There were around sixty of them leaving Bordeaux on Sunday for the start of their action, around ten on Monday for a long stage of 110 kilometers between Libourne (Gironde) and Périgueux (Dordogne).
And since then, they have continued their journey.
In all, more than 160 cyclists and hikers are participating in a festive caravan until March 2 to reach Lyon (Rhône).
“We follow the route of the Bordeaux-Lyon line, closed in 2014 by the SNCF, stopping at each station,” explains Eric Tratz, member of the Friends of Railcoop which brings together supporters and members of the first railway cooperative in Europe .
Railcoop has set itself the objective of relaunching this line.
For the moment no subsidy for its realization
Banners and signs adorn the bicycles which are frequently joined, “for around ten kilometers, by curious people who want to discover the project”, smiles Eric Tratz.
Discussion times are also planned along the route.
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The first, in Bordeaux, was full.
“A valuable enthusiasm”, greet the friends of Railcoop whose project is threatened.
“With 15,000 members, we have raised 10 million euros but we are still missing 30,” recalls Eric Tratz who regrets “the reluctance of the regions to invest in the project, that of the banks, but also the inaction of the State while the Limoges-Lyon airline is highly subsidized, all to transport 10 passengers/flight.
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The countdown is on, to save Railcoop, placed in receivership in October 2023, whose fate must be pronounced in mid-March by the Cahors commercial court.