France Day Out - 31 May

Well it wouldnt be a year without at least one run over the channel....

I am not sure of the pace but would be happiest to make this medium-fast. If anyone wants to join and is not sure PM me and we can go through any concerns. We found last year that with the marker system no one gets lost anyway.

The Route follows the coast road from Calais down to Le Torquet - its a nice twistie coast road with some great coastal views. After a long lunch at the beach town we will head further south before going in land to some faster country roads and then back up north through more countryside.

There have been some concerns expressed about earthquakes again but we are assured this year that the chances of this happening again are 1:1000000000000...

Paid & Confirmed:
Grant + 1
Devil Biccy
Lucky
Pencil Shavings
Lucas
Stu
Cazza
Baldyman
Oskool
Fizzy Fish
Etienne
Supervox
chris8886
Mr Toad

Tickets: We have a group booking with Eurotunnel. If anyone wants to join let me know as I can add you to the booking. Ticket cost is GBP22.00

31 May: Dep 08:20 - Ret 20:40

Paypal: If you want to pay via Paypal click >>> HERE <<<<

Note I have included a Paypal fee of 2.9% for this. If you want to transfer it via online banking (fee free) I'll PM you my account details and you can just transfer it. Same if you want to post a cheque...


Things to take:
- Passport
- European Breakdown
- Euro healthcare card
- Petrol Money around ?50/70 euro
- First Aid Kit (optional)
- Puncture Repair Kit (optional)


Trip Details:
- A3/M25 Layover Meeting Point 5.45am - Depart 6.00am
- Maidstone Services (M20) Meeting Point 6.45am - Depart 7.15am
- Eurotunnel - Folkstone to Calais Depart 8.20am

- Regroup & Meet Bonjour Services (located off the Eurotunnel offramp)
- Refuel & Ride Breifing

- Calais to Le Torquet Services (Refuel if needed) - Depart 9.30 am
- Le Torquet Services - Le Torquet Beach

**********Lunch*************

- Le Torquet to Hesdin (Refuel if needed) - Depart 1.30pm

- Hesdin to Calais Eurotunnel Terminal

*********Dinner************* (if time allows)

- Eurotunnel - Calais to Folkstone Depart 8.20pm





Rideout Etiquette: If you are new to group riding please read through here...
************************************************** ************


Before you get there.

• LET THE ORGANISER KNOW YOU ARE COMING. It means they can let YOU know if it's off/postponded/moved.running late...
• If you are going to be late or not going to make it, please have the decency to phone the organiser and let them know so the ride isn't held up waiting for people who aren't coming.
• Bring a copy of the route if it is available to you, and a map (or at least familiarise yourself with the route/area, using a map beforehand)
• Make sure your bike is in good enough condition to make the distance.
• Try to arrive with a full tank, or fill up on arrival if possible.

On the road.

If you are second on the road, dont sit right up the leaders **** (or anyone elses for that matter). There is no need for it and it ****es them off! Give everyone some space. We often ride staggered if bunched up on slower roads. Otherwise if at pace give lots of room and try not to sit in the blind spot of the bike in front of you.

The Marker System

This requires a leader, a tailender, and the riders(you!).

• The leader - is familiar with the route, and follows it. He should carry a mobile in case of problems on route. He should point out to the first person behind him where to sit to be best positioned to mark each junction.

• The tailender - is idealy familiar with the route also, but doesnt have to be. They will stay at the back for the entire ride and will be pointed out at the beginning of the ride. (They may wear a fluro vest to make them obvious). The tailender is exactly that, everyone else stays in front of them, so they should move the junction marker on once they arrive, this also ensures there is no confusion as to who is the rear bike.
  They should carry a mobile with the leaders number in case of problems on route.
  If anyone drops out of the group the tailender should stop with them and find out what is going on.
  If there is a problem they should get in touch with the leader, or if they are just stopping for a pee wait with them so the marker stays in place at the next junction.
  
• The riders - at any point the route deviates from the strip of tarmac in front, the first of the riders behind the leader will stop to mark the way at the junction in a place prominent to the rest of the following group.
  
  THEY MUST NOT MOVE UNTIL THE TAILENDER ARRIVES.
  
  If it seems like you have waited ages, wait some more. If they still havent arrived, phone the leader as he may have heard from them. Once the tailender has arrived, the junction marker can then work their way carefully back towards the front. Overtaking is ecouraged, but please be courteous!
  
  If anyone sees someone making dangerous overtakes (repeateadly - we all make mistakes sometimes) point it out to the leader, who will have a quiet word. If they carry on they will be asked to leave.
  
  Meanwhile the group all move forward one, so number two, becomes number one behind the leader so marks the next junction.
  
  If riders are going to drop off the back of the group (behind the tail ender), they must inform the tailender what's going on.

Next to your own personal safety, and arguably more important, should come consideration towards others in the group.

So Please follow these few simple points:

• Do not ride above your ability/limits to try and keep up. There will be a bike waiting for you at the next junction. There will be regular stops for a breather/fag break during which you can catch up safely. (Just because we have pulled over for a couple of minutes it doesnt mean we are having a fag break tho! -if the leaders lid is still on, he aint planning on stopping)
• Do not get pushed along by a faster bike behind you. Move over and let them through. Only play hard with people you know and trust. Slower riders, beware you may be holding up a faster rider and move over, let them past.
• If you are the faster bike, dont make stupid manouvres to get past (especially passing them on the left! ). Wait till they let you through, or find a safe place to get past.

• Faster riders, please give plenty of room when passing and only go for a safe clean pass.
• It doesnt matter whether you ride like a foggy or a fanny, just go at your own pace.
• Its not a race and you wont get left behind. Just cos you cant see the bike in front doesnt mean youve got to ride like a loon to catch it up again. Take it steady, someone will be waiting somewhere.

I'm in

Let us know how you get on TG, I'm thinking of a trip to France either this year or next (finances depending), and you're taking a very similar route to the one I'm planning.

Originally Posted by Lucky

I'm in

Cool

Originally Posted by Baph

Let us know how you get on TG, I'm thinking of a trip to France either this year or next (finances depending), and you're taking a very similar route to the one I'm planning.

Shame you cant get down for this one Baph. It was a top day out last year.

If you need any help organising stuff mate just let me know

Originally Posted by Lucky

If you need any help organising stuff mate just let me know

*cough* satnav *cough



I should be available for this. Will check with the walking diary when I get home today.

Originally Posted by HooliganDan

*cough* satnav *cough

Apparantly its been *cough* fixed...

Originally Posted by HooliganDan

*cough* satnav *cough

Yep, fixed it by selling it

Originally Posted by Lucky

Yep, fixed it by selling it

Hehe, you know I'm only joking dude. I get lost going home!

[Supervox]

EXCELLENT !!!

Count me in guys !!