Trinity Motorcycle Club

Trinity Methodist Church, Lisburn

 




Its not just about speed...

Some Touring Tips, as printed in MCN dated 20/11/2002

 

  • Ensure you display a GB (or IRL) sticker. French police are hot on this. There would be a £60 on-the-spot fine to pay if stopped without one.

  • If plans are to stop overnight in a hotel, book ahead. Finding a room, especially at weekends, in cheap (£20-£30) or mid-priced (£30-£60) hotels can be patience frazzling at 10p.m. The Formule 1 (cheap) and Campanile (mid-priced) chains are good value.

  • Re-fuel at supermarkets like Champion, E. Leclerc or Super U. They are the cheapest and well signed from all major roads and motorways.

  • If French toll motorways (peage) are to be used, ensure you have some change and be careful to choose the right queue at the pay booths. Getting in those for automatic or credit card payment when you want a cashier is a nightmare. Always aim for booths with the green cashier icons above them.

  • Keep an eye on speed on the peage. The police conduct ticket spot checks at pay booths, work out your average speed over the last section and if you had been speeding you get a fine. In wet weather the speed limit drops from 130kph to 110kph.

  • In Spain even new modern fuel stations are not always self-service. Staff can get really upset if you try and fill up yourself.

  • When riding in a group ensure everyone starts each day with a full tank. When one fills up everyone fills up. Otherwise there will be a nightmare of stops, as everyone needs fuel at different times.

  • If riding in warm weather drink a bottle of water every stop. It's easy to dehydrate, making you tired and prone to losing concentration. Don't wait until you're thirsty -- then it's too late.