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The tour took them to Helston RFC for two nights, then on to St Just RFC for three nights, followed by one night at Redruth RFC, a night at Saltash then the ferry home. Most of the route was on minor roads to make the most of seeing the beauty of Cornwall. There’s a very laid back approach to daily events and within a short while of leaving camp the first ‘arret pot’ takes place. Somewhere around 11.00am the convoy stops, admires the scenery, opens up the H van, and sets up tables bedecked with pate, cheese and bread, and of course wine. Early on in the tour, they ate the oysters they brought with them from France. Lunch was guaranteed to be at least an hour long affair followed by another arret pot in the afternoon. |
(Photo courtesy Ian and Sue Andrew) |
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(Photo courtesy Ian and Sue Andrew) |
Something miraculous happens overnight when the petrol fairy descends on the campsite and fills all the Velosolex tanks so they are ready for the off the next morning. Of an evening there was always a BBQ set up and large communal tent, about 36’ x 24’, where everybody eats… after aperitifs, of course! There were many memorable rides, one being from Penzance. After showing them the real St Michaels Mount (!) at Marazion, an enormous hill between Newlyn and Mousehole sorted the men from the boys and likewise the femmes from the filles. The stamina of these riders is quite phenomenal and they are willing to have a go at anything. |
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(Photo courtesy Ian and Sue Andrew) |
Fabulous weather made the ride from St Just to St Ives as perfect as it could be and the cream tea at Tregenna Castle was fabulous. There were times when the chatter around you made you think you were in France and remembering to ride on the left was sometimes a challenge! Back in St Just, the mayor laid on a civic reception and, having just returned from France, knew that wine rather than tea was the order of the day! The bikes parked outside the Town Hall looked very impressive in the sunshine. |
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Fabulous weather made the ride from St Just to St Ives as perfect as it could be and the cream tea at Tregenna Castle was fabulous. There were times when the chatter around you made you think you were in France and remembering to ride on the left was sometimes a challenge! Back in St Just, the mayor laid on a civic reception and, having just returned from France, knew that wine rather than tea was the order of the day! The bikes parked outside the Town Hall looked very impressive in the sunshine. |
(Photo courtesy Ian and Sue Andrew) |
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(Photo courtesy Ian and Sue Andrew) |
(Photo courtesy Ian and Sue Andrew) |
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It is the tradition that a ‘Concours d’Elegance’ takes place one evening. Concourse to most of us means immaculate condition. Not in this case! |
(Photo courtesy Ian and Sue Andrew) |
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(Photo courtesy Ian and Sue Andrew) |
(Photo courtesy Ian and Sue Andrew) |
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(Photo courtesy Ian and Sue Andrew) |
(Photo courtesy Ian and Sue Andrew) |
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The riders dress up in a weird selection of costumes and perform short acts with the bike as the centrepiece. Many of the ‘acts’ were pertinent to France, and the English amongst us still have no idea what was going on. But that didn’t stop us joining in! |
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(Photo courtesy Ian and Sue Andrew) |
(Photo courtesy Ian and Sue Andrew) |
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A total of about 390 km (about 245 miles) were covered during the tour, which is quite amazing as it seemed that most of the time was spent eating and talking. |
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(Photo courtesy Ian and Sue Andrew) |
(Photo courtesy Ian and Sue Andrew) |
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There appeared to be very few breakdowns but ‘Dr Solex’ was always to hand to solve any problems. I broke three spokes in the rear wheel and the front mudguard bracket. Not discovered until I returned home, this shows the durability of the Velosolex |
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(Photo courtesy Ian and Sue Andrew) |
(Photo courtesy Ian and Sue Andrew) |
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The camaraderie and generosity of the French riders amazed me yet again and anyone with a Velosolex or any cyclemotor/moped should grab the opportunity to go on a tour with them in England or France to get the maximum buzz out of riding their bikes. Ian and Sue Andrew, Teignmouth, Devon |
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