Travelling to France in a Caterham??

[redmire]

Has anyone got first hand experience of travelling to France in a Caterham?

My main concerns are ground clearance.
Forinstance Speed bumps, leading up to the port / Train.
Also coming off of the train / ferry...will it be a problem?

I am also wondering if anyone has any other ideas for a 'Four day break'...maybe over here?
somewhere interesting and worth doing for 4-5 days!

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks, mike.

[ewenm]

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 got an overwhelmingly positive reaction from everyone I met, to the point at which I'd be delayed at petrol stations because people wanted to talk about the car and the trip. My GCSE-level French was just about good enough

As for a route - NE France is flat and dull, but if you can get down to some twisty roads, perhaps in the Champagne region near Reims or if you're up for some miles you can get down to the Jura mountains near Besancon. I did Chamonix to Bath in one day but wouldn't recommend that unless you really have to; 745 miles and 15+ hours was rather tiring.

[Aeroscreens]

I've been touring across the Channel ever since I bought my 7 in 1999 and have never encountered problems on the ferries or the Chunnel.

Your 7 will be admired greatly in France by all ages and it never ceases to amaze me just how much the French seem to love our 7s.

To date I've managed well over 25,000 miles of touring. You'll be fine

[Tango7]

Agreed. Travelling in France in a seven is a great experience and the Public's reaction is brilliant. To make things a lot easier though, if you are travelling on the peage/toll roads (which is highly likely at some stage), I'd get hold of a Sanef transponder which is a toll tag. You can sail past the queues of traffic and hardly slow down for the toll booths!

A bit of information is here on Blatchat : http://www.blatchat.com/t.asp?id=189030

[huwp]

Have used the Eurotunnel twice with no issues. They should direct you onto the lower deck which will keep you from damaging the car. Personally I wouldn't use the ferry having seen people bumpng their bags etc into cars as they leave the car decks. The worst witnessed was some doris driving a Disco with bikes on the back. As she drove off the ferry she took a number of wing-mirrors with her!

The French seem to love Caterhams. I have had nothing but enthusiastic interest in the car. Their quiet, and well surfaced roads are a joy in the car. I actually cannot remember when I last saw a speed bump in France.

[allen l]

I've been to London and to Dunsfold with the Caterham. Never had problems on whatever road in France, Uk and the Channel.



Oh, I come from Holland.

[john7]

Just done the Le Mans Classic in my 7 driving down from Le Havre using the D & N roads. After the classic drove up to Normandy and spent 4 days up there and then back to Le Havre. Fantastic roads for a 7. Let me know if you need a campsite in Normandy, found a friendly 7 site.

[redmire]

Blimey!
A very positive response indeed
I was thinking of just finding b+b's as and when the day ends......maybe book one en-route for the first night!!.

Do i need to do anything with my lights or anything else??..GB sticker is all i can think of?
I have driven there, fishing with my van...(Following another van)...slightly apprehensive 'going it alone'....(I know, don't take the P)

Still not sure which way to travel, once there??

Thanks for putting my mind at rest about the crossing though (I really really hate all that grief, Passports, customs, getting in the correct lane, at the right time etc etc)
Knowing the car wil at least, Make it over, without too much grief is inspiring!

Thanks,
Mike.

[ewenm]

Ok, bit more detail. Things you need:
GB sticker
Headlamp deflectors (although many don't bother)
Hi-viz vest (behind the seat is good)
Spare bulbs (I had to change the headlight bulb on the way home)

Stuff other 7ers take: Spare alternator/fan belt, clutch cable, throttle cable

Possible route: Assuming you're crossing to Calais, Reims is only 2 hours away down the autoroute €20.20 toll. From there you could visit the old Reims GP Pits on the Gueux road (D27?). Once you're south of Reims the roads get more interesting and you can just explore or head further south towards the Swiss/German border and the Jura mountains for some fun roads.

Edited by ewenm on Thursday 12th August 22:05

[heebeegeetee]

redmire said:

Blimey!
A very positive response indeed
I was thinking of just finding b+b's as and when the day ends......maybe book one en-route for the first night!!.

.

Are you going alone alone, as in just you yourself?

I can highly recommend the Logis de France organisation http://www.logishotels.com/en.html
They do a Businessman's Stopover for the single traveler, which included dinner, b&b at a really good rate. If there are two of you the halfboard deal is a good one too, but for value for the single traveler the bssnssmanss stopover takes some beating.

The website allows you to book in advance and you can even check out the parking - some of them even have garaging.

And as others have said, the French will love the Caterham.

[Glasgow2]

Interesting topic to read.... I am ordering my first caterham (R300). Will be for road use. Not sure about the lowered floor.

I drove 6 caterhams over the last three months, all with standered floor. Sat in a lowered floor but not tried driving it (to be honest didn't notice any difference while just sitting).

Seems as though lowered floor is a popular option.... But I am concerned about hitting bumps. Any view/experience about lowered floor?

BTW, I am 5' 10" and my wife (haven't convince her to drive caterham yet, but i am optimistic) is 5' 3".

[huwp]

I should add that you will need to consider carefully what tools you take with you. Some owners of K series cars carry spare clutch and throttle cables.

You will also need to think about which breakdown cover you get. I believe most favour AA, Green Flag or ADAC. The RAC don't get rave rewiews.

[redmire]

Thankyou for that very comprehensive list...Not sure about 'major' spares, if only for a week, mind you, if i can get them easilly enough i guess i should!
As for tools, think i would have to rely on a 'friendly mechanic' or frenchman!

We went to the new Forest for 4 days a couple of weeks ago (my Wife and i) there wasn't hardly room left for my credit card....though she squeezed it in some how! ....
Really am enjoying this whole experience of Caterham ownership, from the friendly help, to the RAW driving experience that gets us out of the house nearly every evening!!

I will look into that half board jobbie, need to get a 'Power out' fitted for my sat nav...Oh and a French map download!!

Cheers again...Mike. (getting excited now!)

[ewenm]

A couple of Ortlieb (or similar) canoe drybags are good for strapping to either side of the roll bar on top of the boot tonneau - bungee cords are very useful

See below for my partially loaded 7 in a Houston hotel car park. The canoe drybag is on the left. The OH's suitcase on the spare wheel carrier.

Edited by ewenm on Friday 13th August 10:43

[Dieter7S4]

huwp said:

I should add that you will need to consider carefully what tools you take with you. Some owners of K series cars carry spare clutch and throttle cables.

You will also need to think about which breakdown cover you get. I believe most favour AA, Green Flag or ADAC. The RAC don't get rave rewiews.

I would totally disagree re the RAC. I broke down in the S4 on the way back from Le Mans classis, the RAC couldn't have been better! Roadside assistance arrived in the middle of nowhere in 45 mins, hotel overnight was booked and paid for by them, as was the flatbed to take me and the 7 to Le Havre. Another flatbed waiting at Portsmouth to take me home!

[stuinnes]

You will also need a warning triangle as well. If you make it to Belgium at all, then you need a fire extinguisher. Not sure if its compulsory for France. Its not for Germany (where i am).

A few of the lads i know have put a bit of tape on their lights to act as headlamp convertors.

Sounds like the making of a great trip. Have fun.

Stu

[caterhamnut]

Have a look in the 'travel' section of our website www.mycaterham.com and you'll see years of French 7'ning!

[Cock Womble 7]

And don't forget they drive on the wrong side of the road over there.

Priorité à Droite!

[Fishy Dave]

I would recommend ADAC - Europe wide service (AA in the UK), for far less than anyone else I could find for an annual policy.

You will enjoy your Europe trip, I have done a good few in the Seven now, both alone and with passenger.

[Mars]

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

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

Edited by Mars on Saturday 14th August 14:52