'Strike whilst the irons hot' etc etc...

After some discussion at the meet that we've done lots of Trackdays, doo's, trips, visits, events, runs and meets, it was mentioned that we've yet to do something 'big'. We've discussed the Swedish rally, Nurburgring and only Dave & Helen are off to the Geneva motorshow after this was touted as a possible trip out...

After some other discussion of a likely location for a forthcoming photoshoot, the Millau Bridge was jokingly put down as a possible location. Well, it's not a joke now.

I propose that out first decent run follows in Top Gears tyre tracks and we drive out on some quality driving roads. Arrive, take a picture or two and drive back.... beer will be drunk and lots or merriment will ensue

I've chosen May because;

• This will give people time to get passports.
• March & April are busy and we've not much on in May
• 2005 Bonuses should be paid in by April end
• If you don't get bonuses, then this will give people the necessary time to save beer tokens.
• It's 6 weeks after the trackday, so should be enough time to make any necessary car adjustments.
• May 26 is the first day of the school, spring break, so for those with kids who may like to come (like my lad) this is a good time.
• We'll have enough time to plan a route and get our stuff together...
• Dazza won't freeze in his Atom

At only 2 and a bit months away... it isn't that far off.

To whet your appetite, here's a few nice shots...







Area

We'll get some decent maps up I'm sure, but it's at red point 2



How do we get there?

We'll drive. Easy

Plans to follow, but It'll probably be from Somewhere South like Dover...

Dover to Calais is about £70 return for an adult & child..
Portsmouth to Caen £250
Plymouth to Santander (Spain) £650

From: Calais
To: Millau
Distance: 572.9 miles
Time: 9 hr 24 min

From: Caen
To: Millau
Distance: 509.4 miles
Time: 8 hr 27 min

Better to go from Calais????

Petrol is about 10-15p Litre cheaper in France

Probably B&B, tent or kip in cars over a (long?) weekend.. we'll talk this through.

Who's In?

No limit on numbers, members and non members welcome, doubling up in cars also welcome (possible save on petrol & other costs etc)...

Comments?

Please let me know if I've cocked the date up or you have some other suggestions or ideas.

Names please.. You know you want to..

Les traveleurs...

1. Me.
2. Simon (White Scooby)
3. Chris (JB24) & mates.
4. Sticky

 

I'll be in . . won't cost me too much in diesel

1. Alan C
2. Simon

 

As my weekends are precious, I will probably blob on this. As much as I'd love to come along I'm afraid I have other plans regarding France, which involve a much longer stay along with excursions into Italy for the Stelvio and Germany for the 'Ring, as well as Le Mans, Reims and Monaco. Using the French motorways will be the only way to cover those distances and the French Police just love us brit tourists, so any fun en-route would be very unwise and potentially costly. I would prefer to take the smaller routes away from prying eyes and enjoy as much of the stunning French countryside as possible. School holidays aren't attractive to me personally either, but I obviously understand and agree with your reasoning for the date.

At this time I shall say non I do hope everyone else enjoys it though

 

Has someone been investigating Jabbasport and Revo

 

This sounds a TOP idea to me always wanted to do something like that. took my black scoob as far as paris when i worked for lockheed Martin in 2005 but did'nt get chance to do anything. would love to come and would be able to bring a couple of passingers. the pic's would be AMAZING Count me in

 

Will do on Monday, someone told me TSL do the Revo remaps so will find out if they can do the Leon

 

So, the Smart's gone What's the Leon like, as it's on my hit-list of possible driving school cars ?

 

I'll let you know once I get it Waiting for the DVLA to transfer plates over

 

Is the smart available for parts? damn it's too late....

 

In. Passport pending...

1. Me.
2. Simon (White Scooby)
3. Chris (JB24) & mates.
4. Le Sticky

 

Sleeping in the could possibly be a little tricky


I'm actualy pictured above, asleep in the passenger seat
Anyone got some boot space spare???

 

Tempted. very tempted. Have very little holiday left at work so will have to see. Need to calculate how much Le Optimax (or is it La Optimax?) will work out at on 18 mpg from leeds to 'sarf a France'....and also see what Mrs practical makes of it all...I've already had "what if you breakdown on the bridge", insurance, break down cover, tyres etc etc

 

Oh yes.. Don't you worry about sleeping arrangements..

We won't be sleeping, so no worries..

Simon -
It's 270 Miles to Dover so about 2.5 tanks there and back?
1,150 ish from Calais to Millau & Back.. so ~5 tanks @250 Miles per tank..
Add a tank or two for detours and some nice roads... ~9 tanks

£90 UK side.
£200 French side
£60 reserve..

How much in a Ford GT???

 

Alan, you have the dates correct re the school Hols.

I can't do this as we fly to Gran Canaria for a week on the 27th... Still i'll wave from the plane as we fly over!!!!

Re the date the only thing I could offer is that its Bank Hol Weekend so the traffic will not be good in the UK!!!!!!

Chris

 

Talk about bad timing

Would have loved to have done this trip
I set off to France on Sat 27th for a week at Disney with the rest of the clan .
Now I wonder if i could sneak away for a day

Have a good one and take loads of piccies

 

This is what I mean about having other plans for a trip to France. If you're gonna go almost to the bottom, you may as well cross the border and... CLICKY and as driven by our friend Chris (cw42) CLICKY (you might wanna skip to about 8 mins where the main bit starts).

 

That looks like A cross between one of our Dales runs and Snakes pass, only diff is roads seem better, higher, and there driving on the wrong side of the road

 

I feel a WYIOC gumball event building up...

 

Dave... I think it's the getting there with good mates that makes the difference... It's also the unpredictability and the ability to take it as it comes... Wer'll just drive to where the hell we want and come back..

 

I get the mates bit, you know I love you guys. Just a long way to go, in such a hurry, for such little pay-off. The SMACS guys are doing Stelvio and other Italian/Swiss routes next year. I may do that, or as I said earlier make Helen & my main summer holiday a big fat Euro road trip, which you guys would be welcome on

 

Dave,
You do the other trip then and let others get on with this trip.

 

Al and guys

I have done the math and can't afford to go on this trip

I am a little disappointed as this is the sort of thing I think the club needed to do, a brilliant road trip at leisure with fun and laughs along the way

My classic achieves about 20 22 to the gallon at best, this along with the fact that it now has 98'000 miles on the clock, makes a trip of this magnitude a scary thought without some kind of road side assistance recovery.

The price of that along with the fuel and overall transport cost and additionally the track day and scoobylive event all in the same period, bust the bank.

Please don't get me wrong on this, this is a brilliant idea and one to be remembered, however my financial circumstance, take it out of reach.

Mick

 

Mick, as mentioned the other night, there's a strong chance of a passenger seat being available in mine, and you'll have first refusal mate. 'Nuff said.

 

I'll have seats free in the Leon

 

Mick I take it you did not have a part in the bank money theft , There seem to be many free seats available shall we put some on fleabay..?

 

I found that Top Gear episode on my PVR, so if you want a copy for some inspiration I can try and get it onto DVD for you and bring it Thurs?

Let me know.

 

Cheers mate that would be great I regret deleting it from my HD recorder to make room for Richard & Bloody Judy..

 

www.finalgear.com

 

nice one mate I can't find the clip mind , but nice one all the same as it seems a decent Top & 5th Gear resource site..

 

http://www.finalgear.com/downloads/topgear/7/3/