Queries about Touring the UK

[Cpl Punishment]

There seem to be several questions about touring the UK about. Here's some useful links.

This bloke wants to exchange a couple of weeks of loaning his second bike for a similar arrangement in the USA. How old the link is, I don't know. Email him and find out. http://website.lineone.net/~steveplant/

Here's bestbikingroads-covers Europe, Asia and USA. http://www.bestbikingroads.com/

This site looks useful:
http://www.motorcycle.co.uk/lists/Holidays.html

Here's one man's idea of a three day tour:
http://www.motorcycle-training.f2s.com/motorcycle_touring_uk.html

Here's a list of the "300 greatest biking roads" in the UK:
http://www.motorcycleroadsonline.com/index.php

There are loads of tour operator sites.

If anyone has more, please post.

[Ant]

And if anyone has any more detailed questions or wants a personal opinion on anything then feel free to ask here or send me a PM (and I'm sure that goes for the Corporal as well )

[Cpl Punishment]

And if anyone has any more detailed questions or wants a personal opinion on anything then feel free to ask here or send me a PM (and I'm sure that goes for the Corporal as well )

But Ant, I can't speak Amerucan! What will I say when they talk to me?  

[Ant]

But Ant, I can't speak Amerucan! What will I say when they talk to me?  

Just speak louder  

[katrider]

Thanks for the list. I've been collecting sites for a while in prep for my forthcoming trip to Scotland...

Here are some nice and inexpensive places to stay...

http://www.syha.org.uk/SYHA/Web/Site/home/home.asp?menuID=-1&MenuItemID=1&MenuType=PAGE

more cheap digs, but not as cheap as the Hostels...

http://www.stayinapub.com/

I don't think you listed this place...

http://www.biketours-uk.com/index.cms

similar to 'the best roads in UK'...

http://www.onbikescotland.com/

if I do a tour company, it'll likely be these folks...

http://www.europemoto.com/index.html

old bikes?? try here...

http://www.classicmotorcyclehireuk.iofm.net/

BTW, I emailed Steve Plant, thinking he has a great idea. I even started a thread here one the same or similar subject.

[katrider]

Been in touch with a fellow in Manchester at New Horizons Bike Rentals, seems like a reasonable place with nice bikes. Newer VFR with hard luggage and top case for about 400 pounds a week. This sounds like something I can handle easily.

Anyone heard of or dealt with New Horizons???

http://www.newhorizonsbikehire.co.uk/

Also, he said they require my passport to hold until I return the bike. Is this common practice?? seems dicey to me but they insisted it's normal and no big deal...

[throttlemeister]

Been in touch with a fellow in Manchester at New Horizons Bike Rentals, seems like a reasonable place with nice bikes. Newer VFR with hard luggage and top case for about 400 pounds a week. This sounds like something I can handle easily.

Anyone heard of or dealt with New Horizons???

http://www.newhorizonsbikehire.co.uk/

Also, he said they require my passport to hold until I return the bike. Is this common practice?? seems dicey to me but they insisted it's normal and no big deal...

That's a no-no. If you were to be pulled over by the Police for instance, you would be required to identify yourself with your passport. It is also not uncommon for a hotel to ask for your passport to make a copy when you rent a room in case of billing problems.

Never, ever leave your passport with anyone.

[FJR-UK]

I had a look at their site. You pay in advance and leave a hefty damage deposit before you leave their shop, so holding your passport seems like overkill. Nevertheless, the site also says, alternatively, you can leave your driving license with them. In the UK, you can ride legally without carrying your license (as long as you have one), but you must be ready to produce it, if requested, to a police station at a later date.

And you may well be asked for a passport at a hotel. It is common practice on the continent, especially in Italy where they will often hold the passport overnight.

Ask the hire company if they will accept your driving license, instead. Personally, I wouldn't leave my passport.

[RBEmerson]

Never ever surrender your passport or driver's license to anyone except LEO (by which time, you are probably in the deep stuff - sux to be you; In Germany, operating a car without a license is a felony with potentially two years in the slams).  A photocopy is tolerable (I don't really like even that much but...   some times you have no choice).  If you're dealing with someone who doesn't understand that a passport number and credit card impression pretty much leave them holding you by the [financial] short & curlies, they not be someone you want to do business with.  Sadly, stolen and duped passports are very much a tool for Bad People.  Don't help them by giving them yours.  


Added:
By all means carry multiple photocopies of your passport (at least the photo ID page) and cards (both sides) stuffed in multiple locations so that if you and they become separated, there is some hope of a) getting out of whatever country you're in and back into the US (a friend's passport [and other stuff] was stolen during a trip out of the US - notta lotta fun getting back into the US), and b) getting new credit card(s) issued.  A set of copies in each suitcase won't cut it (lose your luggage, you're screwed) - be more creative.  

[katrider]

I feel justified in how I initially reacted...I won't leave my passport! Maybe a copy, but even then facsimiles can be made from a copy.

So, my tact will be take a copy of my license, maybe my passport, but otherwise I'm passing it by. Thanks guys.

[KLRchickie]

But Ant, I can't speak Amerucan! What will I say when they talk to me?  

Just speak louder  

And don't forget to wave your arms!!!  Oh, wait, you're not Italian.... maybe you don't have to wave your arms as much!