Montesson to Thame à vélo !

IN a ‘first’ for Thame.Net, editor Sonja Francis’s French equivalent in Thame’s twin town of Montesson, has contributed a news story about four intrepid cyclists who have challenged themselves to cycle from Montesson to Thame, to arrive here on Friday, May 8. Here is a preview of an article by Jehan-Jacques Peyre, to be published in the Courrier des Yvelines.

The Mayor of Montesson. and friends of the Montesson cyclists, give them a fitting ‘send off’ for their 495 km, two-wheeled trek to Thame

FOUR Montessonnais left on Sunday to cycle in six days, to the English town of Thame, twinned with Montesson, France. Despite the pouring rain, it was with radiant smiles that they took to the road that will lead them to Oxfordshire on Friday, where the Thame Twinning Committee are preparing a reception for a Montesson delegation of 40, arriving by coach, to spend the weekend from May 8 to 10.

The cyclists’ departure took place in the presence of the Mayor of Montesson, who had come back from holiday for the occasion, the Montesson Twinning Committee President, Anne Gillet and Michel Cojean, responsible for over-seeing the France part of the cyclists’ journey.

“We’ll take the Green Avenue,” explained Elisabeth Charriere, Member of the Twinning Committee, who organized this trek. She told us: “I have ridden my bike since childhood, and I prefer the bike to the car as a means of local transport. I also walk during the day, and I have done two tours of two days on the banks of the Loire. Thame to Montesson is my first long cycle trek!

“When the Green Avenue was opened for the London Olympics, I wanted to make this trip. To be twinned with Thame is a great motivation, without the worry about the journey back, since we will come back by coach. I had hoped to bring together a larger group, but I’m very happy to leave with three other people who are really motivated.”

The brave cyclists left Montesson last Friday morning. The first day went well, with a little rain in the morning but with wind and sun in the afternoon. They arrived safely at Villarceaux, their first stage of the journey. On Saturday, the four cyclists made their way to Forges les Eaux.

These breakaway companions all seemed very enthusiastic at the beginning. Originally from New York, Michael Gitlin, has lived in Montesson for four years and was pleased to take this opportunity to see and enjoy the two countries ‘at ground level’. For his part, Jean-Pierre Ollivierr regularly goes hiking and biking, but was seduced by this long bike ride, a first for him. Finally, Bernard Dauvergnies, Councillor of Evecquemont, a community in the Montesson area, who brings to the group his very British humour.

Their journey will follow the route of the Green Avenue, known as the “Paris-London”. It is approximately 400km of dedicated bike paths and small roads, which will allow the group to cross the area of the Seine that inspired the Impressionist paintings, then the Oise Valley and finally Normandy, before moving to England by ferry to Newhaven. They will then ride through the English countryside to Thame.

NB This article has kindly been translated with the help of Stephanie Provost from ‘Frenchip’ in Thame. Contact : 07989387171