Three days by bike, with local stops between AOP du Perche cider, crafts and manor houses, all in a festive atmosphere that ranges from a taste for effort to a weekend with friends.
The Mad Jacques Vélo Perche will leave from La Loupe (Eure-et-Loir) on April 12, 2024.
Through a country of sunken paths, classified forests and small towns of character on portions of the Véloscénie, the iconic cycle route between Paris and Mont-Saint-Michel, hundreds of “friends” on bikes will explore this territory at horse between Orne and Eure-et-Loir.
“Mad Jacques is a roaming adventure,” says co-organizer Vincent Drye.
The objective is always the same, it is to arrive in a small village, in the heart of a region and to experience a party with the local people upon arrival.”
An independent cycling adventure
Classified oaks, typical villages and a lunch break on the church square await cycle tourists on the first day before a first night in bivouac.
“It’s a great first experience to discover cycling while roaming.
The majority of participants come with their tent.
It’s a magical feeling of freedom to say that you can go to the ends of the world with your bike,” insists the man who brings together 600 to 800 cyclists at each event.
After the Perche on Friday, it's time for the Plaine de Beauce on Saturday to head straight towards Illiers-Combray.
A year of work upstream was necessary to imagine the route.
“We rely on local people to carry out our adventures.
Here, the departments of Orne, Eure-et-Loir, the tourist offices and the various municipalities were our relays,” recalls Vincent Drye.
The challenge for the territories is to discover the region and all these specialties, because “on average 43% of participants return to the destination in the twelve months following the event” welcomes the organizer.
Groovy disco evening at Proust’s
After the effort, comfort for eccentric cyclists and time for a big party, a clever mix between the village fair and a disco-groovy evening with concerts, a mini-bike race, wooden games or a brass band on the program. .
“Everyone can participate, not just adventurers: it’s very festive,” assures the outdoor lover.
It’s an adventure that brings people together.
There are Parisians, but it’s often a beautiful melting pot on the village square.”
The adventure will end around local producers with a market on Sunday.
The opportunity to leave Eure-et-Loir with lots of good products and memories in mind.
Last good reason to register: Who can still live in France
without having
“slapped a kiss to a bizouin, resident of Bizou (Orne)”?