Club Arnage

Hi all,

I've searched the archives for an answer to this, but found nothing I'd call definitive.

Is there anywhere around Le Mans (or on the way from Paris), that cubed or block ice (or both), can be purchased with certainty?  Our drinking strategy depends on this, so as you can see, it's a matter of the utmost importance.  ;D 

Canada Phil suggested the RV rental route and provided some helpful info, but that isn't panning out.  Since we're flying, the generator/refrigerator method isn't really feasible either.  We'll be in KN, presumably by ourselves, so sponging fridge space from  a fellow CA'er isn't going to work, either.  Something that's cropped up in the states over the past few years is fast food restaurants selling bagged ice.  It seems more prevalent at McDonalds than other chains.  Is there any possibility of this?  I'm already waist-deep and $75 into a beer cooler and transportation project which obviously needs ice to be of any value.

Thanks!

The local Hypermarket Carrefour does sell bags of ice, it does sell out fast but is available.

The other Hypermarkets will also sell ice.

However If you dont want want to use it for drinks, just cooling, in the past we have used frozen veg, corn on the cob seems to be the best, and you can eat it once it has defrosted!

You can buy Ice from the local Super / Hypermarkets but as with anything like this, if its hot, the demand will be high and dont expect them to be overstocked in anticipation. We always found the Hypermarket just outside of Arnage quite well stocked, it depends on when you get there and how often you need to replenish it for your plan to work (remember getting around on Saturday / Sunday morning is a nightmare and some dont open or only for a short time on Sundays).

As Nordic says, the Hypermarkets do sell ice but they don't seem to stock much of it for some strange reason.

Also, be prepared for a shock. It comes in 1kg bags and is the equivalent in price to about $3   :o >:(

Don't worry. Something will turn up. I guarantee it.

You could also try the fish counter at the Hypermarket, they seem to have a never ending supply of the crushed variety and give it away by the bagfull. You'll need to purchase a couple of cheap igloos too.

Hopefully we'll have to restock once at the most.  The cooler(s) I'm getting claim that they'll hold ice for 5 days at 90F.

$3/kg?!?  Warm beer just started tasting better.  The gas station near my house sells 20lb. bags for $3!  Maybe I'll just bring some with me.   ;)

We'll be checking our coolers as baggage.  There's an Igloo model that fits perfectly under the size allowance.

Ah yes, that's the other thing to let you know. Coolboxes (igloos) over here are tiny!! About 18 Litres! Last year I bought a roll along igloo back from Sebring with me as they are so much bigger and cheaper over there. Simply removed the handles and wheels and stowed them inside it with the camping gear!

You can get 12v cool boxes that you can run from a car or motorhome socket. They normally chill to about 20/25 degrees C below the ambient temperature so if it's a scorcher like last year that's not enough to keep food and milk fresh but does take the warmth off the beers.

We've pretty much resigned ourselves to the ice-powered coolers at this point.  I like the idea of the coolbox, but with the availability of ice being what it is over here, I'd probably never use that feature again.

This is the model we'll have.  (At least one, possibly two).

http://igloocoolers.com/products/Full%20Size/MaxCold/2731

It states the capacity as 47L.

I appreciate everyone's help.  These answers are exactly what I needed!

What size are you thinking of bring Chop?? I feel a plan coming together? I would quite like another cooler so depending on what you bring I may well be interested in buying it off of you before you go home. My brother in law is coming over in August so I was going to ask him to get me one. This is the one I bought bakc last year!

http://www.igloo-store.com/product_detail.asp?T1=IGL+MAX+COLD+60&HDR=wheeledseries

Nothing is confirmed yet but I'm trying to get hold of an ice maker which we would then have set up on Maison Blanche so hopefully we might be able to solve the ice problem. I'll let you know!

Why not simply place your beer in the middle of a conversation between Fax and JonnySpa27 then sit back as the icy blasts from each participant chill your beer with ease  ;D

ROTFLMAO

(http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/24.gif)

Excuse my hignorance chaps, but WTF does ROTF mean? BTW, I know what LMAO means even though there is clearly no rectal detachment involved.

ROTF = roll on the floor (as demonstrated by the lil smiley fella)

for future reference

PMSL = piss my self laughing

SMSL = nuff said!  :-\

 ;D

I once sh*t myself while walking down to the newsagent for a copy of the Guardian, but SMWWDTTNFACOTG, just doesn't seem to convey the whole grisly reality of it.
H

If you're really desperate, the bread/milk vans which usually drive around the camping sites (well HA anyway) usually have bags of ice for sale, but again at ridiculous prices.

Not for use in drinks though, don't forget these people are more akin to pikies than Monseour Carrefeour

Does not compute...

Do you want me to go shopping for you at Sebring, Mark?

Would you mind??  It would give you a cooler to use while you are there  :)

I think I can remember how to smash the wheels off to check it in!

Never read the Grauniad, then.

As long as you have acces to someone else's swiss army knife as mine won't be there this year!  :'(

My Swiss Army knife will be in attendance.
Canada Phil

My neighborhood Target store has both  the wheeled 40 and the 60 priced at $29 and $35 respectively.

If Steve shops for you, that would certainly get you your goods more quickly.  Most U.S. airlines seem to have a size limit of 62" LxWxH.  The 60Q doesn't conform to that but the 40 might.  Again, if Steve can get around that rule more easily, have at it.  If you need another in addition to anything Steve might bring back, let me know and either myself or one of my party can probably bring it.

That's a great price for the 60 Chop. Is that the Maxcold version with wheels?

It was the 60 I brought back last time. That was flying Virgin (although on an AA ticket) and I believe Steve is flying Virgin this time as well.

But a couple fo the non wheeled versions would be good for other events I do as well so the more the merrier, especially at thise prices!

Alternatively you could stop being a pikie and pay the extortionately overinflated price for one of those bad boys in the UK!

http://tinyurl.com/cptnm

Oops, my bad. It appears that you can only get the wheelicool boxes in the UK and not the MaxCold Wheeled version. On further inspection it appears that the wheelicool is in fact sh*t!

Yikes!  :o

Max Cold 50 (Non-Wheeled - The one I'm buying)

$104.062 USD @ the site linked above.
 
The boating supply store where I'll most likely buy mine has it priced at $30!

Link (http://www.boatersworld.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=13088154&storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10051)

Too bad I can only bring one or I could finance my trip this way.  ;D

Yessir.  The Wheeled Max Cold 60 is $35 at Target.

The 50 non-wheeled just barely fits under the guidelines on American's website and the 60 wheeled does not.  They list an $80 charge for oversize items, too.

If Steve can find one at Target in Florida and get it back to you without having to pay oversize fees, it seems that'd be the way to go.

Thanks Chop.

I've had a look on Virgin Atlantics website and they have a 62 inch rule "When added together, the three dimensions of any piece of luggage must not exceed 158cm (62in)"
http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/passengerinformation/baggage/allowances.jsp

The Maxcold 60 Wheeled has dimensions stated as 28" x 16.13" x 17.13".

That all adds up to ...................... 61.26"  ;D

The one Mark bought at Sebring last year was partially dismantled of wheels and handles for the flight.

Dependant on who you're flying with, assuming you have the same 62" rule, you should be fine with the 60 quart if you also remove the handles and wheels for durability.

Is that doable then Steve? At $35 it would be silly not to if we could! And you then have your cooler for your chilled Samuel Adams all week!

Sounds good to me - 40 or 60 quart?

60 please Steve, same as before. Do you want the dollars now or when you get back?

I must've been adding metrically.   :-X


Just keep in mind that not all Target stores will carry the exact same items.  There are obviously other retailers that stock them, it's just a matter of finding one.  There's probably a retailer finder on the Igloo site.

If Steve comes up empty and you still want one, like I said, it's possible that one of my crew will be able to bring one in June, depending on who's under the checked baggage allowance.  I'll be at the limit, though depending on how things go and if you're still in need of a non-wheeled 50, it may be convenient to leave my personal cooler with you as you suggested.  I'll speak with Steve at Sebring and see how the hunt went!

Thanks Guys  :) :) :)

Steve,

Can I "rent" some beer space in that 60 qt. cooler at Sebring?  ::)