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Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  #1  
Old 26 Mar 2008
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Last minute ideas
right the short story is, no job, sick of job hunting but some savings left. i currently rent a room so no outgoings i cant stop which means no practical reason not to have a damn good break.
Im in the UK & very tempted to aim the bike south for a month or so. my real question is where is good in europe at this time of year? im thinking spain or greece, maybe italy.
i dont speak anything except english & im not that good at picking languages up so i guess that'll make some areas real hard work.

so basicly where would you lot suggest? as a general direction? id love to do the alps, but i suspect its a bit cold there atm for bikers.
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  #2  
Old 26 Mar 2008
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If the weather is half decent you could look at the route Napoleon over the alps and down to the French Riviera, along the coast to Marseilles and even as far as Barcelona for some sun- just a thought. I wouldn't worry about the language
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not too hard really
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  #3  
Old 26 Mar 2008
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sounds interesting - off to google
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  #4  
Old 26 Mar 2008
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another question people, ive tried searching but as normal i cant find anything. its probably me no search thing works for me.
whats the rules on wild camping across spain/france/italy? and is there daft laws like the UK on carrying knifes? ive got a machete i normally take camping for firewood but dont want hassle for it as ive got a cooker anyway.
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  #5  
Old 26 Mar 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hooli View Post
another question people, ive tried searching but as normal i cant find anything. its probably me no search thing works for me.
whats the rules on wild camping across spain/france/italy? and is there daft laws like the UK on carrying knifes? ive got a machete i normally take camping for firewood but dont want hassle for it as ive got a cooker anyway.



Just be discreet about where you 'wild'camp, keep the machete out of sight, I was once stopped and searched whilst in a camper van in France, The machete was no problem but they were none too happy about the baseball bat considering I didn't even have the ball to go with it!
Head South to Perpignon then Barcelona onwards, I'd be more concerned with the exchange rate of the Euro at the moment....1.2 to the £ Enjoy the trip.
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  #6  
Old 27 Mar 2008
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cheers dave.

only realised tonight i didnt even have a EC111 (although they've changed the name) or a greencard so ordered them & will pack while waiting.

Im sure ive seen elsewhere on here that i need to carry
insurance
mot
V5
licence
ec111
passport
anything else paperwork wise? here was silly me thinking there was freedom to travel in the EU
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  #7  
Old 28 Mar 2008
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don't forget
...take with you all original bike paperworks, registration book, insurance, etc.

(if they stop you, you need to show evidence that you are the owner of the bike)

re wildcamp: it's illegal in the continent, at least in places like france, italy, spain...
you'll need to find a secluded spot.... but then not so safe?
I would personally go for camp-sites, or cheap B&Bs, private rooms, or cheap hotels.
(and if you carry a knife, hide it: they are indeed illegal in the continent too).

and yeah, the alps, any part of them, but especially the dolomites, are a must-see... it shouldn't be too cold now, at least: no snow on the roads.

if you don't like motorways, i'd suggest the eastern part of france (near the belgium border: N43 road); it has got some gorgeous countryside roads, long and empty, heading down to switzerland (entering it from Basel)... then heading straight up to the alps via the grimsel-pass: absolutely fantastic scenary and beautiful roads.
this is the map / diary of what i did last summer, 6,500 km small european tour:
easyrider summer 2007

have a great one!
Last edited by dieg0oo; 28 Mar 2008 at 11:46.
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  #8  
Old 28 Mar 2008
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Originally Posted by dieg0oo View Post
...take with you all original bike paperworks, registration book, insurance, etc.

(if they stop you, you need to show evidence that you are the owner of the bike)

re wildcamp: it's illegal in the continent, at least in places like france, italy, spain...
you'll need to find a secluded spot.... but then not so safe?
I would personally go for camp-sites, or cheap B&Bs, private rooms, or cheap hotels.
(and if you carry a knife, hide it: they are indeed illegal in the continent too).

and yeah, the alps, any part of them, but especially the dolomites, are a must-see... it shouldn't be too cold now, at least: no snow on the roads.

if you don't like motorways, i'd suggest the eastern part of france (near the belgium border: N43 road); it has got some gorgeous countryside roads, long and empty, heading down to switzerland (entering it from Basel)... then heading straight up to the alps via the grimsel-pass: absolutely fantastic scenary and beautiful roads.

have a great one!
Of course its illegal -what isnt? But if you are wise and discreet you will find a nice spot certainly in France or Spain, where they are not hysterical about rules. Italy is hopeless for wild camping, and driving standards there mean you should give Italy a miss IMO. Eastern france, I have to say, is the least attractive part of this beautiful country.

Theres so much out there, its no problem - just point and go!
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  #9  
Old 28 Mar 2008
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You have a month?

How about Morocco?

Matt
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*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!
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  #10  
Old 28 Mar 2008
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Originally Posted by Matt Cartney View Post
You have a month?

How about Morocco?

Matt
i think i'll stick to europe for the first time over the water on a bike. besides im not a real fan of hot & wouldnt insurance etc be more of a pain once out the EU?
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  #11  
Old 28 Mar 2008
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Wink Just a thought
Go as far south as you fancy at this time of year: check the 5 day weather forecast for my reasoning:-

BBC - Weather Centre - World Weather - Europe - West and Canary Islands
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Old 29 Mar 2008
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Hooli, are you the same Hooli as the one on GSX1400.org?

Garry from Oz.
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  #13  
Old 29 Mar 2008
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Originally Posted by farqhuar View Post
Hooli, are you the same Hooli as the one on GSX1400.org?

Garry from Oz.
yes mate, thats me
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  #14  
Old 30 Mar 2008
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I'd tend to head to Greece, for no other reason that it's a good distance away, different routes to get there, cheap enough to survive, plenty of scope for going off road(ish), lots of small places to explore, possibility of getting on a ferry (good services) and heading off to an island or two, weather is not too bad, plenty of sites to see etc.
Plus I have a weakness for Feta, spanakopita and tyropita.
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  #15  
Old 5 Apr 2008
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well just to let you all know, ferry is booked to santander tomorrow so im off. might get online occasionally on the way round if i spot a cybercafe.
current plan (liable to 'that road looks nice' modification) is
spainish pyrennes
andorra
france, got a list of places from WW2 sites to that viaduct
italy, lakes etc, down to pompei and venice
over the alps probably via switzerland to get me to the black forest
germany to meet mates in frankfurt & a 4 day hoon to hartz mountains
then homewards.
should be back about late may
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