4 Cycling clubs converged on a hotel, and took the roads less travelled by
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Ready for the off!
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Exploring the 'roads less traveled by'
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Refreshments for the cyclists at dusk
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The Morgan Owners Club arrive en masse for lunch in the sun
The weekend of Friday 12th May saw 9 cyclists from 4 different clubs arrive at Hotel Moulin aux Draps in Devres (40 minutes from Calais) for a guided cycling weekend. The riders, from Brighton Mitre CC, St Margaret’s CC Twickenham, Novelo CC (Hove) and Crawley Wheelers planned a ride just short of 150 Km for Saturday and an 80 Km ride to Le Touquet on the Sunday.
On departure from the hotel the group were immediately immersed in beautiful landscapes which were hillier and wonderfully more varied than expected, with some sections offering sharp inclines and descents, others forest sections, wide open hilltops and lots of beautiful little towns and villages full of an amazing variety of architecture. The group cycled past magnificent abbeys, gorgeous churches, imposing stately homes, bustling market towns and a posh seaside resort. There were cycle paths alongside big A-roads (although never particularly busy ones), long and undulating B-roads winding their way through miles of rapeseed fields, and tiny tracks that seemed as though they’d become impassable any moment (but never did). There were glorious descents and 15% climbs.
And it seems the cyclists weren't the only group of thrill seekers in attendance at the Moulin last weekend. On Sunday, the Morgan club of France made a lunch stop at le Moulin aux Draps' restaurant enjoying a meal on the terrace in the sunshine before tazzing off into the distance with a roar!