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Post randonee trip to the sea front
In the early hours of Friday 8th June 2007 when most sensible people were tucked up in their beds, 22 Evesham Wheelers made their respective ways to Newhaven Ferry Port.
On arrival it was soon clear just what a popular event this randonnee was going to be. Cyclists from all over the country were amassed in the car park all-eager to board the Transmanche ferry Cote D’Abattre that was berthed close by.
With a little time to spare an impromptu game of cricket was arranged, nothing odd there, got to keep the kids amused, The ball was struck into the long grass that bordered the car park, when Leslie Cox put her hand into the grass to retrieve the ball, she was bitten by an adder. Luckily the adder survived the ordeal, but Leslie was left with 2 perfect puncture marks and a hand that was increasing in size, which amazed the now considerable crowd gathering around her. In true British fashion she declined medical treatment, and soldiered on.
On the ferry the Wheelers headed for the restaurant where vast full English breakfasts were consumed, as part of their pre race preparations. The journey was uneventful, until, on arriving in Dieppe, some of the group who had decided as a security measure to use James Stout’s combination lock to secure their cycles, found that James had unfortunately forgotten the code. But with the help of a French Matelot and a pair of bolt croppers, cyclists and cycles were soon reunited. Disembarking from the vessel bore a remarkable similarity to Peking in the rush hour, a sea of cycles of all shapes and sizes.
The Wheelers were met at the dock gates by Neville Chanin, who welcomed them onto French soil.
The Hotel Europe was the team HQ for the duration of the stay, and this was reached by a quick dash through the streets of Dieppe, past a fish market a fun fair and bemused Diepppoise having their lunch.
The day was spent eating, drinking and sightseeing, plus avoiding the odd street fight! After the evening meal, time was spent wandering the back streets of Dieppe. John James found an interesting café, where he and his group were entertained by a hen party. The entertainment was restricted to a series of out of tune French ballads; no one was inclined join in. After that it was an early night.
At the Pirate
Sunday was the morning of the randonnee, the Wheelers met in the hotel lobby at 8am, ready for the short ride to the start. The weather though not brilliant showed promise, the mist and fog that had plagued the previous day was now starting to lift and bits of blue poked through.
There was a considerable amount of interest from cyclists, and locals as the 20 strong peleton, all-wearing their new Wheelers kit swept into the street where the start was situated
The Wheelers had entered the 50, 100, and 140k events, and they filled the street as they began their respective rides.
The cycling was through pretty French lanes with some easy rolling countryside, the threat of a little soft rain hanging in the air. The excitement came from James Stout who’s chain broke twice in the first 20k, but thanks to the experience and tenacity of his fellow riders he managed to finish the 140k course.
The 100k course was taken at a leisurely pace with time to chat and enjoy the beautiful countryside.
On the randonnee - checking which way to go
One rider on the randonnee will always remember his ride, as the Wheelers 100k peleton approached him and his wife, he turned to admire the sleek machine as it sped past, he hit the floor about 10 yards in front of us. We all had the decency to shout out “You alright mate!” his pride was hurt more than his grazed elbow.
The cycling club of Dieppe had taken the time to indicate every twist and turn in the route, making the course idiot proof.
We got lost about 5k from the finish, almost in sight of the finish. We all finished together, had our cards stamped and rehydrated on some of the excellent Normandy cider that had been thoughtfully laid on for us.
A group rode out following the conclusion of the randonnee, still having miles in their legs. They found by chance the cemetery that commemorated the Raid on Dieppe, which took place on August 19th 1942, in which 3,623 allied servicemen died.
Le Randonnee des 3 Vallee is also known as “The Dieppe Raid”. It was with some sadness by those at the cemetery that members of the Worcestershire Regiment where among those killed on that day. The book of remembrance was signed, noting that Neville Chanin had been there the day before.
At the cemetery there was also a Canadian police officer who was touring the war graves in the area.
That evening all the Wheelers attended the prize giving. At the start of the ceremony The Wheelers presented Neville with a new Wheelers cycling top. This involved two of the Wheelers partially stripping in front of the assembled masses!
Evesham Wheelers had the largest representation of any club in what was a truly international field. Neville Channin organised the original event some 35 years ago, and has ridden in every event since.
For this remarkable achievement Evesham Wheelers presented him with a commemorative plaque during the prize giving ceremony.
Louise Cox was the youngest participant in the 140k event, at just 13, an achievement that was marked with the presentation of a trophy by Le Cycloclub Dieppe.
It was rumoured that certain of the Wheelers followers spent the afternoon in a local tapas bar!
The group spent the second evening patronising the local restaurants and it was a tired and proud group of cyclists that made its way back to the hotel for lights out at 10.30.
Next day there was time for a trip to Decathlon to stock up on some cheap French cycling goodies, before John James chaperoned his charges towards the waiting ferry.
The return trip on the ferry was tinged with that sense of deflation you always get when you come back from a holiday abroad.
Tony Canning fully immersed himself into the French culture, by munching on a frog sandwich. While others tried to fit an impossible amount of bottles of wine into already straining rucksacks
Back at the car park in Newhaven, the location for the infamous “snake bite” Paul Stockdale and his clan still had the blown radiator to repair. At least it had the decency to get him to the ferry port before it died.
James Stout who had left the night before so that he could attend a lecture at university, had decided to cycle back to Oxford from Newhaven. He had only just left the town when, yes, his chain broke again!
It was a tired
contingent that made its way back to Evesham, though one that had spent a
marvellous weekend in exceptional company, organised by a remarkable man.
All our thanks go out to John James whose motivation and organisational skills made the trip what it was, a trip to remember.
Image right: John James, . . . "a gauche!"