For the past 15 years it has become traditional for a group of Willesden CC club members to make the very enjoyable excursion to the annual “Semaine Fédérale” in France. This remarkable event is a week long celebration of cycling that attracts large numbers of cyclists. This year they are planning on around 8,000 participants to attend, the majority of which are from French cycling clubs, though each year the numbers making the trip from the UK has been gradually increasing
The “Semaine Fédérale” is impeccably organised by the FFCT (Fédération Française De Cyclotourisme) and this year will be the 85th year they have run this marvellous event. Each year it is staged in a different part of France and in 2024 it will be based in Roanne, a small town located on the banks of the Loire, just to the north west of Lyon. The event runs from 20th July through to 27th July 2024.
Over the course of the week there are seven days of riding. Each day’s ride takes you to a different part of the region. All the rides are marked with simple arrows pasted on to the kerbs or on the tarmac. Hard copy maps and GPX files are supplied, so you will never have an excuse for getting lost! Each day you have a choice of rides ranging in distance from 50-60km through to over 150kms. The rides are most definitely NOT races and there is no element of timing. You ride when you want and if you want!
Costs of the week long event are –
Semaine Fédéral Registration fee = €40
Repatriation insurance = €24 (refundable on proof of your own travel insurance)
Camping Pitch Costs (per week)
€37.00 for cars and camper vans under 8m in length
€74.00 for camper vans over 8m
Cost per person camping
€35.00 (aged over 18)
or
€17.00 (aged under 18)
Evening meals are available at the event’s HQ. These are simple, massed catered meals, this means the menu is fixed with no option for vegetarians or those with allergies/intolerances
Fri 19 July €15 per person
Sat 20 to Fri 26 July €22 per person
Gala meal Sat 27 July €40 per person
Though most of us enjoy the simplicity and conviviality of camping, you can arrange your own accommodation in a hotel, Gîte, AirB&B etc, however availability may be very limited
With regards to Route planning, Roanne offers a few different options for the ferry crossing to France. With some ports, the shortest route to Roanne will be via Paris, whilst other options avoid it. So here are the main options, with distance, time and routes calculated by Google –
Calais 700kms. 7.75hrs. Shortest route is via Paris.
Le Harve 600kms. 6.3 hrs Shortest route is via Paris.
Dieppe (option 1.) 590kms 6.5hrs Shortest route is via Paris.
Dieppe (Option 2.) 630kms 6.5 hrs but avoiding Paris
Caen 640kms 6.5 hrs Avoids Paris
Cherbourg 750 kms 7.5hrs Avoids Paris
St. Malo 680kms 7.0hrs Avoids Paris
We organise the week and keep in touch via a Whatsapp. If you would like to join this group then email at willesdencyclingclub@yahoo.co.uk
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