Another day jaunt to France....

[Wandering Star]

Quick question - I am thinking of bringing my brother-in-law for the ride as long as he and Richard dont talk power stations. Problem is he doesnt have bike gear. On the off-chance anyone got a pair of 34 over-trousers they wouldnt mind lending for the day?

 

[Wapping]

Recce completed today, one day late, so I missed Fanum's surprise

All OK except there is a bridge up (or down) about 7 miles before the end of the second leg. Rather that jiggle about I will chuck in just two junctions of motorway (about 10 minutes) to bring us up to Cap Griz Nez.

I found a half decent spot for our 'Bring your own' lunch.... If it lashes down, I have no fallback plans but probably something will turn up.

With luck I will tidy up the routes and bung them up in the week, along with a route card in excel.

Richard

 

[Wapping]

As promised, here are the updated routes, missing out the damaged bridge.

I have marked the lunch stop as a waypoint, so it should appear in your 'Favourites'.

I will work on the routecards in excel later.

Looking for a tailender, so we can use the drop-off system, please.

 

[ncpierce]

Richard,

I think someone else had volunteered earlier but if you are stuck for one, or want to change it around a bit, I am willing to be tail-end charlie.

Nigel

 

[WorthingWelsh]

Tail end duties

I put my hand up for this in an earlier post, don't mind doing it. I am familiar with the drop off system so no probs if you still need someone.

David.

 

[brianmaslen]

As promised, here are the updated routes, missing out the damaged bridge.

I have marked the lunch stop as a waypoint, so it should appear in your 'Favourites'.

I will work on the routecards in excel later.

Looking for a tailender, so we can use the drop-off system, please.

Well Richard as I have been on a number of your excellent well organised trips before I feel it would be my honour to offer my services as "tail end Charlie" especially as I often end up there anyway! Mind you I can't guarantee to get everyone to the final destination of course.

Did you build in a "glove change" stop for the unexpected weather change?


So many options maybe we should take it in turns.

 

[Wapping]

Well Richard as I have been on a number of your excellent well organised trips before I feel it would be my honour to offer my services as "tail end Charlie" especially as I often end up there anyway! Mind you I can't guarantee to get everyone to the final destination of course.

Did you build in a "glove change" stop for the unexpected weather change?


So many options maybe we should take it in turns.

Hi Brian,

Thanks for that.

Glove changes are at the whim of the inscrutable leader. But always of course when least necessary or most unexpected.

 

[WorthingWelsh]

Had I better bring a spare pair just in case then, would'nt want to be left out of any glove changing routine.

All sounds abit.......

 

[Deleted Member I]

Had I better bring a spare pair just in case then, would'nt want to be left out of any glove changing routine.

All sounds abit.......

Don't knock what you haven't tried

 

[Wapping]

Update

Right ho... all systems go for the weekend....

As far as I know everyone is going out on the Saturday morning train at 07:50.

I will be at the tunnel at about 07:15 or there abouts. Grey 1200GSA (06 registration) with BuMW topbox, parked up at the entrance to the shops etc. See you there or inside having a coffee.

There is no easy fuel available on the route.

Please can everyone arrive at the Folkstone with a full tank of fuel.

If anyone somehow ends up on an earlier train, or has a problem getting off the train, let's all rendezvous at the first petrol station on the left when leaving the train. I have inserted it into the route as a waypoint.

As there is a lot of us we will have to use the marker 'drop-off' system. Let's run through that on the train, please.

I will PM everyone my mobile number. If anyone somehow misses the train, let me know by text and we can try to meet up. Similarly, if anyone is a no-show, please let me know so that we are not looking for someone who is not there.

Don't forget to bring a packed-lunch.

I have looked at the weather forecast. So far Saturday is sunny / good, but that could well be bollux. If it is lashing down the lunch stop will be a wash-out, so I will build in a contingency plan to take us to lunch on the coast instead.

I need to do some small adjustments to the overall routes, so will post up some fresh Garmin files by Thursday evening, along with a roll-call of who I think is coming.

===

For those staying over on Saturday night only.

I have found a bakers in St Omer who will make us some filled rolls etc. for Sunday lunch.

===

I leave it up to individuals as to whether they have travel / breakdown insurance. It's your bike and your body

===

Richard

 

[WorthingWelsh]

Hi Richard,

Looking forward to the weekend, thanks for doing the organising much appreciated. St Omer is not a town I am familier with as I am usually just riding past it on my way south, does it have any decent drinking eating type places for Saturday night or are you also unaware of the delights that this town may offer. Would be nice to find a decent resturant type place to enjoy some good food, drink and no dought, the excellant company.

David.

 

[LBL]

i would like to say that i am fully prepared.....but i cant

i will pack last thing friday night and throw some crisps and an apple for my packed lunch or i will eat half of what Nigel brings.

I will turn up with a full tank of fuel ( must remember to raid the grandkids piggy banks).

Insurance and breakdown cover as always is sorted tho

looking forward to the riding, company and the craic

see you all on saturday

Lloyd

 

[WorthingWelsh]

Gosh.....you packing that early Lloyd?

saturday morning if I can get my arse in gear!

David.

 

[LBL]

mnnnn

Gosh.....you packing that early Lloyd?

saturday morning if I can get my arse in gear!

David.

cant leave without my hair products and face cream and grooming products

plus i gotta leave at 5.30am

 

[ncpierce]

i would like to say that i am fully prepared.....but i cant

i will pack last thing friday night and throw some crisps and an apple for my packed lunch or i will eat half of what Nigel brings.

Lloyd

That implies that I actually manage to get to the shops on Friday night

Anyway bike is all ready, just need to top up the fuel:-
Breakdown Cover - Yep
Travel Insurance - Yep
New Final Drive - Fitted today

See you all Saturday.

Nigel

 

[LBL]

New Final Drive - Fitted today




Nigel

Bejesus the bikes only about 9 months old, your always breaking things

 

[Wapping]

Final routes

Here we go:

(1) Main plan

8 routes.

The ones to use are:

Tunnel to Cassel 38.6 miles

Cassel to Batterie Todt (The one to use) 68.0 miles - This takes us past the lunch stop at Parenty.

Batterie Todd to Ibis Saint-Omer Centre (via Sangat, to drop off others etc) 44.4 miles.


(2) Alternative if it is lashing down

2 routes.

This will take us to Le Touquet for lunch in a restaurant.

===

Yup, there are plenty of bars etc. in St Omer.

Richard

 

[wheeledwidewebb]

(2) Alternative if it is lashing down


This will take us to Le Touquet for lunch in a restaurant.

Ah, so we may yet see you boys in Le Touquet.

- idiot, no we won't because if its lashing down I am staying at home in my usual wimpish manner.

 

[paintman]

Hi Richard,

Looking forward to the weekend, thanks for doing the organising much appreciated. St Omer is not a town I am familier with as I am usually just riding past it on my way south, does it have any decent drinking eating type places for Saturday night or are you also unaware of the delights that this town may offer. Would be nice to find a decent resturant type place to enjoy some good food, drink and no dought, the excellant company.

David.

Its a pleasant little town, head for centre ville which is a big square with plenty of parking, loads of places to eat around the square and further options up the side streets.

 

[brianmaslen]

I'm on for Saturday and looking forward to the delights of St Omer, I wonder if they have a kebab shop for Nigel? Flipping heck Nigel your luck's not exactly in is it? 2 punctures in 2 days in Wales in torrential rain and now a new final drive, surely there can't be anything else to go wrong!