Euro trip 2022 - Pyrenees

[GraemeW]

This is the time of the year we plan and look forward to Euro trips in our Ariels.

We did have a trip planned for 2020 but Covid changed all that, and I postponed it to this year all being well. This is your opportunity to drive your Ariel on some of Europes greatest roads, and create memories that last a lifetime. Trips Ive planned have been 2017 Spain/Portugal, 2018 Italy, 2019 Swiss & Italian Alps. Reports elsewhere on this forum and club website

Normally I publicise these before Christmas so we can book the ferries early, so apologies for not getting this out sooner.

The original 2020 trip is described here -> viewtopic.php?f=64&t=17739

Because ferry timetables have changed since 2020, Im going to re-jig the programme a bit but still cover the same roads, zig zagging between the Spanish and French Pyrenees, on some of their best passes (see below). It will be a 10 night, 8 driving days trip. budget £2 to £3k for ferries, hotels and basic expenses.

Ferry sailings:
Portsmouth Bilbao - Sunday 28 August 2022
Bilbao Portsmouth - Tuesday 6 September 2022

There has been a pent up booking surge (or bow wave?) on Brittany Ferries through this year as postponed bookings from the covid 20/21 have been re-booked. There is still capacity on the above dates. I would recommend that you book Flexi tickets given the current potential for further disruption etc. You can of course travel on alternate dates, or on Santander sailings, or even from Plymouth (which I think is cheaper). We will arrange a rendezvous on Tuesday 30 August (first driving day). Alternatively you could join us for just a bit of the tour.

Ideally a maximum of around 10 cars (although the most we've had in recent years is 6), because some of the more remote hotels in the mountains have limited capacity. I would like to know soon, how many people want to provisionally come on this trip to help with the accommodation planning. Once the routes have been finalised in next month or two, I will publicise the hotels for you to book. We have 7 who have expressed an interest so far. All Atoms. The roads are mainly driving roads, but if any Nomads come along then there are many opportunities in the Pyrenees for them to take an alternative more adventurous route on some days. Please let me know if you're interested. Not all the current 7 will travel. I'll allow an overbooking if necessary for that reason. I have spent my career in the airline business after all :-). It may not be an all Ariel affair, because some former Atom owners have indicated interest, and may come along in something else (Not listed below). There will be a combination of single drivers and couples on the tour.

Current Ariel drivers interested (or were on the original planned trip)..
Myself
Andrew Hawkins
Mark Durkan
Nick Mason
Rob Evans
Richard Marler
Andrew Miles

Those above, please reconfirm here if you're still interested, as its been some time since we last discussed the trip.

The route will take us initially out of Bilbao through the hills of the Basque region, with a brief coastal drive, then into the pyrenees. We will travel as far West as Vielha in Spain before returning on different roads. Total driving 1127miles. A list of the best passes are below (although it may change slightly for 2022). Some are Tour de France routes;

Izpegi-ko-Gaina
Col du Portalet
Luz Ardiden
La Peulla
Coll de Montllobar
Col de la Pierre Saint Martin
Col du Tourmalet
Col d’ Aspin
Col du Soulor
Col d’Aubisque
Col de Peyresourde
Col de Portillon
Peurto de Ibaneta
Port de Larrau
St-Marie-de-Campan

There will be 2 hotels where we will be based for two nights, giving you the option of a rest day, or alternatively you can drive the optional route for that day.

let me know if you're interested. Thanks

[GraemeW]

To wet your appetite, here is a motorcycle video of one of our passes, Tourmalet, I think the highest. Ive driven it before, sadly not in an Atom.

[Yogiatom]

Hi Graeme
I am in.
Have you still got my number from the last Portugal trip, and Italy 2018.
David.

[stupot]

Hi Graeme,

I will be in the Pyrenees around those dates with the Nomad. Let me know when you have finalised your itinerary and I will aim to meet up with you.

Stu

[AMH 142]

Hi Graeme,
I'm in, along with my wife! I'll PM you my details.
thanks, Aidan

[GraemeW]

List of names…

GraemeW
Sir Nick
Rob Evans
Deepdurks
Andrew Miles
Yogiatom
Stupot (part?)
AMH 142

[speedracer]

Hi Graeme I am still in, something I have never done before, I have asked the wife if she would like to go as well explained 10 days no luggage just toothbrush and rain coat so big sale on it but I need holidays this year so please count me in. Will message you as well.
Andrew M

[Italianpaul]

List of names…

GraemeW
Sir Nick
Rob Evans
Deepdurks
Andrew Miles
Yogiatom
Stupot (part?)
AMH 142

Can we add our name to the list please
Chris King
Paul Richards

[Trigger]

Hi Graeme,

I would love to come on this with my Nomad - could you add me to the list please.

I need to sort a few things out to make it but looks good right now.

Trigger

[IanG]

List of names…

GraemeW
Sir Nick
Rob Evans
Deepdurks
Andrew Miles
Yogiatom
Stupot (part?)
AMH 142
Chris King
Paul Richards
Trigger

[GraemeW]

Thanks all. Summary.....

YES (ferry booked?)
GraemeW
Rob Evans
Deepdurks
Andrew Miles
Yogiatom
AMH142
Chris King
Paul Richards
Trigger

PART (meet us somewhere)
Stupot

POSSIBLE (last minute.com, perhaps on other ferries)
Sir Nick
Paddy Wright
Richard Marler

Thats 12 (requiring hotel accommodation). If all go that's quite a large group but it will be good. If any more want to go, then we may have to split hotels in some locations. There are another 2 or 3 thinking of adding their names to this list. I will setup/add u all to a trip WhatsApp chat in due course.

Should be an awesome trip.

[Yogiatom]

Thanks Graeme Looking forward to another great trip. If you have not done one before read the reviews of past trips.

[Jamier27]

I would have been definitely up for this but just can’t make those dates. Gutted but please make sure you share all the adventure with us!

[GraemeW]

This trip is now closed to new joiners. We’ve reached the workable maximum of 10 to 12 cars.

If anyone else wants to go then please let me know about a reserve list. The situation always changes.

[Damon]

Hi Graeme,

I am a new Atom owner and would love to go with you so would be grateful if you could add me to the reserve list please.

Thanks Damon