jimbocz - 15-10-2010 at 07:58 AM
I'm really excited about an upcoming road trip, so I thought I would post a bit about a trip I'm going to take on Sunday to Les Hemmes, France.
Maybe it will be interesting to somebody who is curious about kitebuggying in France.
Les Hemmes is a massive beach in Northern France close to the Belgian Border. There's something special about the geography (that I don't understand)
that means that a few times a year, the tide goes out and stays out for a few days. During those special times when the tidal coefficient is
sufficently low, the result is a beach that many miles long and many miles wide. The sand is hard and smooth as a pool table when the conditions are
right. You don't have to worry about the tides, as they never come in, and you don't have to worry about the wind direction as you can head off in
any direction you choose and go for miles. You can even go all the way to a disused launch and landing pad for the hovercraft that used to go across
the channel.
SEKA Guide to Les Hemmes
Anyway, I live in London and am planning to drive over for the day and drive back at night. Here's my route:
Route on Google Maps
I'll be leaving the house about 7am, and heading straight to Folkstone, driving on the left side of the road as is the local custom. About 8:30 I'll
drive my car on to a train, which will carry me through the 20 mile tunnel under the English Channel in about 45 minutes. During that time, I'll put
on a magnetic GB sticker so all the French know to watch out for me, and some special stickers on my headlights to stop my lights from shining in the
French eyes. Apparently my headlights are adjusted for driving on the left, and this can dazzle oncoming drivers when driving on the right. The
tunnel ride will cost me about $40 return.
Once I exit the train, it's about another 30 drive on the right hand side of the road to the beach. I'll meet up with some guys from my local club,
SEKA and we'll fly all day conditions permitting. I'm bringing my RS buggy with barrow wheels, and hope to cover about 20 miles. I'm still a newbie,
just starting to fly depowers, so I'd be happy with a top speed in the mid 20's. Actually, since the forecast is for less than 10mph winds, I'll be
happy if I can go at all. I'll most likely be flying my 10 meter Access or my 7.2M Samurai on a turbo bar. If the wind is really light, I'll get out
my Nasa wing, I think it's an NPW 9 or something like that. 13 square meters, but single skin. Anyway, we'll hope the forecast is wrong.
Around 6 it will get dark, then back to the tunnel for the ride home. The train will leave France and 7pm and arrive in England at 7pm as well, so
I'm hoping to be back home at 9PM. Even though I'll be in France, I'm planning on bringing my picnic lunch from England (the shame...) and probably
won't get a bite of French food. I won't even get a chance to stock up on French food and wine because all the grocery stores will be closed since
it's Sunday.
One last thing, I can't forget to fill up with gas before I go because the French dock workers are on strike and rumor has it that the French might
panic buy all the gas. If the tunnel workers are on strike as well, the trip is cancelled.
bobalooie57 - 15-10-2010 at 08:12 AM
Sounds a blast!
Keep us up-dated, please. Pic's will allow us to live
vicariously through your experience!:bigok:
ripsessionkites - 15-10-2010 at 11:11 AM
Les Hemmes ... drool :D
Krohn1999 - 16-10-2010 at 12:36 AM
Ya Rip You missed it! So close but yet so far away!!
@jimbocz make sure you bring everything you need with you. There is nothing out there (not even a toilet, but you will have the time of your life!!
It is one of my favorite places to ride.
Too bad I am in Croatia right now otherwise I would probably also be there.
Have fun and Ride Hard!!!
jimbocz - 21-10-2010 at 07:57 AM
Thanks for all your comments and sorry it has taken me so long to post a follow up.
Essentially, the day was a huge success. It started off with very light winds, but we ended up with perfect winds to switch between the Access 8 and
10. It was gloriously sunny, and Les Hemmes was in perfect shape since it rained the whole day before.
The winds were cross, meaning that the most convenient run was for about a mile between the dunes and the beach. I spent all day doing that, but
other people managed to get all over. At one point, I counted about 20 kites up.
Here are some pictures, most not so interesting unless you were there. However, there are some great shots of Kieron’s Calvin and Hobbes kites. If
you haven’t seen these, be sure to check it out. Kieron is also riding a Popeye the Welder buggy.
Les Hemmes Pictures
[edited to fix broken link]
erratic winds - 21-10-2010 at 08:26 AM
Your link doesn't quite work
jimbocz - 22-10-2010 at 07:37 AM
Fixed link to pictures...enjoy