Author Topic: Riding in Europe (Read 3537 times)

Ianmc · « **Reply #20 on:** July 10, 2022, 13:31:49 »

Anyone taken a Post Office Travel credit card to Spain recently ?
Did it work OK ?
T.I.A.

Methusela · « **Reply #21 on:** July 10, 2022, 17:45:52 »

We always used the Post Office credit card for travel just because they didn't charge for foreign use. However the Post Office gave up their card last year and transferred it all over to JaJa. It was their credit card which we used and again there is no foreign use charge. Hope this helps.

Youngman · « **Reply #22 on:** July 10, 2022, 18:10:56 »

You'll need a Hi-Vis vest or jacket. Good idea anyway.
Found out filtering in Germany is against the law, but if you play dumb they'll let you off.
Just be aware if there's a cop.
Have a great time!

crump · « **Reply #23 on:** July 10, 2022, 19:00:45 »

Has the hi viz vest changes recently then? You used to have to carry one with you in case of a breakdown

Ianmc · « **Reply #24 on:** July 10, 2022, 19:44:32 »

Thanks Meth, sounds like it should be OK, last time I used it was in Oz and it was OK there.I have asked the question at the Post Office but they couldn’t give me a definitive answer, only “it should”.

Joe Rocket · « **Reply #25 on:** July 10, 2022, 20:05:30 »

Hiviz vests are law in France to be carried and must be worn in case of breakdown (or accident) on any road. Fines are up to 135€ for not having one.

Filtering is also now illegal. It isn't really a problem as most congestion happens in cities. Just be aware you could be pulled up if seen filtering by the police/gendarmes.

Upt North · « **Reply #26 on:** July 11, 2022, 12:53:48 »

JR.
Have the French riders really stopped filtering?
I find it hard to believe that the riders around the peripherique have decided to sit in queues of traffic. Those blokes and girls can really filter, plus French drivers have eyes on their rear bits.
On the subject of filtering in Germany, it's madness. You can have stationary traffic for miles and the German riders just sit in the queue. Crackers. But like they said, don't get caught and remember the German drivers don't like you breaking the law and will close the gaps where they can.
Upt'North.

kwackboy · « **Reply #27 on:** July 11, 2022, 13:02:39 »

Upt North..

I've ridden through Germany a handful of times, never experience anything like you describe..

OK , was a few years back , have laws changed that much now ?

Rusty Nuts · « **Reply #28 on:** July 11, 2022, 13:29:28 »

I was thinking along similar lines about his description of the French roads. Maybe we've been lucky, or upt' north was unlucky?

kwackboy · « **Reply #29 on:** July 11, 2022, 13:34:17 »

Indeed Rusty ..

I tend to avoid France if I can, however, when I've had to, I've not had any troubles at all..

Upt North · « **Reply #30 on:** July 11, 2022, 15:13:57 »

We were riding back through Germany from Austria on the Autobahns. The German riders were all parked dutifully in lines of traffic. There was miles of bumper to bumper traffic and not one of them would filter.
If you are referring to the French D roads, then you must have found better ones than us. Even Er'Indoors was fed up of it and she normally likes sitting on the back looking in shop windows. I do admit some flow better than others and that French drivers are great at seeing you and moving over to let you pass.
Upt'North.

alan29 · « **Reply #31 on:** July 11, 2022, 16:07:38 »

I think the German no filtering thing is to make sure emergency vehicles can get through.
Thought the France hi-viz was cars only, not bikes.

Joe Rocket · « **Reply #32 on:** July 11, 2022, 18:52:30 »

Quote from: Upt North on July 11, 2022, 12:53:48

JR.
Have the French riders really stopped filtering?
I find it hard to believe that the riders around the peripherique have decided to sit in queues of traffic. Those blokes and girls can really filter, plus French drivers have eyes on their rear bits.

Upt'North.

I didn't say they'd stopped filtering, they still do. I tried to make all aware that it can be enforced, most likely in and around cities. That was a good point about French drivers looking for bikes behind them. They will move over to give more room for bikers wanting to pass.

alan29, it is bikes too.

Oop North John · « **Reply #33 on:** July 12, 2022, 12:05:24 »

Here gives what it's interpretation is for Germany and filtering:

https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-views/features/travel/how-to-ride-in-germany-speed-limits-documents-the-law

I followed it, and didn't have a problem there last month

Chrisjames · « **Reply #34 on:** July 12, 2022, 12:43:15 »

Fair play blokes loads of replies and plenty to look into, thank you for the advice.

Our holiday plans have now changed, and as some people are not coming with us now we are going to do a different tour/route

looking at going from Dover to Calais - Belgium (Brussels) - Netherlands (Amsterdam) - Germany (Cologne) - Luxembourg - Paris - Back to Dover

Any of you able to recommend anything to see/do at any of these locations or anywhere to go/must see's?

crump · « **Reply #35 on:** July 12, 2022, 13:31:56 »

If you like history, a trip round the 'Casemates' in Luxembourg City is interesting (assuming they're still doing tours).
Lovely riding in the Luxembourg/Belgian Ardennes.
Germany has the obvious delights of Black Forest, Bavaria and the Rhinelands.
To be fair, wherever we go, anywhere in Europe, we find interesting stuff.

kwackboy · « **Reply #36 on:** July 12, 2022, 13:34:02 »

Each to their own but that route seems a little flat with very little scenery.

Far better to ride down from Calais, through Germany/Switzerland and spend your time touring the Alps ..

alan29 · « **Reply #37 on:** July 12, 2022, 13:42:23 »

Is it true that all insurance is void for driving/riding round the Arc de Triomphe?
You will certainly need a Crit Air sticker for Paris.
https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/

Barbel Mick · « **Reply #38 on:** July 12, 2022, 13:58:20 »

+ one for The Alps. We did The French Alps in 2018 & really recommend it.
https://www.dangerousroads.org/europe/France/5462-route-des-grandes-alpes.html
We did the motorway down to Geneva, to save time, then The Route des Grandes Alps.
We turned right before we hit the coast and did The Gorges du Verdon & then onto Mont Ventoux.
On the way back we stopped for a few nights in Ypres, Belgium for the WW1 experience.
All done within 14 days & no really long mileages accept on the motorway.
Here's a link I posted with some photos to whet your appetite.

https://www.v-strom.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=34773.msg347622#msg347622

Youngman · « **Reply #39 on:** July 12, 2022, 16:14:35 »

Crossing Germany two weeks ago pootling along at 5k revs 'cos I'm tight and find the German Autobahns quite stressful with the loons going flat out, tailgating and getting worked up if someone is in front of them. I don't blame 'em, its a cultural thing.
Sticks of BMW's passing me in the fast belting along at 160kph+ on the unrestricted sections. Then the overheads light up with "Stau!" or traffic jam ahead. So I happily filter through the traffic, give a wave to the bewildered Beamers and nip through the jam (usually just a lane closure). Twenty minutes later they go screaming past again. Then there's another Stau and repeat.
When I stopped for a stretch and water glug there was a German geezer on a 780 Deauville with the same GPS system (paper) as me and the same attitude regarding speed and filtering. Comes from him living London too long I guess. He told me it was illegal to filter in Germany but the cops aren't too interested in foreigners claiming ignorance. Just don't take the piss or their wing mirrors off.
The hard shoulder (where it exists) is used for emergency vehicles. Where it doesn't, they have to muscle through the packed vehicles. Smart motorways are really clever eh?