OK Si's post of his trip got me thinking.... In 4 weeks I am going to do sort of the same with 4 mates, Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland. I was going to take the following, but do i really need all this stuff? Tool Roll (includes rear axel nut, cable ties, spanners, allen keys etc) Wet Suit Spare Pair Gloves Spare Bulbs Tyre Pump (plugs into optimate connection on bike) Tyre plug kit First Aid Kit Torch Duck Tape Did a test pack yesterday with clothes, trainers, smellies etc, came to 29 lbs all in a ventura bag, didnt think that was too heavy.
Sounds belt and braces! You'll be glad of it all when you need it. Dunno if i'd bother with spare gloves if i had waterproof ones anyway, but then on the other hand, they weigh sod all, take up barely any space, so why not! Have a good time mate!! Don't forget maybe hiding a spare key in the bike? Tyre valve key, and plenty of meat on brake pads before you go! Enjoy it! I wish i had a road bike to do a euro trip sometimes. Would love to do all that!
We took tools, gaffer tape, clothes for an overnight stay, rain suit, bike lock etc and passport. Get a euro card mate, there's no charges on it... From Thomas cook. A lot of it went under the rear seat, clothes for 3 mostly went in one tail pack. You are in your leathers most of the time anyway. A bumbag is a must, as this holds all the paperwork, spare cash, camera, batteries and is waterproof. Craig went to Italy with just his bumbag with 3 pairs of undercrackers and socks and his cash etc.. Like I said, the suitcase was at the hotel. We sent a suitcase to the hotel we where staying in for 3 nights in Italy via courier, and this was a smart move. It was there when we arrived and got it couriered back. Most of the stuff for the trip on the roads ( essentails) for a week went in my 20 litre kreiga tail pack easily. It was best to travel light with essentials, as we used the tools to fix Craig's gearshift as it came apart...and the couriered suitcase was a godsend...
Oh, and warm under garments are a must, they take no space up as they are thin, but you may be glad of them... They keep you cool in the summer and warm when it's cold. It's even a good idea to buy stuff as you need them...I.e £1 tee shirts and chuck them after 2 days..saves on taking extra..
Remal copped onto a good wheeze. He took a non biking mate with a car along on his trans-euro run and used him as a wardrobe on wheels.
2nded Si's suggestion for a Euro card, but would go for a Caxton FX Card which are also free but give you much better rates than the High St (e.g Thomas Cook currently giving you 1.1822 Euros to the Pound, Caxton gives you 1.2100 at the mo). Also you can check your balance and load your card via SMS or their web-site (if you have wi-fi) which is uber-handy as you can load just enough to get you through the trip and not leave any dosh on there. These cards are a god-send on foreign trips and stop you getting hammered by fees or poor conversion rates. Oh, and they work in French automated petrol pumps too - but be warned that they authorise a fixed amount (€100, I think?) and release the amount you didn't use a day or two later.
If you have room for your list take it you never know, when i go i only take what tools are in the tool bag that comes with the bike, i use a kriega 30 and we done 8 days last year i had plenty of clothes for the week only had to wash couple of pairs of socks. I would defo take a spare pair of gloves if there not waterproof? Last years trip was a nitemare we had rain 7 days out of 8 and when i mean rain it pissed down for 2 or 3 hours, since that trip i have brought gortex boots and gloves these two items are a nitemare to dry before the next morning. Breakdown insurance is a must and holiday insurance with repatriation cover is a MUST. Euro plug for charging phone and intercoms. Small can of wurth chain lube, take a spare key my mates snaped off in the fuel gap. No euro trip for me just 5 days in Scotland so the gortex might come in handy lol
Thanks for all the suggestions guys, will deffo look up those Euro cards - good call. I only listed the items I thought I wouldnt need, allrady got euro plug and chain lube, visor cleaner, breakdown insurance, travel insurance.....ill just take the lot i listed, in my ventrua pack it only comes to 29lbs, so not exactly heavy and if i dont take it you know ill need it Bloody hell is this what growign older does to you, if this was 20 years ago, ill chuck 3 pairs of pants / socks in a bag, strap it to the rear seat and be off, no breakdown cover, no travel insurance, no mobile Just counting down the days now....
