So it’s seven days and counting to my European jaunt – about 4000km from England, into Northern Italy and back again and obviously taking the long way round – and I’m starting to panic about what to take.

I’m taking the trip with a bunch of liter-bike riding Brits, all friends of someone I went to college with back in the day. For me, it’s a chance to catch up with an old friend, make some new ones and ride in a place I’ve never ridden before.

After much calling around, I eventually found a place very close to Heathrow that will rent me a bike for the journey. It seems that all British rental places, and there aren’t that many, will only rent you a shaft drive if you’re leaving British shores. I guess it’s as most people couldn’t be arsed to lube the chain and/or would completely red-line a sportsbike. Either way, the shaft drive is somewhat more sedate and certainly easier to care for if not quite so much fun. However, after looking at most places that rented the VFR800, I eventually plumped for an FJR1300. OK, it’s no liter bike, but it’s also not that slow. It’s also built for comfort and most importantly has panniers and a top box. Suffice to say, I’ve already had a few bids from the liter bike boys for half a top box…

But the luggage is presenting me with a problem. What do I take with me? I’ve only really done weekend rides so far and the change of underwear just goes in the backpack. Packing for nine nights is much harder. Clearly I need clothing and I figure a few t-shirts and a couple of pairs of shorts should do it. Do I need a spare pair of shoes? Probably not. Being a gadget freak, I will of course need to take at least two iPods, a mini video player and a camera. Oh, and a computer to write with but I’ve managed to persuade my neighbor to lend me his eee pc to reduce weight. With that, I need to take a variety of chargers, adapters and battery packs but it’s not that much. Not really. Will the panniers be that big? Probably, but I’ve no idea.

There’s stuff for the bike too. I’m taking a camelback so I can stay hyrdrated. Fog-off spray is essential for my visor, as is a spare visor as I don’t think those europeans take too kindly to riding with tinted visors after dark. Do I take a tool kit, knowing I don’t really know what to do with it? Nah, but I’ll carry it if someone else does.

Then there’s the ride gear. I need my lid, obviously, and that’s my carry on. Boots, check. Two pairs of gloves are probably a good idea. I panicked about wearing non-vented leathers in the italian heat so I went out and picked up a Joe Rocket ballistic jacket and pants. Wore them yesterday and am glad I did. Oh, and waterproofs too. Clearly, aside from one pair of gloves and the waterproofs this will all be worn when I’m riding but I’m now worried about it going in the luggage for the ‘plane.

In reality, I’m more worried about what happens when I get there. I half think I’ll be told the previous renter crashed the FJR and all they have to replace it is a Honda Bergman. It’s not Hertz after all and I doubt they have a big fleet.

I know I’m panicking over nothing but I don’t even know anyone that’s rented a bike before, much less for a week around Europe. I know when I’m there in the saddle, it’ll all fall into place. I’m just not good at waiting. Roll on next week.

Tags:   Europe · FJR1300 · Renting · TouringNo Comments