En Route!
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It's a real pleasure to ride a bike in France, providing that you avoid the main Routes Nationale of course. As you may well know, if you have been on holiday there, the traffic density is much lower than in most parts of the UK and the road surfaces are much better. I went twice in 2004, taking the James Comet to two events. We carry it on a rack on the back of the Renault Megane which means that Jean and I go in the car and the bike crosses the Channel for free. |
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The first event was the Rando Cyclo at Sars Poteries near the Belgium border. You may have read about this in previous Independents. It is an event for cyclemotors and mopeds but they don't object to the occasional superbike like the James Comet or the BSA Bantam. Like most French events it is highly organised and the local communities like to give it their support. Rather than a motorcycle tour with occasional stops it is more like a series of eating events tied together with a little motorcycling. |
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Signing on takes place on Saturday evening at a rowdy barbeque at a nearby camp site where many of the riders camp for the weekend. On Sunday morning there is an informal parade of all the bikes in the town square with a small bikejumble alongside. At 12.00 we all ride round to the Salle des Fetes for a rather fine lunch with plenty of wine, then at about 14.00 we all proceed out into the country in a long file to ride the course of about 55 kilometres There were about 130 riders on the most amazing range of weird machines. |
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I think we tend to regard the French as producers of rather strange, but effective, designs. Who else but the French could produce a small car like the Citroen 2CV ? Then there's the Velo Solex, the Ami 6, and those curious flappy gadgets that jet long sprays of water out over the fields of maize. |
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But oddly enough the French think that we produce some weird designs too. Take this report by Bertrand Lebrun from La Vie de la Moto (the French equivalent of our Old Bike Mart) of the Sars Poteries meeting;- |
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"Whilst we were admiring a Flandria Rekord a funny metallic noise attracted our attention. In the distance with a weird clattering a species of little car moved towards us. Was it one of those rural cars for which you don't need a driving license? No, it was a curiosity that only our English friends have a habit of making? a cycle car. We know the Morgan/Damont but this one, a Preston/Bond is a different story altogether, since it has a complete bodywork. Under the bonnet was the surprise which soon attracted a lot of curiosity! yes it was a 250 Villiers two stroke engine which is lost between the two front wings of this strange machine. You have to be English to imagine a thing like this !" |
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This is one French journalist's view of the Bond Minicar belonging to Dave Stevenson (Dave wrote about in the last issue of the Independent). The same writer also had some quite patronising remarks to make about Brian Houghton's Bantam and my James. |
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I wouldn't like to give you the wrong impression of French attitudes. The other event I went to was the Randonee de la Brenne near Poitiers in middle France. This was a two day event that Peter Bartlett told me about and we teamed up with him and Jeff Bishop to do the first day. Peter was riding his little Terrot, Jeff rode his Ariel and I was on the James. |
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The ride started at about 09.00 after breakfast of rolls and coffee (or wine if you prefer) and we rode in convoy out into the countryside from Azay Le Ferron. I don't know how they manage it but the French roads are much smoother than the roads in England. We seem to take a delight in digging up the road and when you ride a rigid framed lightweight you become very conscious of how badly our roads are patched and mutilated. What is the sense in burying services under several feet of concrete and tarmac? In France a patched road is a rarity, especially out in the country, and we had a grand day out with frequent stops. |
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Firstly a mid morning drink, then a two hour lunch stop and finally a stop for tea, but there was plenty of riding in between in the company of about thirty machines ? key word: variety. From a 1918 Harley Davidson with sidecar, through bikes from the thirties, including a DKW SOOSB, to some of the last of the Terrots made just before they gave up production. All in a very welcoming atmosphere. |
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At Christmas time I had a letter from the President of the Retro Club that runs this event:- "All the Retro Club team are happy to send their good wishes for health and prosperity for the New Year 2005. Please note that the 25th Randonee in Brenne will take place on Saturday 9th and Sunday 1Oth of July. Hoping to see you there, Le President Pascal Rabier" |
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See what I mean about welcoming? Nothing patronising there then. If you get the chance to ride in France grab it with both hands. See you en route! |
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John Hawthorn |
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