Guides for the road
Practical pieces for riders heading abroad: what to pack, how the tolls work, what each country expects on the bike. Written by riders who've made the mistakes so you don't have to.
What to pack for a motorbike tour in France, Germany, Switzerland and Italy
A rider's checklist for European touring: documents, country-specific legal kit, riding gear, tools, navigation, comfort, money, medical, and the day-before checks.
What to pack for a cycle tour through France, Germany, Switzerland and Italy
A cyclist's checklist for cross-border European touring: documents, country-specific cycling rules, kit, the bike itself, tools, navigation, comfort, and the day-before checks.
Power plugs around the world — voltages, pin layouts and adapters
A practical reference to the plug types, voltages and frequencies you'll meet on a multi-country tour — plus what adapters and chargers to actually pack.
How to use French toll roads on a motorbike
How the péage system works, which lane to use, Liber-t electronic tags, the new Flux Libre barrier-less rollout, group ride logistics, and how to keep costs sensible.
Keeping your motorbike from being stolen — at home and on tour
How bike theft actually happens, what works at home, what to carry on tour, locks and trackers worth the money, insurance small print, and what to do if your bike is taken.
Four bikes, one tunnel, and the greatest roads in the Alps
A 2,000-mile ride report from June 2026: four bikes, twelve days, five countries, the great Swiss passes from Fiesch, the Lötschberg car train, the Black Forest and the long road home.
Fuel prices by country — petrol & diesel
Average pump prices for unleaded 95 and diesel across the EU, UK and US. Refreshed weekly from the EU Weekly Oil Bulletin, gov.uk and the U.S. EIA.
Motorbike navigation tools — what to actually use in 2026
Calimoto, Kurviger, komoot, Google Maps, Apple Maps, Garmin Zumo XT2, TomTom Rider, Carpuride, Chigee AIO, BMW Navigator — the honest map of what motorbike riders reach for, with the trade-offs I've hit on tour.
Cycle navigation tools — what to actually use in 2026
komoot, Ride with GPS, Strava, Bikemap, Google Maps, Garmin Edge, Wahoo Elemnt, Hammerhead Karoo, Bryton — the honest map of what cyclists reach for on a tour, with the trade-offs that matter.
The motorbike tool kit — what to carry, and what to leave
What actually rides with me — a tiny day-out kit of puncture repair, pump, cable ties, a multi-tool and straps, the bigger roll that comes out on long tours, and why breakdown cover is the most useful tool on the bike.
What will a Europe motorbike trip cost? An interactive calculator
Set your days, accommodation, distance, meals and Channel crossing for a live estimate of what a European motorbike tour costs — built on average prices for each choice, in £ or €.