2013 GRIZZLY BEAR BLAT
The idea of organizing a Blat through the Rocky Mountains from Calgary to Vancouver has been talked about several times by some of our western Canadian Caterham owners, so we thought that rather than just keep talking about it, we’d do it!
“What did you expect, wild rabbits?!”
8th – 18th AUGUST 2013
During this Blat you will drive through some of the world’s most stunning scenery and see some of the planet’s most amazing wild-life, and what better car to do it in than a 7? You will experience the outdoors like no other place on earth and be bombarded with Canadian hospitality. The drive from Jasper to Lake Louise is regarded as one of the most spectacular mountain roads in the world. “You’ll just have to come and see for yourself”.
As you can appreciate, the logistics of organizing such an event is huge. Our goal in putting this together was to make it fun, cost effective and flexible. The accommodation issue was always going to be the biggest challenge, but I believe the strategy we have adopted has simplified what could have been complex nightmare. We believe that YOU will have an unforgettable holiday.
UK SHIPPING
For those of you coming from the UK we would highly recommend that you arrange your shipping through David Smith of Auto Freight. (Link below) David is the Caterham Cars Ltd authorized shipper and has been shipping Caterhams all over the world for many years. We would like to suggest that your cars arrive at least 4 days before you do; we have seen train delays before. We would also recommend that you book your flights and cars into Calgary and out of Vancouver, unless of course you plan to drive back to Calgary. David Smith (Auto-Freight) will advise the best way to do this. (Link to Canada Customs below).
FLIGHTS
It would be preferable if those of you coming from the UK could all fly in together, arriving no later than the 5th August. We can then collect you all at the same time and drop you at your Hotel of choice in the Calgary area. The following morning we can collect you from your Hotel and get you to the Customs office and then on to the collection terminal. The last thing we need, is being in a corner for time. A point worth mentioning is the last shipment of Caterhams we had back in February, arrived 5 days late, due to a hold up in Montreal.
OUT OF PROVINCE/ USA
For those coming from out of province or the USA we would recommend Mackie Movers. (Link below) We have used them several times in the last 12 months to move Caterhams around the country; they are a top-notch company that will treat your baby as if it were theirs. Again if you are having your 7 shipped please arrange to have it arrive in Calgary several days before you do. You can always have your 7 dropped off here in Red Deer and we will deal with the transport company for you as well as make sure your 7 is tucked up safely till you arrive. If you are arriving from out of province in your car, we suggest that you head straight for the Reynolds Museum, which is our starting point. A list of local hotels will be made available at a later date.
HOTELS
Six months prior to the event, (Feb 2013) we will provide an accommodation list for all our stop off locations. It will be the responsibility of each entrant to book (in advance) and pay for their own rooms; approx cost for hotel is around $100.00 per night. We are hoping to obtain a corporate rate for the recommended venues.
CAMPERS
For those wishing to camp (please notify us), a list of campgrounds (approx $20 per night) near the overnight stopover will be provided. For those who have not camped in the Rockies before please be aware that Cougars, Black & Grizzly Bears roam freely in all Canadian National Parks. (Hence, The Grizzly Bear Blat) (Link below); what did you expect, wild rabbits?! On a positive note, the likelihood of having an in your face bear encounter is close to impossible. We camp in the mountains every year and although most years we do see bears in our campground, once they see humans (that may not include some 7 owners) they run off! DON’T LET FEAR TALK YOU OUT OF THIS ONCE IN A LIFE TIME TRIP.
ACTIVITY BOOKING
There are clearly some activities that will need to be booked and paid for in advance, such as Track Days, Ferry to Vancouver Island, White Water Rafting and Whale watching; other than that most of the expenses of the trip will be paid for by you on the day. We do accept credit cards out here in the colonies! Once we have closed the booking on the 30th June 2013 we will invoice all registered owners for the activities they have chosen; once again payment can be made via Pay Pal.
ROAD BOOK & ROUTE
At the start of the Blat each car will be provided with a Road Book which will include map, route, directions, view points and important phone numbers. It is not our intention to control any of your daily activities and if you or others decide not to engage in any of the daily options listed below, or stop at any of the suggested view points and press on to the next overnight halt, then no problem at all. In the end this is about you enjoying your car and the scenery however you choose to do that, is up to you. We anticipate that the total mileage will be in the region of 1400 miles or 2300 km.
RECOVERY VEHICLE
We will be bringing a 2 car enclosed trailer which will also act as a luggage carrier, spares, equipment and recovery vehicle incase of breakdown; trailer will follow behind the last car. The trailer will carry a full toolkit including jack, stands, compressor, generator, tire machine, 50 gallons of petrol and engine hoist, and 40 deck/lawn chairs. We will bring a selection of tires; rims, coolant and oil, plus the kitchen sink to wash up afterwards!
PAYMENT
The cost per car is $250.00 CND or approx £160.00, this amount is payable in full at time of booking. Booking closes on the 30th June 2013. Payment can be made via Pay Pal; once payment has been received, a receipt will be issued.
NUKE THE LUKE
All proceeds over and above the organizational expenses will be sent to NTL via the club’s rep.
DAY PLANNER
DAY 1
Blat starts at the world famous Reynolds Museum at 11.00am 8th August 2013
Option 1
Track Day at Stratotech MotorSport Park. Cost $160.00 (Link below)
Option 2
Shopping at one of the world’s largest in-door Malls (Link below)
Option 3
City tour of Edmonton (Link below)
Accommodation: Meet up at the Super 8 Hotel in Fort Saskatchewan at 6.30pm
DAY 2
Leave Fort Saskatchewan at 8.00am
Drive to Jasper: approx 400 km. Afternoon in Jasper.
Option 1
Trip to Maligne Lake (approx 80 km)
Option 2
Visit Edith Lyle Glacier (approx 60 km)
Option 3
Chill out in Jasper (Link below)
Evening meal over a log campfire
Log Cabin accommodation: list available in February 2013
DAY 3
Leave Jasper at 9.00am
Drive to overnight stop at Lake Louise, approx 232 km. (one of the world’s most photographed locations)
Option 1
White-Water Rafting (Link below)
Option 2
Visit to the world famous Ice Field Glacier and Moraine Lake, all on route or located close to Lake Louise.
Meet at Lake Louise 6.30pm, approx 232 km.
Accommodation: list available in February 2013
DAY 4
Leave Lake Louise at 9.00am
Drive to Revelstoke, approx 230 km. Trip will include a stop at Golden & Rogers Pass. Once in Revelstoke we have two options:
Option 1
Quading on mountain trails (guy’s thing)
Options 2
Chill out in the stunning indoor Spa at The Glacier House Resort.
Evening BBQ
Accommodation: Log Cabins, at the Glacier House Resort (Link below)
DAY 5
Leave Revelstoke at 7.30am
Drive to Pemberton via Vernon, Kamloops, approx 500km, with various stops along the way as we pass through some of the greatest Blatting Roads in Canada.
Accommodation: list available in February 2013
DAY 6
Leave Pemberton at 9.00am
Drive to Horseshoe Bay in North Vancouver, stopping at Whistler Mountain Resort, approx 135km. Catch 3.00pm ferry to Vancouver Island. Arrive on Vancouver Island at 4.40pm. It’s then a short 30 minute drive to Chemainus where we will be based and hosted by Ex Can Am Racer & Canadian Caterham Dealer David Saville-Peck.
Evening at the famous Crow & Gate Pub (English Pub)
Accommodation: Chemainus Best Western Hotel. (Link below) Camping at David’s is free of charge.
DAY 7
Option 1
Spend the day with David at Super 7 Cars.
Option 2
Visit the picturesque town of Chemainus (Link below)
Evening BBQ at David’s
Accommodation: See Day 6
DAY 8
Leave Chemainus at 8.30am
Blat to Tofino approx 460 km (world famous surfing resort)
Evening at the famous Crow & Gate Pub (English Pub)
Accommodation: See Day 6
DAY 9
Leave Chemainus at 8.30am
Drive to Victoria, approx 100 miles / 160 Km return trip.
Option 1
Whale watching (Link below)
Option 2
Sightseeing the beautiful capital city of Victoria (Link below)
Option 3
Butchart Gardens (Link below)
Evening BBQ at David’s
Accommodation: See Day 6
DAY 10
Leave Chemainus at 6.30am
Catch 8.30am ferry to the mainland, arrive Tsawwassen approx 10.30am
Option 1
Track Day at Mission:
Option 2
City tour of Vancouver (Link below)
Final evening banquet, venue TBA
Accommodation: list available in February 2013
LINKS
Below is a list of links that give additional information on some of the activities that we will be doing and places that we will be stopping at, as well as some practical sites that may help with flights/shipping and import. Please click the following links for additional information:
SHIPPING/FLIGHTS/IMPORT
POINTS OF INTEREST EN-ROUTE
VANCOUVER ISLAND
HOTELS
DOWNLOADS
FUTURE UPDATES
All future updates and the final last minute details of The Grizzly Bear Blat will be emailed to all registered participants as an when they are available. I’m sure much more could be said and in time will be, but for now I’m done.
Happy Blatting
Terry Johns
John McCallum
For and on behalf of the organizing Team. Lotus 7 Club Canadian Area Rep
For additional information please contact us, or visit www.blatchat.com
|
