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Re: Tour du Coeur Classic Challenge *NOW 2015*

Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2014 8:44 pm
by 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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Re: Tour du Coeur Classic Challenge *NOW 2015*

Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 1:50 am
by 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.

Re: Tour du Coeur Classic Challenge *NOW 2015*

Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 4:50 pm
by Philip Chidlow
Well, it's on the route as drafted. Lovely part of the world :)


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Re: Tour du Coeur Classic Challenge *NOW 2015*

Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2014 10:59 am
by 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...

Re: Tour du Coeur Classic Challenge *NOW 2015*

Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2014 11:24 am
by Leobx16v
Count me in,

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

Re: Tour du Coeur Classic Challenge *NOW 2015*

Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2014 11:55 am
by 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;

Re: Tour du Coeur Classic Challenge *NOW 2015*

Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2014 12:04 pm
by 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.

Re: Tour du Coeur Classic Challenge *NOW 2015*

Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2014 12:23 pm
by 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 ;)

Re: Tour du Coeur Classic Challenge *NOW 2015*

Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2014 12:47 pm
by 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

Re: Tour du Coeur Classic Challenge *NOW 2015*

Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2014 1:20 pm
by 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.

Re: Tour du Coeur Classic Challenge *NOW 2015*

Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2014 1:23 pm
by mds141
If anyone wants to team up with me to share the driving/fuel/costs etc, just let me know. Cheers. :-)

Re: Tour du Coeur Classic Challenge *NOW 2015*

Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2014 1:31 pm
by 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 :)

Re: Tour du Coeur Classic Challenge *NOW 2015*

Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2014 1:50 pm
by 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 :)

Re: Tour du Coeur Classic Challenge *NOW 2015*

Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2014 5:10 pm
by 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.

Re: Tour du Coeur Classic Challenge *NOW 2015*

Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2014 12:02 am
by mat_fenwick
Philip Chidlow wrote: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 :shock: But maybe something older, not French and significantly thirstier, which may just be on the road by then...