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Frequently Asked Questions |
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Frequently Asked Questions |
| This page introduces some topics which don't fit easily into the main pages. If you wish to e-mail the author with your own query, then this is the site where the question and answer may be placed for the benefit of others. |
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Can I hire a bike in Spain? This is the most common request in my e-mails and the short answer is yes, but I cannot give you any real information because I have always used my own bikes. I don't know for any national car hire chains which hire out motorcycles, but there are plenty of small places which rent mopeds and similar especially in tourist areas. Hiring a large bike is not so easy though, probably because of insurance issues - there is a thriving trade in stolen big bikes (like Fireblades) which are sent across the borders and sold illegally. You do occasionally see 600cc bikes for rent. If you wish to rent a bike for touring Spain I've put a couple of links on my Links page. I can't make recommendations because I haven't tried them. Do the French still have 'priority to the right'? Unleaded petrol is called sans plomb in France, and gasolina sin plomo in Spain. In France you may meet small garages which are not self service and you may want to give a small tip. They will take Visa cards even if they are tiny (well I haven't found a non Visa outlet yet). Self service is service libre, if I remember correctly. Most of the outlets in Spain are not self-service yet, although they are slowly converting, and some outlets are both. If you get served, then a small tip (like 25 pesetas) is much appreciated. If you're in a car they will wash your windscreen, but they may not take Visa cards - carry cash to be on the safe side. Are Spanish motorway tolls still ridiculously high? Yes, but not as bad since 1997. Spanish bikes are the same toll rates as cars - and this is very expensive. Luckily, in a deal with the government the toll companies have recently reduced their prices, although not a lot. Previously, it often worked out at about 10 pence per mile, for a bike as well! Because of the cost, all the lorries and coaches used to clog up the towns which should have been bypassed, and the only people you saw on Spanish toll motorways (peaje) were rich German tourists. You could watch them go by: Merc, BMW, Audi, Merc, BMW... French toll roads (peage) are much cheaper, and are half price to motorbikes which is a Good Thing, and makes them worth using in boring countryside. Where can I stop for food - France? Luckily, France is now being populated with fast-food outlets like MacDonalds. I say 'luckily' because although you previously had to use a cafe or restaurant, which was probably excellent value for money, it would invariably be a large meal and it was slow. The last thing you want on a long run is to spend two hours for lunch. You see, the French don't actually like eating food, they like discussing food. With plenty of wine with which to wash down the discussion. Motorway services can be packed, and quite frankly are not much better than our UK ones (they seem to be too cramped). You can stop for chips (frites) at a road-side kiosk, but you'll be surprised at how expensive it is. As you approach a town you will see fast-food advertising signs along the verge, indicating on which town exit road their establishment is located. You can't miss them, but just be warned that their fast-food is a bit, um, well, slow. So that's it then - the state of French cuisine in one easy paragraph. Where can I stop for food - Spain? Spain is behind us in fast-food outlets, but is catching up fast. There are many pseudo-MacDonalds with similar names although the real ones, and Burger King, can be found. The tourist areas are ok, but you will probably be in deepest non-tourist country. Don't worry, the situation is fine. The Spanish have many bars and restaurants along the road sides, and unlike the French they actually eat the food (except Breakfast, which is usually just a cake and strong coffee). They also talk animatedly and make a lot of noise - this makes bikers feel at home. The food available varies from a quick coffee and croisant, to a full blown multi-course extravaganza. Eat at a table in the bar, or in the dining room. But, the dining room will be much slower; the Spanish assume that, in the bar, you are a traveller and want to get a move on. If you want something quick and filling then a bocadillo, sometimes called a sandwich, is a small narrow loaf of bread with various fillings; tuna, cheese, etc. These are usually about 2 uk pounds and will be served in a couple of minutes. They are generally excellent, but cheese is one of the most expensive. Their ham is called jamon. There are two types: jamon york which is tinned, and jamon serrano which is not cooked but cured. You see these hanging about in racks all over the place - don't worry they cut off the skin. This is my favourite. One word of warning - well quite a few actually - as a delicacy, they often rub tomato into their bread or bocadillos, so this red colour makes it look as if the meat is raw. With a bread basket, it looks like they've taken the filling out of a sandwich. They may ask you if you want this, they'll make rubbing motions with their hands and say 'tom-at-ace'. Be on the safe side and say 'si' because otherwise the bocadillo may be a little dry for our tastes. They don't use butter or margerine, but this is their equivalent. You can find a suitable place to stop by looking for parked lorries; in fact, this is my recommendation. They may offer you the dining room with all the truckers, which is fine, but it may take a while to get your meal. This is more of a community affair; good atmosphere, good food, but keep to the bar if you want speed. The menu del dia (menu of the day) is usually fabulous value for money; the law requires them to provide this at cost price plus a certain percentage. It will consist of three courses and cost peanuts, but there may be little or no choice. Are wheelies illegal in France and Spain? I believe that their rules are the same as ours, so best not to do any. However, in some parts of Spain it appears to be a legal requirement to pull a huge wheelie if you own a GSX-R750. Mind you, I think you need a loud exhaust to go with it. Joking apart, I've seen locals doing crazy things in towns, and the police have just stood by watching; but it may be that these are the major's sons and hence immune to prosecution! I'm going by ferry, do I have to tie down my bike? Most experienced bikers like to do it themselves, but if you attract the attention of a docker they'll do it for you. If its your first time they will describe the process for you so that you will be able to copy them another time. You will nearly always travel with other bikers so they can help as well. You will be put onto the ferry before the cars (most probably you will be directed to the front of the car queue) either in a special bike area with padded rails, or at the ends near the trucks. You will then be directed to the sides where you will find piles of stout rope. Put your bike as near to the side as possible, on either the centre or side stand, and try to imagine the boat rolling and hence the bike shifting. Tie the bike in two or three places to rails, but make sure that you put something like a duster or glove at any points where the rope rubs against the bike's bodywork or it will rub away the paint. When you are called back, untie the bike and get ready with all your gear but don't start the engine until the doors are being opened. The other bikers will seem to be in total control, so just follow their example. Be very wary of the boat deck. It will be awash with diesel and oil, so ride very carefully. Will my visor be covered with bugs in Spain? No. It's too hot and dry for a good population of insects, so your visor will remain clear all day. Any bugs that are around will be having a siesta. You may have to keep your visor clear of dust though but, in general, the situation is far better than in Britain. Addendum Other people claim that insects hitting your visor are a source of annoyance when riding in Spain, so I had better clarify my above claim. During the summer months of May to September I have met very few insects - so few, in fact, that I sometimes don't need to wipe any bugs off my visor after a full day's riding. However, those folk who have the determination to tour during winter say that the situation is not so rosy, with a good selection of flying insects. I have cycled around parts of the Costa Blanca in every month of the year, and even off-season there are very few bugs. This region must be favoured, because the only problem I find is mosquitos at certain times, but only during the evening. I hope this helps, because I find travelling in Spain to be very pleasant, and it has surprised me that bugs can be a problem. 
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