The club is planning to organise a weekend trip to France at the end of September/beginning of October, taking the Friday evening ferry across from Portsmouth to St Malo, arriving early on Saturday morning. An outline route follows the coast eastbound before turning inland and heading up for an overnight stay in Vire. On the Sunday the route goes via Caen down to the coast and the return ferry from Ouistreham. Full details are as follows:
Fri 30 Sep – Depart Portsmouth 2015. Cost £88 for 2 people, plus £65 for a twin berth cabin
Sat 1 Oct – Arrive St Malo 0815. Ride to Vire. Distance approx 120km, with approx 1,000m of climbing. Stay overnight in Vire. Potential hotel accommodation in the Hôtel Saint-Pierre at approx €68 for a twin/double room
Sun 2 Oct – Cycle to the coast via Caen (and hopefully the Café Gondree at Pegasus Bridge, for D-Day aficionados). Distance 80km, with approx 750m of climbing. Catch the 1630 ferry to Portsmouth, arriving 2115
Anyone interested in going is requested to contact Richard Pethybridge (07875 456521 or pethybridgera@yahoo.co.uk) as soon as possible so that he can make an assessment of feasibility. At this stage no decision has been made regarding centralised booking of hotel or ferry, but if confirmed numbers are sufficient this option will be explored. Accommodation is limited, and early responses would be much appreciated.
The previous weekend might also be an option, so please could you let me know which weekend would be your preference.
Outline routes are as follows for those interested:
CTC France plan draft – day 1
114.6 km, +1069 m. Starts in Saint-Malo, Bretagne
CTC France draft – day 2
78.0 km, +757 m. Starts in Vire-Normandie, Basse-Normandie
The hotel option is as follows:
Hôtel Saint-Pierre
