Do the halcyon days of cycling years gone by – of woolen jerseys, leather shoes and hairnet helmets – make you long for a chance to relive those sepia-toned memories?
Then dust off your Mercier 300 or get polishing your Reynolds 501, get out your best vintage kit and mark your diaries for the fourth Anjou Vélo Vintage, which returns to Saumur, France, in 2014.
Having attracted 2,650 participants and 20,000 visitors (RCUK included) last year, the event – organized by the Maine-et-Loire Departmental Council – returns to the picturesque French setting on Saturday June 28 and Sunday June 29.
A leading attraction for lovers of bicycles and vintage cyclewear, members of the public were joined Saumur at last year’s event by legends including 1980 Tour de France winner Joop Zoetemelk – complete with his yellow jersey.
‘The eternal second’ Raymond Poulidor, two-time Tour champion Bernard Thevenet and former Peugeot directeur sportif Roger Legeay were also among last year’s championnes de legend.
Attracting participants from more than 20 different countries, riders were treated to three circuits taking in the Loire valley, chateaux and vineyards.
The weekend festival also hosted attractions including a vintage barbers, retro memorabilia, a museum and a Lindy Hop dance.
And the 2014 come with the promise of new circuits, a retro show and ‘lots of surprises’.
For more information visit www.anjou-velo-vintage.com or read our report of the 2013 event.
