I've been thinking..... next year

[pinball1008]

You have pm

[fullerton]

Quick note on cards, i tend to use American express as most of the out of hours supermarkets take it,

Steve

[Nigel]

I use FairFx, didn't cost me anything as I went through one of the money websites (can`t remember which one?) loaded it up with sterling and used it in Peru and Madrid no problem, could get Peruvian money, although low limit, or Dollars or just use as a credit card.

[-Ralph-]

It is also like saying everyone will have a problem just because you have had one., See a petrol station then fill up, no problem
Better cross France of the list then as it is getting to adventurous might just have a fuel problem :pinch: yes France are having a little problem with their economy and a few business's are shutting it does not mean you can't get fuel or you will have a problem

cheers Spud

Where did I say everyone will have a problem? Quote the opposite in fact, I've said if you stick to Nationals and Autoroutes you won't have a problem. I've also said since the OP has a 300 mile tank range he probably won't have a problem either.

The OP has asked for advise about travelling in France, and what you've put in bold/red above is exactly what I've advised him to do.

[Adrian]

92kk.....

Thank you for taking the time to write that huge post. I do appreciate your time guys.

Ade

[Adrian]

Hi pinball, I have checked and there isn't any message matey

Ade

[92kk k100lt 193214]

Adrian,

Thing is you are never really far from home. It can be easy to worry it too much. Don't. Just go and enjoy it. My first trip to France was camping with 3 kids and all the gear and bicycles. We spent time planning it, planning our route etc but didn't over kill it. There was a storm before we left and when we got to the ferryport there was no ship. A call to Irish Ferries confirmed the ship was leaving on time. The operator at the other end insisted it was running on time despite my protestation that I am arriving at the ferryport and there is no ship there despite a scheduled departure in an hours time. Knowing it had a 4 hour turnaround time was useful but it wasn't even in sight on the horizon. It eventually appeared but taught me to trust my instinct over what people tell me

Did it spoil our holiday? No, we spent the rest of the very sunny afternoon on the beach beside the ferryport, had dinner and eventually left 5 hours late. Next day our planned one day trip of 480 miles was upset because we didn't get off the ferry until after 3pm, necessitating an unplanned overnight stop at what became and remains a regular stopping off point for us. We tried our hand at archery and more. Not recoverable from insurance because the cost was less than the excess but we didn't care. We got to our destination lunchtime the next day and had a great holiday.

Some said that this was a disastrous way to start a holiday. But things happen and your frame of mind is so much more important and can be the difference between a problem and an adventure. What happens if your tent is destroyed in a storm? Head off to the nearest Decathlon and buy another one, no big deal.

We got home fine, put the car into reverse to back up to the front door and unload it. Ping. Engine died. Snapped timing belt. Rebuilding engine covered by main dealer that had installed the belt, tensioner had failed. That it happened at that point was a stroke of luck.

Forget something packing to go? Plenty of shops to buy stuff.

As for maps, worth getting the lie of the land in your head with paper maps. I don't use a satnav, its one more thing to remember to power, charge or whatever. If I want hotels its so easy to find one to stop at when you see one rather than be fixed about booking one and then finding it. If you know your routes then a satnav failure is not the end of the world.

[AndyB]

I usually buy proper maps to cover wherever I'm going but I like having the satnav if only because it means I always know how far I am from where I want to be and I can waste time or get a move on accordingly.

Satnavs are also worth having if you have a problem because it'll tell you exactly where you are which is good if you're either riding with friends and were at the back or if you need to contact a recovery service.

[Redmurty]

Ade just go and enjoy riding across France and Spain is no harder than riding across Scotland. In fact the French are friendlier to bike riders than the average English person. Take half of what you think and when you stop for petrol nip into the local supermarket and buy anything you need, it really is that simple.


You live in the "Blackcountry" nothing is harder than that :whistle:

cheers Spud

[stramasher]

Any reason you are not just getting a return ticket? You have the option of Santander and Bilbao too.

If its expense, riding the boring (in comparison to the mountains)roads up home and the wear and tear plus accomodation and drink and food n' drink it will probably be much the same.I have never considered it, never had it recommended to me. I am way further north than yourself right enough so I save the m/way slog for this country.

Maximise the time for the Picos d'Europa & both sides of the Pyrennees.And its all good roads (and lots more of stunning/fantastic ones!)Even the m/way from either port is superb. The more time you spend here the more off the beaten track you can enjoy or the further away you can explore.

Hopefully given some food for thought! Be aware once you start doing these trips, you will not be able to stop. As soon as you get back you will be thinking about where you are going to go next.

If you do get a single ferry journey I always say make it the home leg so you are riding away heading south. Much better for the heid knowing your not riding homeward!

French Pyrenees


Picos