Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - Uk to France for a Newbie?

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- - Uk to France for a Newbie? (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/europe/uk-to-france-for-newbie-69050)

Quote:

Originally Posted by pauljt73 (Post 414831)

So, to ride two up through France, would we need one, two, or no hi-vis vests?
Will we need spare bulbs and a breathalyser kit.
What if you had a breathalyser but after a heavy night used it to check you were ok to drive/ride............ can you say to the peelers "sorry officer, I'm as rough as a badgers arse and had to use it to ensure I was fit to drive. Here look, I've still got it under my seat, I didn't want to litter your gorgeous countryside."

You will realise that this particular thread has been about driving in France.

There have been a lot of earlier threads about riding in France so I will limit my own comment thus:- I have seen very few bikes in the last few days while driving across all of the north of France into the Alps - the vast majority of those riders were French and they were not wearing any hi-vis clothing.
Yes, you are expected to carry spare bulbs but no for the breathalyser kit business (supposedly, that was a proposal when Sarkhosy was the President and it has been placed "on hold" since he was not re-elected; it is also said that his brother-in-law owned the breathalyser factory - make of that rumour what you will, but please don't say that politics is boring!).
For the rest of discussion about riding in France just look back a little for when the weather was last good enough for such activity - loads of things about speed cameras for instance. :innocent:

I did 3,500 miles through France last July on a Kawasaki Versys, camping and hostelling. in September i was two up on a Hayabusa. Two totally different trips and roads. Absolultley brilliant. I loved it. From Calais to Millau then over to Italy border.

I want to go back !!!! Not a problem anywhere, :funmeteryes:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walkabout (Post 414901)

...but no for the breathalyser kit business (supposedly, that was a proposal when Sarkhosy was the President and it has been placed "on hold" since he was not re-elected;

However, at the beginning of March it was re-introduced as some dick thought it was a good idea.
They then ruled that the fine for not having one was scrapped.

Soooo the state of play is. YES, you need a breathalyser, NO, you will not be fined for not having one.

I don't carry them. Car or bike. Why would you?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walkabout (Post 414901)

I have seen very few bikes in the last few days while driving across all of the north of France into the Alps - the vast majority of those riders were French and they were not wearing any hi-vis clothing.

I've driven a few hundred Km over the past few days from France into Switzerland and seen just one bike rider wearing hi viz stuff (and that was in Switzerland).
OK, there were not a lot of bikes around compared with the height of summer, but there were a few out for a day ride last Saturday, including on part of the route des Grande Alps (which was snow free and dry); sports bikes and Harleys mainly - no sign of intrepid adventurers in the daily temps of about -6 cent at about 1000m ASL.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redboots (Post 415025)

Glad I haven't bought any. :innocent: But I did invest in a nice new, shiny hi viz vest for about 6 euro when I realised that the other one was left behind in the UK.