This is one of the most helpful videos I've ever watched on YT. Thnx so much for your efforts.
@Motourev4 ай бұрын
Thank you, hope it is of some use
@raesewell40226 ай бұрын
One thing I would like to point out about spare bulbs in France, whilst you are right about it not being a legal requirement. If you get stopped for having a defective bulb the police will not let you move from the spot untill the bulb is replaced. I got this information from a French policeman when I was in France. So the only way to avoid a long delay is to carry spare bulbs. Hope this helps someone.
@boxfullofneutral85146 ай бұрын
not much use for an led headlight
@lmaoroflcopter6 ай бұрын
@@boxfullofneutral8514 you're unlikely to have a blown bulb if it's an LED, nor is it likely to be a quick roadside fix, which is why you have breakdown cover so you can get on your way.
@boxfullofneutral85146 ай бұрын
@@lmaoroflcopterindeed madam hence my comment
@gthedrum4 ай бұрын
Very interesting video pal. Your meticulous planning & organisation must make it a whole lot easier for your trip mates. Well done & thanks for sharing. 👍🏼
@Motourev4 ай бұрын
Thank you, yeah they get an easy ride out of it 😀
@paulfanthorpe49192 ай бұрын
thanks for doing this video it really gives me a insight of what to get and plan. im traveling from france to switzerland in september alone on my lambretta.the video is a great help.
@jamiecarter84592 ай бұрын
What a cracking video 👊🏼 Didn’t realise that it would be as cheap as this, although I’ve not ridden in Europe, I would have thought about double this. Definitely food for thought Best wishes
@Motourev2 ай бұрын
You can spend a hell of a lot more if your are picky about hotels, we just need a bed and bathroom.
@49googie6 ай бұрын
Brilliant vlog Craig been doing this for 30 years You have the heart of a lion , took 18 bikes to Assen from here in N.I. for Motogp many years ago never again it's like working with 14 year old's and herding cats all rolled into one, just do it for me and my wife now. So all I have is Sat nav on front and sat nag on rear. lol
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
😂😂😂 Sat nag, that’s classic. We have people outside the group wanting to join the tours but I can just about cope with looking after the team 🙈
@YouMotorcycle6 ай бұрын
For those of us NOT in the UK, the video starts at 5:21
@ColonelBandit6 ай бұрын
Just watched this video again - gets better every time 👏
@roadwarrior8560Ай бұрын
Timely video, looking to book for late Sept.
@Moxy176 ай бұрын
Nice, I’m the planner for our trips away so know what a ball ache it can be, but as you say all worth it in the end. Will definitely use the card you mentioned for this years solo ride to the Picos mountains, as I didn’t realise the banks sting you for using your normal bank card when we did Switzerland last year👍🏼
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
It’s worth it to stop the greedy bankers getting their bonus 😂 enjoy your trip
@stevenhoward87926 ай бұрын
Really informative video Craig, lots of good information and knowledge when planning a tour, especially for a large number of people ,must take a lot of time and patience to do all that but when I watch your tour's I can see how much the guys appreciate your hard work and comment, really enjoyed the video mate 🤘
@blackk1UK4 ай бұрын
Thanks for the video. I'm also a "cat herder" 😀 tour organiser and my process is similar to yours. The only things my groups do differently are: 1) Use of motorways to cover big distances quickly. This allows us to get time in the Alps/Dolomites/Pyrenees without making the tour more than a week with 2 weekends. 2) Use of Trivago for hotels as it finds the cheapest option. 3) Stay at a hotel for more than 1 night so we get time on nice roads without luggage on the bike. (We also like a room to ourselves! Have a great trip.
@Motourev4 ай бұрын
Some great tips I will look into those
@tonkie11316 ай бұрын
Fantastic explanation and it’s a credit to you how well organized it is
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
Thank you kindly!
@michaelburgess29936 ай бұрын
Many thanks Craig for an excellent explanation of what you need for me to go to France. There are 6 of us going to Normandy in June on our bikes. This will be my first time abroad on a motorcycle.
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
You are gonna love it and the best part is you ride on the right hand side, trust after half hour there you will see how crap the left side is, can’t explain it but the right hand side feels right, if feels natural.
@russcattell955i5 ай бұрын
Normandy is great riding country. Initially similar to rural England, yet different enough to piqué the interest. I had a great week there May 23.
@lmaoroflcopter6 ай бұрын
I will say some of the autoroutes in france are breathtaking. They're fast, good tarmac and especially the ones that cross the middle of france and they climb up high, there were some truly breathtaking views. Whilst I too favoured D roads and smaller, after needing to make up some mileage and taking auto routes from the south to north of france to make our ferry, it was a hell of beautiful journey despite being on motorways.
@millinutz6 ай бұрын
What a fantastic video this is, and what a lot of work there is, just for a week away! I hope you are well reimbursed from the lads, for all your effort, work and the time you give up for the guys, just so that they can getaway from the Mrs and kids for a week! I have only ever done anything similar to this when the kids were still at home, for our summer Hols, but that is only for one unit, so to speak. Otherwise it has just been for me alone..., so this video has been a real eye-opener for me, and I hope, for your biking buddies as well, should they not already know! I raise my Helmet to you Sir.
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
😂❤
@903lew4 ай бұрын
Good video this, thanks for the honesty. As the organiser of our trips I can say that your friends are lucky to have you.
@Motourev4 ай бұрын
Cheers buddy, hard work and a lot of grief but I love it
@DOConTOUR6 ай бұрын
Loads of good info there for a tour organiser. I love the organisation part of the tours that I do. Great vid Craig!
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
Thanks 👍
@SteveLawrance6 ай бұрын
That is one of the most useful and informative videos I’ve ever watched. I am thinking of doing a Northern Europe tour and your vid has really opened my eyes as to what I need to plan for…. Many thanks….. top class…
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
Glad it was helpful! ❤️👍🏻
@ColonelBandit6 ай бұрын
Great video Craig - fantastic to hear how democratic the group is and I think the rules are a really brilliant idea 👏
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
You need them with a group this size or everything goes to pot 😂
@norriemasson40806 ай бұрын
Great video Mav, I think you covered all that’s needed for such a trip. I’m sure there will be many who find this helpful.
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
I hope so too!
@kingbubba2371Ай бұрын
Cheers for the breakdown of your organization. So much more than my solo tours but highly educational. Something to keep in mind for the future
@midlifemotorcyclediaries6 ай бұрын
Excellent information - really comprehensive. - thanks very much! 😀👍
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
@david37056 ай бұрын
Great detail Craig. I am sure the lads all appreciate it. I have a mate who does all the leg work like you. It’s been a real eye opener for me. I will cut him a bit more slack from now on 😂😂
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
😂😂 buy him a beer on the next tour, he will appreciate the thought.
@meurigjones24696 ай бұрын
Excellent vid. I was chomping at the bit to go somewhere before, but more so now. Hope you enjoy this years trip and thanks for taking the time to do this.
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
❤️ hope you get out and explore too 🤘🏻
@gercole1651Ай бұрын
Its very handy to be able to watch videos like this as its a great way to learn stuff you might not know before setting off on your trip. Got hurt in Switzerland a few years back with the price of a McDonalds
@AK-xu1fx6 ай бұрын
I've never seen such an informative video before. Thank you very much!
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
Hope it’s helpful
@matttownsend16526 ай бұрын
Really good informative video. Thanjs pal 👌
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it
@geoffmatthias30566 ай бұрын
Great vid Craig I only travel with my wife on pillion so we tend to stay in smaller B&B’s average around €80 a night for 2 usually with breakfast we also like to stay outside of busy towns. I always look at my furthest destination then plot stops in between and your right sometimes you have to alter Routes to suit hotels. Sometimes getting lost finds the best roads also never ride too far it’s just too dangerous. Love watching your tours - holidays stay safe all 👍👍
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
Fully agree mate, too many miles = tired = dangerous
@geoffmatthias30566 ай бұрын
Also Craig too many miles chasing down motorways and you miss so much we love the French countryside love your vids a great bunch of mates truly enjoying each other’s company stay normal and have a blast I’ll enjoy watching your next trip 👍👍
@IrelandRider6 ай бұрын
I bet this is gonna get loads of views over time, a very in-depth and informative plan of how much it costs and how you plan a tour. You mentioned you have a group chat to organise the details, I was wondering if the same goes for even the uk weekenders for noobs to ask questions about certain details? Thanks for sharing and your time and effort into putting this together 👌. See you on your next adventure ✌️ 🤙 🤟
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
I will message you
@youngeroldie50896 ай бұрын
Good video with great content, its easy when a small group go as we all just book our own things but when its a larger group there seems to be a lot more involved. Its good that you take on this challenge for the good of your touring mates.
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
Very true!
@davidz86 ай бұрын
What a brilliant video, I am just planing a trip into France in April, all the information provided is really useful, Thank you.
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
Enjoy your trip
@dannyjacquitighe38806 ай бұрын
Fantastic information Craig thank you 🏍️
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it
@Drewstheboy6 ай бұрын
That was brilliant, very informative and thanks for taking the time to share. Will definitely use this as a future guide.
@jackjones85526 ай бұрын
really well put together video, good information and the edit on this one was brilliant. top drawer.
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
Thank you! Cheers!
@stillightdronephotography6 ай бұрын
Wow, you really got a good deal on digs there! We are off to Austria in May so I've used a couple of your tips for planning, cheers for putting this up.
@Motourev5 ай бұрын
You’re welcome, hope you have an epic tour 🤘🏻
@andrewfishylawrence74536 ай бұрын
What a great video. 👍. That was very informative and lots of very good tips.
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
@stephenstokes83296 ай бұрын
Always wondered how much it would cost, very well done very informative 👍
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
Thanks! 👍
@Jaded-Wanderer12 күн бұрын
Motorcycle Trips to Spain from UK - Costs: Fixed costs - Return ferry crossing with a private cabin (Portsmouth. or Plymouth to Bilbao or Santander), bike prep and insurances £1000 Variable costs - About £105 to £120 per day. This assumes staying in hotels, guesthouses and apartments rather than camping.
@mizunomp59166 ай бұрын
Hi, thanks for the information on going to France, I’m thinking of going to Normandy in mid March, via the euro tunnel, it’s a solo tour and booking b and b for a total of 5 nights.
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
You will love it, a place everyone should experience. Hope you have an amazing time.
@guystevens1626 ай бұрын
Wow that was good i was thinking £2000 lol and yes every tour price up and down and what each folk pay. Nice one and as always Craig your presentations Awsome thanks all for the time you and everyone on your tours. 😃👍
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
Thanks 👍
@Smithiesonamotorbike6 ай бұрын
I was thinking the same and if not even closer to 3K, this had definitely got me thinking for the future 🤯👍
@Baza7656 ай бұрын
Wow how good was that,even though i dont have a passport,i found that really interesting, thanks for taking the time to explain ;-) Ride Safe Mr B \m/ PS,The lads dont no their the born do they ,,,,lol
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
@Triumph-Tiger-90-Com6 ай бұрын
Just discovered your inspirational channel. I tour solo (no itinary) and always take the Michelin Regonal maps for the area I am interested in and the 721 National Map. I pre-book only my first night(s) in France and use my phone and Google maps to look ahead for accommodation on the day. I aim for small provincial towns rather than cities and use the local tourist office where the staff are multilingual. French Campsites are regulated and good value but you will need warm gear above 1000m. See you in France at Coupes Moto Legende ?
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
Thanks for the comment, glad you enjoyed the content
@BeTouring_Bulgaria6 ай бұрын
Thank you so much for sharing your experience!
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
My pleasure!
@simonsaunders125 ай бұрын
Very interesting and informative Craig, you mention team and we alot but to me it looks like you do it all, this isn't me picking holes sthis is me just saying how much work you put in for the tour which is very impressive on its own, hats off to you for your commitment to the tour and making sure its enjoyable for all of you.
@Kojak-zh7qo6 ай бұрын
Brilliant video again thanks mate 👍
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it
@franhunter47016 ай бұрын
Really good vid mate. I bet you need a holiday after sorting that lot 😊
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
Yeah I do 😂
@StewartP456 ай бұрын
Thanks, a useful video on all the parts and order that they need to be in for a trip to work well. So far most of the trips I have been on have been organised by others but if at some point I'm involved myself then your video will be a good guide/checklist I'm sure.
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
Do it, you will love it and it’s very satisfying when you’ve provided a tour and team have had the time of their lives
@RobertWilliams-oy9qk2 ай бұрын
Thanks for putting this together
@georgepugh16716 ай бұрын
Great watch mate, some good pointers as we're doing tunnel,france and switzerland same week as you did but ours is 10 days total as we travel to/from the north east. Wondering if any of you used a different sim card for europe? thanks again for sharing.
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
I’m with EE and mine worked perfectly. Just had to pay £2 a day for roaming fee if I used my data
@UncleLongbeard6 ай бұрын
Good to know the different way you plan than me. A few good tricks in planning as well.
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
Hotels is what gets us, we can’t just turn up being so many of us.
@UncleLongbeard6 ай бұрын
@@Motourev yep, I know, whenever there is more than 2 or 3 it changes everything
@baconbiketours91666 ай бұрын
Beat me to it, just putting one of these together for Norway lol
@thejosh71816 ай бұрын
I look forward to watching that one too. Planning a norway tour atm
@patrickbatham26986 ай бұрын
Love videos like this down to earth and straight!....was the final cost include insurances?
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
No as I already had paid it earlier in the year, breakdown cover is included in my bank account, travel insurance was about £9 for a one off trip
@calummacleod23926 ай бұрын
Excellent video .
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
❤️🙌🏻
@FoxtrotOscar99927 күн бұрын
Really useful
@Tarmac_Warrior6 ай бұрын
great video mate
@carrot11514 ай бұрын
The deposit at the pump is the same if you use the pay at pump in the UK
@millinutz6 ай бұрын
So, your personal total expenditure for 8 days away (in the Tourist season) was £704.- ! That is approx £88.- / day. And that is, after converting into my local currency, a damm good price. I will be doing a 14 day trip from Switzerland to, and around Wales this summer, ending up at my Sister's place in Shrops. for a few days before the ride back back to Switz. So this should help with planning my expenditure, thanks. Knowing how I can rough it, i'll probably do it using less, but I now have a maximum as a guide line. I'll know more next autumn. I've been to so many places over the course of my life, Switzerland being so central as a starting point, but Never have I managed a trip to England on my Bike:
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
Yes it’s not expensive to tour, ok we don’t eat in fancy restaurants but eat fast food and we don’t need 5⭐️ hotels, just somewhere to sleep. People get the idea tours are expensive as they see the price from organised tour campanies
@millinutz6 ай бұрын
@@Motourev ...yeah, the organised tour prices, and also seeing them fancy Vloggers showing us the high life way, while begging us to join their "patreon" or at least "buy me a coffee"! Me, i'll go in a Lidl or the like (think i've seen you do the same), get a water, a roll, some cold meat or cheese and park somewhere nice for 40mins and later a Restaurant stop for the loo and a good coffee!
@VeryStrangeBikers6 ай бұрын
Alot of work goes into that pal hats off again.......think ill stick to wales lol.
@VeryStrangeBikers6 ай бұрын
well crewe to northwich 🤣🤣🤣
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
😂 must be a pain having to doing everything for Oggy, that lad don’t know he’s born. You’d think by now he would’ve done something for you, pure selfish mate.
@robertholme35266 ай бұрын
Crewe to j&s for a breakfast
@gordonsmall24986 ай бұрын
Great video and thanks for taking the time to prepare the content and upload it. Just a quick question please if you don't mind. We are off to Ypres (Belgium) in July. We are going on the Tunnel from Folkestone. What would you advise is the best route down to Folkestone from the Midlands? We aint looking forwards to that journey to be honest as it's a bit of a slog. Many thanks and keep up the very informative video's. 👍👍👍👍
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
We take m5 onto m52, then onto m40 and take m25 s as round London. Not the greatest ride but we find it’s the one route we just want to crunch miles on. Previously we stay in high Wycombe which is half way to break up the journey.
@gordonsmall24986 ай бұрын
Thanks @Motourev for reply. I'll put this option to my two pals. Looks like motorway is the better option ( unfortunately )😞 But Thanks for taking the time to reply to me. Many thanks pal.
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
@@gordonsmall2498 sadly the midlands is the complete horrible side of getting to Folkestone. Just try to pick outside of rush hour
@oiskipoiski75364 ай бұрын
Use Splitwise to share and track expenses instead of spreadsheets.
@davidprentice1764Ай бұрын
Great Video thanks. From what i understand your NHS medical card has no validity now we are out of the EU, you need to pay for medical treatment by yourself or through insurance.
@JIMWSMITH6 ай бұрын
Very informative, thank you.
@grumpopzijnmashfifty31095 ай бұрын
A good info vid. Even tho i like to ride alone or with just one person extra. Still got some good pointers from your vid. Am glad we dont have mot on our bikes in the netherlands. Dont know tho if the french give a crap about that. There enough gas stations you can still pay cash. I rather avoid french than being even for a day being ripped of for 80 euro,s for 20 euros of petrol. But than again every country has its wierd to us rules.. have a safe next trip
@Motourev5 ай бұрын
Thank you 🙏🏻
@robertbates10796 ай бұрын
Good lots of advice there , I've been organising tours in Europe on and off for 20 years , though max I've had was 8 . This year its 4 so not too bad , we've individually just booked our shuttle this year for may . I see your 2024 tour says black forest ...which is where we are off and looking for 1st night around arras (there for my50th 12 years ago) .. have you sussed a hotel mav around baden baden yet , trying to get free safe bike parking ones at mo .. bit pricey. We go on around a ,£100 a day all in too. Look forward to your next vid.
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
We are stay near to Strasbourg in France then just crossing the border on the morning into Germany.
@robertbates10796 ай бұрын
Cheers, will check out.
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
@@robertbates1079 we are staying here www.booking.com/Share-kohXng
@millinutz6 ай бұрын
Going back to Switzerland and the high cost of living. The majority of us normal folk, ("I say us folk" as I have lived in Switz. for many years), or your average Joe Bloggs, so to speak, do earn that bit more than the UK guy does, but at the end of the Month after all bills etc. have been paid..., the amount left, is not much more, if any, than it would be for any English person on his wages. It is only the top 30% -40% of the population that really rake it in. Just thought i'd put that out, to give it a bit more perspective. Oh, one more thing, If you eat out in a Tourist destination, like Interlaken truely is, then everywherte is expensive..., even at McDonalds! Go to any "normal or ordinary town" then you'll get a Burger Meal, drink inc. for much less, and because i'm not as daring or flamboyant as you all seemingly are, I stay away from any Indian Restaurant (ugg, hate the stuff), preferring to use the money saved, to put another "Tiger in my Tank"! Good video once again, Thanks. Now i'll let you get back to all that planning for the 2024 trip, see ya!
@Thaqalayn15123 ай бұрын
Awesome, thankyou 👍
@tiger_8006 ай бұрын
thank you good insight
@bazzsom3 ай бұрын
Great video again Craig 👍🏻 I do have a question for you though. Do you know if you need the pollution stickers in the areas of the Normandy beaches? Is just we’re thinking of a last minute trip and it says the stickers could take up to 6 weeks to arrive which is past when are thinking of going.
@Motourev3 ай бұрын
At the moment no but think from next year more areas are covered. The longest we’ve waited is 2 weeks for the crit air sticker
@bazzsom3 ай бұрын
@@Motourev Hi pal thanks for the info 👍🏻 I’ve ordered them online through the official site so fingers crossed they’ll come in time 🤞🏻 if not we’ll just have to reschedule.
@Motourev3 ай бұрын
@@bazzsom don’t reschedule it’s only a €60 fine if you got caught, it’s not like a speeding fine. Cameras do not detect them it would only be if a physical traffic warden checked your bike whilst parked in public.
@bazzsom3 ай бұрын
@@Motourev Oh ok thanks for again for the info 😁👍🏻
@johnwelbers42486 ай бұрын
😎🏍💨💨💨💨💨👍🏻🇨🇦🍻 thanks for sharing
@rc704 ай бұрын
Thanks mate, really very informative to watch. I’ve a question as I never done a tour yet but planning this year. When booking accommodation (booking,com or airbnb) do you also filter for parking? Or is it important to look for secure parking or street parking is fine? Do you lock the bike at night? Thanks!
@Motourev4 ай бұрын
If we have a hotel in a city we try to make sure there is secure parking. If hotel out in French country side then we are happy to leave outside. Yes we all have locks and if a city we also lock bikes together.
@davidmatthews30935 ай бұрын
Why aren’t you comparing like for like? The alternative to Eurotunnel is a Dover to Calais crossing which will be much cheaper than the longer Brittany Ferries option?
@Motourev5 ай бұрын
We choose Caen if we have a long ride to the ferry as we use the crossing as a break, so if we’ve done 7 hours ride then have another 3 hours home we use the ferry time as down time. We choose Calais if we are touring east side to south and Caen if touring middle to west south. It’s all about planning ahead and using ferry time as rejuvenation time. Choosing based on price and time is useless unless you’ve pre planned it as a benefit as we do for down time. It’s all down down to how you plan your tours and actually using your loaf to making the best out of crossing times.
@davidmatthews30935 ай бұрын
Why do you go at the end of July beginning of August when it’s peak season? Everything is more packed and expensive then.
@Motourev5 ай бұрын
I work in education so I only have school holidays to go away.
@MarkHolyoak6 ай бұрын
That's a job of work and very diligent of you but it must feel like herding cats at times :)
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
More like a pack of wolves 😂
@Craigm496 ай бұрын
Can l come on tour with you. I can never get it that cheap
@Motourev6 ай бұрын
😂
@davidmatthews30935 ай бұрын
The breathalyser law in France has been withdrawn.