Dieppe - the Saturday 60k

This year the CDCD had posted a 60km Saturday afternoon ride as well as the regular Sunday events.  It seemed a bit of a rush to do it in the afternoon and be back for the reception at 5 so it was agreed that we would start at 10 and make a day of it.

Twelve of us set off on a sunny but blustery morning heading west on the D75 coast road. A short detour on the outskirts of Dieppe led us to a viewpoint by the castle looking down on the town. Then fine views of the coast on the descent to Pourville with where the route instructions suggested we took the D75 and cut back to a lane at the top of the hill. The man with the orange marker pen had other ideas and sent us directly up the lane which we soon realised was a serious " Surrey" hill to make us feel at home. More quiet roads took us to the lighthouse at Ailly but sadly no views until we rejoined the D75 into Quiberville where we stopped for elevenses.

Leaving Quiberville we had a repeat of the Pourville hill scenario but this time I followed the route instructions and we rejoined the marked route at the top. At St Aubin sur Mer we turned inland and the return route was a complex zigzag of almost traffic free minor roads through pretty countryside towards Offranville. Now it was nearly 2pm and the need for lunch was being felt so we left the marked route to go through the town to a cafe we knew from last year. Disappointment at being told no food was served was short lived when told to go to the bakers down the road. Here there were plenty of delightful goodies to revitalize a cyclist so we returned with our purchases and were welcome to eat them while provided with drinks at the cafe.

Rejoining the route a gentle descent down the Avenue Verte was followed by a final hard climb up the hill to the Canadian cemetery. Then a few lanes ( one rather potholed by French standards! ) led us round the south of Dieppe to join the road back past the Salle Eluard into town where we had time to enjoy a beer before the formalities of the weekend began.

This was a welcome addition to the weekend activities and felt even better a day later after the wet ride on Sunday! I hope CDCD repeat the formula and would recommend spending at least one extra day cycling in the area in addition to the Sunday Randonnee.