Team Chitco
Part 1: Catching up with progress so far
STAGE 1: FARO-ALICANTE
Due to Roy being exhausted and because he drank too many beers, Edward is driving this stage. Considering usual scenarios in which he is depicted driving, we are happy to report that no collateral damage has happened.
Of course, we should remind you that said usual scenarios include chasing down some car thieves which is suitably chaotic.
Sora is visibly concerned about amount of food consumed by one particular member of the team. However, this is explained away by note that being Emperor is very hard and requires lot of food to maintain.
Andrea also argues that it will help her recover from fight she had earlier.
Sora realizes that fancy medical kit she brought could also help but:
- it’s in the trunk
- it’s not very convenient to use in moving car where driver just about doesn’t care about keeping it relatively smooth.
Before she could dedicate herself to more action, old woman fell asleep. Someone borrowed a “blanket” to ensure she isn’t cold: Roy wasn’t amused when he was told his jacket is now used for more useful purposes.
Speaking of Roy: he did appreciate the fact Edward was hustling unfamiliar vehicle at quite a decent pace. He also dared appreciating the view…kinda.
Pi atm is doing her best of occupying the seat and doing almost nothing of note, realizing the only thing she can do is possibly humour James. There was a lot of exciting stuff that he didn’t exactly witness but this journey might be it.
Granted, Dyre don’t sound like kind of creature he would like to tangle with judging by her description.
And indeed, he would be absolutely RIGHT!
Departure: 15 degrees, no rain.
Arrival: 14 Degrees, still no rain. Team needed 541.5 minutes (9h 1.5min) to do it, which included several refuels.
Accomodations:
Camping near Lago El Senyoret was not the worst thing tbh. Some members would end up camping in the car, but not before Pi ends up reshuffling some luggage.
Edward is noting that he is visibly not used to this situation, but was willing to adapt. He, Sora and James took the easy way out and slept in car. Andrea is still interested in food and…not necessarily the “light on the stomach” kind.
STAGE 2: ALICANTE-BARCELONA
James was driving Kontir and Roy’s nerves. Both were driven very slowly and safely, as its appropriate on relatively tight and foreign roads. Only one vehicle out of those two ended up perfectly fine with this treatment.
Andrea was likely very messy sight due to not caring whether or not some food decided to double as makeup or not, while Pi was confused by Chanty expressing her sillier side. Unfortunately, traffic light situation was such that one team was left waiting at it, while other continued onward. Due to events that may have led Chanty to sea, reunion would have to wait another day.
Departure: 13 degrees, no rain.
Arrival: 14 Degrees, dry: going up north still did not lower the temperature. This stage took 315 minutes (5 h 15min) for this team.
Accomodation:
Thomas has negotiated a low price with hotel in Barcelona for the group. When they arrived, they quickly noticed why it was only 40 Euro per night and person… Thomas should have been suspicious when he heard that they have almost all rooms free to rent. It was totally run down, at least power and water was still there. Only advantage to it was the fact that it was likely cheap way towards Barcelona-based asset, which host Victor had utilised.
His plans to renovate the place to be somewhat presentable would have likely made Edward tad bit happier about parting with 300 euros on this place, if he was to be informed about it. This lack of presentability was also reason why 2/3rds of the group ended up going drunk to whatever this hotel called “beds” with only exceptions being indifferent Pi and Roy that was pissed about both not very speedy driving of James and state of overnight accomodations.
STAGE 3: BARCELONA-NICE
Roy drives
Departure: 12 degrees of rage. No rain defined by weather, but Roy had quite intense internal thunderstorm in his mind.
This wasn’t helped by Kontir having some hickups. Until they found out the spark plugs were crap, team needed 74 minutes (1h 14min) - also because Pi could not remember where she stored these small spares in their vehicle…remember her realigning stuff in one of earlier stages?
This is very generous way of saying “she doesn’t know what a spark plug is”
Eventually Roy has both found them and installed them. Predictably, with quite some anger along for the ride.
Despite sour mood, his driving was immaculately aggressive.
Arrival: 13 Degrees of rage. Of our interest is raging Roy finishing 560 minutes (9h 20 min) after starting this stage. A business friend of Victor opened his property for the rally participants, welcoming them in the process.
Host opened his mansion and generous property to accommodate all the vehicles and provide his bathrooms and asked his housemaids to provide a good catering. Of special note is one whose first contact with rally teams was pissed off Roy: after calmly taking his shouting for several minutes, she noted she has food on tray and that food is likely tasty. Roy proceeds to take tray and commit eating in manner that is more apt to truck stop than mansion. Edward apologized on his behalf.
It was decided that he shall represent team in here, something he happily took on. Nice shower and bed meant everybody was in very good mood upon tackling the beds, which thankfully included Roy.
STAGE 4: NICE-MATTERHORN
Departure: 11 degrees, no rain. Andrea drives this time, finding herself very well rested.
This stage took 473 minutes (7h 53minutes) with breakdown time of 113 minutes (1h 53min) because the Kontir’s brakes didnt like mountain roads and punishment inflicted upon them the previous stage, and they had to reduce speed. Andrea didn´t drive hard at all, but the heavy weight of the vehicle did its job.
Arrival: 2 Degrees. Still a bit warm for the region and altitude.
For all participants, Victor offered his chalet near Zermatt. Next day (15.12.) was free of any stages, which didn’t prevent the entrants from messing around with cars - or them using the time for repairs. When Roy wasn’t drunk, he was sorting out the brakes. Cooling system was topped off with very cold water…time will tell if that would be correct course of action.
STAGE 5: ZERMATT-STUTTGART
Roy drives, this time not under anger beyond one he may express towards gas pedal.
Departure: around the freezing point, a bit of snow. Sora almost slipped on some patch of snow hiding black ice underneath, but regained her footing before that could happen.
Arrival: 6 Degrees. A bit “warm”. This took 310.5 minutes (6h 10.5min) partially due to Roy’s speed while driving and partially due to the fact car was relatively well checked and took basic preventative maintenance
But
Is it gonna fail? We shall see…
The accomodation is a cheap hostel - quite a step down from nice mansion, but neverthess better nightly stay compared to Stage 2 accomodations. Nobody raised a complaint, if some singing group of drunk people doesn’t count.
Current standings after 5 stages: 10th/19 teams, used 2200 minutes (36h 40min) so far.
While Roy wouldn’t really follow the situation that closely regarding placements, he is aware team isn’t fast enough to ensure high position. This doesn’t make him happy about it, but not much he can’t do is compensation.
Pi will drive Stage 6 courtesy of faster drivers being drunk or hurt
Person that may take special interest in above is
@Happyhungryhippo : besides the fact this post may allow further posts from him, Stage 2 would mention the host team.