Some of you will know of my interest in old “British” bikes. I did a short press report for “Classic Motorcycle” on my return from a trip to France. I hope you lads and lasses, on your modern steeds, will find it interesting.

The thought of biking in the Pyrenees mountains would be an adventure. The thought of riding a 43 year old classic Velocette maybe foolhardy. The opportunity to try came with the inaugural tour of Velo-Tours de France.

The whole thing came about when a self confessed Velocette nut combined his love of old Velos and his love of sunshine. The man in question was Steve Eade. The result of his efforts was Velo-Tours de France

I was privileged with Chris Grover and Laurie Flowers, to be invited on the first tour. We flew to Perpingnan in the far South of France next to the Mediterranean on Thursday 13th September. We collected our bikes on Friday morning and were away.

The first day started with getting the feel of the bikes, the roads and the area. Laurie Flowers runs a Fireblade in the UK but had no trouble getting used to the controls on the Venom. After a short familiarization, we followed Steve up into the hills for a first view of the beautiful area in which we were to tour. The views were fantastic and the day nice and warm; the bends followed one after the other, motorcycling bliss. The second day, Saturday, Steve promised us the Ride of Our Lives, along the coast road to Spain. A combination of dramatic but safe cliff roads, sandy beaches and small towns along the way. At Cerebe, the last town before Spain, we stopped for lunch and quenched our thirst in a café on the coast road. It was just superb. Interest in the old Velos was continuous. One group of admirers were Canadian cyclists who had ridden the length of the Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. Some who were originally from the UK, had owned old British bikes. Sunday was the longest and most challenging day. After a meeting with local French bikers we went higher and longer than previously. We had lunch at a medieval town called Castlenou where Chris Grover had the largest steak I have ever seen, (he had to share).

The tour was great. The bike which I used, a 1958 MAC (350cc Single developing 18 bhp) never missed a beat, but made the odd puff of smoke -well actually laid down a blue smoke screen- up the steepest hills.

A great tour in good company. Good luck Steve for a great idea. As they say , don’t knock it until you’ve tried it

Jeff Cooper

(If you want further information on Velo-Tours de France Steve can be

contacted on 0033 468 225902 or Mobile 0033 677 107079

www.velo-tours.corn Email ve1otours@hotrnai1.com