This is a list of essentials and "nice to haves"  to take when on a biking holiday.

Bits you must take.

• Passport. Make sure it’s up to date with at least 6 months outstanding from the time you are travelling.
• Credit cards/money. See below.
• Mobile phone & charger. (make sure that international roaming bars are lifted.)
• Travel insurance. Absolutely essential. Make sure it covers you for motorcycles. Take the docs and a phone number to call.
• European medical cover Used to be form E111. It’s now been replaced by a new credit card sized document. See your local post office for details.
• Breakdown cover. Make sure it covers the countries you are visiting. Take the documents with you – and the phone number to call.
• Driving Licence. Take 2 photocopies and the original.
• Insurance Certificate showing European Cover. Original plus two copies.
• Logbook. Take 2 photocopies and the original.
• Hi Viz waistcoat. In some countries, you must wear one if you break down.

Useful things to take – some of this may be shared between bikes:

• Spare bike and lock keys and alarm fob (give to someone else in the party in case your bag gets nicked).
• Alarm instructions and manual disarm code, assuming you have an alarm.
• Bike owners manual (if pocket sized).
• Puncture repair kit.
• Get some Ultra Seal to put into your tyres. From personal experience, I know it helps. Do just the rear tyre if you plan on some high speed riding.
• Batteries/Charger for two-way radios if you have them.
• Dark visor or sunglasses.
• Small can chain oil even if you have a Scottoiler (it may run out).
• Travel pack of tissues. These double as emergency loo roll and if you have ever stopped in a French public toilet, you understand why you need some.
• Maps. At least one per group of riders. Sat Nav works well when it works, but if it fails, you need a fallback plan.
• First aid kit including anti-histamines for any insect bites.
• Small sewing kit.
• Lock and chain.
• Small Torch.
• Tiny locks for any soft luggage
• Insect repellent
• Sun cream
• A water bottle with water in it. It can get very thirsty while riding.
• Language phrase book.
• Tyre pressure gauge and a small hand pump.
• Camera and film. (or digital media)
• Mains converter plugs for any electrical accessories.
• Travel bands if you get queasy on a boat – better than pills if you have to drive afterwards.
•  Tools
• Bike tool kit (make sure it's in there). I also carry other bits as well such as 13mm spanner for Givi luggage and full set of Allen keys.
• Light weight length of nylon rope.
• Duck Tape – good for taping broken fairings.
• Small electrical block connector.
• Roll of electrical tape
• Small roll wire and wire cutters.
• Take some thin plastic pipe – if someone runs out of petrol, you can siphon it from another bike.
•  Clothes
• Loads of T-shirts, pants and socks.
• Shorts/Swim shorts
• Jeans, - Preferably a black pair which you can sometimes get away with in a night club.
• Maybe just a couple of ordinary short sleeve shirts.
• Shoes, something multipurpose is ideal, like black trainers. You may want some beach shoes/sandals too.
• A hat to wear in the sun.

Top wash stuff tips:

• Take a small bottle of shaving cream or grow a beard (men only, I hope). Electric razors are great until they run out of charge.
• This will of course vary depending on your levels personal hygiene, but just don’t bring any “family sized” bottles of anything, or any bottles that are going to break or leak when you start chucking your bike about.
• Not sure what the hotel will have, so take a towel or two.

Riding gear

• Waterproofs. In spite of everything, it may rain occasionally.
• Visor cleaner/demister
• Clear visor if you have a dark one.
• Spare pair of gloves. I normally take one pair which are waterproof and one very lightweight set which are great in hot weather.

Money

• Take about £20-£30 in Euros. If your credit card stops working, you will have enough money for some petrol or food for a day Other than, that, rely on credit cards or cash machines as much as possible. You don’t want to be carrying large amounts of cash – invitation to thieves.

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