This weekend saw London Phoenix send a 10 man squad to Le Ch’ti Tour. This hidden gem is quite possibly the best organised and most exciting ‘cyclo-sportif’ in northern europe – but the first thing to realise is that it isn’t a ’sportive’ and that the entry cost includes unlimited beer!

Le Ch’ti Tour is actually a two-day event with a 168km road race on the Saturday, and a gentler family-orientated sportive on the Sunday. Both days start in beautiful ‘Classics’ country just north of Lille, and the routes cross the French and Belgium border numerous times.

Saturday’s 168km race began with a 3km neutralised start and featured rolling road closures, motor cycle escorts and five hundred fully committed club riders and a sprinkling of ex-pros and former Tour riders. The speed from the off was full-on and when splits started to appear as we hit the first climbs new groups would quickly organise themselves for the chase, so the momentum was never lost.

The deeply rural countryside was beautiful and in the small villages old women and young children would wave us through, while at the feed zones waiting helpers held up drinks and food for us and wished us “bon courage” as we flashed past – the only thing that was missing was the sound of the TV helicopters buzzing overhead.

And as if the epic racing wasn’t enough the cost of entry included a fantastic post race lunch and prize giving ceremony with live music and as much Duval beer as we could drink. This truly was cycling heaven.

Sunday was a much more sedate affair (especially for those that had explored Lille’s fascinating ‘cultural’ quarter the evening before), with a 50km, 80km and 130km sportif on offer, as well as a hugely popular MTB event and a family ride.

The day once again started and finished at the beautiful Pres du Hem Park and featured another massive lunch, a prize giving ceremony and, yes, more unlimited beer….

Based just out of Lille Le Ch’ti Tour is incredibly easy to get to and Lille itself is a great place to stay, with a really vibrant city centre and loads of bars and restaurants to while away your time. We will without a doubt be back again next year….

Do any of the following sound like a great way to spend a Bank Holiday weekend?

• A 168km road race
• Through stunning French and Belgium countryside
• On closed roads
• With motorcycle escorts
• As much beer as you can drink
• Beautiful French women who are also national road and cyclo-cross champions inviting you to their training camps
• Understanding French husbands

If you found yourself murming ‘yes’ to any of the above then you should click here to find out more about our weekend spent at Le Ch’ti Tour…

Often mistaken for members of a not to be named girl band, LP’s very own fearsome threesome scored big this weekend with an excellent podium finish at the ‘Brighton Big Dog’, one of THE highlights of the MTB calendar.

For the true story of how they got on, click here.

On a perfect sunny Sunday afternoon, nine girls (plus two boys) met up for a ride in the Hertfordshire lanes. Organised by Liz, five of us set off from Enfield, picking up 6 more 25km later at Hertford train station. Then it was on to a 60km round trip back to Hertford including a tea and cake stop at the cycle friendly Emily’s Tea Room near Hitchin, and some bemused looks from some of the old boys we passed along the way. Everyone chatted away and as we rolled into Enfield some 5 hours later spirits were high.

Thanks to Liz for organising the day – we definitely put on a good show for the girls. And thanks to the boys for providing full technical support.

Watch this space for more dates to be posted soon.

A flame of London Phoenixes took over the historic velodrome at Herne Hill this weekend, and in perfect conditions we got to grips with the wonders of riding fixed. Or rather most of us did. In an unfortunate incident during the practice session cyclo cross specialist Kevin Carter got distracted by the view from the top of the banking and forgot to keep peddling, and was promptly catapulted off his bike and into the back of an ambulance (get well soon Kevin).

The rest of the session passed without further incident but with much drama, with Alex Christians, Nathan Smith, Robert Moore and Annabel Rootes showing their class and tactical nous and winning a series of hard fought races. The varied format and easy going atmosphere proved a real hit and plans are already being made for more track days in 2010, so cheers Alex for having made it all happen.

We’re running another women’s ride on Sunday 23rd August – if you have a road bike and feel reasonably confident you can ride 50km, why not join us?

To find out more, click here

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