Back in the day French gas stations only accepted the "Carte Bleu" which was the standard for French debit cards. Vitrually every gas station in the country now accepts Maestro and Visa/Mastercard though.


As for cash: in most of Europe shops and other establishments are required by law to accept cash payments. It's not because hardly anyone still uses cash in these countries that you're no longer allowed to. The main exceptions to this are: unmanned gas stations and large sums (usually above a few k€) to battle tax evasion.

If the current incumbent decides to ignore the outcome of an unfavourable election result, by casting doubting on the voting process, then you might find avoiding the US altogether is the best tactic as it will be chaos!

My point exactly....The best attitude to employ during this time is one of flexibility. Patience and flexibility. Maybe I ship my bike to Central America or start in Europe....we'll see when the time comes closer.....and I'm planning on May 22 2022 - but it may end up being May 23 2023....I hope not.

The only thing for sure, is that I'm going.....

There are still people travelling now.

Sure, things are more complicated. But if you have the time and you have the money then you will find a way. And it will probably be fairly interesting.

The world is not any more chaotic than it's ever been. Chaos just changes it's uniform.

A guy on a bike doesn't stir up much interest. Apart from the occasional cop wanting a bribe. Go where you're allowed to.

The further you get away from the media and rat race, the less it becomes relevant.

I doubt the straw hut hostels on the side of lake Malawi are practicing social distancing checking your covid certificate.

I personally wouldn't travel in the west right now because we're hysterical. Glued to our goggleboxes waiting for the end of the world. But we always are. If its not disease, its war. If it's not war, it's terrorism. If it's not terrorism it's an economic crash. And on and on and on.

There are a million and one reasons to delay and cancel. And there always will be.

I for one have cancelled far too many trips for the sake of bullshit excuses. Although the global pandemic is quite a good one.


As for insurance. You'd have to be a complete moron to travel without it. It may not cover you for Covid. But so what. Insurance won't save you if you're one off the 0.01% who are destined to die of it. I for one, like those odds.

I'd definitely concur about the need for medical insurance. Motorcycle touring comes with its own risks, there's no need to compound them. Doesn't matter how much money you've got tucked away, in many parts of the world they will check for insurance before they check your bank balance, and the bills can easily be well above $20k.

As for covid, no, insurance may not help you, but unless you're a teenager the mortality rate isn't 0.1%, try 10 times that, and probably 5 times higher again if you're older, overweight or with other health problems. I for one wouldn't find getting covid out on the road an acceptable price for a jolly ride. You're offered a bowl of 100 M&Ms, five will make you badly ill and one will kill you, how many will you eat?

Things will get back to normal, my guess is not before 2022 though and maybe even later for more remote poorer areas. I've written off this year, I'll be looking at something European next year probably, with the big one the year after (fingers crossed).

Well, there are different types of insurance.....The bike will always be insured. But health insurance is complicated....and maybe so expensive as to be a deal breaker depending on where I am. Being older, it gets more and more difficult to get ANY insurance, let alone for a motorcycle trip, where I'll not be on the beaten track. I don't have an answer....but I'll not let this stop me either.

Some people may still be travelling now. But too many have been held up not able to cross borders...gave up after waiting for 6 months in isolation and finally went home....Covid is not an excuse - its a reason.

PS - I finally stopped listening or checking out the news. Had enough. Can't do anything about it, and too much is slanted and I don't even trust what I'm hearing....I got a mission....and I'm working HARD at it.

And I will tell everybody.....I'm not just going for a trip - I'm taking on a new way of life, and the most difficult part is letting go.....I'm letting go of EVERYTHING. Clothes, business, band, relationships, selling everything....and the hardest part is letting go....I'm not coming back here ever. But letting go is still the hardest part.....but I'm getting there.

Great post.....thanks.

I think you have this back to front, presuming you are riding a Canadian registered bike you will usually get insurance at the border when you enter a country but there are a few places that it is not available and you just have to be very careful and outside of North America you will only get the most basic third party insurance.
I am not sure what is availble to Canadians but there are enough out there travelling that there must be a long term travel as in medical insurance policy available with world wide cover, you just need to read the small print and make sure it covers motorcycle touring.

No, I understand clearly what's going on.....and medical insurance for older folk, on a bike, on the back roads is either REALLY expensive...or not available...read the fine print....

There are tons of posts on this on the HUBB....and I read for hours on this topic....It ain't gonna be easy....and yes, I know about bike insurance in the various countries.