The day before the Tour De France 13 cyclists headed to France to join up with club member Chris Lovibond in the beautiful rural village of Torcy in the Pas de Calais. The first three stages of the 2025 Tour were all in easy reach of Torcy.
The four cars met up at Dover for the 10.15 ferry to Calais, the team was made up of the Pedal Club president and his wife and their magnificent tandem, plus a car of 4 from the St Neots CC, 3 riders from St Ives Gears and Beers, and 3 from the Silver Slugs group and Graham Temple from the club.
A quick stop at the local supermarket to stock up with nutritious goodies and local drinks to wash it down everyone arrived at the gite in this amazing location.
Our host from the attached bar and restaurant Angelique had arranged a group dinner to welcome us. So, after a quick ride and shower there was an evening of merriment, drinking, eating singing and dancing.
The next day Saturday we planned to ride to Cassel to see stage 1of the Tour pass through as this looked the best day of the trip weather wise. A good tail wind out ride of 33miles we all enjoyed, the buzz of the publicity Tour caravan, collecting goodies and astounded by the speed of the peloton as they climbed the cobbled climb.
Sunday, was exceptionally wet in the morning and scuppered the ride and as it dried some ventured out to watch the stage in Montreuil-sur-Mer, while the rest of us went 1 mile down the road as the stage passed. All met up again later for another great meal.
Our host and her partner the chef were exceptional and for their services we gave them a Pedal Club jersey as a thankyou which will be displayed on their restaurant wall for the future visitors to see.
Monday again proved a wet start and we all decided to go to different points and 2 cars went for an earlier ferry. The President and some of the slugs went to Liller to watch in the cross winds as it was a good point to get back on the A26 motorway for the blast back to Calais and the ferry home .
All in all it was a great trip and we have found a excellent location for cycling around northern France. Future trips are being planned as we speak
A big thanks goes to Chris for living (well, part time!) in such a picturesque location and arranging great accommodation for the group.
Vive La France
~Graham Temple
