get out of liability, if you are in experienced you may struggle knowing the best way to tie down,
take the time to go through relevent posts on here as all these subjects have been done to death and other members with more experience have made some really good contributions
if you have any specific questions you can PM me
http://www.gtr1400.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic,513.msg22076.html#msg22076
riding on wrong side of road, easy if you concentrate, roundabouts seem to be the possible incident areas, and when emerging from junctions , just look every way , i only seem to have a problem when i get back to uk , remembering what side to be on!
have done the alps every year of the last 10
P&O supply straps but you have to strap the bike down yourself.. Ferries are normally cheaper but the Eurotunnel is awesome...
You also need to take your V5.
I go to France a lot and I prefer to ride over there.. The car drivers tend to be more aware of bikers and pull to the side to let you through if in traffic..
I was lucky to get a deal with DFDS.. Booked before end of Jan for a 20% discount... Got my ticket for £27.50 Return. Not been with them before so it will be interesting.. :wacko:
After talking to one of the senior AA reps at the head office who looks after the website for compulsary equipment in europe i can confirm the following. If you take what the french authorities need then that will cover you for all of europe, mostly
Original bikes docs , v5, insurance ect, not copies,licence
GB sticker
bulb kit
headlights on at all times
high viz vest to be worn if immobilsied on a main carriageway.
beam benders not required for bikes, the law is not to dazzle, so only headlamp height adjustment could be challenged
warning triangle , not compulsary for bikes
reflective jacket, only an area of 150 cm sq has to be reflective ( ave cig packet size ), however still not law in france 2013
first aid kit, only comp in austria and croatia
fire extinguisher , no
twin pack NF approved breathalyser ( 2013, not in force yet )
Think you'll find the reflective and breathalyser legislation is suspended indefinitely
i have always used the ferry as i have to go 280 miles to get to dover . so its nice to have a chill out time before you get to the other side. just keep rembering what side you are meant to be on , very much so on any narrow country roads. the back roads are very quiet . you will have a great time . just take some good waterproofs. ... :biker3:
you will be fine in france on the wrong side,just be careful for a few days when you get home and are more relaxed
There should be nothing to worry about whilst riding in France, the French drivers are, in the main, courteous and aware of bikers, the roads are generally better than here too.
I used the Chunnel to travel to France last August and returned on the P & O ferry overnight from Zebrugge to Hull the chunnel is so easy as it takes only about half an hour, you can stand next to your bike when its parked on its side stand. Using the ferry means that you will be required to strap your bike down, and I think you already have a link to the post on here that gives info in that respect.
Have a great time and enjoy.
I am pretty sure that you need to carry a first aid kit and spare light bulbs with you in France too.
As for riding on the right side of the road, when somebody comes at you on your side of the road it's most likely you who is on the wrong side. :oops:
First time i took the ferry i was realy impressed. They had "slots" for the bike. You paked in aslot in the floor with front wheel in a slot on the wall. Then they straped it down for me. Pushing it forward and down. If the ferry tiped over my bike would still have been there upside down, but not moved.
To bad i cant remember what ferry it was.
I grew up over there (Belgium) so switching sides is a doddle for me.
When the road markings change, my brain just switches sides.
My friends normally stick a piece of insulating tape to the right side of the windscreen or the right wingmirror.
The side with the tape should ALWAYS be nearest the kerb.
The only real danger points are when turning left (it's ACROSS and then left!!) and roundabouts.
Roundabouts in France/Belgium/Holland/Germany are a mess.
Nobody knows how to use them and yes they are way worse than the muppets we get in the UK.
Don't plan too many miles for your first day over as you will have to concentrate more than normal and that can be exhausting.
Make certain that your E111 is current and if more than a few days some cheap travel insurance my be worthwhile.
Don't get caught speeding as the French police are now :shit: hot on UK speeders and their fines are getting silly expensive.
If you need to cover a lot of distance fast then the Peages are worth the money. They are very smooth and comparatively traffic free.
Avoid the non-Peage dual carriageways as they will be packed with trucks.
For the scenic ride take the single carriageways and take your time.
Riding in France is fun, once yer off the beaten path.
Quote from: Boomer on February 04, 2013, 02:26:02 PM
If you need to cover a lot of distance fast then the Peages are worth the money. They are very smooth and comparatively traffic free.
Avoid the non-Peage dual carriageways as they will be packed with trucks.
For the scenic ride take the single carriageways and take your time.
Riding in France is fun, once yer off the beaten path.
...couldn't agree more with this advise - I love riding in France and Belgium...
Quote from: mecki on February 04, 2013, 12:38:00 PM
I am pretty sure that you need to carry a first aid kit and spare light bulbs with you in France too.
As for riding on the right side of the road, when somebody comes at you on your side of the road it's most likely you who is on the wrong side. :oops:
bulb kit is on my list, however first aid kit is not mandatory in france, only austria and croatia, this is documented on the aa site
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/compulsory_equipment.pdf
At this moment in time all you actually need to take on a motorbike is
Original documents
bulb kit
Gb sticker/ Euro plate
High viz vest to be worn if you breakdown on a main carriageway
thats all folks
I always put an elastic band or something on a mirror or handle bar - for that panic moment where you suddenly think - WHICH SIDE
I do this in the car as well
Well there you are Mr Knightraider ... you won't get more help than this forum has to offer ... take the advice from all here, read the previous threads and ENJOY yourself ... as Debs and OC say the French drivers are much more aware AND polite to bikers as a whole .. it's in their DNA I think !
I love riding over there ... more so when it's warm and sunny ! :cool: :cool:
Quote from: Winston Smith on February 03, 2013, 11:49:04 PM
Think you'll find the reflective and breathalyser legislation is suspended indefinitely
are you sure about that?
He is, I also read somewhere possibly the AA site, that's automobile's site not alcohol anonymous that they had suspended indefinatly the high viz and breathalyser stuff.
Alan
It had been scrapped. I will post the notification I got once back at my pc..
:clap: that's less :shit: we need to carry :smiley:
Quote from: 2kwacks on February 04, 2013, 06:38:04 PM
are you sure about that?
after winston put that about the law suspension , i researched it and it appears to have been suspended, change of government trying to side with the natives me thinks
found it -
http://ukfrancebikers.com/2013/01/20/france-compulsory-reflective-clothing-scrapped/
it dose not mention they have scrapped the breathalyzers test :no: or do I need to visit specsavers again :smiley:
That came along after this info...I will post this once I find it.
Quote from: PCPeteUK on February 04, 2013, 08:44:05 PM
That came along after this info...I will post this once I find it.
thankgod for that! not long had my specs :mfr_lol:
I agee with all the coments theres not much to worry about its just the unknown, once you`ve done it its a doddle.
There is one im not sure about and thats the speed warning on sat navs if your using sat nav, its supposed to be switched off ?
Even though i travel from northumberland i use the chunnel its so easy, as for a break, yes it only takes 30mins but by the time
you que, load, travel unload that could be an hr.
I did my first trip abroad 4yrs ago and since cant get enough, ive been over 7 times now and heading for Spain again in June
go for it and enjoy. The comment on return is my concern too, i struggle for a couple of days.
Some may disagree but in busier areas i tend to do what the locals do and follow their actions at a distance mind, with signs
and lights diff to ours you dont always have time to suss it out.
I've only ridden on the far side of the Chanel three times and my observations are:
Consider a marker of some sort on your RH mirror to remind you to ride on the right.
I tended to stop at T junctions to make sure that I thought positively about which side of the road to turn onto.
Think about the priority from side roads rule that still applies in some places.
I adapted (imho) quiet easily to riding on the right and as stated elsewhere in this thread the French do seem to pay more heed to and make room for bikers.
Finally I've used the Chunnel twice and rate it above the ferry.
P
Quote from: skill on February 05, 2013, 08:14:40 PM
I agee with all the coments theres not much to worry about its just the unknown, once you`ve done it its a doddle.
There is one im not sure about and thats the speed warning on sat navs if your using sat nav, its supposed to be switched off ?
Even though i travel from northumberland i use the chunnel its so easy, as for a break, yes it only takes 30mins but by the time
you que, load, travel unload that could be an hr.
I did my first trip abroad 4yrs ago and since cant get enough, ive been over 7 times now and heading for Spain again in June
go for it and enjoy. The comment on return is my concern too, i struggle for a couple of days.
Some may disagree but in busier areas i tend to do what the locals do and follow their actions at a distance mind, with signs
and lights diff to ours you dont always have time to suss it out.
radar detectors are forbidden, but cant see how the settings in your sat nav could be policed
Quote from: viper on February 05, 2013, 08:44:34 PM
radar detectors are forbidden, but cant see how the settings in your sat nav could be policed
There was some talk at one time, about the illegality Sat Navs providing warning of fixed speed cameras, I think its probably a load of tosh like the breathalyser kits etc....but I could be wrong :whistling:
Quote from: olde coney on February 05, 2013, 08:55:54 PM
There was some talk at one time, about the illegality Sat Navs providing warning of fixed speed cameras, I think its probably a load of tosh like the breathalyser kits etc....but I could be wrong :whistling:
In this case you definitely are.
Yup you are, speed camera locations in France are banned and if you get caught the fine and possible confiscation of your bike is not worth it, having just downloaded an update to my Tom Tom Rider the notice that no camera locations for France will be installed comes right across the screen.
Most other countries I can download them, but France is a no no.
Alan
from tomtom website:
Changes to the law in France
Since decree n°2012-3 was introduced on 3 January 2012 it has been illegal to be warned about the position of fixed or mobile speed cameras while you are driving in France. If your TomTom navigation device has the Speed Camera service and you continue to use the service, you risk a fine of up to €1500.
New update: TomTom Speed Camera service becomes Danger Zones in France
TomTom had a meeting with the Road Safety Ministry to clarify the situation regarding new and upcoming legislation. As a result, TomTom is introducing a 100% compliant Danger Zones service available in a free download for compatible products.
Thanks for the clarification patrick, I'll be the first to admit it when I'm wrong :yes:
I only knew as I recently bought a new tom tom live :mfr_lol:
Hi
I'm new to the forum but have done many miles in europe and france. my best advice is ride sensibly and don't worry about what can go wrong. Sometimes the best times are when things don't go to plan. In sept 2012 we went to spain on the Brittany Ferry but on our return the ferry was cancelled. we had 1 hour before we where in france with no planning and no accomodation. over 1000 miles later we where at calais. The GTR made the journey easy
Quote from: Kurt on February 10, 2013, 02:04:35 PM
Hi
I'm new to the forum but have done many miles in europe and france. my best advice is ride sensibly and don't worry about what can go wrong. Sometimes the best times are when things don't go to plan. In sept 2012 we went to spain on the Brittany Ferry but on our return the ferry was cancelled. we had 1 hour before we where in france with no planning and no accomodation. over 1000 miles later we where at calais. The GTR made the journey easy
:185: Kurt, its great to have new members on this friendly forum
There's plenty advice available on here, so don't be afraid to ask, as you will have seen there's also a fair bit of piss taking too :mfr_lol:
I see that you are in Wigan which puts you in the North not the South where the Southern shandy swilling softies reside :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: :oops:
That should get them going :clap:
Quote from: olde coney on February 10, 2013, 06:01:25 PM
Southern shandy swilling softies reside :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: :oops:
That should get them going :clap:
Oi :gun_bandana: :gun_bandana: :gun_bandana: :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol:
Excuse me the TOONS north where your broon ale is. The north isnt owt above Watford.
My theory is from the Scottish boarder to Brighton is approx 400mls so 130mls ish below that is the north.
The next 130mls midlands therefore the last 130 must be the south.
Berwick-Carlisle to Ripon-Lancaster NORTH. Then all places below to Leicester-Wolves- Norwich MIDLANDS
and below that the SOUTH.
The middle middle is Derbyish, and by the way cloth caps and greyhounds/whippets are long gone as are the pits, thats mines
for the Southerners :mfr_lol:
Hi all,
2 things :innocent:
1) you are not allowed to have speed camera locations relayed to you via your GPS etc. However, you will find that you can get "zones à danger" instead which give about 2 - 5km of zones where there might [read will] be a speed camera. This is perfectly legal :punk:
2) Please please please be aware, if you're not used to driving / riding in France, of the "priority à droite" law.
BY DEFAULT traffic coming from the right has priority. This means that unless otherwise stated (by means of give way signs for the other road etc.) you could be going through town or a country road - even on a larger more 'important' road, and traffic will just join your road because they have priority over you.
In general, people do tend to look, and those not letting them out will get lots of gallic shrugs / beeping of horns etc. but sometimes, they force their way out or don't look at all.
Sometimes you will see this sign to warn of 'priorité à droite' at the next junction:
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F23VNk03YxQ/S1NoW2-Jv1I/AAAAAAAAA4M/mFhrVXbe030/s320/min-prioritnnodroite.jpg)
Sometimes you won't.
To explain:
The red car here has priority to turn left across the blue car to join the stream of green traffic. He has no give way sign and there may or may not be a 'priorité à droite' sign for the blue car.
(http://up.autotitre.com/b27bf316f2.jpg)
Here are some examples of what it looks like for real:
(http://www.permisecole.com/code-route/priorites/priorite-a-droite-3.jpg)
The guy looking out of the junction on the right has priority over you and is perfectly in his right to pull out at any moment. You must give way. Here there is a nice big sign. But on country roads, and up the mountains in less urban areas, there are fewer of them.
If you see this, SLOW DOWN and be prepared to give way to someone pulling out from the right:
(http://www.examen-theorie.ch/la_theorie_pour_les_nuls/image/30p6.jpg)
Remember, the 'priorité à droite' rule is there BY DEFAULT, so unless road signs say otherwise, that's how it is.
Car park exits / driveways do not count. Even in France there is some debate about what constitutes a 'priorité à droite' and what doesn't...
Just be careful :innocent:
Enjoy!
Cheers
Ros
This rule does not only apply in France.
In Germany it is also 'Rechts vor Links' unless a sign gives you the right of way.
I wouldn't be surprised if this is the rule in most European countries.
Same in norway. And the right of way when comming from right is never posted with a sign.
When this sign is used it mean: dangerous junction, normaly some exit hidden by trees, buildings or other things.
It also seems to apply in Grange -over-Sands which is a local retirement town in the Lake District :mfr_lol:
Thanks for the heads up on that Ros....valuable advice :clap:
There's a similar system operates in Bradford as well. It applies to every junction & drive way.
To survive you need these :gunsmilie: and ideally one of these... :asshole:
Now I am confused.
So how does that work in the UK?
If two roads meet and there are no signs, who has the right of way? :wacko:
Quote from: mecki on February 12, 2013, 05:17:49 PM
Now I am confused.
So how does that work in the UK?
If two roads meet and there are no signs, who has the right of way? :wacko:
GTR riders of course.
Alan
Quote from: BigAlan on February 12, 2013, 06:16:26 PM
GTR riders of course.
But what if two GTRs are approaching the intersection at the same time?
Well, I suppose both stop and have a yarn first anyway, but purely hypothetical? :mfr_lol:
Quote from: mecki on February 13, 2013, 08:17:47 AM
But what if two GTRs are approaching the intersection at the same time?
Well, I suppose both stop and have a yarn first anyway, but purely hypothetical? :mfr_lol:
I dont think anyone know :mfr_lol:
From the French Motomag.. http://www.motomag.com/Radars-automatiques-un-depute-propose-un-allegement-des-sanctions.html
Speed cameras: one member proposed an easing of sanctions
The UMP Haute-Saône, Alain Chrétien , who is also mayor of Vesoul, filed Feb. 12 a bill aimed at easing the penalty for small speeding. He asks that speeding less than 10 km / h, "committed out of town and on the highway" , are no longer subject to the loss of a point allowed.
Relaxation.
Whilst the National Road Safety (NCRP) has released its first recommendations, after a plenary meeting Wednesday, February 13, UMP deputy of Haute-Saône Alain Chrétien, proposed an easing of sanctions related to small speeding. He filed a bill to the National Assembly in this sense, can be designed to interfere with the process of Armand Jung, member of the Upper Rhine PS chairing the NSRF.
Traffic offenders.
elected the hope that the law distinguishes between "small speeding-related inattention" , the "voluntary excess fat" . And explain: "Those who are punished because they were driving 91 km / h instead of 90 are not big traffic offenders, but many have the feeling of being treated unfairly. We must avoid situations where a motorist socially dramatic prefer driving without a license, without insurance and therefore, to avoid losing his job " . Alain Chrétien said that 500,000 French drivers run without pink paper.
12 million points lost.
In 2011, more than 12 million points were lost from the Ministry of the Interior, a figure 19.3% increase compared to the previous year. "Over 90% violations of the speed observed from excess below 20 km / h, but there was no difference in terms of withdrawal point between an offender than the speed limit by 1 km / h on motorways and the exceeding 19 km / h in the city " , says the 40 Million Motorists Association.
Repressive policy.
, we are meeting to see a member advocate for limiting penalties caused by indiscriminate and disproportionate repressive policy of automated speed enforcement. However, it is surprising to hear, as a pretext, a distinction between minor offenses related to inattention, speeding and large.
Education.
Such careless mistakes affect mainly the vulnerable road users. They could be avoided if the road safety policy was oriented towards education, as advocated by the FFMC. It is unfortunate that elected this does not go further and require this new direction in his bill.
Quote from: mecki on February 12, 2013, 05:17:49 PM
Now I am confused.
So how does that work in the UK?
If two roads meet and there are no signs, who has the right of way? :wacko:
In the UK it's Priority to the Left, same as we have on Mini-roundabouts,... unless otherwise signposted.
The big problem in France and Belgium was inadequate signposting.
Now they seem to have signed pretty much every junction.
As for the two GTR riders approaching the junction,.... well the Black one goes first obviously! :hammer:
Quote from: Boomer on February 14, 2013, 03:17:17 PM
In the UK it's Priority to the Left, same as we have on Mini-roundabouts,... unless otherwise signposted.
Its Priority to the
right in the UK, in which a driver of a vehicle shall give way to vehicles approaching from the right at Intersections & Roundabouts
If its a black GTR its not a problem, its so fast it will already have passed before you got there.
Quote from: JohnnyTh on February 14, 2013, 03:40:46 PM
If its a black GTR its not a problem, its so fast it will already have passed before you got there.
:mfr_lol: Everybody knows that green is the fastest colour. :clap:
GREEN GREEN GREEN ..... :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: LOVE IT.