Petrol and Bulbs on a Sunday

[sproggy]

Treated myself to a weekend trip to the Ardennes this weekend just gone, staying the Saturday night in Vianden on the Luxembourg/German border. Eurotunnel were a complete mess in both directions (think I'll use the ferry next time, although I prefer the train IF it's running OK) but that aside the weather was fabulous, the roads were deserted, well surfaced and fast - a brilliant way to end the touring season.

The headlight (dip) bulb broke at some stage on the Saturday afternoon - not surprising given that some of the roads I was riding on were more like dirt tracks (thanks, Garmin....). It didn't blow as such - the filament support just snapped off! Was I carrying my spare bulb kit? What, for a short weekend away travelling light......? Er...no.

Anyway, I realised it had gone on Sunday morning when I got the bike out of the hotel garage, but could I find anywhere to buy a bulb? No - Luxembourg and Belgium were closed. This became more and more of a problem as the bike slurped its way happily through a tank of fuel.....because there was nowhere to buy that either. After trying several petrol stations, all of which were on automatic-vend accepting local cards only, I started to worry somewhat as I'd done over 160 miles on the tank (foggy start to the day so taking it easy, fortunately). Eventually arrived at another petrol station with the bike starting to stutter, fuel pump howling and 168 miles showing on the clock (good thing I'd modded the fuel filler for that little bit extra capacity!).

After waiting 20 minutes a local eventually turned up to fill her car up and I persuaded her in my best approximation of French to let me use her card if I paid her cash. That done, I filled it to overflowing (almost literally) and went on my way.

I guess if I'd been on a motorway the services would have been open for petrol but what fun is a day spent on motorways? I'd planned my route to avoid them. Good thing I'll be fitting an extended tank.....

As for the bulb I eventually found a spare bulb kit at Maidstone services that evening, arriving there as it got dark thanks again to Eurotunnels incompetence.

What's the answer to fuel on Sundays in France/Belgium/Luxembourg? When I'm riding on the continent I reckon to cover at least 3 tankful's worth of distance in a day, usually more. Plan a route to take in a couple of motorway services if travelling on a Sunday? Buy a GS Adventure with a 30 litre tank? Or just rely on the goodwill of locals (and your own language skills) to let you use their petrol card?

It's discrimination, I tell you.....

Anyone know if it's possible for a Brit to get hold of one of these cards?

But I can highly recommend the Ardennes as a weekend destination - closer than Scotland (if you live down south), nearly deserted roads, great scenery, good food and beer......but no bulbs or petrol, so take your own

[madman]

I can only talk for France, but I don't think that you can open a bank account here without an address.
You will however find that car drivers (away from Paris) have great respect for bikers and will fill your bike up on their card if you pay them cash. I have done it three times now for fellow Brits.
If you think that you may have the same problem in this area at anytime in the future, then PM me and I'll give you my phone number just in case. I also have spare bulbs in my garage, not that it is much use to you now.
I also have the tools to work on the S, so shoudl you want to do an oil change or throttle balance while in the area you would be welcome to use what you need, Synthetic oil is very cheap over here.

[jltownshend]

As someone who has wasted much time on this particular subject...particularly early Mornings and evenings...

It seems to me that you took the best option for the petrol... the only other alternative that springs to mind being to hit the Motorway...

ALWAYS carry enough cash in €uros (small denominations) to fill up...

John

[throttlemeister]

There are manned fuel stations open where you can pay cash or CC, or whatever you want. Wiltz for instance, which is not too far away from Vianden, has 4 or 5 gas stations, of which one is always open on Sundays.

The other way in Germany, on the road from Vianden to Bitburg which is about 20km, I know at least 3 gas stations that are open 7 days/week right on the B51.

Although not so abundant as I am used to (in Holland most all gas stations are open 7d/w), there are more than enough gas stations open in Luxembourg to get gas. In Germany, it is no issue at all. The problem is not so much that they aren't open, but more knowing where to find them.

That said, it is always good practise to fill up on Sat just before you quit for the day.

[sproggy]

If you think that you may have the same problem in this area at anytime in the future, then PM me and I'll give you my phone number just in case.

I also have spare bulbs in my garage, not that it is much use to you now.

So do I, but that wasn't much use to me either! I looked at my little tin containing the spare bulb kit on the shelf in the garage before I left, thought about picking them up and putting them in a pocket of the tailpack....but didn't. Proof that it's NOT always the thought that counts!

I also have the tools to work on the S, so shoudl you want to do an oil change or throttle balance while in the area you would be welcome to use what you need

The offer is appreciated, although I'd like to think that I'm sufficiently well organised not to need a service mid-trip Unscheduled maintenance is another matter, though, and as I often ride down to Madrid, knowing of a handy stopping-off point part way may come in handy one day should legendary German build quality fail me.....

Synthetic oil is very cheap over here.

A friend of mine runs a Maserati Biturbo (well, someone has to) which takes, I believe, 11 litres of fully synthetic every service, not to mention the huge amount that gets burned in the rather worn turbo's. He reckons he saves money by doing a day trip to France just to buy oil in the hypermarkets, compared to buying it over here!

[sproggy]

The problem is not so much that they aren't open, but more knowing where to find them.

Exactly - all the GPS tells you is where they are (or, in a few cases, where they once were...), not whether they're open. You can only chase so many possibilities on an empty tank.

That said, it is always good practise to fill up on Sat just before you quit for the day.

Did that, but even a full 18 litres won't get an S 400 miles! I didn't actually try and fill up in Luxembourg on the Sunday - I was in to Belgium by the time the bike needed a drink.

And all that to come back to a crowded, roadwork-infested M25 and a wet commute into London next day. Makes me wonder why I live in the UK...grumble....grumble....grumble....

Every time I drive/ride abroad, coming home makes me realise how overcrowded our roads are (in the South East), how poor the surfaces are and how bad and inconsiderate the drivers are. If I could find a job elsewhere I'd be out like a shot without even pausing to switch the lights off

[Gromit]

Every time I drive/ride abroad, coming home makes me realise how overcrowded our roads are (in the South East), how poor the surfaces are and how bad and inconsiderate the drivers are. If I could find a job elsewhere I'd be out like a shot without even pausing to switch the lights off

I also find this pretty much the case when I come back here from any other part of the UK. The SE is definitely not always a pleasant place to be a motorcyclist, or a road user full stop. The nearer one gets to London, the 'w*nkerness' rating of the drivers goes up.

London's a great city - I'll always maintain that - but for me (being a country bloke at heart having been brought up in a more rural environment) I'll be getting away from here soon as I can.

Some folk no doubt love it down here - fair play to them. But the place just does my head in.

[Ade B]

Every time I drive/ride abroad, coming home makes me realise how overcrowded our roads are (in the South East), how poor the surfaces are and how bad and inconsiderate the drivers are. If I could find a job elsewhere I'd be out like a shot without even pausing to switch the lights off brave

So true...

I rarely ride out for fun down here as you get fed up with hairy overtakes as there is always a queue of traffic around the next corner unless you are out at some uncivilised hour....

Also find due to the flat landscape and high hedges visibility is shite which hampers fun somewhat...

Compared with my recent trip up North and tours of Wales, the South West, Scotland, Spain & Portugal, the SE is pants.

London is fantastic if you don't need to be anywhere in a hurry and enjoy the extraordinary diversity and constant change of congested, noisy and dangerous cities (which luckily I do - despite coming from a sleepy commuter town up north a stone's throw from the cat & fiddle). Gassing it over the Thames is one of lifes little pleasures and hitting a clear Elephant & Castle is a hoot

Ade

[sproggy]

London is fantastic if you...... enjoy the extraordinary diversity and constant change of congested, noisy and dangerous cities

Nope. Never have liked it - always try and avoid it. Kinda difficult seeing as I work here 5 days a week, though

[cc mac]

I carry a spare bulb with me. Isn't it law on the continent?

[theseadog]

Every time I drive/ride abroad, coming home makes me realise how overcrowded our roads are (in the South East), how poor the surfaces are and how bad and inconsiderate the drivers are. If I could find a job elsewhere I'd be out like a shot without even pausing to switch the lights off

I also find this pretty much the case when I come back here from any other part of the UK. The SE is definitely not always a pleasant place to be a motorcyclist, or a road user full stop. The nearer one gets to London, the 'w*nkerness' rating of the drivers goes up.

London's a great city - I'll always maintain that - but for me (being a country bloke at heart having been brought up in a more rural environment) I'll be getting away from here soon as I can.

Some folk no doubt love it down here - fair play to them. But the place just does my head in.

I know exactly what you mean, I did 5 years in London and for a jock liek me that ewas plenty. I'm sure that we could squeeze in one or two S owners up here somewhere


Toodle Pip

[sproggy]

I carry a spare bulb with me. Isn't it law on the continent?

One spare bulb? How do decide which one to carry?!

Yes, it's a legal requirement to carry a complete spare bulb kit.....and a first aid kit.....and (arguably) a yellow reflective vest...and all your documents. But I don't ride a Goldwing and I don't like to carry loads of crap.

It's also a legal requirement not to break the various speed limits in whatever country you're riding.......

There's a compromise to be reached between what's legal and what's practical/fun. Officer.......