Brno

[owdoggy]

With everything that's gone on lately (Ma in hospital & sister being a complete git amongst other things) I haven't exactly forgotten we're off to the Czech GP this August but it's been on the back burner a bit.

The route & accom. was all sorted in January and while we're no strangers to biking abroad (Mugello last year, bloody brilliant! ......... Switzerland was stunning and the Italian driving was ........ er ........... different:eek:)
but we've never been to the Czech republic before so is there anything we should know i.e can we pay the Czech motorway tax before we go (like the Swiss vignette) etc.

The plan is one night in France, two in Germany, three in Prague so we can sightsee a bit which everyone says we must do, four in Brno for the GP including one day spare so we can nob off to Austria for the day then back through Germany, France, Tunnel then home.

Any info appreciated.


Doggy

[tendays]

I didn't know there WAS a motorway tax when i went last year. A czech on a bandit 600 came over for a chat and ended up guiding me into prague. He said czech police are biker-friendly.

Useful phrase no 1:
hesky chesky! - general patriotic greeting type thing, to stop you being perceived as an english knobhead (they get a lot of them in prague).

and no 2:
yekshemash (just like Borat says it)

Have a good un

/td

[meljordan]

Hi owdoggy if you pm zdenekxrv he will give you the full ish on any cz subject as he lives in praha and knows brno well.he is also a top man willing to help.and good luck on your run out.... mel

[skyrise]

:) i have been to Brno twice :) its a lovely town.. But for some reason nothings open Saturday or Sunday... So go midweek to enjoy it... It has nice open roads and everyone seems to drive with a lot more care than in England.. Or maybe thats just how I have seen it.. most young people can speak English very well.. or at least well enough to point you in the right direction

On the downside there are 2 things I can say... If you keep to the main roads there will be less pot holes maybe. some are over 6" deep so take care, our poor hire car suffered a little due to them...
the other is crime.. Make sure when you leave the bike everything is locked away and secure. keep a very close eye on your stuff your carrying... and use the little padlocks on those zips if you can.. On my first trip there with in 10 mins of getting off the coach some old boy was trying to sell me knocked off stuff in the middle of the bus station..
On my second trip I had the scary pleasure of seeing a young girl (20 ish) take a ring off a womans finger with out the women even noticing.. In fact it was so fast it took me almost another 10-15 seconds to work out what I had seen.. By that time i looked back the girl and woman had gone.. with that speed and accuracy she could have done something amazing with her life instead of that.

but dont let that put you off.. I would recomend Brno to anyone..

[owdoggy]

Ta for the info guys.:thumb:

Doggy

[ZdenekXRV]

Highways are for motorbikes for FREE in CZ. You do not need to buy any vinnette.

For the drive from Prague to Brno I would recomend diferent route then HW D1. The D1 hw is in horrible condition and is overcrowded... And dangerous.
Instead, use D11 (E67) hw to Hradec Kralove and then route no. 35 (E442) to Svitavy and then no. 43 (E461) to Brno. Much safer and better route.

Criminality in big cities, such Prague or Brno, is in same level like in other cities in Europe. Just keep low profile, keep your belongings (money, document, papers) with you and all will be fine.

I live in Prague and in case of any problems can help you to solve them.

So, if need any info, just send me an e-mail...

Zdenekxrv

[owdoggy]

Highways are for motorbikes for FREE in CZ. You do not need to buy any vinnette.

For the drive from Prague to Brno I would recomend diferent route then HW D1. The D1 hw is in horrible condition and is overcrowded... And dangerous.
Instead, use D11 (E67) hw to Hradec Kralove and then route no. 35 (E442) to Svitavy and then no. 43 (E461) to Brno. Much safer and better route.

Criminality in big cities, such Prague or Brno, is in same level like in other cities in Europe. Just keep low profile, keep your belongings (money, document, papers) with you and all will be fine.

I live in Prague and in case of any problems can help you to solve them.

So, if need any info, just send me an e-mail...

Zdenekxrv

Thanks for that marra:thumbleft:. Maybe we could meet up in Prague & I'll buy you a beer (or two:D)


Doggy