Seven Stay in a Gite

Seven of us (Liz, Pam, Jane and Dave, Tony Hopkins and Colin) met at Newhaven Premier Inn on Friday June 16 for an early departure to Dieppe on Saturday.

Once in Dieppe we made a brief visit to La Plage Hotel to see manager Isabelle then rode off to the gite we stayed in last year at Torcy le Grand. Whilst checking the map in Dieppe a French cyclist appeared and volunteered to lead us to Torcy He said he knew Caroline Street (the English organiser of the Dieppe Raid) and he was involved in the Raid. After arriving in Torcy we checked on a restaurant we’d used last year, but it was closed. Another one, opened since last year, was full that night with a party. The answer was a quick visit to the local supermarket. Whilst enjoying our diy meal outdoors (we had the same hot weather as England) the people in the gite next door invited us round for a drink, including a home-made concoction.

Tony woke early and each morning cycled to the local shop to get fresh croissants – much appreciated.The hot weather was the deciding factor for the week’s rides, most days we rode about forty miles or so on some routes we had used last year and also a few from a book of routes we have. The routes are also pretty well marked by roadside signs. On Tuesday it was decided we should visit the seaside so we had a trip to Dieppe, very pleasant. Fortunately we hadn’t ridden very far on Wednesday when Colin’s Achilles problem recurred so it was back to the gite to make early return arrangements. Get better soon, Colin. Thursday was slightly cooler and in the evening we were able to test the new restaurant down the road – the three course dinner was very nice. On Friday lunchtime we checked out the nearby bison restaurant (Rêve de Bisons); they also serve lamb and fish and very acceptable cold, draught Leffe Blonde in large glasses. As usual, cycling in rural France was wonderful, very little traffic and it gives you ample clearance. We returned to La Plage on Saturday morning and had a relaxing day, shopping, etc. We booked a restaurant for dinner and were joined by the A group – a very pleasant evening. 

An 0830 start was necessary to give us (100k route) ample time to arrive in time for the awards ceremony at the finish. The weather wasn’t as hot as during the week so cycling the new route was very enjoyable. We had an incident-free ride and finished in good time for a celebratory Leffe before attending the awards ceremony where we won the largest club attendance. Pam also won an award. The traditional post Raid dinner was well up to standard.

Most competitors returned home on Monday but we had another relaxing day and returned on the 1230 ferry on Tuesday, choosing not to ride home from Newhaven.

Thanks to all for good company and making it such an enjoyable holiday

Terry