quickest route Calais - Valencia?

[DougieB]

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,

[Redboots]

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

[DougieB]

thanks for the tips. If only Rossi had been a Spaniard, now that would be some party when he crosses the line...

cheers,

[Dare2fail]

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...

[Quintin]

re radar detectors, they will also escort you to a hole-in-the-wall machine and relieve you of a lot of cash...............

[Herbert Meek]

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.