VIVE LE TOUR!

You’ve probably realized by now that I like bikes and enjoy cycling around the countryside – wherever that may be… Until recently I was pedalling a very old 1950’s Elswick – made in Barton-upon-Humber and originally owned by my sister. My book explains how I came to inherit it, and also my early days in the saddle, and I’ve written a sort of bike biography in the form of a poem too! Just briefly, the Elswick journeyed from Somerset to Shropshire, back down to Somerset, then across to Essex, up to Lincolnshire – both Fens and Wolds – over to France, and back to return to it’s county of origin. So, a well travelled bicycle covering many different terrains – and all with no gears and a large wicker shopping basket hanging between the handlebars. A sprung saddle and an upright posture… quite a heavy piece of gear, but once set in motion it could move at a good speed.

At another tempo altogether, we were fortunate whilst living near Gorron just within the Pays de la Loire, to see and experience the Tour de France twice – the first time on the country approach road to the town. Starting with the ‘caravan’ – raising the level of excitement and anticipation – I think we still have a gift cap thrown out to the cheering crowds lining the route! Then the pelaton itself – what speed and perfection, ultimate precision and co-ordination – and all executed in silence. Passing us in less than 30 seconds – from it’s appearance round the bend to it’s disappearance over the brow of the hill. That was the year (2015) when our very own Chris Froome rode up the Champs-Elysees in the yellow vest. The second time we saw Le Tour pass was up at St Denis de Gastines – through the narrow, winding centre of the little town, local police making sure the crowds remained safely back on the pavements. Again, all over in a blink of an eye, the same swift, silent passage in the sunshine on a hot July day. And they certainly inspired us to try a similar performance on the homeward downhill run, even calling out ‘Vive le Tour’ along the way!
To recapture ‘Le Tour’ and congratulate this years winner – Jonas Vingegaard – I’ll attach a couple of photos from our 2015 close encounter with cycling celebrities, plus one photo of my old and faithful Elswick resting against our garden wall.

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