Atoms take on the alps

[Harsh]

We're off on tour tomorrow. :party:
taking a dozen or so Ariel Atoms through 7 countries over the next 10 days.

The Ariel Atom owners club asked us to organise a european tour for them and we were more than happy to oblige.

This tour has presented a number of interesting hurdles. Small fuel tanks, shorter hops to keep driver fatigue at bay, their wish to visit the Atomium in Brussels and as few motorways as possible meant a lot of hours adapting traditional routes and researching new ones.

We'll still be doing some of the old favourites but we've found a few new ones.

There's no space in an Atom for luggage so we've employed our support truck to carry the tour manager, mechanic, tools, spares, luggage and emergency fuel.

I'll be updating with stories and photos as we go (wifi willing).

For now, I'm just sitting here very excited and nervous at the same time. I think I've packed everything...got my passport, tom tom cameras batteries etc. As well as all the safety stuff, warning triangle, spare fuses and bulbs, hi vis vests and walkie talkies (where exactly am i meant to keep that lot in the car?)!

Had fun when we got our Swiss vignettes.......

"Put them on the inside of your windscreen or you will be fined"
'errrm i dont have a windscreen'
"what?"
'I don't have a windscreen'
"why do you need a vignette if you don't have a car?"
'i've got a car, just no windscreen, it's an Atom'
"What?"
'never mind I'll figure it out'

Still nervous though...perhaps i'll go and check on the car again.

[Dan H]

I'm sure it'll be great.

Look forward to lots of pictures & stories. . . .

Did you want me to look after the Fezza whilst you're away? :p

[Jaik]

Is there a guy called Alec on the tour from Up Norf in a carbon-bewinged Atom 2? He mentioned he's not making it to our regular meet this week because he's off around the Alps and I just twigged!

[Harsh]

Jaik,

Alec is indeed on tour with us at the moment, we've had some downs and some real ups in the last few days

the weather on friday was the worst i have ever experienced, but yesterday and today more than made up for it.

i'll be filling in the details later on with pictures and videos!

meantime i'll say hi to Alec from you.

[Jaik]

Small world (of Atom drivers (in the UK)) :)

Hope it's one to remember guys! Looking forward to the pics and vids :D

[Ben-san]

How's it going guys? :)

[Harsh]

Well, we're back....

All in all an Epic trip, lots of highs (and a few lows too thanks to the weather on the first day) some great roads and an amazing reception for all who saw the Atoms as we went through 7 countries in 10 days (i think...i rather lost count!)

Met some great people...which for me is what really makes these tours.
Had fun on the roads and great chats in the restaurants and bars afterwards. My thanks to everyone who was on the trip for making a newbie owner very welcome indeed, Bearing with me when i took too long strapping into the car or struggling with the weather on track tyres and leaving my waterproofs in the support truck on the one day i needed them as well as answering all my dumb questions!

one thing i have learnt is that an Atom takes up all your energy to drive.
so what would be short hops in any other car become marathon slogs in an Atom.
There's very little opportunity to relax behind the wheel, although when the roads are right, the car comes alive and any thoughts of tiredness

Fortunately we'd planned specific routes which were as Atom friendly as possible, bearing in mind where were going, to take account of the shorter range, the need for more rest stops and the type of roads the Atom loves.

Mountain passes, twisty routes through the countryside and a trip into the wilds of Paris where we managed 4 abrest on the Champs Elysees at one point.

i'm still compiling all my pictures and i'll post them along with a day by day summary in the next few days.


As i said, EPIC!

[Dan H]

Great stuff Bachi - look forward to the pics :)

[Harsh]

ok, a few pics and then the story later.......

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q209/harsh42/Atom%20tour/DSC_0001-1.jpg

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[Harsh]

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q209/harsh42/Atom%20tour/DSC_0015-1.jpg

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[Harsh]

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[Harsh]

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[Harsh]

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[Harsh]

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[Harsh]

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[Harsh]

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[Dizeee]

Great pics - how heavy was the F150 with all that kit in it?

[Brahman]

Great pics - how heavy was the F150 with all that kit in it?

Heavy enough.....

[Harsh]

heavy enough to not want to be behind an Atom braking sharply ;)

[Lucky77]

:coolgleamA: looks like an amazing tour

[robbie]

any more pixs