The Pyrenees Trip 2016 : 24 June – 9 July

[Bruce Fielding]

[quote="Rob Evans"]
Do we have the usual 'tour brochure' with list of hotels and everyone's tel numbers?
[/quote]

Yes. I'm printing it today and laminating it, just in case...

[Steve Gibson]

Well look at that. Northern Spain from Sunday 26th.

[julian]

Just passing The Isle of Wight on our starboard side, lovely evening, ship doing 26 knots and sea calm. Having a glass of wine before dinner.

Really nice. See you Sunday.

Julian & Andrew

[John Scherrer]

Hope you all have a great holiday and take care ..

[Steve Gibson]

One day, John, you should come with us.

[reg]

Take it easy guys, safe travels 

[autobackup]

Steve

I would remind you that those forecast 'day' temperatures are shade temperatures - in the open sun it will MUCH MUCH hotter.

Yesterday here in Cyprus I finally managed to get my Atom locally registered after 5 months of bureaucracy and I had to drive it down at  MIDDAY for it's second go at final inspection prior to registration

It failed at the first attempt on lack of 120 mm ground clearance so I had go away and wind up the Bilsteins to give the required ground clearance all round - it was absolutely horrible to drive!

Luckily it passed inspection at the second attempt.

- however, the point of this story, is that when I got back to the JMC Power to wind down the suspension to it's normal settings I had great difficulty getting out of my Atom as the OAT was 39.4 deg C and my hands were so slippery with sweat that I simply couldn't grip the tubes to lever myself out - not to mention the side top tubes were so hot that I could barely touch them for more than a few seconds at a time!!

I had to ask Mike Charalambous who runs JMC Power (builds dragsters/hill climbers - his own car is a highly modified Lancia Integrale BOTH supercharged and also fitted with twin turbos giving 873BHP at the wheels - 4WD) to get me some paper towels from his loo - both to wipe my hands and to grip the tubes with before I could actually get out of the seat!

http://www.quantumtuning.co.uk/blog/jmc-power-automotive-ltd-cyprus-is-part-of-the-quantum-tuning-group-now/

Moral of the story - in Spain I would recommend lashings of SPF 50 for the arms (or wear long sleeves!) and to keep a couple cloths handy to wipe hands and to grip the tubes with before trying to exit an Atom!

Have a great trip!! 

[julian]

Arrived in Santander and driven the 110 miles to Hotel 1, dry and warm. To find hotel, drive into pretty town centre of Onati and pick up signs for hotel Zumeltzegi. Hotel situated half way up a twisty road on the left, turn in plenty of parking. The last bit isn't signed. Very nice hotel, staff are great, about to eat, if any good, do you want me to book tomorrow night?

Julian

[Rob Evans]

The Atomclub Pyrenees trip returns to Portsmouth this Saturday.
I find myself with no rear tyre tread left. 
Would anyone nearby be able to loan me a set of rear wheels with legal tyres to get me the 150 miles home to Essex?
I can return them the next day.

I'm running Dymags and AO48's.

Failing that, can anyone local to the port suggest a trusty tyre fitter that would still be available at 1900ish Sat evening, or Sunday morning?

Rob.

[autobackup]

Rob

You might like to try this place who are Portsmouth Yokohama dealers however I would suggest calling them ASAP with the detailed specs of the tyres you need - to give them a chance to get them into stock they will be closed when you arrive but are open from 10.00-16.00 on Sunday!

I have phoned them today on your behalf and while they do not stock them they should be able (wholesaler stock permitting) to get them in for you by the weekend if you order them ASAP - I don't know exactly what you have fitted to your Atom so I wasn't able to be too precise in size terms!

They are awaiting a call from you should you wish to go ahead with an order

Their email address is : 037@f1autocentres.com (it was a bad line so this email address might be incorrect) but I strongly suggest that it would probably be best to call them rather than use email given the time constraints

Portsmouth

https://www.f1autocentres.co.uk/branch/car-tyres-service-mot-Portsmouth/43/

Your local Formula One Autocentres branch at Portsmouth is ideally placed to serve Portsmouth and its surrounding areas such as Waterlooville, Havant and Fareham.

Unit 7K Dickinson Road
The Pompey Centre, Portsmouth
PO4 8ER

Tel: 02392 831 719

OPEN

Mon-Fri 8:30-18:00
Sat 8:30-17:00
Sun 10:00-16:00

ALTERNATIVELY

you could try the link below but they are not only v expensive but are closed on Sundays!
http://www.portsmouthtyres.co.uk/TyreSearch/Details/1649/Yokohama+A048+23545R17

[Rob Evans]

Thanks for the info, Paul.

Preferred option would be to borrow/swap rear wheels for return next day if any local owners' could oblige?

No real budget left for new tyres, but if needs must.....

[phil4]

Hi Rob, forgot to mention that you'd not need to return them following day, you'd have a few weeks at least.

And would be dropping off in a Golf, so happy to bring breaker bar, trolley jack etc, and can take your current wheels to swap later, as don't need to be legal in the back of the car.

Also, can swap all 4 if you want them matching. 

Just trying to help with any questions/logistics issues you saw.

[Steve Gibson]

Just cleaning up after the trip and discovered that the Atom has used about 0.7 litres of oil in 2000 miles. Remember to check your dipsticks, everyone...

[Bruce Fielding]

Just wanted to say a belated thank you to all those who came and I hope you thoroughly enjoyed the second half of the trip. The good news is that I have now had a couple of successful trips in the car and feel confident that I should be fit enough to be there on the next one for the full duration in an Atom.

Reviews of the trip and any suggestions for improvements are always welcome on the forum for those who don't follow the participants on BookFace.

[Sir Nick]

[quote="Bruce Fielding"]
Just wanted to say a belated thank you to all those who came and I hope you thoroughly enjoyed the second half of the trip. The good news is that I have now had a couple of successful trips in the car and feel confident that I should be fit enough to be there on the next one for the full duration in an Atom.

Reviews of the trip and any suggestions for improvements are always welcome on the forum for those who don't follow the participants on BookFace.
[/quote]