It's a day late but yesterday I did my first randonnée Marcel Jourde (mentioned up post somewhere). I was worried about bike acceptance before the day but really I didn't need to; there were even a few post-1987 bikes in the lot (including one of my clubmates). There was an interesting exhibition of old bikes and a bloke showing how, with a Penny in our part of the world, you can walk down hill as much as you can walk uphill.
The route option that I took was the 50km, which I reckoned about the limit with the gearing limitations of my Osgear. I had not reserved a meal and it was only when I got going that I discovered the ride was in two parts with lunch in between! Fortunately one of the two clubmates lives in the village and invited me back to lunch with him.
The circuit was what we call "selective", not to say "très selective"! The organisers had found all the steepest and most notorious climbs. I had been warned about this but had to take a chance on a 55" bottom gear (4.4m) being sufficient, lower not being possible. The big circuit seemed to be almost exclusively racers, all the ancient stuff and the fancy dress was on the 30km route. Nothing much to record about the ride, it went up and down on small bumpy roads and got very warm, - eventually! The bumps played havoc with my gear changing, resulting in my losing the chain 5 times during the day and my pump 4 times but otherwise a fine time was had by all. The nicest bike for us was an immaculate all chrome Pinarello, but it didn't get a prize.
I took a few photos (with my phone and not very good). The riders are at the ravito on the morning circuit
My clubmates discussing with the owner of the Pinarello, sorry I couldn't get more
Among the bikes in the exhibition was this 'bent from late 1930's (I think they came out in 1937). I had seen pictures before, it was nice to see one in the flesh. Ravat Véloriz made by Wonder in St Etienne
and this 1950's english trike (I think the make was Stringfellow but can't read my notes!) Supposed to be a racing model but with pressures, a 3speed Cyclo gear and a drum brake rhs rear I had my doubts