Touring Europe  

Looking for a place to stay on the way down here? Take two days to come down and you've got yourself two EXTRA days of super roads. Stay here: "Hotel Le Saumon" at Verneuil-sur-Avre. It's halfway down to here from Calais and is really very good. I can give you "twisty" route cards all the way to here. 

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Medical Insurance (repatriation etc) 

There are a number of options out there but whoever you choose make sure that they cover you for riding motorcycles OF MORE THAN 125cc. At time of writing (12 August 2008) The Post Office in the UK DO. Check it out here:  Post Office Travel Insurance

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Advanced Training? 

Go and talk to Gary at Rapid Training  

You'll never regret it!

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Ferries:

All bets are off as far as ferries are concerned....it's a mad world out there but you can always grab a discount if you use the current MCN booking code.  

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UK Dealers:

Only the best make it on here (as per recommendations of weekenders passim)

-HONDA-

Hatfields of Crowthorne Ltd. They can do no wrong according to Gillian and Chris

-DUCATI-

Snells of Alton   Nick has recommended these guys and he should know, he spends all his time and money there (ho-ho). 

-ALL MAKES-

SparkLight Racing. Go and check these guys out. Recently opened by Garry who is stunningly handsome, erudite and a dab hand with the rhinestones and a needle and thread. Also a bit of a hoot round the track and on the road. Oh and he fixes bikes as well.....and he's got one of those Italian coffee machines. Like that Georgio Clooni

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Other Biker Friendly Accommodation:

"Coup de Cœur" - Right down on the Eastern Pyrenees - 2 hours from the accessory paradise of Andorra. Great place for a stop-over before jumping off through Spain

B&B in "Suze" near Dijon - Right! You've GOT to try this one out. It's run by a friend of mine who is totally barking and who's given up her career as a super-model and body-double for Angelina Jolie and started up a biking B&B with rideouts, having NEVER swung her leg (for it is a she) over a bike before 2006. Full marks to her and let it be known that she's in a superb biking part of France. Go there immediately!  Website here:   "Burgundy Bikers"

 Looking for a place to stay on the way down here? Take two days to come down and you've got yourself two EXTRA days of super roads. Stay here: "Hotel Le Saumon" at Verneuil-sur-Avre. It's halfway down to here from Calais and is really very good. I can give you "twisty" route cards all the way to here. 

OK Peeps. Want to learn how to corner Alpine hairpins? Golden locks brushing the tarmac? Penguins diving out of your way? Hero-blobs a far-off memory? Check out Paul at "Alpine Biker"  Apparently there's some decent scenery too!! (God knows what.....probably as flat as a pancake)

A neighbour of mine (well, he's half a day away) over Limoges way. A great part of the motorcycling world. Go and check him out at "Riders Rest"  As he says himself: "We are competent with most SatNav systems" which probably makes him unique in the world of biking......

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Old Mates Erudite Witty and Informative Web Pages section.....  

Well, he's begged and begged and I just couldn't say no to him any more......Here then ladies and gentlemen is "Nick's Site" also known (probably more accurately)  as "The Worldwide Wobble"  

What you'll make of this one I've no idea....Alex and his incorrigible mates, all patrons of the Gay Bar, have set up camp (!) here: "The World Famous Gay Bar and Hosiery Club" also known  as "The Revenge of the Pink Panter"

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All Things French  

These guys are brilliant: the local Melle TRIUMPH dealer will not only look after your bike while you're down here, but from April 2012 will be able to rent you a brand new Triumph for the whole weekend. Check them out here:  

"HDM - TRIUMPH Dealer - Melle"

OK...your bike's broken down, you're in the middle of a two-wheel transport drought and your significant other is threatening divorce unless you take him/her fishing/abseiling/gastro-gnoming...Well...your troubles are over! Check these good people out (especially the "Activity Breaks" page....)  "France on line"

Martin and Sophie at the "Harrow Inn" Knockholt. Attended a FLASH regular's wedding there this September (2010). Martin is a a biker and he's French. What more do you need to know? Sophie hails from Lyon and cooks like a goddess. The pub is a biker's haunt and is a must if you're in the S.East of England. (Oct 2011: Apparently they didn't manage to make a go of it, which is a great shame. Shame on YOU, Great British Public!. Ho hum. I'll post up some new ones if they ever materialise)

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Useful Stuff  

Products and bits and bobs that can make your life a tad easier

Check out TWOZERO  for bum-bags, reflective stuff and practical gear that's been designed for bikers, by a biker. It's a company that belongs to a chum of mine so go there, mention my name and I'll be sent a Tesco token up to the value of one shilling.

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(more to follow as you give me your favourites)

Pip pip!!

Hope to see you soon

Tony

Mine host, in James Dean mode...