This looks ace, but I'm cycling Paris - London that weekend. I have, however been working out where we'll be and *if* I can detour to do a sprint en route
Just got back from sunny France. Nearly didn't thanks to some fecking twat in a 205 who doesn't know what the stop line means in Ardres. I mean, how hard is it to see a six foot three fecking wasp on a bike??? My lucky six inches again!
Anyway, earlier, we passed by the new venue at Gravelines. It's large, looks brand new, in a fabulous location and the lake effectively joins the motorway at the south end of the town with the A road above it. Just short of Dunkirk, which has plenty going on and loads of shops. About twenty mins drive from Calais. I couldn't get in to the venue though, as I was only the passenger in the car and they had detoured so I could take a shufty.
The surrounding roads are lovely and smooth and mostly....drivers are bike considerate. Hills are non existent, but quite a few shortish drags up to a couple of miles or so which sap a bit? I could get up seated but puffing a bit on a Cross bike single speed 42/17 (or was it 18). Just checked Garmin, 100M a mile for 3 miles was the worst (any mathematicians?), Just worked it out, 6.25% (didn't feel like it).
Roads are wide and at least one side of the lake is at least partially protected from the wind by a massive earth wall tens of feet high. It can get a bit breezy though with a constant blow going seemingly all the time across very unprotected roads, mostly surrounded by flat fields and no trees.
ta for the info Dusty - sounds good. the wind is something that we can do bugger all about - it's pretty flat around that part of Northern France, much like it is around the Romney Marshes where the Marshman tri is help so if you want to get an event in that's similar to Chtriman, then do Marshman - start the season with a 1/2 and finish it with a 1/2!!!
on another note, I've heard back from the organisers on the date for next year - it's Sunday 1st September so not the Bank Holiday w/e which is the weekend before. that may pose problems for some as I guess the 2nd is 1st day back at school for those with kids.
so those who are interested, stick that date in your diary and let's get a good turnout at this one
ta for the info Dusty - sounds good. the wind is something that we can do bugger all about - it's pretty flat around that part of Northern France, much like it is around the Romney Marshes where the Marshman tri is help so if you want to get an event in that's similar to Chtriman, then do Marshman - start the season with a 1/2 and finish it with a 1/2!!!
on another note, I've heard back from the organisers on the date for next year - it's Sunday 1st September so not the Bank Holiday w/e which is the weekend before. that may pose problems for some as I guess the 2nd is 1st day back at school for those with kids
arse!! and those who have just booked the weekend off !!!
Just to add, there is a French equivalent of a trevelodge 5 mins away, can't think of their name. We stayed at camping bien assise in Guines, about 15 mins away by car. Lovely site, tents, tourers and static 2 bed 7 sleeper vans. Very well maintained, excellent communal showers and loos, on site shop, bar with food, plus the posh restaurant, Le Ferme Gourmande also on site. BAR onsite I said, as in Bar. Mini golf, 18M covered pool, mini gym, ideal for kids. Plus a bar, They do lodges as well. Would deffo go back anyway.
Yes, Wilkie, they do. They are incredibly small. But as we are all friends here, when you stand up to get off the bog, you head butt the door, which invariably flies open into the living room, the locks are little plastic clips.
As for the caravan shower, with my head jammed against one corner, my arse against the other corner diagonally opposite and my knees jammed in the corner below my head, I still couldn't get down to pick up the shower gel off the floor.
Yes, that's the loo indeed. But don't be put off by that. The wash block was absolutely fine, clean, tidy, hot water, and I am a fussy bugger. My wife found the shower fine, if the temperature was a little erratic.
They don't serve anybody, they're French, they just look at you blankly, shrug their shoulders and get on with whatever they are doing. Actually, I dunno, Mrs DB gave me a 20 earoles note at the beginning of the week for flash cash and it's still in my wallet.
However, the V2 site actually left me speechless in awe. And until a week ago, I'd never hard of the V3 programme. So. lots to do there as well.
All Nazi terror weapons. V1, Buzz bomb, doodlebug etc, V2 = big rocket, forerunner of Saturn 5 moon rocket, V3 = multi stage gun, never saw service, bombed by the RAF.
It was the way in which you phrased it actually 'Old boy'! Because we were talking about the new Triathlon site I thought it was some euphemism for one of the dodgy internet sites you visit!!
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Just got back from sunny France. Nearly didn't thanks to some fecking twat in a 205 who doesn't know what the stop line means in Ardres. I mean, how hard is it to see a six foot three fecking wasp on a bike??? My lucky six inches again!
Anyway, earlier, we passed by the new venue at Gravelines. It's large, looks brand new, in a fabulous location and the lake effectively joins the motorway at the south end of the town with the A road above it. Just short of Dunkirk, which has plenty going on and loads of shops. About twenty mins drive from Calais. I couldn't get in to the venue though, as I was only the passenger in the car and they had detoured so I could take a shufty.
The surrounding roads are lovely and smooth and mostly....drivers are bike considerate. Hills are non existent, but quite a few shortish drags up to a couple of miles or so which sap a bit? I could get up seated but puffing a bit on a Cross bike single speed 42/17 (or was it 18). Just checked Garmin, 100M a mile for 3 miles was the worst (any mathematicians?), Just worked it out, 6.25% (didn't feel like it).
Roads are wide and at least one side of the lake is at least partially protected from the wind by a massive earth wall tens of feet high. It can get a bit breezy though with a constant blow going seemingly all the time across very unprotected roads, mostly surrounded by flat fields and no trees.
In short, looks good. IMO.
PS, what does "pas de mincer" mean?
ta for the info Dusty - sounds good. the wind is something that we can do bugger all about - it's pretty flat around that part of Northern France, much like it is around the Romney Marshes where the Marshman tri is help so if you want to get an event in that's similar to Chtriman, then do Marshman - start the season with a 1/2 and finish it with a 1/2!!!
on another note, I've heard back from the organisers on the date for next year - it's Sunday 1st September so not the Bank Holiday w/e which is the weekend before. that may pose problems for some as I guess the 2nd is 1st day back at school for those with kids.
so those who are interested, stick that date in your diary and let's get a good turnout at this one
arse!! and those who have just booked the weekend off !!!
then you'll just have to change it to the correct weekend. non??
If I can, Oui
Just to add, there is a French equivalent of a trevelodge 5 mins away, can't think of their name. We stayed at camping bien assise in Guines, about 15 mins away by car. Lovely site, tents, tourers and static 2 bed 7 sleeper vans. Very well maintained, excellent communal showers and loos, on site shop, bar with food, plus the posh restaurant, Le Ferme Gourmande also on site. BAR onsite I said, as in Bar. Mini golf, 18M covered pool, mini gym, ideal for kids. Plus a bar, They do lodges as well. Would deffo go back anyway.
Did I mention the bar?
Non, non, non....
Don't those static things have toilets in them?
Yes, Wilkie, they do. They are incredibly small. But as we are all friends here, when you stand up to get off the bog, you head butt the door, which invariably flies open into the living room, the locks are little plastic clips.
As for the caravan shower, with my head jammed against one corner, my arse against the other corner diagonally opposite and my knees jammed in the corner below my head, I still couldn't get down to pick up the shower gel off the floor.
If you are less than 6 foot, you might manage it.
Ah. Sounds like the toilet in an hotel I stayed in once.
If you managed to close the door behind you and turn round, when you sat down your knees would hit the back of the door.
Le Travelodge, peut-etre....
Yes, that's the loo indeed. But don't be put off by that. The wash block was absolutely fine, clean, tidy, hot water, and I am a fussy bugger. My wife found the shower fine, if the temperature was a little erratic.
I always, but always, have to pee in the middle of the night.
I prefer not to have put some clothes on and go outside in order to do so
It's fine for a wee, and a poo, just a bit cramped getting up and down.
Enough about that Dusty, does the bar serve London Pride?
They don't serve anybody, they're French, they just look at you blankly, shrug their shoulders and get on with whatever they are doing. Actually, I dunno, Mrs DB gave me a 20 earoles note at the beginning of the week for flash cash and it's still in my wallet.
However, the V2 site actually left me speechless in awe. And until a week ago, I'd never hard of the V3 programme. So. lots to do there as well.
V2? V3?
All Nazi terror weapons. V1, Buzz bomb, doodlebug etc, V2 = big rocket, forerunner of Saturn 5 moon rocket, V3 = multi stage gun, never saw service, bombed by the RAF.
Honestly, kids know nothing these days...
Sigh.
The youth of today.... V2
It was the way in which you phrased it actually 'Old boy'! Because we were talking about the new Triathlon site I thought it was some euphemism for one of the dodgy internet sites you visit!!
Oh, I see Wilkie goes there too!!
A man with a flashing red codpiece thinks that I visit dodgy internet sites?
Oh - is that a codpiece?
I thought he'd been on his bike too long!
(Deep film voice)
"For men who like their nuts RAW!! Coming to a cinema near you"
Starring the infamous Dustboy!!
Yes Wilkie, I'm slow on the bike as well as the run! But I can swim!!
Think I might be interested in this one (the half not the long) but it's a long way off yet - still, I've marked the date on my calendar.