Pièce de résistance - definition: "A French phrase meaning a masterpiece or the most memorable accomplishment". Resistance - definition: "A force that tends to oppose or retard motion". During RCC's second Calais weekend both definitions came into play. Unlike the 2010 edition, our centrepiece rides on Saturday were gloriously sunny and calm yielding memories that will live with many forever. Sunday on the other hand started with glorious sunshine and speed but during the last turn for home (40miles in some cases) many had to dig deep into themselves to battle an unrelenting headwind. Here are some of the highlights and memories of a fabulous weekend.
First, we salute the Hotel Meurice in Calais. Mike O's amazing find 12 months ago and our 'home from home' for a second year continued to surpass expectations on all fronts. Great food, clean, friendly, superb value and a cracking Hotel Hound, Zeus, who was gentle all weekend apart from when he growled at John H for telling him (in English, doh) to go away! When reports from this trip get around there will be even greater numbers booking in for 2012 and maybe the hotel will order more beer after Leffe Geoffy Clifton and others reportedly drank them dry on Saturday night.
But on with the cycling tales… which began for some on home territory. Brian, Steve T and Stuart B all started their adventure with 70 miles from home to Folkestone for the Eurotunnel. Rupert and Phil also rode to Dover for the ferry. Cheryl and Terry racked up 40 miles and then train. Others loaded up as many bikes as cars would carry and took advantage of the superb value on the Eurotunnel. On arrival, to make up for petrol power the Houghtons, Ian T, Liz and posse went out to get acquainted with the environs for a first recce of the routes around Calais. First impressions: bon!
By 7pm, the underground car park was awash with Specialized, Van Nicholas, Pinarello, Tifosi, Roberts, Planet X etc but who had the willpower to stick to just one glass of beer/wine? Who would consider the long rides ahead the following day? Who would remember that 'races are won in bed'? Certainly not the 'old codger' crew who had already stumbled into a gay bar 'by accident' and then took root next to the Meurice beer taps. We have to assume that eventually everyone went to bed because the RCC shirts were out in impressive force over breakfast.
(Apologies that not everyone's in the headline photo. Due to ride splits, we were never all in one place with bikes).
The Saturday rides: Two rides. The classic Montreuil, Etaples, Boulogne, Cap Blanc Nez 97 miler with Mike O or the 57 miler alternative route with Frank. As Frank kindly offered the shorter ride both days, the report now splits in two. First the longer rides, then the shorter rides...
SATURDAY - MIKE'S RIDE
SATURDAY: The weather was perfect. Warm but not hot. A stiff breeze but not the wind of yesteryear. The breeze was blowing from the opposite direction to the one that savaged us on the return in 2010 so the first 25 miles out of Mike’s ride to the Samer coffee stop felt somewhat tougher and hillier than 2nd-yearers remembered. So much so that on arrival in Samer the large RCC queue that formed at the excellent patisserie opposite clearly alarmed of the patissiers and the locals. Martin spied the great St Honore cake. Like the Sydney Opera House but in pastry, fruit and cream. Mike ate it. The cream meant that we saw a Blanc Nez much earlier in the day than we expected. People bought whole Tartes. They were all eaten. Good job too!
Disciplined pelotons formed after the post-Samer climb to enjoy the heady rush of the undulating road to Montreuil, whizzing along the ridge for 10 or so miles, we pushed averages up to the 'very respectable' bracket. Then the descent and TT-esque section of carriageway before a cobbled climb to the photocall at the General Hague fountain.
One group went direct to the statue, the other decided on a spontaneous Tour Du Market Square... then we gathered to remark how the fountain - which wasn't working - looked more like an industrial accident than the oasis of last year. A chirpy local urchin relished the chance of being in the centre of the picture with such a well-turned out bunch and remained centre-stage (mid-horse) on one of the photos.
Back down the cobbles and a blast to Etaples for lunch al fresco. That road! Gorgeous. Smooth, quick... smiles blooming on every face. Well, until Martin’s sat nav looked to rob us of lunch and we turned back into town to bag seats at the same restaurant as last year. Warm (very warm in fact... it was humid enough to make the sweat levee break) but the food was again cracking and we even got to wave to the wedding party before heading off.
Brian suffered the only puncture of the day soon after lunch and the less scorchy bunch decided to push on knowing we'd be caught sooner or later with Rupert and Team Costello in pursuit. Onward to Boulogne via a very long section of cycle path. This year there were no 'seven hills' in Boulogne. The correct route took us alongside the estuary at pace before the long gentle climb that marked the start of the coast road. The wind was picking up but to help rather than hinder us... and no sleet!
A quick photo above the turquoise sea and huge beach then on to face the deux Caps… Gris Nez and Blanc Nez. One of the long drags out of Boulogne proved the ‘cracking point’ last year. This year, we ascended it cheerfully and onward with some 80 miles on the clock, for the very long climb to Gris Nez, the superb descent to Escalles and then the sight of the Blanc Nez zig zags. Again, a tough climb but one everyone relished. Clearly the sight of an annual hill climb the road is sprayed with ‘Allez Titi’ … it might as well have been Allez Charl, Phil and Rupert because it was at the top that they caught up having put in considerable higher speeds to reach us. Chapeau!
Next, the long downhill and flat through Wissant and Sangate to Calais. Were were all tired? Not a bit of it. The spirit was racing and everyone was on an 'end of ride' high. Combine this with the momentum from the descent and flat or slight downhill roads right through to Calais and it was a red(hill) rag to a bull.
The front peloton kept an average close to 22mph for the last eight miles - only slowed up when impeded by cars!
During the next 20 minutes everyone else swooshed into the Meurice underground garage/sauna with tales of their adventures on a truly great day of cycling. 97 miles
SATURDAY - FRANK'S RIDE
A very select group of nine left the Hotel at the civilised time of 9.45 heading south in the general direction of Montreuil. My plan was to head for a town called Desvres, stop for lunch and then reconsider our route.