Travelling to France in a Caterham??

[ewenm]

Mars said:

Join the tour7 list on www.se7ens.net and see the world.

Better link: http://mailman.se7ens.net/mailman/listinfo/tour7

I'd recommend this too

[redmire]

I shall look through these, looks like there are a fair few of you, willing to go abroad!
definately fancy it, just need to sort out some details then decide on Abroad or Dear old Blighty!...

If i decide i need more time over there, it may have to wait till next year...the incouragement in bucket loads is very welcom though!!!

Mike.

[Cock Womble 7]

ewenm said:

GB sticker

For the record, is there an "approved" GB sticker, or is the more classic stainless steel (or similar) jobby acceptable to your average Gendarme?

[ewenm]

Cock Womble 7 said:

ewenm said:

GB sticker

For the record, is there an "approved" GB sticker, or is the more classic stainless steel (or similar) jobby acceptable to your average Gendarme?

I use the standard white background, black letters sticker on the Caterham. I've got a magnetic black background, silver letters and edging on the Mustang and travelled to Spa a few years ago with no issues. Obviously magnetic ones aren't any good on the 7 as it's aluminium bodywork.

I suspect it's one of those things they'd add to the list if they pull you over for speeding, but isn't worth a pull itself.

[anonymous-user]

Cock Womble 7 said:

ewenm said:

GB sticker

For the record, is there an "approved" GB sticker, or is the more classic stainless steel (or similar) jobby acceptable to your average Gendarme?

I've got classic chrome letters on mine. Never been stopped (in more than half a dozen trips)

[Irish]

I was surprised by how much you can fit. A re-bag (from soft bits for sevens) is very neat and very useful.

[Glasgow2]

Irish said:

I was surprised by how much you can fit. A re-bag (from soft bits for sevens) is very neat and very useful.

is it waterproof?

[Irish]

Glasgow2 said:

Irish said:

I was surprised by how much you can fit. A re-bag (from soft bits for sevens) is very neat and very useful.

is it waterproof?

Relatively but I would not test it. Most users recommend still using plastics inserts.

[redmire]

I have been thinking about getting one of these bags but i have just bought new tyres, so it can wait!!

[CanAm]

For a 4 day break you should be able to get everything in the boot! Use heavy duty bin-bags rather than holdalls to make the most of the space, and if you do need extra carrying capacity, go for a couple of canoe dry bags as mentioned above by Ewenm. (I got a pair for under a tenner each) If you have a SoftBits For Sevens half hood, you can use the full size hood bag for extra capacity for fleeces etc. And as in the photo above, you can replace the spare wheel with a suitcase or even fit a luggage carrier over the spare wheel.

And the French love the cars.

Alan

[mybrainhurts]

Don't forget the rear end sticker...

WHY DO YOU SURRENDER MONKEYS DRIVE ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD?


They'll thank you for putting them right...

[Wild William]

Redmire

You'll be fine, just pack a bag and go but remember to take your warning triangle, dayglow vest, spare bulbs and documents (V5 Mot Cert and Insurance) suggest you inform your insurance co as well.

I am doing 4 days on Sep 17th for the Historic Remparts race in Angouleme which is great fun. Whilst it's not the Goodwood revival in terms of quality of cars and racing you will eat better and drink great wine and in very lovely Medieval surroundings and the route there is waaaaay better. If your interested in any WW2 stuff then there is Oradour sur Glane not far away and the Normandy beaches on your arrival or return or if its great roads and scenery i suggest the route from Aurillac to Rocamadour Cahors and Sarlat then up to Perigueux. Some of the best roads i have ever driven.

I always use Alastair Sawdays book as they are lovely B & B's, cheap and you can just book the first then decide where to go the next day it really is a great way to see france.

[redmire]

I like that bag a lot, soon as i have some spare money, i shall have that!!

William, it sounds like you are a veteran traveller, unfortunately, i have only ever been abroad 3 or 4 times, twice driving!....EEK!

First time was following some friends to a fishing lake in France.
Second time was hiring a Hummer and driving in Florida (doing the theme parks) for 3 weeks....it was Pretty worrying, i don't mind admitting, driving out of the airport carpark, with 'No clue whatsoever' as to their roads or signals...

So i suppose driving in France should be a breeze, i think i would like more than 4 days though, so i may wait!......

Thanks for the B+B guide as well, i may buy that book it sounds interesting.

(Went for a drive with my 'New' wet weather yokohamas, they seem really good, the Khumo's were very 'Naughty' in the wet!...)

Regards,
Mike.

[greedygekko]

ewenm said:

I drove down to Chamonix at the beginning of July. No issues with the tunnel - they are used to low cars and won't put you on the top deck. I suspect the ferries are similarly used to it. I chose the tunnel because it is easy, you can stay with the car so nothing will "go missing" and can use the 30 min crossing to do things like put the headlight deflectors on, etc.

I'd agree with ewenm on he ferries. I haven't had a change to take my 7 across to France yet so can't talk from personal experience, but we shared the lower deck of the ferry back from Le Mans this year with at least 4 Caterhams (plus a half-dozen 911s, a couple of fezzas, an SL65AMG, an AMV8 and an AM DB9). Sounded great when everyone started their engines at the other end!

[redmire]

greedygekko said:

ewenm said:

I drove down to Chamonix at the beginning of July. No issues with the tunnel - they are used to low cars and won't put you on the top deck. I suspect the ferries are similarly used to it. I chose the tunnel because it is easy, you can stay with the car so nothing will "go missing" and can use the 30 min crossing to do things like put the headlight deflectors on, etc.

I'd agree with ewenm on he ferries. I haven't had a change to take my 7 across to France yet so can't talk from personal experience, but we shared the lower deck of the ferry back from Le Mans this year with at least 4 Caterhams (plus a half-dozen 911s, a couple of fezzas, an SL65AMG, an AMV8 and an AM DB9). Sounded great when everyone started their engines at the other end!

Would really have liked to have seen....or heard that!!

[Mars]

Cock Womble 7 said:

ewenm said:

GB sticker

For the record, is there an "approved" GB sticker, or is the more classic stainless steel (or similar) jobby acceptable to your average Gendarme?

I'll take £300 from the first bidder:

[greedygekko]

redmire said:

greedygekko said:

ewenm said:

I drove down to Chamonix at the beginning of July. No issues with the tunnel - they are used to low cars and won't put you on the top deck. I suspect the ferries are similarly used to it. I chose the tunnel because it is easy, you can stay with the car so nothing will "go missing" and can use the 30 min crossing to do things like put the headlight deflectors on, etc.

I'd agree with ewenm on he ferries. I haven't had a change to take my 7 across to France yet so can't talk from personal experience, but we shared the lower deck of the ferry back from Le Mans this year with at least 4 Caterhams (plus a half-dozen 911s, a couple of fezzas, an SL65AMG, an AMV8 and an AM DB9). Sounded great when everyone started their engines at the other end!

Would really have liked to have seen....or heard that!!

Unfortunately, I didn't get the caterhams in this shot, but this gives you an idea - clearly the guy in the port creating the ferry queues was either a petrol-head or had a good sense of humour!

[redmire]

greedygekko said:

redmire said:

greedygekko said:

ewenm said:

I drove down to Chamonix at the beginning of July. No issues with the tunnel - they are used to low cars and won't put you on the top deck. I suspect the ferries are similarly used to it. I chose the tunnel because it is easy, you can stay with the car so nothing will "go missing" and can use the 30 min crossing to do things like put the headlight deflectors on, etc.

I'd agree with ewenm on he ferries. I haven't had a change to take my 7 across to France yet so can't talk from personal experience, but we shared the lower deck of the ferry back from Le Mans this year with at least 4 Caterhams (plus a half-dozen 911s, a couple of fezzas, an SL65AMG, an AMV8 and an AM DB9). Sounded great when everyone started their engines at the other end!

Would really have liked to have seen....or heard that!!

Unfortunately, I didn't get the caterhams in this shot, but this gives you an idea - clearly the guy in the port creating the ferry queues was either a petrol-head or had a good sense of humour!

Lovely pic..got some tyres on that black Merc!..
Is that Orange car a focus?...Love the colour..!

[PhilXB]

We're just back from a 2,500 mile round trip to Carcassonne. I'd back up much of the advice already given: the tunnel works well, a bit of gaffer tape (not much) is enough to provide acceptable anti-dazzle, logis hotel chain works well (but can be variable - part of the fun), a small warning triangle can be bought from Halfords, and fits behind the drivers seat (if you are able to have it forward a bit) along with your reflective yellow jackets (they need to be reachable from within the car).

The tolls are a pain - many are far too high to be reached with ease, which makes getting a tag a really good idea. Without a tag we often found it easiest to pull over away from the booth/machine so that the passenger could get out. After one tedious stretch we went away from the toll roads - more fun anyway.

The Caterham is really well received in France. We were photographed, videoed, talked with, at almost every stop.

If doing really long runs you might want to take ear plugs.

Ground clearance was less of a problem than in pot-holed UK. Good roads are to be found all over. Look on the map for long D roads. We've found good roads around: Chartres, Rouen, Limoges, Carcassonne,....

Our local car parts supplier made up a GB number plate for £10: permanent, and no sticker involved.

Luggage: some stuff will go under your passengers feet. Though for a short break of a few days using hotels you probably won't need much. We used a half-hood for the rain, using the cover for the full hood for: the half-hood, shower cap, tools, jack, etc. In addition we had a "cube" (a bike tail pack) that sat between the roll-bar diagonals - plenty of room. We took spare cables but didn't need them. The most useful tool was an adjustable spanner - used for curing K-series click. Breakdown services - we used the Adrian Flux service.

Brilliant fun.

[IBDAET]

I went to France and drove all the way to Monaco and back largely avoiding highways.

Things to be prepared for are:

Once you get to the Jura Mountains things start to get interesting, but you really have to get south of Lake Geneva then there are some fantastic roads.

That's where this happened, so make sure you fit new lower damper bolts before taking on the thousands of hairpins your suspension will encounter if you head into the Massif Central or Alps! They are a weak point taht will leave you stranded.



So for spares I recommend:

Crank sensor
Throttle Pot if you have throttle bodies.
Thermostat
All belts and a clutch and throttle cable
A vessel for water.
A spare header tank cap.
Oil if you use an odd grade (like 10-60)


Things like brake pads will last the trip even if you hoon. Just be sure they have 6mm on them before you set off if doing a 2500 mile trip.

For recovery insurance I used AXA Assist. They were good so long as you spoke to the UK operations. AXA Swiss were hopeless. Make sure you pack all your gear so you can get it home on a plane. This includes your tools! Alternatively have a good friend who will drive parts out to you from the UK and help fix your car. That's what I did and AXA reimbursed me in 10 days, no quibbles.