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If you're intent on hitching, you'll have to rely almost
exclusiely on car drivers, as lorries ery rarely give lifts. even
so, it won't be easy. Looking as clean, ordinary and respectable as
possible makes a ery big difference, as conersations with French
drivers soon make clear. Experience also suggests that hitching the
less-frequented D roads is much quicker. In mountain areas a
rucksack and hiking gear will help procure a lift from fellow
aficionados.
Autoroutes
are a special case. Hitching on the autoroute itself is strictly
illegal, but you can make excellent time going from one serice station
to another, and if you get stuck, at least there's food, drink, shelter
and washing facilities at most serice stations.
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It helps to have the
Guide des Autoroutes, published by Michelin, which shows all the
rest stops, serice stations, tollbooths ( péages ), exits, etc.
Remember to get out at the serice station before your driver leaes the
autoroute . The tollbooths are a second best (and legal) option;
ordinary approach roads can be dvisastrous.
For
major long-distance rides, and for a greater sense of safety, you might
consider using the national hitching organization, Allostop
Prooya, 8 rue Rochambeau (on square Montholon), 17009 Paris (Mon-Fri
9am-7.30pm, Sat 9am-1pm & 2-6pm; phone 01.53.20.42.42, fax 01.53.20.42.44).
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The
cost comprises a registration fee (around $4.58 for a journey less than
200km, 50F/?7.63 if less than 400km, $9.15 if less than 500km and a
maximum of $10.68 if more than 500km, or you can buy a $27.45 membership
card which is good for eight trips over two years), plus a charge of 22
centimes for every kilometer of the journey. |
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