Seventeen members of the South Western Road Club and a few friends from neighbouring clubs met in a small hotel just outside Nancy, France, to take part in the annual Fleche Lorraine randonnee.

Determined not to be overwhelmed by bad weather they joined other entrants at the start in the town. Although some were still determined to aim for a fast time in the 200km (125 mile) event, others had elected merely to ride and finish as a group. One or two chose to ride the shorter 100km (62.5 mile) course.

Spirits were dampened again when the refreshment stop turned out to have been withdrawn. The next feed, when it came (at 90 miles), was a most welcome slight to the riders. The last feed stop was just before the ninth of the 10 big climbs of the day. The fastest overall time in the event was achieved by an Irishman (his friend coming second) riding for the French team of Moselle Champ in 5 hr 8 mins. The fastest South Western rider was Ken Dolman who came in 140th in 5 hr 58 mins followed by Ian Maylin at 202nd (6 hr 23 min), John Harris at 213th (same time) and Sabin Gaztelua came 234th. The rest of the club all finished, but were further down the field.

Anyone wishing to join the club, or try one of the weekly club runs, should contact the General Secretary, Ray Watson on 0181 397 7743.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.