NEWS
BOULOGNE BICYCLE RALLY
Thursday 08 February 2018
The 40th Annual Boulogne Bicycle Run - Sunday 27 May
Since the Spring Bank holiday of 1978, this VSCC initiated event has welcomed Velocipedes, Ordinaries (Penny Farthings) as well as all manner of bicycles old and new (even electric). The run comprises of a pleasant 20 mile ride through the beautiful countryside that lies to the east of Boulogne in Northern France. This year will be the 40th ride!
The City of Boulogne, the capital of an arondissement in the Pas de Calais, was taken after a siege by King Henry VIII but eventually returned to the French in 1550. Calais was also returned in 1558 after being surrendered by an English negotiating team headed by Thomas Thirlby. “When I die, you shall find the name of Calais emblazoned on my heart” so said Queen Mary.
Boulogne and Calais, ever since, have done reasonably well out of the British and one of the high points of the 1920s was the Boulogne Speed Week, with the Coupe de Boillot and the Boulogne Grand Prix, which became more and more of an Anglo-French affair between 1921 and 1928.
In 1978, 50 years after the final event, the original Boulogne Grand Prix 28 mile circuit was commemorated by the VSCC and followed on cycles. The circuit covered a large triangle - eastwards from the start/finish line at St Martin, just behind Boulogne, along the N42. The route then turned southwards through Alincthun to Desvres, where it then turned north west through Wirwignes, known to the British competitors as “earwigs”, over the top of Mont Lambert and back to St Martin.
It was decided that this full circuit was too hilly for the average cyclist and so a few diversions were initiated through Conteville and Bellbrune, where there just happened to be a couple of hostelries or rest stops. A country road section through the delightful Foret de Boulogne was also added to shorten the route still further and increase the day’s enjoyment.
This fine tuning over the last 40 years has led to a family friendly day out where there is never more than a 4 or 5 mile section between stops. In the early years, apparently nearly 400 riders took part annually and there were still over 100 cyclists taking part last year on the Sunday of the Spring Bank holiday weekend.
The picnic lunch stop on the village green at Alincthun is a delightful spot, alongside the village church with the Mairie just across the road, where ablutions are available. This village is very Anglophile and has even agreed to the placing and upkeep of a commemorative seat on the village green to past VSCC Members Mr and Mrs Davis who took part regularly in the early years.
In recent years, some Vintage Cycle Club (VCC) members have also taken part.
Picnics are usually picked up in Boulogne on the Sunday morning as several town supermarkets and boulangeries are open.
Regular attendees make a weekend of it staying on Saturday and Sunday nights, dining in the old city centre, where there are several restaurants and budget hotels within or close to the old town. The “Ibis Cathedrale” hotel being typical, with parking adjacent.
So come and join us this year and help us celebrate the 40th run. The start is at 10.00am in the Chateau Musee in the heart of the Boulogne City Walls, where route maps will be available if you have never attended before. The ride is normally easily finished by late afternoon.
For further information, please call VSCC Member Gifford Wright, who has taken part annually since the early 1980s on 01883 342043 evenings or anytime on 07860 450869.
The City of Boulogne, the capital of an arondissement in the Pas de Calais, was taken after a siege by King Henry VIII but eventually returned to the French in 1550. Calais was also returned in 1558 after being surrendered by an English negotiating team headed by Thomas Thirlby. “When I die, you shall find the name of Calais emblazoned on my heart” so said Queen Mary.
Boulogne and Calais, ever since, have done reasonably well out of the British and one of the high points of the 1920s was the Boulogne Speed Week, with the Coupe de Boillot and the Boulogne Grand Prix, which became more and more of an Anglo-French affair between 1921 and 1928.
In 1978, 50 years after the final event, the original Boulogne Grand Prix 28 mile circuit was commemorated by the VSCC and followed on cycles. The circuit covered a large triangle - eastwards from the start/finish line at St Martin, just behind Boulogne, along the N42. The route then turned southwards through Alincthun to Desvres, where it then turned north west through Wirwignes, known to the British competitors as “earwigs”, over the top of Mont Lambert and back to St Martin.
It was decided that this full circuit was too hilly for the average cyclist and so a few diversions were initiated through Conteville and Bellbrune, where there just happened to be a couple of hostelries or rest stops. A country road section through the delightful Foret de Boulogne was also added to shorten the route still further and increase the day’s enjoyment.
This fine tuning over the last 40 years has led to a family friendly day out where there is never more than a 4 or 5 mile section between stops. In the early years, apparently nearly 400 riders took part annually and there were still over 100 cyclists taking part last year on the Sunday of the Spring Bank holiday weekend.
The picnic lunch stop on the village green at Alincthun is a delightful spot, alongside the village church with the Mairie just across the road, where ablutions are available. This village is very Anglophile and has even agreed to the placing and upkeep of a commemorative seat on the village green to past VSCC Members Mr and Mrs Davis who took part regularly in the early years.
In recent years, some Vintage Cycle Club (VCC) members have also taken part.
Picnics are usually picked up in Boulogne on the Sunday morning as several town supermarkets and boulangeries are open.
Regular attendees make a weekend of it staying on Saturday and Sunday nights, dining in the old city centre, where there are several restaurants and budget hotels within or close to the old town. The “Ibis Cathedrale” hotel being typical, with parking adjacent.
So come and join us this year and help us celebrate the 40th run. The start is at 10.00am in the Chateau Musee in the heart of the Boulogne City Walls, where route maps will be available if you have never attended before. The ride is normally easily finished by late afternoon.
For further information, please call VSCC Member Gifford Wright, who has taken part annually since the early 1980s on 01883 342043 evenings or anytime on 07860 450869.
