Le Mans - Cherbourg ferry port - how long?
Discussion
Simple question, as above. How long should I allow to make sure I don't miss the ferry.
Reason for asking is that it looks like my co-pilot he will have to be in Scunthorpe at 8am on Monday 14th (non negotiable). Therefore we are looking at the 20:15 ferry back from Cherbourg so he can drive back overnight.
172 miles according to Autoroute - 3 hours adequate? If we were to leave at 16:00 what would we be missing at Le Mans?
We (or he) might be giving it a miss until next year otherwise...
TIA
Paul
Reason for asking is that it looks like my co-pilot he will have to be in Scunthorpe at 8am on Monday 14th (non negotiable). Therefore we are looking at the 20:15 ferry back from Cherbourg so he can drive back overnight.
172 miles according to Autoroute - 3 hours adequate? If we were to leave at 16:00 what would we be missing at Le Mans?
We (or he) might be giving it a miss until next year otherwise...
TIA
Paul
I wouldn't leave it till next year. Just promise your self a later return next time!
Le Mans to Cherbourg is about 4 hours. Usually takes us 5hrs with a break for lunch.
BUT and thats a big but (like J-Lo's
)......
...EVERYBODY leave LM on Sunday at 16:00!
Well, thats what it looks like!
I wouldn't be surprised if well over 50% leave at 16:00 as the race finishes. The roads are a nightmare most of the way back to the ferry ports. We had to leave just before the end the first year I went and avoided the worst of it I think but since then I have always left on the Monday. Think about leaving before the end of the race if you want to ensure you catch that boat.
What you will miss:
- The end of the race usually involves a formation finish by Porsche/Audi/Audi/Audi/Bentley (The last few years of group winners!).
- Cars crossing the finish line slow right down for a burn out on the straight.
- Run on to the track and get a soaking of champagne (although they didnt spray it this year).
- Meet the drivers (we bumped into the Bentley boys in the paddock!)
- View the cars in Parc Ferme in their dirty smashed states.
- food and drinks in Arnage village.
- Drink all the beer thats left so you dont have to throw it away!
You wont miss huge amounts.
Just leave a bit earlier this year and stay later next year.
If you leave at about 15:30 you should still be able to get the final result on Radio Le Mans before you get out of range
Le Mans to Cherbourg is about 4 hours. Usually takes us 5hrs with a break for lunch.
BUT and thats a big but (like J-Lo's
)...... ...EVERYBODY leave LM on Sunday at 16:00!
Well, thats what it looks like!
I wouldn't be surprised if well over 50% leave at 16:00 as the race finishes. The roads are a nightmare most of the way back to the ferry ports. We had to leave just before the end the first year I went and avoided the worst of it I think but since then I have always left on the Monday. Think about leaving before the end of the race if you want to ensure you catch that boat.
What you will miss:
- The end of the race usually involves a formation finish by Porsche/Audi/Audi/Audi/Bentley (The last few years of group winners!).
- Cars crossing the finish line slow right down for a burn out on the straight.
- Run on to the track and get a soaking of champagne (although they didnt spray it this year).
- Meet the drivers (we bumped into the Bentley boys in the paddock!)
- View the cars in Parc Ferme in their dirty smashed states.
- food and drinks in Arnage village.
- Drink all the beer thats left so you dont have to throw it away!
You wont miss huge amounts.
Just leave a bit earlier this year and stay later next year.
If you leave at about 15:30 you should still be able to get the final result on Radio Le Mans before you get out of range
Make sure you meet us there:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=71701&f=25&h=0
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=71701&f=25&h=0
UpTheIron said:We did it in around four hours starting very early Monday morning (after sleeping in the Tiv next to a petrol station, but that's another story...) and having a brief snack break on route.
Next logistics question - how long to drive back to Calais? Looking at the last train back on the Sunday as an alternative option...
One thing to watch out for if you do leave during the after race rush is your temperature, as if it gets as hot as it did last year, you'll could be sitting watching the temp needle approach red while queueing in traffic.
I agree with that, should be a good drive at that time. There'll probably be a small few Brits enjoying the roads with you who have planned to catch the same train. Should make it fun.
After the race head into Arnage for dinner while you wait to depart.
Actually, even better, take a lesuirely drive back and stop anywhere that takes your fancy!
After the race head into Arnage for dinner while you wait to depart.
Actually, even better, take a lesuirely drive back and stop anywhere that takes your fancy!
johno said:Where did you find an attended petrol station at that time of night? We left at 10-11ish and found no opens stations (even with SatNav) and ended up sleeping in the car!
We left last year at 8pm on the Sunday evening and were at the tunnel in 4.5hrs after 2 stopd for fuel and a fag break ...
We struggled the first time and lost some time south of Reims trying to find somewhere ...
We then found another fuel stop on the autoroute at what must have been around 11'ish ....
The 4.5 hrs would have come down apart from the hunting around for the first fuel stop ....
Fantastic drive back and respect to Gary Judd, Ballistic Banana & Graham500 as we managed to cruise along at warp factor 9 to make up the time without any incident.....
Brought a new meaning to the expression 'tunnel vision'
We then found another fuel stop on the autoroute at what must have been around 11'ish ....
The 4.5 hrs would have come down apart from the hunting around for the first fuel stop ....
Fantastic drive back and respect to Gary Judd, Ballistic Banana & Graham500 as we managed to cruise along at warp factor 9 to make up the time without any incident.....
Brought a new meaning to the expression 'tunnel vision'
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