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.

[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.

[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!)

[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.

[redmire]

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

[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.

[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!!

[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..!