Cæsarean Cycling Club

Randonnées

Bigaut 2002

Jean-François Rault 2002

Jean Franois Rault 2003

The rooms at the hotel might well have been designed with a Hobbit in mind but the excellent food more than made up for the lack of leg room and the surrounding area proved an excellent location for the more relaxed Club Runs on Thursday, Friday and Sunday morning.

The weather on the day of the event was ideal, with bright sunshine but cool temperatures. The gathering in the square at Callac was impressive and having squeezed in at the front the early pace was quick.

Peter Hubert, Mike Harris and Gary de Gruchy managed to latch onto one of the front groups and despite superhuman efforts to catch them Dave Mayman was forced to sit up for fear of blowing in the first 5 miles. Gary later tried (unsuccessfully) to apologise for not waiting for his two up partner beyond the sound of the start gun.

The course proved challenging with the organisers saving a couple of little gems for the last 25 miles, one in particular at 80 miles proving too steep for a lot of riders who were witnessed climbing off for fear of falling off.

Nevertheless good practice for Mike, Peter H, Peter G, Dave and Trevor for the forthcoming L’Etape du Tour and raising, yet again, the age old debate of double or triple?

The quick start contributed to excellent performances all round with the winning time of 3hr 51min not far in front of the (“I only cycle to keep fit and keep the weight off”) Gary De Gruchy in 4hr 8min with Peter H and Mike not far behind in 4hr 12min.

Dave, contemplating on what might have been, finished 5 minutes later followed by Simon, Dennis, Peter G, John and Trevor.

Torty and Norman tackled and enjoyed the slightly shorter but equally hilly 100km course, Norman was more than happy to complete the course with all skin attached after being knocked off in the earlier JF Rault in what only can be described as a “hit and run”,

All in all a fantastic day with everyone finishing their respective events and enjoying the experience. Certainly the cheering, music and general encouragement from the huge crowds along the route and especially in the towns will remain an enduring memory.

Before the return trip on Sunday Mike Stevenson again provided a relaxed tour of the area before the mandatory beer (and coffee) stop. Here we see the early risers very happy to be off the saddle for ten minutes.

The entire party stopped for lunch in Lamballe on the return trip to St Malo taking the opportunity to check out a new hotel for the 2004 Jean Francois Rault. If the reaction of those present (accommodation and food) is anything to go by the 2004 trip will be popular so book early.

160km Event
Gary de Gruchy	4 hours 8 minutes
Peter Hubert	4:12
Mike Harris	4:12
Dave Mayman	4:17
Simon Fenton	4:25
Dennis Rainbow	4:35
Peter Glendewar	5:01
John Gage
Trevor Bertram	5:56
100km Event
Torty Hubert
Norman Clayton