Triumphrat

norton74 · 07-17-2012, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebiglad

To confirm your country of origin, so that other road users can see that "you are not from around here" and just maybe be understanding of some of the stupid stuff GB drivers/riders do in France. Junctions and roundabouts are the best fun for spectators!

Bear in mind that the UK drives on the left, whereas pretty-much the rest of the world drives on the right.

Oddly enough, the Japanese drive on the left as well as many of the old UK possessions. Or, so I am told.

conchscooter · 07-17-2012, 04:06 PM

75 countries drive on the left. Australia, New Zealand, Southern and Eastern Africa, India, Pakistan, Jamaica, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong and Barbados among others. From the
perspective of the Massif Centrale they are people of no account I suppose!

bonza · 07-17-2012, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by conchscooter

75 countries drive on the left. Australia, New Zealand, Southern and Eastern Africa, India, Pakistan, Jamaica, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong and Barbados among others. From the
perspective of the Massif Centrale they are people of no account I suppose!

and oddly enough Samoa in the Pacific has just switched from Right to Left as it can source cheap used cars from Australia, NZ and Japan

just glad I live in Oz and dont have to carry around the stupid things as mandated in Europe. a breathalyzer for petes sakes! no wonder the place is bankrupt, but then again having driven through Paris you have to wonder if half of the motorists are drunk

but getting back to the OP questions for travelling in remote areas, all I carry is a tube of that goo in a pressure can to re-inflate tyres in case of puncture, and some metric allen keys, small metric sockets, and spanners for the rear wheel. as I dont lube the chain, well dont worry about that

and read up on how to bypass the sidestand switch in case it packs up

Baltobonneville · 07-17-2012, 09:20 PM

South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Lesotho and probably several other southern African countries drive on the left. Also some Caribbean islands, in addition to the countries already mentioned.

Phild28 · 07-18-2012, 04:22 AM

I've ridden (and still do) lots in mainland Europe, so much that I keep a small Ortleib drybag with the essentials packed ready. All I need to add are my documents, so I tend to forget what is required - particularly on multi country trips. I also should add that I have never been stopped or had to use any of the stuff in there in many thousands of miles of riding. I always have a GB logo on my number plate anyway so that's not a problem, but if you have never done it before there is a fair bit to consider, but once done and put in it's own bag, thats pretty much it till the next rubbish piece of crazy legislation comes along (carrying 2 breathalysers actually).
Just pack it up, forget about it, then get on and enjoy the journey and don't worry about the bike it will be fine.
Phil

thebiglad · 07-18-2012, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phild28

I've ridden (and still do) lots in mainland Europe, so much that I keep a small Ortleib drybag with the essentials packed ready. All I need to add are my documents, so I tend to forget what is required - particularly on multi country trips. I also should add that I have never been stopped or had to use any of the stuff in there in many thousands of miles of riding. I always have a GB logo on my number plate anyway so that's not a problem, but if you have never done it before there is a fair bit to consider, but once done and put in it's own bag, thats pretty much it till the next rubbish piece of crazy legislation comes along (carrying 2 breathalysers actually).
Just pack it up, forget about it, then get on and enjoy the journey and don't worry about the bike it will be fine.
Phil

Hi Phil, in France the legislation only requires you to carry 1 (from the 1st July 2012) but the Gendarmes have said that they will not issues fines for non-compliance upto 1st November 2012 due to a chronic shortage in the supply of these testers.

Just as an aside it may interest you to know the the committee that advised Mr Sarkozy to go for this, was chaired by an individual who just happens to be the MD of the largest (Contralco) of the two main producers of these tests. Funny that isn't it????

Btw I see you hail from Teeside, anywhere near Yarm or Stockton? We lived in Yarm & I went to school in Hurworth.

Baltobonneville · 07-18-2012, 08:11 AM

I'm not normally a Euro-basher, but I believe the French have gone off the deep end with these requirements. All the more reason to ride their superb trains.

thebiglad · 07-18-2012, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baltobonneville

I'm not normally a Euro-basher, but I believe the French have gone off the deep end with these requirements. All the more reason to ride their superb trains.

The only element that is different in France to the other mainland European countries is the alco-test and that is currently. My guess would be that other mainland European countries will follow.

Personally I don't see the big deal, you can buy a pair of them over here for 1-2€ and carry one at all times. It's a bit like always carrying your documents - it makes it easier for the Gendarmes to verify that you are completely legal, so highlighting the non-insured driver.

It's like the difference between UK and French registered cars, French cars carry stickers in their windscreen to show the current status of insurance and mot. So it's easier to weed out the offenders.

BonnieBlack · 07-18-2012, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebiglad

Hi Phil, in France the legislation only requires you to carry 1 (from the 1st July 2012)

1 unused one. If the assumption is that you have to carry these because you should use them, then you would need a second one on hand to continue to meet the requiement after using the first. That's where the "carry 2" is coming from I believe.

conchscooter · 07-18-2012, 10:53 AM

The rules in the US that lead to a DUI conviction are complex and persnickety, as they should be. A DUI is a criminal offense and gives the offender a permanent criminal record (I do not have a criminal record myself for the record). Never mind the harm drunk driving causes.
The idea that the citoyen should carry a pocket DUI tester for the police to use is bizarre to my mind.I must have been living for far too long in the US. I still want single payer though which just goes to show humans are complicated.