The 2015 Mega trip - Friday 3rd July to July 11th

[Tony B]

having completed 4 mega trips now, to the Alps 3 times and the Pyrenees, some say we might have exhausted the options - but a couple of folks have asked me if another one is planned for next year!

Officially I wasnt going to plan another one, however if theres enough interest then it will encourage me to start planning something - so its up to you guys, tell me if your up for it (and commited) and if we get the numbers then Ill be persuaded to do something.

Im thinking of 2 options;

1. Keeping the status quo, Saturday early start to the following Saturday home mid afternoon - long drive first day and then a maximum of 160 odd miles a day round the Dolomites and mid Austria, a quick "in and out" of expensive Switzerland and back home through Germany - camping and in early July

2. Bolting onto the official trip in May, Saturday/Sunday early start and concentrating on the Cols of southern France meeting the main group on the Wednesday (ie midway through day 1 of the official trip) - again maximum of about 160 miles per day - probably camping but if we get the numbers then it'll be hotels/cabins so we dont need tents etc at all.

to make this work, option 1 needs at least 7 cars to encourage the banter, option 2 could be less...

Thoughts?, Im really open to this so wont be offended if it doesnt get of the ground - but if it does it'll certainly get me excited!!

incidentally - option 1 is something I would love to do - but both would tick the box!

[ChrisL]

1. TonyB
2. ChrisL - Slight pref for option 1 but happy to go with concensus

[Crunchie Gears]

I have been thinking about next year.

For me, I do not particularly want to camp so option one does not work for me. As for joining up with Mark's tour I hope to be going on Mark's tour with Mary I would think and so that does not work either.

Hope you get one organised and have a great trip.

[leegav]

Yep I'm in...
Option1 only for me as discussed on tgis trip, dolomites is where I want to go!! but let's share the chalets as there cheap enough... And let's be honest more comfortable..
And yes that's a good mileage... Any chance we could stay at 2 camp sites and just come back to the same ones..that gives us a base to settle???
And Paul...you've got to come mate... It wouldn't be the same trip without you pal..

[SteveRST]

Yep, provisionally interested! Never done a 'Mega' trip before and never been to the Alps, Dolomites or Pyrenees, so it's all new to me and therefore I'll leave the route suggestions to those with previous experience.

[kenton]

Im in!

[Laurence D]

I am up for the trip next year and would prefer option 1

[Tony B]

Well, its looking highly likely then

I had a preliminary play on Friday of potential routes and I reckon if we do a long first day to the North of the Vosges mountains on the motorway (about 350 miles, but motorway so not bad), then the rest would be about 180 to 190 miles a day, through the east of Switzerland (down that fantastic Bormio pass) and into Italy.

At that point were in the Dolomites and playing all the time, the route back would be through Austria and into Germany.

Over the next few weeks ill try and put something together.

Like all these types of trips though commitment is key because planning takes some time especially the accomodation - ill be looking to do the same as the previous trips which means cabins so if possible we dont need tents


1. TonyB
2. ChrisL
3. Lee (is "any" date dodgy Lee?, or is there a date in July you know youll make?)
4. Steve (would be great to have you on the trip, when would you know if provisional becomes firm please?)
5. Kenton
6. Laurence (Well done mate)


Now, who else?, we normally go with 8 to 9 - 6 works but would be great for another couple

[Mattijs]

Firmly realising that I need to organise things way better, I'm in for next year, preferring option 1. I've only done 1 trip officially (i.e. bringing myself AND the car), so there's plenty of roads I haven't driven yet...

[Tony B]

well done Matt

1. TonyB - confirmed
2. ChrisL - confirmed
3. Lee (is "any" date dodgy Lee?, or is there a date in July you know youll make?)
4. Steve - confirmed
5. Kenton- confirmed
6. Laurence - confirmed
7. Mattijs - confirmed

So, this is the plan, a draft route would take us through Switzerland on day 3 to the top of the Stelvio - we wont actually be doing the Stelvio instead we climb up the Umbrail pass and go down the fantastic Bormio and then into Italy and into the Dolomites.

The Dolomites are incredible and its going to be a challenge with the ITNs making sure we can take in as much as possible, this is worth a quick read
http://www.alpineroads.com/dolomites.php

Eventually we head North and its likely that we would do the Gross Glockner once again - but in the opposite direction to last year (mileage dependant, and then up into Germany and home.

Early days yet but I suspect Ill have a good idea on the routes and campsites mid autumn, once confirmed ill be looking for deposits for;

The Chunnel
The Gross Glockner (seem to remember its about E25 and I think you can book on line)
Any cabin/campsite that needs anything
For the 1st night/last night Ill try and find an F1 hotel cheapy if its easier

I dont suspect the cost of this trip to be any different from previous ones.

Lastly - is there any dates in july that I need to avoid? - I think we went a tad too late this year because the French kids were already on holiday so lets start with 2 options;

Option 1 - Saturday June 27th to Saturday July 4th
Option 2 - Saturday July 4th to Saturday July 11th

The Dolomites.jpg (67.87 KiB) Viewed 8656 times