Most important equipment to carry for UK to Alps

[Scott_rider]

Simple. You need one thing. And I'm not taking the piss.

...an ABR sticker on your bike (thumbs) .

[vRSG60]

Just have your wits about you and you'll be fine.

[Peirre]

Re: what do you carry to fix punctures.
Everyone has their own preference whether it be patches, strings, stop and go mushrooms, but whichever you choose learn to use it before you go, as for pumps .... air is available at many garages but not at the side of the road when you need it, again each to their own which type of pump you use. Mini hand pumps are available, so are CO2 cartridge inflators, as are 12v compressors, cheap but effective are the re-badged RING brand compressor sold in Wilko stores for £11+.

If your not confident enough to fix punctures, it's pointless carrying it all. Get good breakdown cover. It that's another story.

Maps are free ..... yeah I've said it.
The viamichelin website allows you to print maps of the areas you want at any scale FOC

[P4ulie]

I've been to the French Alps twice so no expert, but if you're only going for say a week & you book in advance, it's likely your hotel / B&B is an almost identical price to a campsite (dependent on month). Not having to carry / set up /take down tents / kit is worth a few extra euro.

The legal essentials have been well noted, carry all of em (thumbs)

[herman]

Its ferkin cold on that glacier. We kept going into COURMAYEUR thank you very much.

[Peirre]

Don't underestimate how slow the pace is while riding in the alps, 30mph Max isn't unknown. Add in stops for fuel, coffee, photos etc and you'll soon find out that a 100 mile trip can be an all day journey so discipline yourself to fuel up last thing at night, get up early, and depart early, say around 8:30-9:00 your on the bike and off. Expect road closures on the passes due to snow, and always have a plan B route to get you to your destination

[900Fantrider]

Adapter plug (thumbs)

[Mike101]

If you are going a bit further east then the single most important to take is lots of money. You will no doubt have been told that Switzerland is expensive...but....until,you get there you really don't know what that means...x2 for everything in Switzerland except fuel which is not much more.

If you can stay away from the main tourist traps as things such as meals soon add up.

If going through any big tunnels expect to have a long wait.

Mike

[Peirre]

Adapter plug (thumbs)

You can never have enough adaptor plugs hmy:
As many hotels generally have only 1+ socket in the room for the TV

Although coffee is readily available, I always carry my (Vietnamese) coffee maker if I'm camping

[Helicoptermanr22]

Thank you so much for all your valuable advice. ferry being booked and cant wait. Hopefully some great off roading n shit!!