Search found 135 matches

by F70100
20 Mar 2024, 5:55pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: North Netherlands in/near Groningen - parking a car
Replies: 3
Views: 282

Re: North Netherlands in/near Groningen - parking a car

If you want something that might offer a little more security, you could consider the long term car park at Groningen airport.
by F70100
29 Jan 2024, 11:55am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Security on Ferries
Replies: 23
Views: 1444

Re: Security on Ferries

If you're really concerned about keeping an eye on your stuff, you could stay with the bike until everyone else has left the car deck and you're the last to go up the stairs. Then try and be at the front of the queue to be first on the car deck before disembarkation.
by F70100
22 Jan 2024, 11:11am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Best SIM card for long tour abroad
Replies: 14
Views: 904

Re: Best SIM card for long tour abroad

roubaixtuesday wrote: 22 Jan 2024, 9:31am
Hence the global esim suggestion, which I think gets around that. They also do individual country ones, which as I understand it you can buy in advance then activate whenever you want.

Hope that logic makes some sort of sense.
Ubigi.com also do esims which covers "Europe" and "Eastern Europe", both on a one off fee and monthly arrangement. Perhaps one of those would fit the bill. I'm not sure if it was mentioned but remember that esims only provide data; any phone calls and texts sent will be via your usual provider, unless you use the voice call function of apps like WhatsApp.
by F70100
19 Jan 2024, 11:19pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Touring GPS Sat Nav
Replies: 34
Views: 1351

Re: Touring GPS Sat Nav

I have a Garmin Edge Touring. Garmin still producing map updates for it but I find it's easier to use the free ones from https://garmin.bbbike.org . The original (from 2013) battery ran out of steam after about 7 years but I was able to source and fit a third party replacement. Can't recall where from, probably eBay, and this one is still giving a days use.

I'm sure Garmin Basecamp will produce a file which will generate turn by turn instructions on the unit, but I've always found Basecamp a pain to use. Sites like ridewithgps though will generate gpx track file which provide a line on the map to follow which I find good enough, and these probably help preserve battery life too.

Hope you manage to find something that works for you.
by F70100
30 May 2023, 4:11pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Ordnance Survey Maps - alternative app recommendation pls
Replies: 26
Views: 1093

Re: Ordnance Survey Maps - alternative app recommendation pls

Not sure if it's available for Android, but for iOS, you might have a look at the "OutDoors GB" app. Can't recall if the annual sub is £15 or £20 for the year but for that you get fully downloadable OS maps at 1:50000 and 1:25000, and you can overlay gpx routes onto them, amongst other things. It runs in conjunction with outdoorsgps.com.

Hope that helps.
by F70100
1 May 2023, 8:37pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Taking Food into Europe (2023)?
Replies: 31
Views: 2551

Re: Taking Food into Europe (2023)?

I’ve used the Harwich - HvH ferry half a dozen times over the last 18 months (mostly with a Campervan, couple of times with the motorbike). Leaving Harwich you go through port security. We always get stopped with the Campervan; they want to know that the gas is off and have a look inside. They have never raised any issues about knives in the “kitchen”. They usually use a mirror thing to check under use vehicle; not really sure what they’re looking for. With the motorbike, always get waved through port security.

On arrival at HvH, customs usually seem to stop trade vans rather than tourists. Don’t think they’re that interested in cheese sandwiches.

There’s a branch of the Albert Hein supermarket about 400m ride from the passport checkpoint. They have all the cheese and ham you could wish for. They don’t take credit cards.
by F70100
17 Apr 2023, 8:25am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Anyone done the Hebrides Way in April?
Replies: 23
Views: 1743

Re: Anyone done the Hebrides Way in April?

Steve X wrote: 16 Apr 2023, 10:03am I hope this does not sound too stoopid a question, do I actually need a map?
I have the route on my Garmin, and I would need several OS Maps to cover the Western Isles. I am guessing I will pick up tourist maps for sights of interest, and I always think asking directions is a great way to meet people.
If you’re a smart device user, the “GB & Parks” app gives you nationwide coverage, on- and off-line, of all of the UK OS maps at 1:50000 and 1:25000 for £15 per year. Better viewed on an iPad size screen of course but useable on iPhone.
by F70100
24 Sep 2022, 2:29pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: When will Eurostar recommence carrying bikes?
Replies: 198
Views: 26741

Re: When will Eurostar recommence carrying bikes?

The number of bikes being carried on the back of motorhomes (ours included) whilst crossing to and from Europe on ferries this year hasn't been any less than before Brexit. Taking your personal effects abroad for the purposes of tourism is still allowed.

It seems to me that Eurostar needed an excuse not to provide any spaces for bikes, and have chosen Brexit. Meanwhile, every other cross channel transportation route is carrying on as before.
by F70100
28 May 2022, 11:25pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Anyone been to Holland recently ?
Replies: 10
Views: 680

Re: Anyone been to Holland recently ?

+2; there for 12 days in May. Asked on arrival by the Immigration Officer what was the purpose of our journey (tourism) and if we were vaccinated (didn’t ask to see proof). Arrived in a Campervan with bikes on the rack. No hassle.
by F70100
23 Mar 2022, 10:39pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Europe 2022
Replies: 357
Views: 26073

Re: Europe 2022

Will wrote: 23 Mar 2022, 10:48am As of today, a negative PCR test is no longer required:

https://www.government.nl/topics/corona ... eclaration

Will
Noted, thank you. Time to get booking :)
by F70100
16 Mar 2022, 1:21pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Europe 2022
Replies: 357
Views: 26073

Re: Europe 2022

Thanks for the update Willem.
by F70100
6 Mar 2022, 11:08pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Europe 2022
Replies: 357
Views: 26073

Re: Europe 2022

Well, that went well :?

Thanks Willem for taking the time to answer; no firm indications yet as to when the requirement for a negative test result is likely to be dropped. Hopefully it won’t be too long.
by F70100
6 Mar 2022, 9:40am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Europe 2022
Replies: 357
Views: 26073

Re: Europe 2022

ossie wrote: 5 Mar 2022, 8:29pm
simonhill wrote: 5 Mar 2022, 7:39pm Given the number of EU countries that accept UK certs and don't require tests, why go to NL.

Presumably land borders are open, so one has to wonder what is the point.
My guess is Harwich / Hook might be a reason for many folk. It's one of my gateways to the continent (especially Germany) but I'm always passing through the NL although I love the place, camping etc. I assume and hope things will change in the next few months.
This.
by F70100
5 Mar 2022, 3:53pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Europe 2022
Replies: 357
Views: 26073

Re: Europe 2022

Thanks Willem.