An early morning start for everyone down at Dover at 5 am to catch the ferry for France. 11 cars and 28 people and bikes, all on our way to Givet in France. A smooth crossing over to Dunkeque with Norfolk Line, some early rain turned to sun as we docked in France. 154 miles down to Givet, in the Champagne Ardenne area of France. We arrived just before lunch. A pre booked car park at the rear of the Hotel, just for us. Under cover storage for our bikes with easy access to the Hotel. So a good start to the weekend, all the rooms ready to occupy, and everyone settled in before 1 o clock. The hotel Val St Hilaire, looking over the River Meuse, and in the Town Centre of Givet. Givet a sleepy little Town, with plenty of bars and restaurants, not many shops open on the Friday, and not too many people about either. Loads of new kit on display before the start. A gathering of new deep section carbon wheels, Zipps and Heds. A £6,500 Prince ridden by Gemma, A Morpheus Dream for Sarah. And David’s Orbea carbon Plenty of new clothing on display, shoes, tops and helmets. The only bit of kit missing was Johns shoes, which were back home safe and sound in Sidcup. So the 1st ride of the weekend, planned as a 35 mile circular route, entering Belgium, Province of Luxembourg and back into France. An undulating route, with some faster sections, Leaving the Town over the river Meuse bridge, before climbing into Belgium, before dropping down to Beauraing and on to Wellin in the Province of Luxembourg. I missed the ride due to a bout of food poisoning, due to a dodgy piece of steak, I had earlier in the week. So all I could do was to await the return of the group, hoping they all followed the route. The weather had changed a little from the start of the ride, and was now quite grey and cloudy. The first riders started to turn up, soaking wet and cold. They had hit a hail storm, on the hills outside Givet. Apparently the group had split, with some riders with heads down had missed the left turn back home. There were some who had taken shelter, from the storm, leaving people scattered all over the place. Small groups of riders appeared over the next hour, all wet and cold. All those clean bikes and new kit filthy with road dirt. By now to rub salt into the wounds, the sun was back out and it was a really pleasant late afternoon. A group of us had now gathered at a local bar, in the town Square, to cheer the return of the lost trio of Pete, Peanut and Dave. Plates of chips courtesy of James, from the Friterey, a few Biers Blancs and Ruby beers and the lads and ladies were in good spirit. Finally they were back, after almost doubling the planned distance, lost in France and Belgium and Luxembourg, pretty good going, and a new record for getting lost I think. With fairness to Dave Lugton, he had gone back out to find the missing pair, after seeing where they had gone wrong and just by luck returned at the same time. So what went wrong was the question. We thought we would like to have done a fourth country the pair said, and headed for Germany. After no luck heading north we decided to turn back, Hey the tarmac was good, so lets ride it, we thought !! Anyway 35 miles is a pussy ride, we’re here to do job. A likely story, lads, no takers though.. Everyone back home safe, and on to the Restaurant, for the evening. The restaurant, linked to the Hotel were geared up for the arrival of our party, and the service and food not too bad. A bit expensive on the drinks, about £5 a pint. A birthday celebrated today Chris James, a 50+ day. No bumps today Chris, I think we were all too tired after a long first day. Most of us hitting our beds before 9.30, getting ready for the big day on Saturday.
Jour Deux. The 100 Miler
A buzz of apprehension, at breakfast as people carbo loaded, eating everything and anything on offer. The Hotel actually ran out of food in the end. Kevin had done well overnight, managing to turn his triple room into a single, as both Jel and Dave bailed out because of the snoring, Kev said he didn’t hear a thing and slept like a log. A massive 25 riders deciding to go for the 100 today, that’s probably the biggest group 100 to date. Club kit day today, and a good show of Seeds Kit for the photo shoot. Peanut struck some poses for the camera, not sure if they are printable. We got on the road just before 10, the sun shining, a chilly morning, but warming up all the time .We left the town via the 1st section of the Trans Ardennes path. The full squad started out of 28 riders today, setting an early steady pace of 17 mph. After 3 miles we lose the path at Chooz and hit the cobbled streets of Ham sur Meuse, a small climb up and over out of the town, before re joining the River path. 45 miles in front of us now, all on traffic free paths to Charleville for lunch. The group soon fragmented into several sections, Pete and Dave, had cranked up the pace, and led off a fast pack of riders, James, Jel, Peanut, Paul, Steve C., Steve N. Mick, Sarah, Gemma, The rest of the riders were split between another 4 groups, with Kevin, Roy and myself bringing up the rear. Dave and Pete, were ready to burst, both had been training hard for this one and inevitably pushed on at and ever increasing pace, on their own. The town of Revin, with its nasty cave like passage, under the hill side. A really dark and wet cycle tunnel about 100 metres long, pot luck on getting through without falling in the canal. This became the downfall of a few of the riders. Some decided not to risk it and tried to follow the river bank around, not knowing this was actually another river, heading totally the wrong direction. By this time Kevin and myself had covered 28 miles, and decided we would have a rest before turning back for home. As we sat on a bench, maybe for some 15 minutes of so, a group of cyclists appeared on a bridge above us. Recognising the shouts from Chris James, left, no right, no left, we shouted the lads, to get back on the river path. They had been circling Revin for about half an hour, had bumped into Alison lost and on her own, re grouped, found their way onto a dodgy housing estate, before finding the river again. Probably some 10 miles adrift of the front pack by now, we set them back on the right route. Roy decided to stay with Kev and myself, and take the 28 mile return route back to Givet, completing our 56 miles for the day. It seems we actually covered the 50 miles in the same time scale, although we were nearly home and the rest were only half way. Meanwhile back at Charleville Mezieres, the group were all back together and having lunch in the Town Square. The first up and eager to go were Steve C. Dave and Pete, opting for my harder ride back. Now Pete warned Dave, you shouldn’t of said to Graham, the route is too easy, can you find some hills. Your wish is my command boys. Right on cue, making it even tougher, it started to rain, the only 3 on the hard route were straight into a 2,800 ft climb, a long drop then another 2000ft climb, (ouch). The Pistol was now in awesome form, nothing to hold back for, he intended to blow everything in his weaponry on the 45 miles back home. Dave and Steve, became passengers on an express train, no chance of taking the front, a carriage can’t pass an engine, unless it de rails, but it wasn’t going to happen today. With an average speed above 22 mph on this undulating route, the flying trio were the 1st back to Givet some 90 minutes in front of anybody else. Back to Charleville, lunch over, heavy rain falling, the mass group headed back on the River path for Givet. Some tired legs, numb bums and aching shoulders, the progress was going to be slow, in these conditions. The path became very slippery at times and with some mud being washed off the fields, everyone was starting to acquire a muddy tan. The path starts to play tricks on you at mid point, the mind saying Givet must be around the next bend. No, checking on the computer, still some 20 miles to go. Just a matter of switching off and keep spinning. Sitting in a bar in Givet, Roy and Myself, were watching the Path, waiting for a first glimpse of the group. Running really late by now, the first riders appeared. Looking like they had been mountain biking, they crossed the line to applause, from the Seeds fan Club, (me and Roy) Only half a dozen in the first wave, followed every 15 minutes by another small pocket of riders. While washing the bikes down at the rear of the Hotel, we had a shout that Kat had fallen, on the White paint of the Zebra crossing outside the Hotel, being wet, they are like ice. Kat was clutching and guarding her shoulder, never a good sign. In slight shock, first priority to get her dry and warm, then assess the damage. Still in a lot of pain, and after seeking advice, we decided to get to the Hospital in Fumay. Some expert care from the French doctors and nurses, diagnosing a fractured collar bone, a (green stick fracture). After putting Kats shoulders in a brace and sling, she was allowed out, and back to the Hotel, at least six weeks off now. Glad to find out when we got back to the Hotel, everyone had made it back ok. A big celebration, Chapeau, Hard Core, Seeds throughout, 105 miles, a massive achievement by so many people, you should all be really proud of yourselves.
Day 3
One correction on yesterdays report, it seems that everyone, got lost at Revin, so no blame on leaving people behind, we all got it wrong. Our final ride for this Tour. A flat ride out to Dinant and back. Only a 30 mile round trip. Not the full compliment of riders today, it seems a mystery tummy bug, had a few people up in the night, it could have been the meal at the restaurant, who knows, but a few decided to catch up on some missed sleep. A misty cool morning, following the River north to Dinant. Loads of local Cycling Clubs on the roads today, it must have been a popular route. The pace was high going out , up around 22 mph all the way to Dinant. About 50 minutes later we were at Dinant, in Belgium. A bigger town than Givet, quite a few riverside Café’s and Bistros, Day trip cruise ships, a magnificent Citadel sat in the middle of the Old Town. The Sun had broken through the low cloud, and we took advantage of the weather and sat down by the river for a drink. The return route, looking totally different in the sunshine, some really stunning views across the river, and Chapeau’s that were not spotted on the way out. Mind you, you don’t see much sitting close on a wheel, only tarmac. The steady pace made a pleasant change, and a great way to wind down the weekend. Givet and the ride completed. Not a cloud in the sky, a perfect end to an almost perfect weekend.
