Getting There
We do the transit from Dunkerque to our hotel in Switzerland in two stages.
The first day we travel about 370 miles on a mixture of Auto routes and National roads (French ‘A’ roads).
After breakfast on the second day, 250 miles of the same, plus a couple of passes, sees us safely propping up the bar in our hotel.
We like to stay in a loose group till we get to our base. This is so we don’t take all week to get there!
We do the transit from Dunkerque to our hotel in Switzerland in two stages.
The first day we travel about 370 miles on a mixture of Auto routes and National roads (French ‘A’ roads).
After breakfast on the second day, 250 miles of the same, plus a couple of passes, sees us safely propping up the bar in our hotel.
We like to stay in a loose group till we get to our base. This is so we don’t take all week to get there!
Fuel, Food and Ciggy stops are plentiful and are matched to the thirstiest bike and the hungriest rider. You pay for everything in France with either Euros or Visa/Mastercard. Switzerland does accept Euros but obviously Swiss Francs are better. They can be bought on the ferry or when we get there. Probably the cheapest way to get Euros or Swiss Francs is from the local ‘Hole in the Wall’ and Switch/Delta works just as well as any credit card. Just after we cross the Swiss border, we will be stopping for a coffee anyway and there are cash machines on site.
A Little Bit About Switzerland
As you probably know, Switzerland is a pretty small country and sticking to motorways, you could cross it in about 3 to 4 hours.
After leaving the border town of Basel, the countryside is relatively flat till we get past Zurich when big mountains suddenly start filling the horizon.
In the lowlands the motorway network is excellent and the condition of all roads is a lot better than you are used to back home. Even in the mountains the roads are still pretty good given the extremes of weather found up there. On the passes though, especially in climbing or descending bends, the road surface can be a bit cut up, caused by lorries in the winter fitted with snow chains. There are also drainage gullies in the bends, so be careful if you stop to take a photo. Many a bike has come a cropper because its rider never looked where he was about to put his foot!
Switzerland has 4 national languages; German, French, Italian and Romanisch, the last one of which is the least used and is slowly dying out. It also happens to be native to the area we will be spending most of our time in and the locals are rightly very protective of it, but Swiss German, which I speak fluently, is spoken by most people. English is also quite widely spoken, especially in shops and restaurants.
As you probably know, Switzerland is a pretty small country and sticking to motorways, you could cross it in about 3 to 4 hours.
After leaving the border town of Basel, the countryside is relatively flat till we get past Zurich when big mountains suddenly start filling the horizon.
In the lowlands the motorway network is excellent and the condition of all roads is a lot better than you are used to back home. Even in the mountains the roads are still pretty good given the extremes of weather found up there. On the passes though, especially in climbing or descending bends, the road surface can be a bit cut up, caused by lorries in the winter fitted with snow chains. There are also drainage gullies in the bends, so be careful if you stop to take a photo. Many a bike has come a cropper because its rider never looked where he was about to put his foot!
Switzerland has 4 national languages; German, French, Italian and Romanisch, the last one of which is the least used and is slowly dying out. It also happens to be native to the area we will be spending most of our time in and the locals are rightly very protective of it, but Swiss German, which I speak fluently, is spoken by most people. English is also quite widely spoken, especially in shops and restaurants.
The currency is the Swiss Franc and 1 franc is made up of 100 rappen or cents. Coins are 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1, 2 and 5 francs. Notes are 10 (see right), 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 francs. A 1000 franc note (see pic on right) is worth in the region of £450 but is accepted just about everywhere!
The Swiss are in general pretty biker friendly but are also very environmentally conscious, so if you have loud cans on your bike, please keep the revs down crossing any borders and especially in built up areas.
Crime, such as bike theft, is not nearly as common as it is back home, but our hotel has an underground garage anyway. We have been travelling in Switzerland for over 20 years now and have never had any sort of problem.
The Weather and Clothing
Switzerland usually enjoys very cold winters and hot summers, and up in the mountains the weather can be very varied. In 2001 for example, there was plenty of fresh snow about in June, although the roads were kept clear. Two years ago on my pre season check ride, I was in deep snow in April which had all disappeared by the time we got there on the first tour at the end of May. Early in the biking season passes can be closed at very short notice if there is a danger of avalanches, but these closures rarely hold us up as we just head off in another direction. I was snowed in once though, in September, for 2 days!
Even without any snow, it can get quite chilly high up, so it’s always advisable to have a warm jacket on - you can always take it off when we stop.
One piece leathers are not a good idea because it can (and usually does) get very hot. My preference is for 2 piece all weather gear for the transit to and from Switzerland, but once there I usually wear short boots, jeans and a jacket. A pair of warm gloves and a sweater in your top box is also a good idea. Remember, on some days we could see an altitude difference of over 5000 ft not once but twice.
Switzerland usually enjoys very cold winters and hot summers, and up in the mountains the weather can be very varied. In 2001 for example, there was plenty of fresh snow about in June, although the roads were kept clear. Two years ago on my pre season check ride, I was in deep snow in April which had all disappeared by the time we got there on the first tour at the end of May. Early in the biking season passes can be closed at very short notice if there is a danger of avalanches, but these closures rarely hold us up as we just head off in another direction. I was snowed in once though, in September, for 2 days!
Even without any snow, it can get quite chilly high up, so it’s always advisable to have a warm jacket on -
One piece leathers are not a good idea because it can (and usually does) get very hot. My preference is for 2 piece all weather gear for the transit to and from Switzerland, but once there I usually wear short boots, jeans and a jacket. A pair of warm gloves and a sweater in your top box is also a good idea. Remember, on some days we could see an altitude difference of over 5000 ft not once but twice.
Medical Care and Accidents
For 2006 you will need the new European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The E111 is no longer valid.
The quickest and easiest way to apply for an EHIC is online at www.dh.gov.uk/travellers. You can also order one by calling 0845 606 2030 or by post using an application form available at all Post Offices. The EHIC is free and lasts for 5 years. It entitles you to reduced cost (or sometimes free) healthcare where treatment becomes necessary during a temporary visit to other countries of the EEC and Switzerland.
The EHIC is the minimum cover required on a jamtour but it is not a substitute for travel insurance. If you had a serious accident in the Swiss Alps for example, the Air Ambulance would be called out.
The Swiss have one of the best Air Ambulance Services going. It’s called the REGA and nowhere is usually more than 15 minutes flying time away from a REGA base. A fully equipped helicopter with a doctor and a paramedic on board is soon at the scene. They can land just about anywhere, usually within a few yards of an accident site. But remember, helicopters are very expensive to operate. In the event of you needing one, REGA will recover the cost from your insurance, or directly from YOU if you don’t have any.
For 2006 you will need the new European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The E111 is no longer valid.
The quickest and easiest way to apply for an EHIC is online at www.dh.gov.uk/travellers. You can also order one by calling 0845 606 2030 or by post using an application form available at all Post Offices. The EHIC is free and lasts for 5 years. It entitles you to reduced cost (or sometimes free) healthcare where treatment becomes necessary during a temporary visit to other countries of the EEC and Switzerland.
The EHIC is the minimum cover required on a jamtour but it is not a substitute for travel insurance. If you had a serious accident in the Swiss Alps for example, the Air Ambulance would be called out.
The Swiss have one of the best Air Ambulance Services going. It’s called the REGA and nowhere is usually more than 15 minutes flying time away from a REGA base. A fully equipped helicopter with a doctor and a paramedic on board is soon at the scene. They can land just about anywhere, usually within a few yards of an accident site. But remember, helicopters are very expensive to operate. In the event of you needing one, REGA will recover the cost from your insurance, or directly from YOU if you don’t have any.
Medical insurance doesn’t cost a fortune, but it can save you one!
© 2006 J&M Motorcycle Tours. All Rights Reserved!
The weather CAN be bad
but is USUALLY very good
A REGA helicopter at the scene of an accident
