Popular Post Benrobson2999 - Kent AO Posted May 15 Popular Post Share Posted May 15 It’s that time again (well almost!) I thought I’d post another diary of the SKCC (southern kit car club) trip as the 2022 Alps one went down quite well. (and most likely a video afterwards) Genuinely I cannot wait, counting down the days! We postponed the 2023 trip (due to the organiser @Tony Bee not being able to ride his mountain bike and falling off!) so this is much needed, especially after the last year or terrible British weather we have experienced. Were all off on 12th June. The same Seven sevens (Westfields) reunite for 10 days of mountain twisties in the sun. @Ricky_B Joint Kent AO @barryO @kenton @Mark Bishop @Rich T The rough plan is 3 of us are travelling from UK to France via the euro tunnel and the 4 from the south coast are jumping on the Ferry travelling from UK to Diepe where we will all meet in Tours the first night and then the following day convoy south through France to the mountainous playground on the French/Spanish border. We will spend the week in the Pyrenees and then all do a big loop back up through France and back to the tunnel on the 22nd. For now, it’s car prep time, fit a new set of rubber, change some euros and pack the essentials - oh and explain the finer detail of the “few days away” trip duration to the wife 😅 more to follow…. ☀️ 🏔️ 🍺 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Kinder (Bagpuss) - Joint Peak District AO Posted May 15 Share Posted May 15 2 hours ago, Benrobson2999 - Kent AO said: Were all off on 12th June. The same Seven sevens (Westfields) reunite for 10 days of mountain twisties in the sun. @Ricky_B Joint Kent AO @barryO @kenton @Mark Bishop @Rich T Excelent. Looking foward to following your trip. 2 hours ago, Benrobson2999 - Kent AO said: For now, it’s car prep time, fit a new set of rubber, change some euros and pack the essentials - oh and explain the finer detail of the “few days away” trip duration to the wife 😅 Just leave a note saying if I'm not back in 24hrs, please re-read this note 😉 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benrobson2999 - Kent AO Posted June 10 Author Share Posted June 10 Last minute prep Tomorrow ready for an early start Weds morning. Weathers looking ok on the drive down ☀️🤞🏼 Day 1 plan of action ⬇️ 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Faulkner Posted June 11 Share Posted June 11 That looks like a good trip, enjoy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Benrobson2999 - Kent AO Posted June 13 Author Popular Post Share Posted June 13 So, early start yesterday. Successful tunnel crossing with no hold ups despite rumours of French strikes etc. The train was packed with Le Mans traffic heading down to the 24hr. Lots of caterhams and Porsches. We stopped off for some early breaky near Boloigne and then took a fairly relaxed ride down using mainly D roads and the odd toll. The weather was slightly damp in patches but nothing to be concerned about, noticeably getting hotter the further south we travelled. Another few fuel and baguette stops settled us in nicely, getting back into the routine of jumping in and out quickly over the coming days! After 348 miles, three fill ups, we arrived at our Formula 1 hotel in Tours, France. The other 4 were by this time were only an hour or two away. They had a good relaxed crossing to Dieppe and then 200 odd miles to catch us up. We all met in a bar round the corner (cracking place) Rich found, for pizzas and a few beers in the sun to discuss the days antics. One hopefully “just flat” battery to replace this morning at a shop round the corner and then we should be good to go for another big day down to the border. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benrobson2999 - Kent AO Posted June 14 Author Share Posted June 14 Sorry delay in update I was knackered yesterday! so day 2- we had a long days drive, about 350 miles to get down to the border, a delayed start to get a new battery for one of the cars. Lovely hot weather. Mainly D roads other than the last 150k to make up a bit of time. few little clutch bearing issues on one of the cars. (Which resulted in a photo shoot as a passer by wanted us to come and see his chateau!)Other than that great day. We ended up in another Formula 1 hotel so we could have a good sleep and shower etc. the eve was full of beer and burgers, and T bone steaks 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benrobson2999 - Kent AO Posted June 14 Author Share Posted June 14 Day 3- today was a great day. 270 miles of mountain twisties diving in and out of France and Spain. Early start and arguably better than the Alps passes, fast and mostly smooth empty roads except for the odd bike or local. I say mostly smooth, as one of the group cracked his sump on a pot hole. Luckily with some liquid metal we made a repair and all seems good. My alternator lost a bolt and came loose and one of the others had a loose connection on the fan. Again, all easily fixed at the road side. We ended the day at Gavin Campsite and managed to book two cabins rather than get the tents out! We enjoyed a swim and meal and few beers. looking forward to much of the same again tomorrow 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benrobson2999 - Kent AO Posted June 14 Author Share Posted June 14 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benrobson2999 - Kent AO Posted June 19 Author Share Posted June 19 Day 4- today we covered 250 miles. In the morning we went up Mnt T into the clouds. There was a cycle event on and the roads were busy plus you couldn’t see the car in front most of the time! Upon descending into the valleys the sky cleared and temp returned to a nice 26 deg. We all got covered in sheep poo as we crossed some beautiful single track twistie passes. The pass we were on was closed and the alternative was an unknown diversion, so we decided to ignore a small landslide and squeeze the cars through which was quite amusing afterwards. We had one car lose power. Quickly we identified a blown fuse, which must have been with all the heaters, wipers etc and lights on… then we had a breakdown, which was a quick fuel pump replacement and we were back on the road. Later that afternoon we arrived at our camp site which we were pleased to find had cabins and a pool! just as we pulled into the car park , one of the cars clutch broke. The owner of the site kindly let us borrow his Bob cat to use as a makeshift car lift. So the evening was spent making repairs. At this point it was 50/50 whether the problem was too serious to continue. One of the other cars was still having clutch problems and questioning retiring from the trip and taking a steady direct ride home. We did enjoy beers and a nice meal and good sleep. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benrobson2999 - Kent AO Posted June 19 Author Share Posted June 19 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benrobson2999 - Kent AO Posted June 19 Author Share Posted June 19 Day 5 As some of you eagle eyed members may have noticed there was only 5 cars today. The two with mechanical issues were now running again thanks to some Creative work from the team but only well enough to get from A to B, not blat up and down mountain passes. So they drove a more direct route to the end destination near Andorra and we crossed our fingers we would see them there! Us however had a blinding day! 270 miles Loads of constant mountain twisties, sun and ice cream! We were so pleased to see on the tracker they were still moving throughout the day. As they were ahead they managed to find a place to stay. We arrived and found that they had actually also now made a more substantial repair to the clutch and that car was likely to be ok for the trip duration which was fantastic to hear. We found a nice pizza restaurant in town and enjoyed more beers too! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benrobson2999 - Kent AO Posted June 19 Author Share Posted June 19 This is actually day 5 route now 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benrobson2999 - Kent AO Posted June 20 Author Share Posted June 20 Day 6- unfortunately only 100 miles or so of twisties today from the route to planned to Millau due to a breakdown which resulted in the end of the trip for one car. Once lunch and the recovery was sorted we continued on where we found a a beautiful camp site on a lake. It was starting to fell like a real holiday! As it was so hot we thought we ought to get the tents out for at least one night! We enjoyed a swim in lac du montbel and beers at the bar in the sun followed by dinner at the restaurant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benrobson2999 - Kent AO Posted June 20 Author Share Posted June 20 Day 7- about 200 trouble free miles of stunning fast twisties. We arrived on a back road into Millau and stopped off to see the viaduct. What an amazing piece of engineering that is! It was baking hot 🥵 ☀️. We continued down into Millau and found our camp site where Rich T was waiting for us (he had taken a more direct route to give his gear box an easier time). There was a fantastic heated swimming pool, we were located next to a shallow stream full of trout, which we had a dabble in to cool off. The modern cabins were much needed after camping! We sourced some local beers and enjoyed them in the sun before wandering into town and getting a curry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benrobson2999 - Kent AO Posted June 20 Author Share Posted June 20 Day 8- we decided to continue on in two groups. Rich was still taking it easy hoping his car would make it home, the other Rich joined him for a more direct route. I and the others continued the planned twisty longer route . Which let’s just say was twisty, hard going on the cars and very gravelly! This led to my exhaust bracket coming loose, the alternator brackets snapping and then some strange intermittent clonking noise from the rear wheel. After making a cable tie bodge repair the alternator was sorted. I decided just to continue as we couldn’t find a cause for the clonking noise… We heard on the what’s app group Rich had another fuel pump failure but they managed to source one just before a shop closed! Lucky or what… We met up with them by chance along the route. He was back up and running and so I continued in the slow group just to get to the destination hopefully with no more issues!! We all arrived safely. Booked in to a Formula 1 at Saint Etienne. Checked the cars over, showered and wondered off into town for an all you can eat Steak buffet… 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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