English Channel to the Med' 2016

[Simon_m]

Hi there, I have been planning to cycle the length of France next year with friends for about eight months now. Unfortunately a couple have had to drop out due to a wedding next year now! Groan, (plus there are a couple of flakey ones who I am sure will back out). So, there are a 4 places, possibly 6 at a push available.

This is not a business but a private jaunt, a non money making trip without insurence. I would rather have kept it just friends and people I know, but to keep the shared costs low, I feel I have to open it up now. Here the basics.

Van supported, so all bags, tents etc are taken to the end of that days stage.
3 weeks starting Friday 1st of July with the ferry crossing to Caen, finishing in Cassis on Saturday 23rd July
2 rest days
A mixture of camping and hotels, the majority I have made contact with, some i can book shortly, but most next year.
Still fine tuning the last weeks route and accommodation

Rough Costs pp:
£1700 for train to ferry, ferry with cabin, day to day food and evening dinner, accommodation, flight home.
THEN
the driver has the same costs plus the hire of the van, petrol etc. this will then be divided up between the riders. say 7 riders, that is £600 each rider, so that plus your 1700 = £2300. Then spending money for tourist tat. The very maximum should be £3000 but I am thinking around £2500 It does look a lot when it is in print.
(cheaper for couples because of booked rooms, ferry cabins etc) If I get more riders, then that shared cost comes down!!

I have done loads of research, we get to see Le tour during the first 3days, produced garmin/google earth maps in detail, with lots of info on them. Basically everything is done for you, all you have to do is to enjoy each days ride. I know a lot of people like the challenge of cycling with all their own kit, so this trip is defo not for you. But if you want to enjoy the feel of your bike each day while cycling though some amazing countryside, through vineyards, chateaus in the Loire and up Ventoux, then this is perfect for you.

Day 01 - 66.9miles - Camp
Day 02 - 55.1miles - Camp
Day 03 - 53.8miles - Camp
Day 04 - 39.3miles - Camp
Day 05 - 55.7miles - Camp
Day 06 - 47.4miles - Camp
Day 07 - 79.8miles - Hotel
Day 08 - DAY OFF - Hotel
Day 09 - 33.9miles - Camp
Day 10 - 28.3miles - Camp
Day 11 - 47.2miles - Hotel
Day 12 - 59.6miles - Hotel
Day 13 - 72.9miles - Camp
Day 14 - 37.1miles - Camp or Hotel
DAY 15 - DAY OFF - Camp or Hotel
Day 16 - 60.0miles - Camp
Day 17 - 52.6miles - Hotel - (route to be fine tuned as is accommodation)
Day 18 - 75miles - Camp - (route to be fine tuned as is accommodation)
Day 19 - 40miles - Camp - (route to be fine tuned as is accommodation)
Day 20 - 52.4miles - Camp - (route to be fine tuned as is accommodation)
Day 21 - 44.3miles - Camp - (route to be fine tuned as is accommodation)
Day 22 - 45.8miles - Camp - (route to be fine tuned as is accommodation)

 

[Simon_m]

anyone else interested? send me a message

 

[oldfatfool]

Interested, would the bikes and kit be returning in the van, if so would it not be cheaper to hire a mini-bus and return on that rather than hire a van and fly?

 

[andym]

Interested, would the bikes and kit be returning in the van, if so would it not be cheaper to hire a mini-bus and return on that rather than hire a van and fly?

It's not straightforward:

http://www3.hants.gov.uk/ct_fact_sheet_3_-_taking_a_minibus_abroad_-_2011-07-21__hf000001880921_.pdf

 

[oldfatfool]

It's not straightforward:

http://www3.hants.gov.uk/ct_fact_sheet_3_-_taking_a_minibus_abroad_-_2011-07-21__hf000001880921_.pdf

Nothing is but I would imagine many of the same rules and regs will apply to a van that is been driven for reward which paying for the drivers 'holiday' would be classed as if you are following the letter of the law.

 

[Simon_m]

Interested, would the bikes and kit be returning in the van, if so would it not be cheaper to hire a mini-bus and return on that rather than hire a van and fly?

Morning. the van would drive the bikes back to the UK with our luggage while we hop on a easyjet home for £50. I certainly don't want to be on a minibus all the way from the South of France. We have driven it in a comfy car and that is bad enough. If we had a minibus, where would the bikes and luggage go? That would mean hiring two vehicles.

Yep there are different laws for minibus and they cost more to hire.

 

[oldfatfool]

Cheers Simon, will give it some more thought.

 

[Simon_m]

Cheers Simon, will give it some more thought.

No probs. Not sure what I have written already as a little hazy with the pills, got hit by a hit & run driver on sunday.
So the week trip is a good one, reasonably cheap as all camping, but have to share the costs of the driver, van and his accommodation, which as is camping too, will be cheap. The two week will be nice going through the massif central. If you want more info, please ask. Everything is planned out and priced as much as possible. Daily millage, the route, the places we are staying, etc etc.

 

[jay clock]

@Simon_m did anything become of this valiant effort?

 

[Simon_m]

Hey Jay, yes of course. It was always going to happen. Virtually all the accommodation is now booked, ferry there and plane (plane not plan) home also booked as is the van driver. The maps are going to the printers today for a test print to see if there are any errors before a bulk order is put in. Now it is just a matter of sitting back and waiting till July.