Dieppe Raid 2012

Chocs Away! Getting ready for the off from Westerham.

The Dieppe Raid is a regular Croydon Section fixture and one that I had been looking forward to ever since I started to join the section for Sunday rides about two years ago. Together with Greg, another newbie, I joined Andy, Pat and Willie at Westerham for breakfast on Friday morning before we rode together down to Newhaven and a night in a B and B before embarking on the ferry to Dieppe. The ferry was not due to leave until midday so after breakfast we went on a circuit of the local hills. Peter joined us just outside Newhaven on Saturday morning having made an early start.

The climb from Cuckmere Haven.

Hoping the ferry doesn't roll suddenly!

We arrived in Dieppe late on Saturday afternoon to be met by the Dieppe Cycling Club who were our hosts for this event, and for a chance to admire the glittering array of prizes to be awarded for excellence in the various categories after the rides the following day. We were welcomed by the president of the club and offered a glass of wine before repairing to our hotel.

Outside Dieppe Town Hall.

Sunday was wet. The Dieppe club had laid on a number of excellent routes including a 100km and a 150km, well waymarked with a refreshment stop halfway on the Avenue Vert, but they were alas unable to arrange decent weather. We took the easy option and rode for a couple of hours through constant rain before finding a cafe for elevenses. I think we were among the first to arrive, and found a free table to sit at, steaming amid the puddles of water forming around our feet. Not long afterwards a succession of others turned up. Unfazed, the staff conjured up further tables and chairs for them all, and were able to offer cafe cremes and beers while the windows steamed up. The cafe appeared to be the Sunday morning meeting place for the locals; if they minded the invasion they didn’t show it. I didn’t want to leave the warm fug for the cold and rain, but it had to be. The tour was titled “Tour des trois vallees” and I think we did visit each of the valleys. One of them carried the Avenue Vert, a cycle path on the route of an old railway, and being tarmac’d was a joy to ride.

Leaving cafe in Les Grandes Ventes.

After the riding, there was of course the prize giving. There was a prize for just about everything - we won the cup for the second largest UK contingent and Greg took it home proudly. It was a magnificent plastic trophy which I secretly wanted but was too cool to admit it.

Envermeu

Monday was fine, and we rode the same route but in reverse and in dry warm weather before boarding the evening ferry back to Newhaven and our B and B.

Foret du Hellet

Lunch break in Mesnieres-en-Bray.

On the Avenue Vert.

On Tuesday we had a leisurely ride back to Croydon, stopping as we always do for morning coffee, a few pints of excellent ale at lunchtime and tea and cake in the afternoon.

Waiting for ferry departure time.

Final view of Dieppe.

Recovery time on the ferry.

Angleterre emerges from the gloaming.

Preparing to disembark at Newhaven.

This was an excellent weekend and it was great to be welcomed to Dieppe as guests of the local cycling club. The UK contingent was organised by Caroline Street and the entry fee was a paltry £6. Most of my cycle trips involve getting to the start by car or public transport. Cycling from home made a welcome change. I will be back next year and thoroughly recommend it.

Heading for home through Sussex lanes.

Tilburstow Hill.

Almost home in Marden Park.

Further details at: Dieppe Tour