Bored of endless wet English winter?
Have always wanted to drive on frozen lake?
Fancy seeing LOTS of snow?
Then join us for a week of SNOW CHALLENGE!
You will drive your crap roadcar on snow roads, in forests, through fields, on country roads!
You will experience special 'competition' stages on frozen lake!
Weather and authorities permitting, you will drive on 'ice bridge' to an Estonian island Kihnu in Baltic sea!
Typical Itinerary:
Friday, 6th February:
England, Dover, Thru benelux, bit of Germany, into Danmark, ~ 600 miles
Saturday, 7th February
Sweden, to Stockholm, and to ferry going to Tallinn, 600 miles
Sunday, 8th February
Short sightseeing in Tallinn, off towards Haapsalu, 200 km
Monday, 9th February
Haapsalu - ferry to Hiiumaa, the second biger island of Estonia, 200 km
Tuesday, 10th February
Hiiumaa to Saaremaa, biggest island of Estonia, 260 km
Wednesday, 11th February
Kuresaare to Parnu, possible attempt to use ice road to Kihnu
Thursday, 12th February
Parnu to Valga, 200 km
Friday, 13th February
Valga to Cesis, 300 km
Saturday, 14th february
Cesis to Riga, 110 km
* Stuff you'll need
Snow tyres. These suckers are the rule from Poland upwards. You could leave em off, but you'd become a target for any bored copper with a sharp eye for an MoT certificate (apparently there are so many British-registered cars running about they all know what it is. But then local rules on car testing are lax at best. Hmm)
That's about it. No visas or anything. A coat might be handy in minus 15 degrees. Gloves? You know, the sort of stuff we used to need in this country.
* Money
£100 per team as a deposit by the end of October. The rest (another £480 - so £580 in total for a team of two) to be paid on arrival. For that you get Kaspars (Latvian dude), his knowledge, his mate with a big winch to help out, roadbooks to figure out which snow-covered track to turn down, and seven nights free hotels.
Late entries can be accepted but accomodation can't be guaranteed depending on numbers.
What the weather be like?
Mid February in the Baltics is the time for winter fans. Most likely it will be snow cover 10 - 30 cm deep all over our route. Most of ski slopes are open. Temperatures in Eastern part may drop down to -30o C, but more likely is 0 to -10o C in daytime, and slightly colder during the night. Average temperature for February 2007 was -8,4o C. Despite global warming, or may be because of that, February tends to be colder and colder over the past few years. It is very hard to estimate the snowfall, but most probably we will have some days with sunshine, as well as some with snowfall.
Technical requirements
A decent road vehicle. Temperatures might get severe (down to -30o Celsium), so the correct antifreeze is to be used as coolant. Remember about snow tyres! In the Baltics legal requirement demands usage of snow tyres, marked with M+S. Studded tyres are not allowed through Germany, if you choose to carry them with you and change here, it is up to you. But my suggestion is not to bother, and use just your ordinary M+S tyres.
Overnight will be organised in country hotels, or log cabins, suitable for winter use. Some of them will have sauna inclooded in price.Do not expect a Hilton, this will be normal 3 star service accomodation.
Food and drinks
Breakfast will be inclooded in accomodation. For lunch we will stop in pre-arranged places during the day. Dinner will be offered in hotel, or in the town near by. Cost of meals is additional expense. It will average to around ₤ 5 per meal, and beer up to ₤ 1.
Safety
The Baltics had joined EU since 2004, and now our sky is guarded by NATO fighter jets. So I am fully confident we are on the safe side! As we will be staying only in small towns, also hassle of big cities will not concern us.
What will it cost?
₤ 580
The price is based on one car, two drivers. If there are more passengers in the car, additional ₤280 per person is to be added. If you wish to have your children with you, feel free to do it. If you will share accomodation, we will not charge you extra.
What is included in price?
A route guiding and marshalling. One or two supporting vehicles with winch and other off road equipment (depending on number of participants).
Overnight in hotels (log cabins), based on sharing a twin or double room, with breakfast.
Prize for best teams in competition stages.
What is not included in price?
Fuel, ferry or tunnel across the Channel, the Baltic sea, smaller ferries between Estonian isles, third part insurance, (your UK insurance in most cases covers short trips to EU), food and drinks in hotels.
