One month to go.
This morning, I re-confirmed our booking for, 9 singles and 1 double.
1.Wapping
2. RUS25R
3. adventuredon
4. Mucky Helmet
5. GS Bloke
6. Major Gadget
7. Phil954 (via another site)
8. Brenchleyhibs
9. Paula (via another site)
10. Dxtans and Mrs Dxtans (double)
That's 10 bikes / 11 bods, so a goodly sized gathering.
Via a PM you will all receive my new mobile number. If you could do me a favour and PM yours back I will make sure I am up-to-date.
I don't know whether I will go down to Folkstone the evening before or journey down on the Saturday morning. A bit depends on what time I can leave work on Friday. Whatever else, I plan to be in the departure hall / travellers experience thing in good time before our departure. No idea what bike I'll be on, but don't go looking for a GS as I don't own one.
On arrival at the terminal, they have blocked off the usual spot I used to park in by the first main entrance to the travellers experience hall. Dull, but there you go. I now ride around to the strange circular bike park they have created by the second main entrance. I rarely park in the circular area itself as it's too bloody easy to get boxed in by other bikes. If you are going to use it, take a bit of care.
Bring a packed lunch for Saturday; we'll have lunch on the hoof somewhere.
Supper somewhere in Arras. I won't book anywhere, I'm sure we won't starve. With 10 of us, it might be easiest if we find two tables of five somewhere.
We'll have a whip for coffees on Saturday and Sunday.
I have roughed out some GPS based routes, which I will circulate around to everyone.
The hotel in Arras is:
http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-1567-ibis-arras-centre-les-places/media.shtml I have secured ALL our rooms with my credit card, in good faith that everyone is coming and is going to turn up on the day.
Please fill up before getting on the train in England, that way everyone will start the day with a full tank. Similarly, let's all fill up on arrival at Arras, ready for Sunday morning.
Loading onto the train is always a bit of a lottery. There is no guarantee that we will all be in the same carriage or get off together. Let's all gather up at the first fuel station on leaving the train, it's about 3/4 of a mile on the left on the dual carriageway BEFORE you get to the motorway.
If when coming up the ramp when leaving the train in France the arrow directs you LEFT, ignore it. What it probably means is that you have travelled over on a freight train, the lorries being directed left on exit to the huge lorry park to save them getting muddled up with the cars. Going left means a long detour to get back to the fuel station. I have never known the 'going right' on exit being blocked-off (famous last words) if it is, then turn around and we'll all meet up, probably at the entrance to the lorry park... Try not to go in as we'll never find each other and it STINKS of wee! As before, stay in touch by text if something goes awry.
If anyone ends up on an earlier train (it happens) wait at the fuel station, we'll meet you there. If anyone misses the train (it happens) send me a text telling us what time train you are on. Problems do happen and I am happy to wait for a reasonable period for anyone to catch-up, providing I know what's happened. What I can't do is wait not knowing what the problem is, it's not fair on everyone else. If there is no news, we will wait for ONE full train load of vehicles to come past and then go. As the trains run at about 20 minute intervals and take about 15 minutes to fully unload we will have waited about 30 to 40 minutes.
We will use the marker drop-off system. If anyone wants to ride on their own on either day, fine with me. If anyone doesn't know the drop-off system, don't worry. We will run through it at the fuel station. I am happy for anyone to lead who fancies is it and / or I am happy to do back marker duties, too. Either way, we'll need some volunteers for back-marker, please.
Anything else?....
1. It's not a race but that doesn't mean we can't crack on. Overtaking within the group is fine, just be careful of those around you.
2. It's a decent sized group, so watch out for each other and yourself in equal measure. Many of us have been on Wanders before but maybe not with the same bods at the same time. If you are Private Bimble or Major Whizz it makes no odds, just don't assume that everyone else is the same. Create a bit of space and all should be well.
3. A bit of local cash, a credit or charge card. Your V5, valid insurance certificate, EHIC card, valid driving licence (both parts), current passport. Mobile phone (and charger, preferably with a Continental adaptor) enabled for overseas use for voice and text. Half decent Travel and Breakdown insurance. This last bit will enable us to help you get out of trouble faster than anything else, trust me. We have seen it all in action more than once; it really works.
4. We may well take a bit of motorway on arrival (about 30 miles) up to Dunkirk, to go to see the little visited Commonwealth War Graves graveyard. I can't remember if the stretch is free or if it costs a couple of euro. Not certain we will go that way, even so.
5. We should try to make a decent start on Sunday morning, wheels rolling at 09:00 AM, please. That will mean we can have a decent coffee stop in the morning, a reasonable lunch break and (with luck) a stop in the afternoon, too. I have chosen a slightly later train, so we do have time... With luck we may well be on an earlier one.
I think that's it.
Richard