Two wheels on the Continent
For those of us used to riding in Britain, the first trip across the channel can come as a culture shock. For me, it was a feeling of subtle familiarity. On the one hand everything was much the same, yet slightly different. As you cross borders this becomes more apparent - from changes in language to differences in currency. Although since the advent of the Euro, this has become less of an issue.

They all have one thing in common though, unlike us, they drive on the right. I have no problem with this. A motorcycle adapts easily to using the other side of the road - it's drivers in Volvos towing caravans that have difficulty seeing what's going on. Then, perhaps not so different.

Another thing is measurement - those kilometres go by quickly. A kilometre is approximately five eighths of a mile for those who don't have them marked on the speedometer. Again, I don't have a problem - it's something you become used to with time. Eventually you will probably find that you think in kilometres. You may even wonder why we don't use them in Britain. Come to that, why don't we drive on the right? We could start with bikes and if it works okay, the rest can follow.

Driving standards vary from country to country, as will driving habits. In France, for example, it is usual for drivers to approach from a side road quickly - apparently not intending to stop. They do stop, but until you get used to it, it can be unnerving. In Portugal, overtaking drivers will sound their horn - usually just when in your blind spot. If you weren't checking your mirrors, your heart will skip a beat. In Italy, stop signs are for the tourists...

Seasoned travellers sometimes advise that when stopping for a rest, meals, petrol etc., it is a good idea to stop on the right hand side of the road as this minimises the risk of pulling out onto the left when moving off. Although I've not had this problem and stop on either side of the road, I have twice pulled momentarily to the wrong side at junctions. One of those was in the UK. So be aware. After a while, you will settle into the differences; the way that the roads are laid out, the markings, signs and driving customs. Give yourself time to adapt and allow plenty space for hazards - pretty much as you should be anyway if you are riding defensively.

A green card, or International Motor Insurance Certificate, is not essential, but it increases your cover from the basic third party only to comprehensive. Should you be unfortunate enough to become involved in an accident - the difference will be worthwhile. If you fail to tell your insurer that you are travelling abroad, your insurance will automatically be reduced to third party. If you travel unawares, you could be in for a nasty shock. Cost varies from insurer to insurer. My current insurer covers me gratis for European travel - I just have to inform them when I'm going. They don't issue any extra documents. This will vary from insurer to insurer. Using different insurers over the years has seen the cost vary, but not greatly.

In addition, you will need travel insurance. You can buy this fairly easily from a number of outlets. I use the RAC, mainly because I have been a member of the RAC for most of my riding career and it's a free phone call away (0800 55 00 55). During twenty odd years of riding abroad, I've had cause to claim twice; once on the medical insurance and once for losses. In each event, they paid promptly, minimising the inconvenience. I couldn't ask for more than that. Well, I could, but I wouldn't get it. Something else to consider is the HSA. If you have this cover, they will pay out in the event of hospitalisation.

E111
The E111 was replaced during 2005 by the European Health Insurance card. Make sure you have one as it provides the same cover as you would normally get with the NHS when in an EU country. You can apply for them through the post office. If you are taken ill, you will often be asked to pay for your treatment and medicines up-front and then claim later via your insurance. The insurance company will then seek reimbursement through the NHS where it can.

Vehicle Registration Document
Take this with you. If you are stopped by the police they will ask you to produce it. Policemen world-wide are lacking in humour when dealing with riders who forget to carry important documents. If you don't have it because it is being renewed for some reason, you can obtain a V379 - which is a certificate of registration. It's free and it's internationally recognised in place of the registration document. There's more information here from the DVLA (pdf document). If the bike isn't yours then you need written authority from the owner. If you're travelling in Portugal then you need a special form of authority. You can obtain these from organisations such as the RAC and AA.

If you were to be unfortunate enough to lose any of these documents, inform the police immediately. If you are careless enough to lose the bike, you could find yourself being asked to pay duty on it. This is because foreign customs will take the line that you haven't exported it back to the UK - therefore, you must have imported it. Stands to reason. So, not only have you lost your pride and joy - you now have a bill for import duty. It's at times like this you are thankful that you took out insurance; let them pay it.

Make sure that your tyres have plenty of tread and are in good condition. The same applies to these as other spares. Yes, you can get them, but as a foreigner, you have both language difficulties to overcome and a knowledge of where to find what you want.

Some countries require you to carry spare bulbs - common sense suggests that you carry them anyway (and fuses - I could tell you about the time my TR1 blew a fuse outside Langon, but I won't. Far too many swear words).

Talking of ferries, the crew usually tie bikes down these days. Put something over the seat to protect it from the oily ropes they use. I find that parking on the centre stand for the crossing is fine, but others prefer the sidestand as it creates a tripod, which is more stable. I've used both methods over the past twenty years and not had a bike go over even on rough crossings.

Warning Triangle
This is no longer required in all continental countries as it was just a few years ago. The change was brought about by the advent of hazard warning lights. If your bike has them, then strictly speaking, you don't need a triangle. If you don't have hazard lights on your bike, then you do. Make sure that the triangle you buy is EU approved. If you are in any doubt about whether you need one, take it just in case.

First Aid Kit
This is compulsory in some countries on the Continent. You could argue that carrying one of these is common sense. You could, but I suspect that it's not all that common. You can buy an acceptable kit from organisations such as the RAC and AA. They come in a small green box with a white cross on them and have all the bits you need to make you legal.

Language
Take a phrase book. Speaking loudly in English to the locals is not only insulting, it makes you look ignorant. It takes little effort to learn please and thank-you in the local language and they go a long way to ease your way. Make the effort to speak their language and people will respond more readily. You will also find that you are less likely encounter any odd surprises on the menu if you translate them first.

Road signs
These generally follow the standard international pattern with one or two local exceptions. Ireland has several of these but they are so obvious you'll grasp them immediately. There are, however, some that we don't normally see in the UK, so here are some:

	Priority Route: This indicates that the road you are on has priority over joining roads.
	End of priority route:  This indicates that you are coming to the end of the priority route and must be prepared to give way to another road. In France this may mean the dreaded priorité a droite applies so watch it.
	Direction of priority road: This is merely information that you are following a major road that detours at the next junction. Useful in France as there are a lot of them at some very confusing junctions - why have a simple junction if a real bugger will do?

Navigation.
Time was, a map was all you needed. The yellow Michelin series are excellent for navigation and have enough detail for following the back roads. The downside to this method is that you have to stop to consult them. This is fine on a country road. It is a little more difficult if you are lost in a major town. Since then, I've used satellite navigation. My preferred option is the Garmin range as they are robust and waterproof. However, other manufacturers are encroaching onto the market, such as Tom Tom. One caveat with satellite navigation comes from the Driving Standards Agency. They regard such systems as potentially distracting while driving. They have a point. However, treat them as you would any other instrument fitted to the bike; a quck glance rather than a long stare. Better still, use the voice prompt facility. I find navigating through French towns much simpler if I watch the roads and listen to the voice in my helmet giving me directions. Another warning here; sometimes satnavs send you along routes that are not really routes at all. The road may have changed and the map is out of date. The road my be on the map, but is now disused. Follow your instincts. If it looks as if the machine is giving you bad information, likely as not, it is. Modern systems will update themselves and choose an alternative route if you ignore them and stick to the major road. Just remember who is the boss in this relationship.

So, have I done away with my maps? No. I still use them for route planning and they give a bigger picture that the satellite navigation screen cannot. They complement each other.

• 30kmh - often near schools and heavily built up areas = 18mph
• 50kmh - normally in urban areas = 31mph
• 90kmh - often on slip roads = 56mph
• 110kmh - normally on motorways, often when raining = 68mph
• 120kmh - 74mph
• 130kmh - normally the maximum speed on motorways in France = 80mph

Unless you need to make a lot of progress in a short period of time, take the back roads. Generally the small byways on the continent are better than their UK counterparts and you will often find that you have them to yourself. Rest stops will involve sitting outside a village bar, or peacefully partaking of the local cuisine rather than crammed frenetically in a motorway service restaurant with dozens of fellow travellers eating plastic food.

You will also find these roads snaking through magnificent scenery and fascinating towns and villages - that is why you are planning to go, isn't it?

Phoning Home
European countries use an access code followed by a country code to dial between countries. In each of the individual guides I include the full dialling code from the country of origin to the UK. These days, mobile phone networks have extensive coverage. Just be aware that roaming is expensive. If you don't want to be caught for the foreign part of an incoming call, turn the phone off. For an extended stay, you might want to consider a "pay as you go" SIM card in the country where you are staying as it will make managing the cost easier and less expensive. You can usually buy these in the same type of outlets as in the UK. Top up cards are also readily available.

Passport
Should be obvious... Don't forget it.

Weather
That's one reason why you are going, of course. However, things don't always go as planned. A trip in 1993 to the French Riviera and Italy resulted in several days riding in a torrential downpour. So, even if you are travelling to sunny climes, be prepared for bad weather and take lightweight waterproofs, gloves and boots. If you are planning to take in mountains, bear in mind that even in high summer it can get cold. Crossing the Sierra Nevada in June one year proved impossible as the pass was still snowbound.

Drinking and Driving

Don't.

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Mark Ellott 2006