1. Don’t be afraid to take public transit, it runs much better than in the US, but take note that it is always on time! If you are one minute late you have missed the train. If you are late just jump on the train and buy a ticket from the conductor but expect a surcharge. I do not advise this but I have had to do it myself.

2. When taking the subway or train don’t look for a train to your destination but look at the complete path of the train or subway and note the final destination. If the train is going to Brest and travels through Paris, it will be labeled the “Brest train” and probably never mention Paris. There should be maps showing the train’s path so to get to Paris you would jump on the Brest train.

3. You don’t need to speak French to get by in France but learning a little French will help in making life easier. The French are very formal people and are used to formalities. When meeting people just use “bonjour”  (hello) during the day and as the sun goes down “bonsoir” (good night) evening greeting and “auvoir” (good by) when leaving. A smiling face will get you a long ways and always say “se il vous plait” (please).
Remember the French never use the s at the end of a word. So Paris would sound like ParEE.

4. Pack light!!! The air carriers set a limit of 50 lbs per bag but understand you are going to be dragging that bag everywhere. A bike box and a roll around will take up both hands and most roll arounds do not roll very well over cobble stones. A carryon with shoulder straps will free up one hand and help with the bike box. Bike boxes with rollers work best and some companies sell strap on wheels. Something simple is all you need even a small skate board with a strap is all you need. Do not leave the wheels strapped to the box when you check the bag, put them inside the box, I lost my first set of wheels the first time I traveled.

5. Don’t use US currency, most people you will deal with can’t figure the exchange rate and will overcharge you. I paid $17 for a beer in the airport in Switzerland, I argued with them to no avail. Use your credit/debit while traveling. After you get to France just go to the nearest ATM and withdraw what cash you need for 4 to 5 days and use the Euros that you get. Remember England does not use the Euro and if you use US dollars or Euro your change will come back in pounds. When you get back to the US your bank will exchange all paper money back to US and the coins will end up in your drawer. Don’t take Travelers checks, no one accepts them any more.

6. So don’t worry about going to your bank and getting Euros for the trip and carrying large amounts of cash. I will withdraw about 150 euros from the first ATM I see in France and use my Visa when possible. What you may wish to do is pick up a small change purse. Most of the time you will be using coins for everything, the two Euro coin is the most used currency, I use a small zippered coin purse.

7. Tipping has become popular over the years. On my first trips to Europe I was advised never to tip but the American way has come to Europe. Use your discretion, I advise not to over tip and tip only if the service is good or great.

8. Not all electricity is the same so don’t try it unless you are sure of what you are doing. This is not rocket science just a little research could save you from letting the smoke out of your device and everyone knows without the smoke hidden inside things they just don’t work.
France and the UK use 220 volt 50 cycles, in the US we use 110 volt at 60 cycles. Now here is the trick if it has a motor or heater in it leave it at home. Hair dryers and curling irons will smoke unless you bring a transformer and at that it will run slow. Most hotels have both if you ask. Don’t risk knocking out all the power to the hotel.
As for electronics most all will have a label on the plug IE USB adapter or laptop transformer that will state 110 to 220. If so you just need a simple $2 adaptor to plug into the wall I will be bringing a number of them. If your device states 110 volt then you will need a transformer and I will be bringing just one to be borrowed. When in doubt ask first!!!!!!!!!

9. Pickpockets: Cindy and I did experience them on our first trip over in CDG airport. They will uses a razor blade on your camera case or purse and go in through the side. Keep a eye out for each other and maintain your distance from others. Most all French are wonderful people but there are a lot of foreigners in the airports and train stations. If someone asks to help you with your bags say thanks but no thanks, you brought it there you carry it, go back to the baggage portion of my info.

10. Riding in France is much nicer than in the US, people are more laid back and most of them ride bikes themselves. This does not preclude that you need to be courteous and drop into single file while being passed. One of the main differences in French roads is the lack of stop signs and directions. You will find a lot of roundabouts that can become confusing. If you get confused do not stop right there or take off in the direction you think is right. Continue around to the point you entered the roundabout and stop and get you bearings. You may find that a roundabout has two or three outlets that are labeled to the city of Die. All of them will get you there but the wrong one may add and extra 40 or 50 miles to your ride.

11. Phones in Europe: some phones will work and others will not, ask your carrier. I have T-moble and mine works wonderful. They are not like here in that if there is not a T-mobile cell site you are out of luck. There everyone shares service the only problem is if you are on a T-mobile cell and move to an area that has no T-mobile cell simply turn your phone on airplane mode and back off and it will fine a different carrier and link up. T-mobile charges extra for phone calls but texting is free.

12. If you are going to be making a lot of calls you should learn to skype. You will save a ton of money, I called home everyday using my Ipad and it cost me a total of $15. Before I bought a Sim card for my phone through the local carrier Orange for $30 and put $20 on the card and made three short calls and used up the card. $5 to $10 per call. Skype was $1.50 per call to my wife’s phone in California and free to her computer.

13. Credit cards: call your credit card carrier before you leave and let them know where you are going. Fraud protection may kick in when you get to Europe. This happened to me the first time I got to France and tried to get 200 Euros from the ATM. I found that I could withdraw only 40 euros but not 200 until I contacted my bank. The number is on the back side of your card. Don’t panic!!!!!

14. Customs: no problem! Just go with the flow make sure that your passport is good for 6 months past your travel date or get a new one. If it is out of date or less than 6 months you will not find out you a problem until you get to France or England and they turn you back.
Remember when packing your bike box that it will be opened, no doubt about it. One of the things that they will do is take your bar ends out and run a wire through your handlebars. If you have those nice little bar end lights that go inside your handlebars they will destroy them checking your handlebars for drugs. Remove them before you pack. Use common sense, don’t pack your perpetum or energy powder in plastic Ziploc’s you are asking for trouble. If you bring energy powder use only unopened factory sealed containers or you may find your whole bike box full of loose powder.