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
  #1  
Old 14 Mar 2006
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 15
France/Spain trip - bike safe stop overs

Hi everyone.

My question is can any of you seasoned travellers tell me of places I can stay in France and Spain without worrying about my bike getting pinced or as my mum says me "getting kidnapped"!

My route is:

On way:
Day one stay over in Bordeaux
Day two stay in Lloret De Mar
3 and 4 with nan
On way back
Day 5 stay somewhere near Lourdes (Fr)
Day 6 stay in La Rochelle

Any bike safe places to recommend?

My first trip abroad so any hints/tips most welcome, in particular places to stay in these areas slatned towards bike security.

Ta very much

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 14 Mar 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Dorset, UK
Posts: 143
You could try the Villages Hotels group, if within your budget, and I'm sure it would give yourself and mother peace of mind.
Most, if not all, have secure overnight parking, you can check-in at any time using credit card (good if you arrive late).
Rooms are generally clean, private facilities and you can get breakfast.
There is a website so you can plan, and/or prebook your accommodation.

http://www.villages-hotel.com/
You might also find some usefull links here:
www.4x4-travel.co.uk
Go to the links page.
Kevin
__________________
www.4x4-travel.co.uk
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 14 Mar 2006
XRM's Avatar
XRM XRM is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kinross-shire, Scotland
Posts: 117
La rochelle

We were three nights here - a bit out of town -10 mins walking - has a car park at the side with a gate that is closed at night.

Francis EYBERG [savary-hotel@wanadoo.fr]

------------------
.. no gods .. precious few heroes.

[This message has been edited by XRM (edited 14 March 2006).]
__________________
.. no gods .. precious few heroes ...
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 14 Mar 2006
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 15
thank you for the recommendations....most appreciated...
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 16 Mar 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,598
My wife and I run a BnB near Parthenay ( about 60 miles from La Rochelle, we have undercover parking ( its a farm ) We are on a D road (D938) which is much used as a shortcut avoing the peages to Samur/le Mans. contact me if you ( or anyone else is interested)

[This message has been edited by oldbmw (edited 15 March 2006).]
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 16 Mar 2006
electric_monk's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Waterford, Ireland
Posts: 309
Any time I was in France on the bike I just turned up at 2 star hotels without booking, always got accomodtaion and they were always willing to bend over backwards to look after the bike as well. God I miss the place think I'll go and book something now...!!
__________________
The electric monk always has faith.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 17 Mar 2006
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 15
Electric Monk - sounds good. What was the latest you could just turn up?!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 17 Mar 2006
Matt Cartney's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
I just rode through france staying at Formule 1 hotels. They're cheap and clean, but hardly memorable holiday venues! Good if you're just passing through though.
In terms of security many have a gate that's locked at night, the little booklet you can pick up in them tells you which ones.
From a security point of view I always feel safest camping as the bike is only ever 2 feet away!
Matt
__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 17 Mar 2006
electric_monk's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Waterford, Ireland
Posts: 309
Hey Meeks

Most times would have tried to find somewhere at around 4 or 5 in the afternoon, the only time we had a problem finding somewhere the people who were turning us away were always trying to find us somewhere to stay and in the end we stayed in a litle country guesthouse which turned out to be the best place we stayed.
The french attitude to motorcyclists is "I wish that was me, good luck to you".
my advice is to stay away from the beaten track and tenjoy the hospitality.

------------------
The electric monk always has faith.
__________________
The electric monk always has faith.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 18 Mar 2006
mustaphapint's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Brittany, France
Posts: 401
If you feel more secure by planning your route and stops beforehand, then use the internet to plan your stops. Most chains in France such as Campanile or Ibis give enough info as to whether they have secure parking or not. If you are a bit more adventurous then take a chance and start looking from around 5pm. Most French cities have large billboards on their approach advertising their hotels and most chains like this are around 30 to 40 euros for a double room. Preferably stick to the back roads or route nationale (N roads) and look out for the Chambre d'hote (bed and breakfast) signs. They will be more friendly, cheaper and being out of the towns more secure for your bike, plus you will feel you have enjoyed more of the "real" France. If I were you I would certainly think about booking a stop at La Rochelle as posted above. You can also go to the tourist information place when you arrive in a town and ask them to organize or recommend accomodation.
When we are travelling in France as a group we usually book in advance at somewhere like a Campanile, but on our own we drift where we fancy and start looking from around 4 or 5pm. Not been let down yet and I know which I prefer.
Enjoy your trip.

[This message has been edited by harleyrider (edited 17 March 2006).]
__________________
If you think you are too small to make a difference you have never spent the night with a mosquito.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 18 Mar 2006
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 15
Thanks to everyone for the advice and tips so far, most appreciated.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 21 Mar 2006
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,123
Quote:
Originally posted by electric_monk:
Any time I was in France on the bike I just turned up at 2 star hotels without booking, always got accomodtaion and they were always willing to bend over backwards to look after the bike as well.
That's been my experience as well, over the last 5 years of riding in France every summer. Just look for simple lodging (a 2 or 3 star hotel, a B & B, or a gîte) that appears to have either a fenced compound or a garage / barn attached to it. The operators will - without exception - be willing to store your bike either in the building or around the back of the house, in a fairly secure area.

Security is much more easily looked after in small and medium sized towns than in big cities. If you decide to overnight in a big city, then you pretty much have to find lodging that has either a locked up compound (rare) or an underground garage (which is usually attached to an expensive hotel).

As long as you avoid overnighting in the big cities, you will have no shortage of pleasant and inexpensive lodging available, all with satisfactory security for your moto. Don't worry about it a bit.

Michael

Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 22 Mar 2006
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 15
Michael thanks for that. Got some great information and advice on France. Thanks to all.

Can anyone add anything further on Spain please in terms of safe bike places to stay etc?

Many thanks.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 22 Mar 2006
electric_monk's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Waterford, Ireland
Posts: 309
Meeks.

I have found that exactly the same advice applies to Spain. As Michael stated above keep to the smaller towns.
__________________
The electric monk always has faith.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 28 Mar 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: aachen/germany and valence/france
Posts: 95
safest would be to stay at home with your mother..

------------------
regards...
-=airhead=-
http://www.euroheads.org
http://le-chais.de.vu
__________________
regards...
-=airhead=-

http://www.euroheads.org
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


 
 

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 18:02.