Monte Carlo or Bust for Dave. 9th March 2024

FazerPhil

President IBA UK
Staff member
Premier Member
IBR Finisher
#1
One of Dave Clarke's early rides was a BunBurner 1500 gold from Calais to Monte Carlo and back in 24hrs. Dave shepherded another rider the whole way showing true "Iron Butt Spirit" In Dave's memory Gordon has suggested that we repeat the ride.
The plan is to stop in Calais Sunday 20th Oct for an early nights sleep after the Switzerland ride to eat. Leave around midnight. Ride to Monte Carlo on Monday 21st returning to Calais to stay the night before riding home on Tuesday 22nd after breakfast.
I have booked the Ibis Hotel, Calais car ferry , 2 rue Greuze , 62100 Calais for just £96 for two nights on booking.com (non refundable). As we will just be sleeping there we don't need too many facilities and the beds are nicer than Formula 1.
Normal BBG1500 rules apply.

If enough riders take part we can produce a special ride patch

Taking part
Gordon Sears
Philip Weston
Ian Murat
Gerhard Memmen-Kruger
Kim Leeson
 
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GSears

Dambuster... Bouncing panniers...
Premier Member
IBA Member
#2
New Date for me 18th April 2020

Runners and Riders I'm aware of

JonnyP
Martin Grafton
Rob Hook
Zoe Kubiak
jaybee




Philip

I intend to do this one on Monday 21st October, after the Swiss ERTE. Leave Calais at Midnight and back for debrief in the family bar Monday evening if anyone fancies a run out.

I have booked a room for Sunday and Monday at the Ibis Styles (Xmas location) so I can sleep prior to the ride Sunday evening.
 
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GarminDave

Ex-Arkwright
Premier Member
#3
I was on that first ride and rode in about fifteen minutes after Dave in horrendous rain! I did it on an Electra Glide. Unfortunately I can’t make this memorial ride but will raise a glass to your success.
 

Kim Leeson

IBAUK Shopkeeper
Premier Member
IBA Member
#4
Philip

I intend to do this one on Monday 21st October, after the Swiss ERTE. Leave Calais at Midnight and back for debrief in the family bar Monday evening if anyone fancies a run out.

Just re-read Phil's email, I've deleted mine...

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GSears

Dambuster... Bouncing panniers...
Premier Member
IBA Member
#7
I was on that first ride and rode in about fifteen minutes after Dave in horrendous rain! I did it on an Electra Glide. Unfortunately I can’t make this memorial ride but will raise a glass to your success.
10 years ago. I'll have a beer for you in the Family Bar.

Hopefully if I can repeat Dave's and your ride.
 

Sean

Premier Member
#10
I’m not sure whether I can do this or not at the moment. (Going to quit my job on Friday)
But just a thought with regards patches/certificates, while it would be good if everyone did it that day, would it be worth having it as a memorial ride anyway for people to do later ( Calais-Monte Carlos-Calais) specifically. Help to offset patch cost!
 
#11
Like Sean, I’d love to join in but I don’t have enough annual leave left... nor come to think about it, do I have enough ‘Mrs P’ leave points...:rolleyes:.

Probably one for next year...

GarminDave..I believe, (looking at the roll of honour) you did the original ride on the 18th April 2009 which was a Saturday, is that correct? The 18th of April 2020 is also a Saturday...
 

FazerPhil

President IBA UK
Staff member
Premier Member
IBR Finisher
#12
There are no issues with you doing the ride any when . I will make sure the ride is dedicated to Dave.
The issue is until we get approaching 20 riders involved its not feasible to produce patches
 

Kim Leeson

IBAUK Shopkeeper
Premier Member
IBA Member
#14
This will be my first BBG, to say I'm anxious is an understatement...been doing LDR and rally's for a while now, but considering this follows an RTE to Switzerland, back up Calais, then heading off for a 1500 mile ride back down to Monte C and return to Calais all sounds a bit daunting!
Just designed an Aux. tank, hoping opbltd can sort beforehand.
 

GarminDave

Ex-Arkwright
Premier Member
#15
Like Sean, I’d love to join in but I don’t have enough annual leave left... nor come to think about it, do I have enough ‘Mrs P’ leave points...:rolleyes:.

Probably one for next year...

GarminDave..I believe, (looking at the roll of honour) you did the original ride on the 18th April 2009 which was a Saturday, is that correct? The 18th of April 2020 is also a Saturday...
We did it within the same day, Saturday. I actually got my final receipt a few minutes after midnight as the gas station would not pump gas until my card was verified and then pump then finish off wasted about 12 minutes. But I did more than the required distance so got 24 miles knocked off my final distance for the certificate. It was in the early days and apparently as it was a witnessed designated ride I got a certificate! Not sure if it would get passed nowadays!

The guy Dave rode with had a lot of issues, mainly no credit card for the Toll Roads so Dave paid all his tolls, I rode with them for a bit but did not have the patience Dave did to stay with it for 24 hours!
 

Ian M

Well-Known Member
#18
i had been thinking about this as i was trying to work out if i could get to Murat in the same trip. Central Calais to the casino and back is 22hr (1550) and appears to be Mway

if i add in Murat it becomes 25hrs and 1654 miles and that may be a stretch even allowing for the way google calculates
 

GarminDave

Ex-Arkwright
Premier Member
#20
Is there an exact route for this and is it all motorway?
I think a BBG for a steady lad like you Bob requires all motorways, to average 62.5mph on anything else without attracting undue attention is a tough ask. When I did the original Monaco or Bust I got stuck in traffic in a French town that did not have a by-pass and atrocious weather for the last 150 miles.