Just getting the last
things ready for my trip to Belgium and France on the Skorpion. A
group of six of us are going to the Bikers' Classics event at
Spa in Belgium, then heading down to the French Alps.
Format will be similar
to last year's trip and I'll try and update my blog as I go
along. Probably can't post from the ferry, so Day 1 (Thursday) will
consist of riding from my house to Hull. This is the same journey I
made last year, so can reuse the map
Paperwork: Passport,
licence, insurance, registration document, copies of ferry and hotel
booking, and phrase books (French and Dutch/Flemish). Maps.
Clothes: Bike clothing
I'll be wearing, so: 1 pair of zip off trousers (so they can become
shorts ), 1 pair of training shoes, a fleece jacket, a hat, and a
light waterproof jacket for walking about.
For 'daily clothes', I
take some old t shirts, socks and underpants and discard them as I
wear them. I'll only take enough for about 4 or 5 days and buy
replacements in supermarkets on the way, see last year's post.
Electrical
things: Satellite navigator, cameras (still and video), phone, and
netbook (to update blog). Mains leads and French to British mains
adaptor.
Others: Toilet bag,
spare keys, Swiss army knife, small rucksack, luggage elastics, U
lock and cable lock (to lock helmet to bike), sunglasses, credit
card, and bank card (works in French machines and petrol stations).
First aid kit and Factor 50 sunblock (after last year's experience!)
Tools: Enough spanners
to tighten anything likely to come loose, Allen (hex) keys, tubeless
repair kit, pump, cable repair kit, a few spare bulbs and fuses,
pliers, screwdriver, cable ties and duct tape (for on the road
repairs), and a multimeter.
Anything else I need I
can buy on the way.
Before I leave the
house I put all the things I'll need on the ferry (trousers, shoes,
toilet bag, change of clothes) into the rucksack, so that's all I
have to carry up from the ferry car deck. (I've seen people
struggling up the narrow staircases carrying panniers.
This is the approximate route we'll be taking:
Once we get to the
Alps, this is the kind of road I intend riding on.
Col du Chaussy
Excellent. Now that I know that you will be taking all that stuff I won't have to bother. Means more room in the panniers for booze!
ReplyDelete(please note: I mean the maps and spares etc. and not the old t-shirts and socks of which I have enough of my own so won't be asking to borrow yours once you're done with them)
This could start a new concept in 'eco-holidays' where you recycle clothes by wearing each others!
DeleteWhy are you taking booze on holiday? Afraid you won't be able to get a 'proper pint' abroad?
Norman
DeleteI'll draw the line ref the underwear but if you're size 9 socks I'll have them after you.
You could give them a quick wash then tie them to your bar ends so they dry as you ride along!
Delete