Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 15 Jan 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Falkirk, Scotland
Posts: 144
There's no point in me repeating the stuff you've been told to take so I won't. However, the advice you got just to forget about the GB sticker is BAD advice. If you put one on and go, then it doesn't matter if you need it or not. If you DON'T put one on and go, then find out the hard way that you ned one, where are you going to buy one? Get one and stick it on before you go. If nothing else you won't ruin you trip worrying about it, you WILL worry about it as soon as you get off the ferry in France if you don't have it.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 27 Jan 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 37
cheers for all the advice guys, i'm looking forward to my little trip already!!
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 30 Jan 2009
illustratedman's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: UK/Kent
Posts: 65
Quote:
Originally Posted by JimOD View Post
However, the advice you got just to forget about the GB sticker is BAD advice.
I didnt say 'just forget about the GB sticker'. I said if you have one of the new style number plates with the GB on the plate it is not needed, this applies throughout the EU.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 30 Jan 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Falkirk, Scotland
Posts: 144
Quote:
Originally Posted by illustratedman View Post
I didnt say 'just forget about the GB sticker'. I said if you have one of the new style number plates with the GB on the plate it is not needed, this applies throughout the EU.
Calm down old boy. I never said you did. Read the thread again. No need for the raised eyebrows.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 31 Jan 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 1
Here on this forum you can find very useful advices.Thanx a lot...!
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 31 Jan 2009
strimstrum's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Alcester UK & Idilevo, Bulgaria
Posts: 329
Just a quick note on navigation in France without a GPS. If you don't speak French (I do) it can be a bit confusing at first when approaching large towns & cities following signs for a particular town or city further along your route. If signs showing where you are heading suddenly disappear then all you need to do is follow signs saying "TOUTES DIRECTIONS" or sometimes says "AUTRES DIRECTIONS" (meaning All Directions or Other Directions). If you keep following these signs you should eventually reach signage which directs you along your chosen route. My first few trips to France in the late 70's and early 80's had me cursing about French signage until the penny finally dropped and it then becam a piece of p**s.
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 1 Feb 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Warwick
Posts: 33
Hi Iand
I found this link useful, for my first trip abroad last year.
First-Time Motorcycle Tour of Europe? - Article from Motorcycle Co UK
It repeats a lot of what has been said, but it useful info...
Enjoy your ride
Jay
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 2 Feb 2009
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 188
Personally in over forty years of riding/driving in Europe I've never ever had a GB sticker. I do have a small Flag of St.George sticker though.

As for riding on the 'wrong' side of the road, when I leave Calais Docks (for instance) I simply follow the general traffic for a few miles before my first overtake. It then becomes natural within a few minutes.

Concentration is essential and I've found if I do make a mistake, it'll be first thing in the morning when leaving the hotel, or pulling out from a petrol station. In addition, when you return to the UK, it's also easy to make a mistake here too.

The great thing with riding abroad is that for the most part, it's a lot less congested than here. Last summer we rode down to Austria and that included a spell though Southern Germany. At a steady 80mph, I was the slowest thing on the autobahn and German drivers are fast with precious little patience. A tiny dot in the rear view mirror becomes a 130mph Audi TT with it's headlights blazing within seconds. I was glad to get off the autobahn and onto the minor roads.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Motorcycle Hire in Normandy Adziw Europe 4 16 Apr 2013 12:02
To buy abroad or not to buy abroad??? mewdvm Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 6 7 Jan 2009 19:11
Long weekend - USA trip veerkar Travellers Seeking Travellers 0 7 Aug 2008 14:12
Normandy at the end of July steveindenmark Travellers Seeking Travellers 3 7 Jan 2008 23:04
Quick trip to Normandy, anyone? Jacqueslemac Europe 5 6 Oct 2007 13:12

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 07:25.