- Joined
- May 4, 2005
- Location
- Orinda, CA
- Moto(s)
- A funky red & white Italian named Gianni Cervo! Versys - two of 'em! And a Ducati for laughs.
- BARF perks
- AMA #: 281672
It's ba-ack! 
arty
You've heard the stories.
You've seen the photos.
You've been dying to try the food.
You like going on pie rides.
And you've always wanted an action shot of yourself carving down the Col du Galibier with snow covered peaks and brilliant blue sky behind you.
Visiting a castle sounds neat.
Well Bucky, you're in luck! We're going to do it again!
Yep, 2011 EuroBARF - It's Better the Second Time!
We are proud to announce our second EuroBARF Rally. Come on out and join us for a week of riding, sightseeing, and eating fun in the French & Italian Alps. What is all this about? It's about meeting new friends, seeing new sights, riding new roads, and eating great food. It's about adventure, and having the moto experience of a lifetime!
Dates: July 23rd ~ 31st (Saturday thru Sunday)
Destination: Briancon, France
Estimated 6-Day Mileage: 1200 - 2000 miles
Some things are different this year, and some things are the same. We are going back to France and Italy, and we will base in or near Briancon. The riding is spectacular there, the drivers accommodating, and the police are relatively tolerant. We are moving the rally to late July to get better assurance of good weather, and to better match with the scheduling constraints of our guides. That said, it will be high season for holidays in southern Europe, and we will want to make our reservations sooner rather than later to assure we get what we want.
Another thing that may be different is that we will be looking at flying in and out of Geneva as an alternative to Nice. This is TBD at this time.
Another possible difference may be in lodging in Briancon. EuroBARF 1 was based in a beautiful house about 15km outside of Briancon. It was lovely and inexpensive, and I'd stay there again in a minute. However, we pretty much maxed out the house in terms of occupancy. Based on the number of participants who provide a $100 non-refundable deposit (see more below) by January 31, 2011, we may elect to move to an inn on the far side of Briancon, near Serre Chevalier. The inn has many conveniences, including close proximity to go-kart racing.arty It costs a little more, but it includes breakfast, and can be arranged to include dinner. It could potentially net out to be less expensive.
Another difference is that the rental agency has indicated a willingness to cut us a group rate deal, but to do that we need commitments from participants.
Please note that this is not a standard organized or guided group-riding event. We will lead routes each day, and participants can decide whether to ride with us or ride on their own. This is a rally with suggested routes, points-of-interest and a common destination for the participants. Each night we will spend some time with a map to decide the next day's route(s). Participants are free to band into groups of their own choosing, and at their own risk.
The participants in EuroBARF 2010 suggested a more strongly worded note on what to expect in terms of the riding. As a motorcyclist in the Alps you will be expected to deal with wildly varying road and traffic conditions. The uncontrolled variables are probably wilder and more intense than you're accustomed to here, and the road circumstances can be more technical than you normally experience. You will need to remain focused and calm and keep the shiny side up come what may. If you can ride smoothly and within your limits and deal with all the unexpected events that will occur, the riding will blow your mind, changing your understanding of what is possible. If you can't, the sightseeing can be nice anyway.
How to sign up:
1. We are still arranging lodging (see above)
2. PM me, flying_hun, with your full name, mobile number, emergency contact information (ICE), and I will provide you with a e-mail address so that you can send me a $100 non-refundable deposit for your room in the house. Let me know the names and all the relevant contact information for anyone with whom you are sharing your room. If you have to cancel for any reason, I will refund your deposit only if we find another party to take your spot.
3. Based on who puts down a deposit, we will work together to coordinate flights, motorcycle rentals, hotel rooms, and ground transportation.
4. Expect to receive via PM the Participant’s Package (includes itinerary details such as flights, hotels, ground transportation and meeting times for all participants) on or shortly before 7/15.
Your responsibilities:
Sign-in and Check-in:
Be aware that we do have a sign-in/check-in policy. Please refer to the Participant’s Package when it becomes available.
Early Departure:
If, for any reason, you decide to depart early from the rally, you must notify a rally coordinator, or ask another participant to relay your intent to a rally coordinator.
You are responsible for yourself
Riding a motorcycle is dangerous. Riding in a foreign country subjects you to the additional risk of not knowing the local language ,the local roads, or the local traffic customs. You are responsible for your own safety. Proper riding gear, a valid CDL/M1 - and an International Driving License would be a good idea, vehicle registration and proof of insurance are highly recommended for the rental bike - or any other bike you're using. You are also responsible for the good operating condition of your motorcycle. The good condition includes general mechanical condition, as well as the condition of wear items such as chains and sprockets, brake pads, and tires. In short, you are the Captain of your own ship.
Always choose your riding partners carefully. You'll be covering long distances and traveling on challenging roads -- be sure that your riding partners are people you trust to ride with all day in unfamiliar circumstances. While this rally should be an opportunity to make friends and meet new people, you should also remain selective and wary of folks you have not ridden with before.
Expenses
You are responsible for your own expenses. Budget for flights, ground transfers, motorcycle rental or shipping, lodging, gas, food, beverages, and anything you may need along the way accordingly. A planning budget should be in the neighborhood of $3500, all inclusive. Please see the link below describing our learnings from EuroBARF 2010.
Still not sold on the idea? Here is my report on my first experience riding in France and Italy.
Here is the 2010 rally thread.
Here is the 2010 photo thread.
A note about arranging a motorcycle:
Since we will only be riding for about one week, it will cost you less to rent a bike (~$1000) than to transport your own bike to and from France. I've rented a bike there before, and it's a reasonable way to go. The rental I had was in decent condition and had fresh tires. It had the further allure of being a model that isn't sold in the US, so I would never otherwise have a chance to ride one. Renting should be your default choice. In 2010 the bike I got came with tires that didn't last the week. We will be asking the rental agency to be prepared with tires that will go at least 3000 kilometers.
The last time I looked, flying a motorcycle to Europe cost nearly $1000 each way. You can cut that in half by using surface freight, but you need to ship your bike at least 6 weeks before the trip in order for it to arrive in time for the rally. That said, if you plan to ride for more than a week, or if you intend to return to Europe frequently, and you want to have a bike stored there, shipping is a decent way to go. If you're serious about it, this guy comes highly recommended. Buying a bike in Europe is not easy. So far as I know, none of the European manufacturers do fly-and-ride deliveries any more.
Checklist for Euro BARF rally:
2011 Rally Master:
flying hun
Participants:
Mattzz
mlm
Horsepower
unkeldunkel5
latindane?
colinlbarlow@ho
Useful links:
Lessons learned from 2010 EuroBARF.
Riding in France
More Riding in France
Even More Riding in France
Motorcycle Rentals in Nice
artyYou've heard the stories.
You've seen the photos.
You've been dying to try the food.
You like going on pie rides.
And you've always wanted an action shot of yourself carving down the Col du Galibier with snow covered peaks and brilliant blue sky behind you.
Visiting a castle sounds neat.
Well Bucky, you're in luck! We're going to do it again!
Yep, 2011 EuroBARF - It's Better the Second Time!
We are proud to announce our second EuroBARF Rally. Come on out and join us for a week of riding, sightseeing, and eating fun in the French & Italian Alps. What is all this about? It's about meeting new friends, seeing new sights, riding new roads, and eating great food. It's about adventure, and having the moto experience of a lifetime!
Dates: July 23rd ~ 31st (Saturday thru Sunday)
Destination: Briancon, France
Estimated 6-Day Mileage: 1200 - 2000 miles
Some things are different this year, and some things are the same. We are going back to France and Italy, and we will base in or near Briancon. The riding is spectacular there, the drivers accommodating, and the police are relatively tolerant. We are moving the rally to late July to get better assurance of good weather, and to better match with the scheduling constraints of our guides. That said, it will be high season for holidays in southern Europe, and we will want to make our reservations sooner rather than later to assure we get what we want.
Another thing that may be different is that we will be looking at flying in and out of Geneva as an alternative to Nice. This is TBD at this time.
Another possible difference may be in lodging in Briancon. EuroBARF 1 was based in a beautiful house about 15km outside of Briancon. It was lovely and inexpensive, and I'd stay there again in a minute. However, we pretty much maxed out the house in terms of occupancy. Based on the number of participants who provide a $100 non-refundable deposit (see more below) by January 31, 2011, we may elect to move to an inn on the far side of Briancon, near Serre Chevalier. The inn has many conveniences, including close proximity to go-kart racing.
arty It costs a little more, but it includes breakfast, and can be arranged to include dinner. It could potentially net out to be less expensive.Another difference is that the rental agency has indicated a willingness to cut us a group rate deal, but to do that we need commitments from participants.
Please note that this is not a standard organized or guided group-riding event. We will lead routes each day, and participants can decide whether to ride with us or ride on their own. This is a rally with suggested routes, points-of-interest and a common destination for the participants. Each night we will spend some time with a map to decide the next day's route(s). Participants are free to band into groups of their own choosing, and at their own risk.
The participants in EuroBARF 2010 suggested a more strongly worded note on what to expect in terms of the riding. As a motorcyclist in the Alps you will be expected to deal with wildly varying road and traffic conditions. The uncontrolled variables are probably wilder and more intense than you're accustomed to here, and the road circumstances can be more technical than you normally experience. You will need to remain focused and calm and keep the shiny side up come what may. If you can ride smoothly and within your limits and deal with all the unexpected events that will occur, the riding will blow your mind, changing your understanding of what is possible. If you can't, the sightseeing can be nice anyway.
How to sign up:
1. We are still arranging lodging (see above)
2. PM me, flying_hun, with your full name, mobile number, emergency contact information (ICE), and I will provide you with a e-mail address so that you can send me a $100 non-refundable deposit for your room in the house. Let me know the names and all the relevant contact information for anyone with whom you are sharing your room. If you have to cancel for any reason, I will refund your deposit only if we find another party to take your spot.
3. Based on who puts down a deposit, we will work together to coordinate flights, motorcycle rentals, hotel rooms, and ground transportation.
4. Expect to receive via PM the Participant’s Package (includes itinerary details such as flights, hotels, ground transportation and meeting times for all participants) on or shortly before 7/15.
Your responsibilities:
Sign-in and Check-in:
Be aware that we do have a sign-in/check-in policy. Please refer to the Participant’s Package when it becomes available.
Early Departure:
If, for any reason, you decide to depart early from the rally, you must notify a rally coordinator, or ask another participant to relay your intent to a rally coordinator.
You are responsible for yourself
Riding a motorcycle is dangerous. Riding in a foreign country subjects you to the additional risk of not knowing the local language ,the local roads, or the local traffic customs. You are responsible for your own safety. Proper riding gear, a valid CDL/M1 - and an International Driving License would be a good idea, vehicle registration and proof of insurance are highly recommended for the rental bike - or any other bike you're using. You are also responsible for the good operating condition of your motorcycle. The good condition includes general mechanical condition, as well as the condition of wear items such as chains and sprockets, brake pads, and tires. In short, you are the Captain of your own ship.
Always choose your riding partners carefully. You'll be covering long distances and traveling on challenging roads -- be sure that your riding partners are people you trust to ride with all day in unfamiliar circumstances. While this rally should be an opportunity to make friends and meet new people, you should also remain selective and wary of folks you have not ridden with before.
Expenses
You are responsible for your own expenses. Budget for flights, ground transfers, motorcycle rental or shipping, lodging, gas, food, beverages, and anything you may need along the way accordingly. A planning budget should be in the neighborhood of $3500, all inclusive. Please see the link below describing our learnings from EuroBARF 2010.
Still not sold on the idea? Here is my report on my first experience riding in France and Italy.
Here is the 2010 rally thread.
Here is the 2010 photo thread.
A note about arranging a motorcycle:
Since we will only be riding for about one week, it will cost you less to rent a bike (~$1000) than to transport your own bike to and from France. I've rented a bike there before, and it's a reasonable way to go. The rental I had was in decent condition and had fresh tires. It had the further allure of being a model that isn't sold in the US, so I would never otherwise have a chance to ride one. Renting should be your default choice. In 2010 the bike I got came with tires that didn't last the week. We will be asking the rental agency to be prepared with tires that will go at least 3000 kilometers.
The last time I looked, flying a motorcycle to Europe cost nearly $1000 each way. You can cut that in half by using surface freight, but you need to ship your bike at least 6 weeks before the trip in order for it to arrive in time for the rally. That said, if you plan to ride for more than a week, or if you intend to return to Europe frequently, and you want to have a bike stored there, shipping is a decent way to go. If you're serious about it, this guy comes highly recommended. Buying a bike in Europe is not easy. So far as I know, none of the European manufacturers do fly-and-ride deliveries any more.
Checklist for Euro BARF rally:
- Valid motorcycle license
- Valid International Driving License (available at AAA)
- Valid passport
- Check that your credit card issuer knows that you're traveling and will be using your card from abroad
- Same with your ATM card if different than your credit card - ATM's are the best way to get Euros
- Bring all your own motorcycle gear - the rental stuff is of unknown quality, and prices are high in Europe
- Check with your health insurer regarding overseas coverage (you can also buy travel medical insurance)
- Check with your mobile phone provider to see if you can enable your phone to roam in Europe (you can buy pre-paid phones too)
- Bring a camera, and maybe a video camera and plenty of memory
- Be prepared for widely variable weather - from chilly rain to broiling heat (possible on the Med)
2011 Rally Master:
flying hun
Participants:
Mattzz
mlm
Horsepower
unkeldunkel5
latindane?
colinlbarlow@ho
Useful links:
Lessons learned from 2010 EuroBARF.
Riding in France
More Riding in France
Even More Riding in France
Motorcycle Rentals in Nice
Last edited:
If you've never ridden in another country, it's a must! 
... let's conduct an experiment and see how long it takes him to find this thread 
).
