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Anyone been before and can offer advice ?
Son and three mates are off on Weds to LeMans until Monday. Son is taking camera and his diabetic kit etc, but being teens they reccon they can't do without power, so are getting a 'suitcase generator' (about £200). They are taking a gas stove. Apart from the 'weight' I assume he's going to need to take this with him when they leave the tent - no secure storage (unless they get friendly with anyone with a car).
They aren't big drinkers, but sleep like logs and are typical teenagers, so I've got a dog ground anchor that at least they can tie their rucksacks etc to (at the back of the tent).
I believe it's Sunday night that you've got to be more careful as the site is open.
So far my son is taking the cooker, generator, phone/camera in a suitcase, tent and a rucksack. I think he's mad carrying that weight. Train to Euston, Euro tunnel then train etc to Le Mans, plus a good walk. Meeting two mates at Euston and one other is following a day later (will probably need phones to keep in touch).
We drove to the Classic Le Mans last year and 'glamped' near the Porsche Curves (not the site right on it but one about 200m away).
Things I learnt:
1) it [can be] damn hot
2) it will be very noisy (and why would you sleep during a 24hr race?)
3) You will walk a massive distance every day (carrying a generator???)
4) there's loads of places to eat on so cooking isn't that necessary (although good for bacon butties in the morning)
5) it will be very, very busy
6) it will be fantastic (think we're all going again next year)
I always wanted to do the 'main' Le Mans but don't think I'll bother now.
What are they taking a generator for [that's mad]? They could easily get by with a battery phone charger and battery lights for the tent. Also a generator running may well go down badly on a crowded camp site.
What do they need the generator for? Surely a a good capactity powerbank will sort phones and batteries for the weekend, if not a small solar panel works well for topping up phones/batteries.
Less weight and cheaper.
Exactly.
He has a large capacity battery bank, also tent light, but I doubt it will last the 5 days they are away. He won't be told, but I've said it's weight that's the issue. They just can't be 'off' their phones...
He needs a pocket radio, cheap is good. Otherwise he’ll smash through his phone battery streaming radio LeMans for the English commentary (and without it you won’t have a clue what’s going on)
Two options then:
1) Leave them to it... let them spend a load of money on a generator that they'll hardly use and end up leaving in the tent
2) Small solar panel to charge the battery bank while they're away during the day (battery in the tent, solar panel outside) then charge the phones when they get back.
Kidz eh.... they won't listen!!
Hmm, Anker do a portable solar panel for 50 notes, that can clip on rucksack - should be more than enough !
I've used the 21watt anker solar panel on many trips in the UK/France/Spain.
Even on a normal Sunny day in wales it would charge both our phones in 2 hours. So just leave it charging a power bank during the day, use the power bank at night.
A 20k power bank should charge the phone 6 times, solar top ups will make it easy.
Generators on campsites are bloody annoying. Hope he's not camped next to me!
Yes, it's a risk leaving stuff on a campsite but that goes for campsites anywhere. I'll be making do with an Anker battery pack although my dad usually brings a solar charger too.
I've been to Le Mans town for work and took the train. You need to go on the Paris Metro so lugging things about is not going to be fun.
Also a generator running may well go down badly on a crowded camp site.
LOL Least of your worries noise wise. How are you going to run the fridge and freezer without one?
What campsite is he on?
YEah just take a power bank or two. He'll be walking a lot there (quite a few miles a day easily) between the track and campsite and carrying a generator round will get boring.
security isnt so bad. Just leave everything in the tent when not there (except valuables). Keep valuables in sleeping bag when sleeping. Not next to the edge of tent.
They can get the tram from the train station.
He has a big Anker power pack so might steer him in the solar panel route.
Or two power banks, which is cheaper and a guaranteed capactity (might not be sunny etc.)
Though in my experience, the solar panels work great.
I'm not sure they'll be allowed to take a generator on the Eurostar. It's a bit like taking a plane in terms of restricted items.
Found it
Prohibited:-
Any quantity of inflammable substances, including empty canisters e.g. petrol, methylated spirits, paint thinners
So deffo no, not just the empty jerry can.
Thank goodness for that.
I’m not sure they’ll be allowed to take a generator on the Eurostar
Ora couple of gallons of petrol
Too late
I believe it’s Sunday night that you’ve got to be more careful as the site is open.
I've been a few times, and the worst time for thefts, in my experience, is Saturday night, whilst the race is on. This is mainly because the campsites are fairly quiet as people are out watching the race.