In the first instance use emergency motorway phones (particularly in France). Assistance will get you off the motorway and take you to a garage, where you can call your own breakdown assistance. This costs €180, which you can claim back from your breakdown company.

Each person must carry the EHIC/GHIC card available free from Post Offices which gives you basic medical cover free within the EU but in the event of a serious illness or accident does not cover repatriation costs. French hospitals will not treat you if you don’t have an EHIC/GHIC.

Further info is available at https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic

You must have valid travel insurance in place for the tour, which includes repatriation should it be required.

You must have valid breakdown cover in place for your motorcycle, which includes repatriation should the worse happen. If you are a member of MAG, they do an excellent package starting at £50 for the year. Just ensure you get European cover with repatriation, and ensure you have a contact means for them whilst abroad.

We have noticed that generally the French have slowed down and keep close to the speed limits. Recent experiences in France indicate that they are tightening up on speeding. For instance, someone recently pulled over after overtaking a truck in a 90kph limit, who then continued to maintain the overtaking speed until being pulled at 130kph, was given an on the spot fine of €137 and levied a further €85 on return to UK.

This in itself is not the end of the world – but it made a hole in the beer vouchers – the sting came when the drivers license was taken and a 3 month ban of driving in France slapped on. In this instance there was a pillion who could ride the bike, but if you were alone you would be left standing on the side of the road!

Don’t worry, we will make progress whenever we can, but the days of pinning it and max’ing out your bike across France may well be over… For now 😉

It’s entirely up to you, but my best advice would be less is more. I don’t like to be too overladen with stuff when on the bike, but then again I don’t mind riding with a rucksack.

A tried and tested technique we’ve developed over the years of touring is to go to Primark and buy a bunch of t-shirts, underwear and socks for the trip. Exactly how many is entirely up to you, but we’re a firm believer in the ‘reverse it’ rule for undies!

Once satisfied you’ve had your money’s worth out the £2 t-shirt or pants, we use them to wash the bike before throwing them away. You end up progressively reducing your luggage as the tour goes on, and as your bike fatigue levels rise your luggage gets lighter. You also have a shiny clean bike every few days. Obviously if you want to take your Sunday best on tour, then this approach probably isn’t for you.

No matter what, I usually pack, unpack, half it, then pack again. All the hotels we’ll stay in will have laundry facilities, and you won’t be needing your tux so casual, light clothing should suffice. Bruce went around the world with 4 t-shirts and 2 pairs of pants and socks, but then again he spends a lot of time by himself.

As a guide, for a typical 10-day trip we’d take the following:

• 5 t-shirts
• 5 pairs of underwear & socks (in truth we’d probably only take 3 or 4, then wash’em in the sink!)
• 2 pairs of light cargo-style trousers (can even get ones that zip into shorts) – (in truth we’d take 1)
• Washbag
• 2 sets of baselayers for riding in (in truth we’d take 1)
• Flip-Flops and/or pair of shoes/boots
• Riding kit (waterproofs if needed)
• Spare gloves
• Visor wipe
• Chain lube (if needed)
• Any personal medication needed (we have a basic first aid kit on each guide & qualified first aider present)
• Phone/Camera

Many EU countries also stipulate you must carry spare bulbs and/or fuses too. You can get a simple lightweight set from Halfords for around £10

You no longer have to have a breathalyser kit with you in France, but we really wouldn’t recommend having any alcohol during the day whilst we are on the bikes. The drink drive limits in many European countries are way lower than in the UK, it’s just not worth it.

You’ll also need a GB sticker somewhere on your bike, if it’s not already on your number plate as all modern ones are. The French police in particular are becoming quite picky on this when the need takes them.

Lastly, you’re now supposed to have a high-viz bib on you and this must be worn if you end up stopping at the roadside for any length of time.

In almost 100,000 miles riding around the world, Bruce was NEVER asked for any of these, but we must make you aware, so the choice is yours.

We can normally get that lot tucked away into a tailpack and the light stuff in a rucksack, if needed. Less is definitely best for touring, especially if you’re not used to riding with kit on the bike. But never fear, you very quickly get used to the sensation and soon won’t notice anything different.

• Passport
• Driving Licence
• V5 Logbook for your bike – a colour photocopy will suffice
• Insurance certificate showing cover for Europe – a colour photocopy will suffice
• Copy of your European breakdown with contact number in case of issue
• EHIC/GHIC health card – you WON’T be treated in Europe without one, or you will be charged for any treatment
• Copy of your European travel insurance with contact numbers

Unlike other tour companies out there, we don’t just give you the co-ordinates and send you off. Bruce and Simon will be with you from the very first meet up right through to the end of the tour. Don’t worry, we’ll leave you alone to sleep and go to the bathroom, but for the actual riding we’ll be leading the way! If you find the pace isn’t swift enough, just let us know and if the rest of the group is happy to make progress, we will. If not, we can pre-arrange a meet-up point and you’re free to fire on to your hearts content.

Otherwise we’ll stay together in a rough group, guide at the front and everyone else suitably paced out behind. The guide will never loose sight of no.2 in the convoy, so if everyone tries to stick to that rule we will stay together in a rough group along the way. In the open stretches of road, people are free to stretch their wheels if they so desire, but keep in mind there may be a turn off coming up! Your guide will keep you updated throughout each day with the general route, so let us know if you’ve got any concerns.

Bottom line, it’s just common sense. We’ll be fine.

We’ll start each day with a full tank of fuel, whether obtained the previous night before the hotel, or sought first thing in the morning when we head off. Fuel is never hard to come by in Europe, but we’ll always try to have no less than half a tank at the least, which also gives an added leg stretch every 40 minutes or so.

If you’re bike is particularly thirsty, just let us know so we can take this into consideration when planning the day’s ride.

We utilise the ‘Emergency Distress Signal’ when on tour, so just wave your hands in the air like you just don’t care and we’ll get the point. You’ll each be given your guides mobile numbers in return for your own, so we’ll always be able to get in touch with each other.

It’s just common sense, we all look out for each other and if you notice someone’s having an issue flash your lights, sound your horn, ease off on the throttle – anything to draw the attention of the rider in front. The guide will soon get the point and we’ll deal with whatever has occurred.

We want you to enjoy your trip, we want you to enjoy the amazing roads available, and we want you to be able to stretch your legs on your bike where you feel the need. If you can handle your bike like a pro then by all means go forth and slide. But if you can’t we don’t want to be left to pick up the pieces, so leave it to the professionals on track and we’ll just enjoy what the road brings us that day 😉

If you’ve got any before we leave, then drop us a line at info@chickenstrips.co.uk

Otherwise, we’ll see you at the meeting point and first brew’s on us!

A deposit of £300 per person is required for all tours to secure your place. After you email us to enquire about a trip, we’ll email an invoice for the deposit to you with a relevant due date. Once paid, we’ll email an invoice for the remaining amount with a final due date. Tours booked within 30 days of departure for UK tours (60 days for European tours) will require payment in full at the time of booking.

Circumstances beyond our control may dictate an increase in the cost of your tour. Any increase less than 2% of the published price will be absorbed within the original price, any increase over 2% we may need to add to the final invoice.

All cancellations must be in writing and the following terms apply:

• Loss of full deposit unless cancellation is on medical grounds, in which case we will require proof in the form of a note from your doctor.
• You may transfer your deposit to another tour within the tour season that you booked. In the event of you cancelling that tour, you will lose your deposit.
• You may transfer your booking to another person. However, you will be liable for any administration costs and will be responsible for your nominee paying their monies in full.
• Between 30 and 15 days before departure (UK); 60 and 30 days (European)

if balance paid: 25% credit towards another tour (valid for 12 months).

• Less than 15 days before departure (UK), and 30 days (European): no refund.

To cover this eventuality, we strongly recommend you take out Holiday Cancellation Insurance.

We reserve the right to cancel any tour. However, this would only become necessary in exceptional circumstances. In such an event, we would hope to offer you an alternative. If this were not possible or acceptable, we would issue a full refund. ChickenStrips will not be held responsible or offer a refund/compensation in any of the following situations: war, riots, civil unrest, terrorism, natural disaster or any unforeseen cancellations due to industrial disputes and/or weather.

Arrangements for your tour are made months in advance. It is therefore inevitable that changes can occur. In most cases, these changes will be minor and will not affect your holiday. However, in the event of a major change, we will advise you immediately and you may then (a) continue the tour with the new itinerary, (b) accept an alternative of the same or similar value, or (c) cancel your holiday with a full refund.

In accordance with the Package Travel, Package Holiday and Package Tour Regulations 1992 and EC Directive 90/314EC all monies will be kept in trust until such times as your tour is complete.

We accept responsibility for supplying as near as physically possible a tour package as described in our Tour literature. We are unable to control any deficiencies in services due to local conditions, maintenance, industrial dispute or weather.

1. a) To advise ChickenStrips of any illness, infirmity, allergies or dietary needs that may affect your touring holiday.

For European tours, you will also be required to fill in a full Personal Details Form (Booking Form).

1. b) Be a competent rider with a machine that is road legal, mechanically ­sound and of a type suitable for touring.
2. c) Hold a valid Certificate of Insurance covering machine, rider and pillion.
3. d) Have the ability to get yourself and/or bike home in the event of a breakdown, accident or emergency.

1. 1. e) Valid UK passport (ensure visa not required if non­ UK)
   2. f) European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) (can be obtained online at www.dh.govuk/travellers, by ‘phoning 0845 6062030, or by post from any main Post Office) Note:

   E111 Certificate is no longer valid

   1. g) European insurance cover for your bike must include repatriation in the event of an accident or serious breakdown.
   2. h) Personal Travel Insurance for yourself and pillion (if appropriate). This must include medical cover including any possible repatriation in the event of serious illness or accident. We also recommend you include cancellation cover.

   NB: Breakdown and Personal Insurance (g) & h)) are compulsory on our European tours and are YOUR responsibility to arrange 

1. 1. ChickenStrips will utilise the drop-off marker system that will be fully explained in the pre-tour briefing. The lead rider will NEVER loose sight of the rider behind, but natural gaps in the line may appear over the course of a ride. In built up areas, villages, towns and cities your guide will never exceed the stated speed limit. On open road sections, riders will be free to ride at their own pace, providing they adhere to the drop-off marker system. As such, no rider is compelled to ride at a speed or level they are not comfortable with. Should you receive a speeding fine/penalty whilst on the tour, you alone are responsible for its payment and ChickenStrips will not be held accountable in any way.

In the event of a complaint, in the first instance, you should approach one of the guides. If you still consider that your complaint has not been properly addressed, you should put your comments in writing and send them to:

ChickenStrips
102 Chatham Road
Sandling
Kent
ME14 3BB