D-Day Ride

Cycle-touring, Expeditions, Adventures, Major cycle routes NOT LeJoG (see other special board)
Post Reply
groberts
Posts: 588
Joined: 27 Apr 2009, 4:15pm
Location: Surrey
Contact:

D-Day Ride

Post by groberts »

On this day 9-years ago I completed my tour of the D-Day beaches in Normandy, France. It was an interesting and at times very moving trip, especially on 6th June and I just wanted to record my experience and thoughts here today 6th June. The story of my ride can be found here on my blog:

https://roundthebendpart1.wordpress.com ... june-2010/

It would be interesting to hear from others who have toured this area and their experiences.
User avatar
Mick F
Spambuster
Posts: 56359
Joined: 7 Jan 2007, 11:24am
Location: Tamar Valley, Cornwall

Re: D-Day Ride

Post by Mick F »

Here's my Mercian at Arromanches in the 1980s when we were in Caan with HMS Sirius. I took a ride-out one day and visited the Bayeux Tapestry and the Normandy beaches.
Arromanches.jpg
Mick F. Cornwall
ubert767
Posts: 139
Joined: 4 Aug 2013, 8:16pm

Re: D-Day Ride

Post by ubert767 »

I very recently returned from a pilgrimage to visit the landing site (Ranville) where my father covertly dropped with the "Pathfinders" (22nd Independent Parachute Company) on the eve of the D-Day landings. Their mission was to place radio beacons and landing lights to guide in the Airbourne assault and then to assist in the taking of the Merville gun battery.
Followed was a very enjoyable ride back to Cherbourg via the landing beaches, the French were putting on a good show of their appreciation.
To stand alone in the graveyards of Ranville and Bayeaux was a very moving experience!
Attachments
IMG_20190514_103847689.jpg
simonhill
Posts: 5227
Joined: 13 Jan 2007, 11:28am
Location: Essex

Re: D-Day Ride

Post by simonhill »

Not a purely cycling story, but.........

In 1989 myself and 2 friends made a trip to France to join in the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution. We were in an old VW campervan, with early MTBs on the back. We visited Suisse Normandy and had a jolly time with bikes and hired canoes. We also took part in the local towns celebrations, the highlight of which was a large open air sit down meal attended by most of the population.

On the way back to Ouistreham, I wanted to call in to see the Pegasus Bridge. My friends weren't keen, but I was driving. As luck would have it, we turned up just as Major John Howard was entertaining a tour group in the 'first liberated cafe'. The old lady patroness was also there. A bit of pure serendipity and even my friends were impressed.
ubert767
Posts: 139
Joined: 4 Aug 2013, 8:16pm

Re: D-Day Ride

Post by ubert767 »

Hello Simon,
The Café Gondrée of your story, an interesting museum in its own right.
Attachments
IMG_20190514_164312571.jpg
Post Reply