Citroën Classic Challenge 2015

[Philip Chidlow]

Let me have a name for the place they live and I'll see if we pass it at the moment or if we can modify the route a bit. I assume you're coming on the challenge?


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[Thread Bear]

Its the name of the Village. Between Puy l'eveque, with its weird lift to, well other places in Puy l'eveque but not the shop in a tunnel, and Preyssac, folks local town.

Not sure about going on the run. Such a lot to do this year its hard to see what I might be doing in 2015. Hopefully not very much in terms of work or having to be somewhere. The danger is if I am still attached to the cottage near L'Herme I might well already be down there rebuilding it again after 8 years of under use and neglect by the family who have now decided I am still an owner, rather than pay me the agreed compensatory amount.

[Philip Chidlow]

Well, it's on the route as drafted. Lovely part of the world


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[Philip Chidlow]

More details of the suggested route* will emerge in the expanded route plan that I'll aim to get done this spring (*I'm never going to require any participants to stick to a proscribed route - even though it'll be a carefully designed one!), as well as a tentative draft of interested parties.

I would want to get a possibles list together soon, so I can bear in mind numbers for stops. (As we should be considering the filming of this event (plans afoot) and we all like photo opportunities, I've built in a meet-up element at the beginning, sometimes not exactly where we will have spent the night, but in a more 'photogenic' setting. I've also considered optional lunch rendezvous places. Not only that, there are some stretches of road that lend themselves to 'drive-by' filming or indeed deserve a stop for the scenery).

I know it's still 497 days away, but I'll start this initial list:
• Team Philibusters; Phil C and Kermit in a ZX.


please feel free to register your interest on this thread...

[Leobx16v]

Count me in,

• Team Philibusters; Phil C and Kermit in a ZX.
- Leo C and ball and chain in a white 16v

[Philip Chidlow]

That's great. There should be at least 3 valvers then.

On the tent front I'm probably going for a Gelert Cabana 2 tepee style 2 person one. It's unusual in that I'll be able to stand up in it despite its small footprint/pack size.

Should be able to get one cheaper than this though, http://www.priceinspector.co.uk/d/86585 ... are-prices" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Leobx16v]

I'm going to try and get a 2 man waterproof pop up, I already had a 2 man pop up but after a wet silver stone 2 years ago I realized I need a waterproof one haha.

[Philip Chidlow]

At the time of the Challenge, for the majority of the route, the average temperature is statistically likely to be 23-26 degrees*, with long days and only about 6-7 days worth of rain for the whole month.

*Some places will exceed that - notably the Lot et Garonne dept, where it could reach over 30 quite easily.

But waterproof is still a good idea

[hilarystone]

Yes for me too but not sure about what car yet…

So:

Team Philibusters; Phil C and Kermit in a ZX.
Leo C and ball and chain in a white 16v
Hilary

[mds141]

Ever the optimist, I'll put my name down. Not sure how I'll afford it, but I'm sure something will turn up.
So:

Team Philibusters; Phil C and Kermit in a ZX.
Leo C and ball and chain in a white 16v
Hilary
Mark. Probably in the valver.

[mds141]

If anyone wants to team up with me to share the driving/fuel/costs etc, just let me know. Cheers.

[Philip Chidlow]

Excellent. I know you'll try to - and if you can find a team-mate that'd be dandy.
I'm sure, as you say, something will come up...

I think I am able to add Mike E to the list too, as I'm pretty sure he'll come along; and Matt F too? Andy said he would try and another Andrew with his Xantia... Geoff's preparing a BX and hopefully Mike S will drag a lovely old crate to France too lol!

That's potentially ten cars already. I hope there will be more though

[Philip Chidlow]

On the cost angle, it's encouraging to note that the trend for Euro exchange rates is working in our favour with it standing at (tourist rate) £1.00 = €1.1949. So that means at today's prices - and at a Supermarket - you're talking the equivalent of £1.23 or less a litre for unleaded and 1.17 or so for diesel. A petrol car doing around 32mpg will cost around £400 in fuel for the trip and a diesel doing 42mpg will be £300. Seems a lot but not too bad for the sharp end of 2,300 miles in France. Add to that the crossing (£70?), camping budget of around £120, end of event bash at another £70, unavoidable tolls and miscellaneous other costs say £40, food and meals another couple of hundred and the total for the trip (from Dover and back) will be - at today's prices - around the £800 mark per car/team.

OK that's not exactly small change, but for over a week in France with mates and some cracking drives it's a bargain

[Des Smith]

Well you can count me in, although I will peel off once everyone else heads north cos I will be staying in the Pyrenees for a bit.

[mat_fenwick]

and Matt F too?

Did you even have to ask? I can't say for 100% certain that far in advance, but put me down as a likely. I'm wondering, just a tiny thought in my mind about the possibility of not doing it in my BX though But maybe something older, not French and significantly thirstier, which may just be on the road by then...