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quickest route Calais - Valencia? quickest route Calais - Valencia?
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 27 Sep 2006
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quickest route Calais - Valencia?
on a fairly quick bike, so fast open roads would be best. Is a direct route through Paris/Clermont worth it, or is it better to go via Dijon/Lyon?

anyone know if the French police can really put points on a UK license? Is that actually true, or just press scare stories? not that I'll be speeding mind...

cheers,
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  #2  
Old 27 Sep 2006
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Its just over 1000 miles using motorways and via Paris - Clermont. Going via Lyon only adds to the mileage and toll costs.

Don't know if the police can actually give you points at this stage but its the Brits that will give you them following prosecution in France, when it all tied up.
In the mean time, they can fine you so heavily, you wont give a shit about the points. Its also possible to loose your bike. Keep a VERY watchfull eye open and don't forget your toll ticket has a time stamp on it at the start and end of the section;-)
One othe thing on tolls. If you use your creditcard in the automatic booths, you are charged the car price! Allways pay at the manned booths. Maybe the car drivers will get so upset that bikes can go free eventually.

What a boring trip that will be.... until you get to see Mr Rossi win the championship that is:-))

John
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  #3  
Old 27 Sep 2006
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thanks for the tips. If only Rossi had been a Spaniard, now that would be some party when he crosses the line...

cheers,
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  #4  
Old 28 Sep 2006
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I'm a member of quite a few car forums and it seems that the Police in France are targetting foreigners (especially Brits) for speeding. Not sure about the points situation but they CAN ban you from driving/riding in France. There are lots of stories around about people in cars who had to have their passenger drive home after they were caught speeding. On a bike this could prove a nightmare, especially if you don't have a pillion who can ride, as you would not be in a position to continue on your journey. I would imagine it would cost a lot of money to arrange for the bike to be returned to the UK.

Also, if you have any radar detectors or the like leave them at home. Even if they are turned off the French police will destroy them if found.

Ride safe, and keep your eyes pealed...
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  #5  
Old 28 Sep 2006
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re radar detectors, they will also escort you to a hole-in-the-wall machine and relieve you of a lot of cash...............
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Old 28 Sep 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Quintin
re radar detectors, they will also escort you to a hole-in-the-wall machine and relieve you of a lot of cash...............
Quite right too - speeding is illegal.
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  #7  
Old 28 Sep 2006
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He didn't say 'speeding', genius, he said 'radar detector'. Owning a radar detector does not make you speed in the same way as owning a bow and arrow does not make you Robin Hood.
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Old 28 Sep 2006
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Originally Posted by Dare2fail
He didn't say 'speeding', genius, he said 'radar detector'. Owning a radar detector does not make you speed in the same way as owning a bow and arrow does not make you Robin Hood.
I am 'sure' mine did for a while but then I was only 4 years old at the time...

But speeding in France is not good, they have a high kill rate and are trying to lower it. I was stopped for doing 61 kph in a 50kph area, The cop let me off when he realised I was british... BUT, I have known a Brit driving a car to becaught doing 100 in built up area
Had his licence confiscated prior to and until court hearing.
car impounded on the spot until someone with licence /insurance could drive it home.
Plus the fines...... Ie they seem to have a 'dangerous driving' clause for really excessive speed.
Watch the time stamp on your Peage ticket.....
maybe stop for a coffe at a rest station.

Why not ride a bit slower and actually enjoy the ride ???
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Old 30 Sep 2006
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You heading to the GP???

Try viamichelin.com (or .co.uk?) you can select different destinations across europe and to use or avoid toll's/ motorway's.
Milage and estimated time are given.

Phil
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  #10  
Old 30 Sep 2006
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aye the GP. thanks for the link, much better than the AA version. 1600 kms give or take a few. So about 1000 miles. I'm guessing there's a widespread social intolerance of +100 mph speeds in France, just like here (UK). So, if it's quiet and decent weather, below that should ok. I've got about 20 hours to get there.

"Why not ride a bit slower and actually enjoy the ride ???"

I guess that depends on your point of view. Riding fast isn't inherently disagreeable, occasionally it's exactly the point of riding. Occasionally.

Thanks though,

cheers,
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