Citroën Classic Challenge 2015

[mat_fenwick]

I've done a similar if not identical bypass route before, and felt there wasn't much in it, especially if you get a clear run through Rouen. It's a more enjoyable drive though, no question.

[citsncycles]

Pont de Normandie is a pretty pricey toll bridge, but probably some people would want to do it for the craic

Yep Bin there, dun that! deffo worth the experience but having had the experience I'd probably look for an alternative route and meet up with people down the road somewhere.

Great route though! Must get on with my proposal for Ireland!!!

[Philip Chidlow]

Regarding the route, I realise we might be missing an opportunity to hit the beach somewhere (although that option exists in the last day admittedly, I was thinking Med/Atlantic)... Might require an extra day, might not... what are your thoughts?

[Des Smith]

Well, the closest bit of Mediterranean is the coast N & S of Perpignan. It's within striking distance of Quillan (55 miles) and about 30 miles past Maury, which is the turn off for Queribus. As I've mentioned previously, the N117 road is a great drive.

The beaches are quite popular (!) - sandy to the North (Le Bacares, Canet, St Cyprien) getting more shingly towards Argeles in the South, where the Pyrenees hit the sea. Beyond that it's all rocky coves and fishing ports. The weather is pretty reliable so you can expect it to be hot and sunny!

[Philip Chidlow]

Great. Alternatively we could swing by Valras Plage/Narbonne Plage (where, I believe, Betty Blue* was filmed) en route to Quillan from the Millau Bridge...

*Warning: Extremely upsetting scene at around 1:03...

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[Des Smith]

Extremely upsetting scene at around 1:03...

Could be worse. Could have been a BX.

[Philip Chidlow]

Drafted a plan (I have it in more detail, but here's the basic one).
COAST/BEACH OPPORTUNITY
Day Three; The existing plan for a lovely drive from Espalion, crossing the bridge at Millau, along wiggly roads through the Parc du Haut Lanhuedoc to Carcassonne and on to Quillan is still there (and still awesome). BUT I offer an alternative (if the weather's particularly good it might prove the route of choice anyway): Millau to Valras and Narbonne plages and then along the coast to Perpignan (it's a City worth visiting so missing out on Carcassonne isn't too bad). From Perpignan there's the choice of N117/D117 as Des suggests - and lovely it looks too. However another choice exists for hardened Challengeers who, I know, prefer slightly off-piste, so there's a very twisty route: Leave Perpignan on the N116 and take the D2 from Ille-sur-Têt heading northwest. Here, the road winds it's way up to a place called Sournia, and on (eventually turning into the D22) to the N117/D117 (just north of Chateau de Puilarens - worth a visit?) and on to Quillan via Axat. Allow 7.5 hours for this route (with a good hour for stop offs included).

I'm also detailing the Normandy options too. Watch this space.

[Des Smith]

From Perpignan there's the choice of N117/D117 as Des suggests - and lovely it looks too. However another choice exists for hardened Challengeers who, I know, prefer slightly off-piste, so there's a very twisty route: Leave Perpignan on the N116 and take the D2 from Ille-sur-Têt heading northwest. Here, the road winds it's way up to a place called Sournia, and on (eventually turning into the D22) to the N117/D117 (just north of Chateau de Puilarens - worth a visit?) and on to Quillan via Axat. Allow 7.5 hours for this route (with a good hour for stop offs included).

I have driven this road several times, most recently in the St Tropez. It is a good drive. The area is awash with great scenery and there are several routes across the hilly bits. The highest route takes you from Prades across Col de Jau to Axat. That's good fun too.

[Philip Chidlow]

[IOWBX]

I'm in

[Tim Leech]

We are, the wife's looking forward to it!

[Philip Chidlow]

I'm going to make suggestions for places to visit along the route, give alternatives for accommodation (back-up campsites and Hotel options) and try to map out Citroen dealerships and breaker's yards en route. This will require some local intelligence, so if anyone knows anyone who knows etc. who might be somewhere near part of the route this year or next and fancies doing some recce that'd be useful.

[Philip Chidlow]

I have a suggestion. In keeping with what we did at the 'official' end of the Challenge, I think we should spend our last evening in a hotel having a dinner. Ibis are good for that as it's not that expensive and they are good hosts, generally. Alençon is a really nice place and they've got a reasonably newly modernised Ibis there. One of the the campsites I had originally considered is not too far either, but I think I'll try to find a good one nearer to Alençon for those who want to camp. It'll be a Saturday night, 20th June so should be light, warm (if not positively hot) and hopefully dry.

I checked on Streetview to see what it was like and... lo and behold; a good omen appeared!

[Jaba]

Quelle chance d'atrapper la rare bete BX.
As you say a good omen. Got a BX yet ???

[Philip Chidlow]

Not as such


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