Denis, you seem a bit tetchy? You say people should stay at home? With respect you should probably chill out a little, everyone seems pretty helpful on this site....it is after all a site for everyone to access for help, tips, advice etc? Isn't that one of the sole reasons this site exists?

I bet you have been riding for years, know everything about anything, get cornflakes stuck in your beard, and ride without gloves on in winter.

Meeks, firmed up on your tavel plans yet? Dates? Ferry/chunnel? Route?


(You can't teach old dogs new trick; you can only ignore them...or kick them)

Hello,
There seems to be a lot of concern about parking bikes overnight in France / Continental Europe. Is it really the case that bikes are big theft targets there (compared to the UK)? Are we just talking big cities or everywhere?
I plan to go in June, staying at campsites and b&b's in villages. Would you say that parking outside a secure spot is inviting trouble?
Thanks,
Charles

I think 'inviting trouble' is a bit strong but unless you are in a country where a non-local bike would stick out like a sore thumb, it can happen anywhere; even if you use security such as decent chains or alarms.

I have just lost mine and two security chains in the relatively crime-free UAE. It’s the risk we take for leaving them outside. Always get it indoors or inside a wall of some kind whenever possible. Failing that, paid guarded parking is worth the investment especially in cities.
Stephan

Any city is the same and generally requires the same level of security which you are comfortable with. Smaller towns are not really an issue although where ever I stayed for the night I always chained my bike to a lamp post in a visible area. Most Hotels and B&B's have secure parking (although some charge for the use of it)

Well Meek

I'm not tetchy at all - but I was disappointed that you asked all these good people to help you when it seems to me that your request wasnt serious. Are you so without humour that you couldnt see that I was trying to gently tease you about your spoof letter when I said chain your mother to your bike as an alarm? Lighten up! And I didnt say people should stay at home - I suggested that you reconsider travelling given your fears of being kidnapped in France and Spain. Is it any wonder I still think your letter is a deliberate joke! Look - no hard feelings - if you get kidnapped in Calais then I'll give up to 50 pence towards your release. I may be the only contributor....

Your last comments are simply silly and wildly inaccurate. You are clearly confusing me with Bernd Tesch.

Come on! laugh!

Camping permit
 

Dear Harleyrider

I can heartily recommend "camping sauvage " to you. It is "even allowed."

Bonne route

Are you sure?
 

Hi Bossie

Are you quite sure when you say that "any city is the same"? Are you really really sure? I dont quite understand your comments that "smaller towns are not really an issue" . It's difficult to see what you mean but maybe you mean that theft is not an issue? I hope not! You could be in for a big surprise.

Can you really assert that "most Hotels and B&Bs have secure parking? -most? I have to disagree here, if that's ok!
XX
The old dog

[1] London, Paris, Lyan, Berlin, Cape town, Warsaw.....CITY....big noisy; higher crime rate than smaller towns and villages FACT proven in any society!!!!
[2] About security.....just like the couple of posts before mine.
[3] France, my experiance of touring, MOST have secure parking. Secure does not necessarily mean lock-up garage but secure enough to give you peace of mind.
[4] Obviously it's ok to contribute productively to any discussion no matter how critical; especially if it's done respectfully and considerately recognising that people have differing views and experiences.

CAMPING
La France dispose de quelque 9000 terrains de camping, classés en 1- à 4 étoiles et 2300 sites de camping à la ferme. Le camping sauvage est permis sous réserve de l'accord du propriétaire du terrain. Le camping est interdit sur les plages, en bordure de route, sur certains sites recensés ainsi que dans les réserves et parcs naturels (sauf dans les endroits spécialement prévus à cet effet). Avant d'installer votre camp, prenez la précaution d'en parler à l'office de tourisme local. De plus en plus de terrains de camping aménagés proposent des locations de tentes, de caravanes ou de bungalows.

Would you like me to translate it for you? That's not to say I wouldn't do it myself but I wouldn't recomend it to someone who has to ask the question!

Genuine
 

Denis, fair play, I was having a bit of fun and yes probably inaccurate. No beard? Serious post though, I wouldn't waste anyone's time.

Bossies - my target date for leaving is the 24th July, Sunday. Im going on the Channel Tunnel and will go to Calais. From there I hope to put in some big miles to get me as near to Nantes as I can, so that later in the trip I can do less miles, or more, on some of D roads that have been mentioned in France.

Return date is 4th August. Exact route not set, but leave on 24th July, return on 4th August. Just trying to put the cash aside each month, should be on target. If I aint back from Alicante by the 4th then I may well just keep on going as the missus wont have me back.

If you haven't already planned a route, I suggest that you go west of Paris, via Rouen (well, bypassing it). Then down via Evreux to Chartres, picking up the autoroute about 40kms south of Chartres, bringnging you to the autoroute to Orleans, down to Clermont Ferrand; then keep going down in the Montpellier direction. This is a mix of pay road, free autoroute and lesser roads. There is an escape exit to avoid paying the toll near Clermont, but I cant reveal it here.

You can camp on the autoroute, using the aire de repos -they are about every 20-30kms. If you are careful, you can find a corner or spot invisible to the world. I use them all the time, as they have toilets, water, etc. They are nicely wooded too. Very pleasant, very free. There are some with restaurants and you can camp there too.

The French are very civilised and wont bother you in the least.

Ooops! PS I see that you want to go by Nantes -so forget all this...

Bonne route!

hah so you have found the escape exit to denis have you .very good route that 1 denis we use it a lot .

Cheers Dennis. That mix sounds like good variety with some good opps to make up ground. As the route is not set, could always come home via Nantes.

bad spam boy
 

Hi Boss
Dont spam those you dont agree with. It's unacceptable.

Good roads