Checklist of things to take to the French Alps

Some of these things may seem like the blantantly obvious, and others items are just optional.

Clothing.

Shorts, Tee-shirts, real swimming trunks (the open air pool in Bourg opens on 1^st July and does NOT allow shorts). Towel.  Sandals / boots / shoes? / socks.  Tough jeans for riding the bike?  Summer gloves, bike clothing suitable for use in hot weather.  Sunglasses.

Travel fairly light – there are good shops in Bourg where you can buy anything you’ve forgotten, or an extra bit of clothing if needed.

From Bourg St Maurice, we often do a day’s skiing on the Glacier at Tignes or Val D’Isere.  If this is your thing, consider something thin and windproof to wear on the sunny slopes.  Likewise if you intend doing any adventure sports – climbing / via ferrata / ww rafting / ww kayaking  - you know the kind of kit you need if you’re into this stuff.

Riding Gear

Either full, one-piece leathers  (not very practical) with thin waterproofs.

Or, two-piece leathers, with thin one-piece (or two-piece) waterproofs.

Best bet?  Cordura type jacket, with removeable lining (and even vents!), leather trousers and carry thin cheap pvc type overtrousers.

Dark visor can be handy / or sunglasses under helmet.  Summer gloves – I prefer 2 or 3 pairs of thinner gloves (change when wet) instead of one great big pair of chunky winter, waterproof gloves.

Winter, waterproof lined boots can be great in UK, but clumsy, sweaty & stinky in 40 degree heat.  Consider summer boots but with the option of thin Goretex socks, or two plastic bags, inserted between sock & boot, do a wonderful; job either.

Thin scarf / necktie / neck thing.  Either for warm while riding, or to protect the back of your neck from sunburn.

Health

Usual toilet bag.

A few paracetomol etc.

Suncream, and lipsalve (burnt lips?)

Any medication that you might be on.  (it is a good idea to inform me privately if you have any special conditions, then should you fall ill, at least I can explain things to the French medics)

Remember – France has shops you know – you can easily buy stuff like shampoo / sun cream etc over there.

First Aid Kit? – if you already have one.  We really only need one or two between us don’t we? 

Paperwork

Driving licence, though you shouldn’t need to have to prove anything.

Passport (and maybe a photocopy of it).

Travel insurance details.

E111 (from Post Office)

Wallet & French cash – £200? in Euros.  Can change on boat if need be.

Use credit cards for most purchases.  Cash can be drawn from ATMs in Bourg / Chamonix, and this is the cheapest / easiest way to get cash.

Tools

The ones in your bike’s toolkit, plus any special items you think your particular bike may need.

Finilec, Tyreweld or equivalent (Ultraseal seems to be the current favourite – expensive but good, as tested by me personally  - it works).  I’ve bought a barrel of Ultraseal as a “trader”  now – and can offer fitment to those passing through Nottingham if you want – let me know.  (£25 std. price fitted)

Gadgets / accessories

A torch.  Maglites are good.  (more applicable to campers)

Swiss Army knife?

Possibly take one of those little multi-tool things if you have one. I have several cheap ones – Better than nothing in your pocket whilst on the bike.

Compass (we don’t all need one – I have one already) – may be of some help if you get lost! (left on list from Thailand trip – not essential at all).

A “Camel Back” is a handy device.  Various versions exist.  Wear it on your back like a small rucksack and it contains water (or whatever) to drink.  Good on the move in hot climates.  Alternatively, a bumbag – some have side pouches to carry a water bottle. Don’t buy specially – you can buy these items there if you feel you need one. (more applicable to Thailand.  Can buy in Bourg if you want one due to really hot weather)

Camera & Film / or Digital camera – YES.  The Alps scenery is stunning – if you’re a keen photographer, consider your SLR & lenses.

Video / camcorder – I don’t think it’s worth the effort.  Your choice.

Mobile phone – check with your provider to see if it needs setting up for France – there is a good network of transmitters there.  Texting is cheapest and more effective, whilst on the move across France.  Sawp each others’ numbers on ferry.

2-way radios (for Thailand - DO NOT buy a pair specially, but if you already own them – those little walkie-talkies can be handy (cheaper than a mobile phone at 1-2 mile range).   They are not brilliant, eat batteries and have pretty limited range, I already have a pair, so I’ll take mine.   I always hoped to be able to do bike to bike communication with mine, but it never really worked.

Personal Stereo?  If you want to listen to music & just chill out alone in the evening.  I used to always take one on holiday, but now on “action-type” trips, I rarely get round to using one, so I don’t bother anymore. 

Remember, the more expensive little toys you take, the more you risk losing them.  You’re coming to ride the mountains, and then have a few beers with the other guests.  There isn’t a lot of time for lounging around by a pool – I think we can do without most trinkets.

GPS system?  You’re ‘aving a larff aint ya?  Not needed.  I prefer maps.  Clive has GPS now though – so he can find Nottingham to start the tour.

Spending money – most things are similar price to UK –.  £150 to £200 to start with and draw more out there as needed?  Beer & wine in bars quite expensive, but dead cheap from supermarkets.  Eating out is quite good value – cost versus quality compared to UK.  You’ll want some souvenirs or at least a tee-shirt I’m sure.  You can live cheaply in France if you want to.

Luggage

Whatever you can carry on your bike.  Try and travel light though – you’ll enjoy it more. 

A tank bag (magnetic) is my most useful bit of luggage.  Can carry all your useful bits and pieces, and a camera, in an easily accessible place.  Put Toll tickets in top pouch.  Keep credit cards away from magnets!  Put heavy items in tank bag - weight forward.  Remove tank bag (containing valuables) on ferry or when stopping to eat etc.

Hard luggage (eg Givi) is great, but can be bulky / ugly and is an expensive investment.  Soft luggage is generally cheap and cheerful, leaves the bike looking good again once removed, but is a real pain to tie on and off morning and evening when truly “touring”.  I don’t recommend using the watrerproof covers – they flap around, split in the end anyway (UV light effect plus flap fatigue), but more dangerously can come off and lock in the rear wheel.  Take care how you strap down and kind of luggage.

A great, and cheap idea, is to buy one or two of those “fold-over” vinyl, luggage sacks.  All sizes available, waterproof, and strap down easily to a rear rack, or onto a pillion seat.  (see outdoor shops or canoeing shops)

Try here www.hackwoodtrading.co.uk or here http://www.completeoutdoors.co.uk to find this kind of bag.

Above list adapted from Thailand check list.  One below was France last year….

I haven't got a list as such, but you've set me thinking about producing one along the lines of;

For the bike;

1. Chain lube (not for shafties obviously)

2. basic tool kit

3. emergency puncture repair kit (or fit Ultraseal prior to departure)

4.  Green card - or at least let your insurance company know you are going

5.  Recovery insurance - AA / RAC / Green Flag or whatever.

6.  In theory, you are obliged to carry a set of spare bulbs. If you have some, take a couple with you. (headlight / tailight)

7. A lock (disc lock, U lock, or chain)
8. in theory a GB sticker is required.
9. in theory you’re supposed to fit a beam deflector, or tape off the ”blinding” bit of your headlamp.  In practice, I do neither of these, as we don’t plan to be doing any night riding.  However, carry a bit of tape, to mask headlight if any unforeseen delays force night riding.

Riding

1. Usual riding kit as you would wear in the UK (but possibly some lighter, but still protective kit for rides when there, eg. thinner gloves, or possibly armoured jeans rather than full leathers in the heat - your choice)

2. Some form of waterproofs (just for the English bit eh?)

3. Sunglasses which fit under your lid.

4. a handy pocket somewhere for change & credit card (& camera?)

5. carry your valuables in a tank bag (or bum back or some equivalent) that can easily be removed and carried if you need to leave the bike en-route (on ferry, or into some shops or something).

6. Visor wiper widget for getting flies of your visor?

Campers – let me know if you want me to supply you with a tent.  Remind me.  Only applies if you can carry it from Nottingham, or pick it up here before the trip.

For you;

1. A credit card

2. some cash (you don't necessarily need Euros in advance - you can change money on the boat.

3. Normal bank card  - you can draw cash from ATMs in France

4. Sunglasses

5. Suncream (although it can, of course, be bought there)

6. Camera & Film (or digital)

7. Form E111 minimum, plus some health or holiday insurance.

8. Passport

9.  Bike papers & documentation (Registration document, MOT, insurance)

10. Driving licence (an International one is not compulsory, but if you happen to have one, take it)

11.  light clothes (shorts?) as it should be hot over there.  Sandals?  Swimming trunks? (the pool in Bourg only accepts real swimming trunks - they don't allow shorts, and enforce it strictly. Outdoor pool opens 1st July)

12.  Mag-light or small torch & Swiss Army knife (more applicapable to campers - but also a useful thing)

13. a few biros & a note pad?

14.  Ferry tickets - we don't have a "ticket" as such.  I have all the reference numbers for the crossing - I must allocate & send you a number each, so if for any reason we arrive at the port separately, you can still catch the boat!

15. French phrase book?  (I'm sure you'll manage without one - and I speak French anyway)