Dieppe Raid Cycling
Organised annually since 1972

 

News Updates

9th October 2011 - Neville Chanin Information
Please be aware of the new link at the top of each page. It provides more information about Neville. I published it a few weeks ago but forgot to make a note of it on this page. oops!
 
8th September 2011 - Neville Chanin Exhibition
The recent Cycle magazine reported that there is a small exhibition of some of Neville's memorabilia at the museum in Stroud, Glos. Click here for exhibition information and details - select the "Exhibition: Bite Size" option. Glen and I went along to view the exhibits last Saturday. They brought back a few memories!!

The exhibition started on 18th June and has been extended to finish on 2nd October 2011
8th September 2011 - More comments from this year's event
... just to say thank you for organising this event which my colleague and I thoroughly enjoyed.
Kind regards Ken Worpole
This year was my second Dieppe Tour and I'm already looking forward to the 2012 event. Thank you for all your hard work and organisation on this side of the channel. It really is a very enjoyable and worthwhile event.
Best Regards Adrian Cowie
 
1st July 2011 - Confirmed dates for 2012
Dieppe CDC have advised that the event will be held on the weekend of 23rd / 24th June next year. Book the date in your diaries now to avoid disappointment. We rarely know this far in advance. The other good news is that it won't clash with Le Mans so the ferry company should be happy too.
 
21st June 2011 - Comments from 2011 event
This was my first Dieppe Raid, what a lovely event in such pleasent surroundings, I will most certainly be back. Many thanks for organising this classic.
Regards, Tony Hopkins
A note of thanks for your hard work in making the annual visit to Dieppe such a success. See you next year.
best wishes Patrick Fallon
Just a quick note to say many thanks for organising the weekend. All your work was much appreciated. Already looking forward to the next one. We have all vowed to get an earlier night next year (4am was a bit late!) and, maybe, try one of the longer rides.
Regards Russell Mead
Thanks so much for a great weekend - we loved it and already talking about doing the 140km next year.
Thanks so much for organising such a great event - I can only begin to imagine how much work it was and you should be congratulated on a brilliant weekend.
Thanks again Julie Dinwoodie
I just wanted to say thank you for a wonderful weekend, and all the hard work that obviously went into it. All the people I met (including my own group the Wayfarers) had a great time and many of us used it as a spur for a longer trip which was equally enjoyable. It was my first time on the Raid and I was very impressed by the contributions of both Brits and French (not to mention the great cycling countryside near Dieppe).

Thank you for your contribution to organising it, and if you will please pass on our thanks to the CDC members and other French contributors, as well as the others on this side of the channel who helped make it such a success.

I am now looking forward eagerly to next year's event!
All the best, Simon Lambourn
Thanks for organizing another successful weekend which in the main avoided the downpours in the UK.
Our new translator coped well considering the few technical hiccups. As mentioned before I will always be happy to step back in to help if required
Paul Coan
Thank you for your contribution to another well organised event and I am sorry that the presentation was marred by the PA system over which you obviously had no control.
Yours sincerely, Ray Dare
 
29th June 2011 - Event 11th - 13th June 2011 - 40th Anniversary!
The 40th anniversary of this event proved to be another successful weekend. Numbers continue to be down but the weak pound is a contributing factor to this. Of the 155 entrants this year, 39 had not attended the event before and many of these had never previously visited France by bicycle. Reports back from everyone so far have been good.

The weather was kind to us - just a few drops of rain threatening the rides during the afternoon, but they never came to anything. At the awards presentations we picked up a number of trophies, as usual.

A representative of the Mayor advised that they have been working with Transmanche Ferries to try to secure a better travel rate for us for next year's event. This would be really good but we must wait and see.

Thank you to everyone for coming along and enjoying the weekend. Special thanks go to John Poulter for undertaking the translations of the French speeches for us and our french friends at Dieppe Cycling Club. Also heart felt thanks to Michael and Mo Bedford for once again taking on the organisation of the Sunday evening meal. All the reports indicated that you had a really excellent meal. Also, thanks to Ann and Bernard Daws for assisting at the meal by checking people in.
 
25th February 2011 - Ferry bookings
I have just been advised by the Mayor's office in Dieppe that Transmanche are now allowing travel bookings to be made for the usual Saturday morning ferry. Please let me know if you experience any difficulties and I'll see what I can do. Apologies that this information seems to keep changing. As mentioned before, travel bookings on this ferry must be made before 25th March. I understand that 39 of the 80 places have been booked to date.
 
25th February 2011 - Accommodation
I have been sent an email from Hotel les Galets in Dieppe with accommodation details. They are offering a reduction for groups over 20 people but their prices look quite competitive. I have not stayed there so including their information should not be taken as a recommendation. The Hotel is situated about 50m from the beach in the town centre. There are secure facilities for the cycles. Please contact them direct if you wish to book. They have requested reservations be made by 7th March.
 
31st January 2011 - Friendship Ride 2011
A date for your diaries. This year the Friendship Ride will be held on the weekend of 10 - 11th September.
 
26th January 2011 - Entry Form for 2011
The Entry Form for 2011 is now available on the entry form page.
 
26th January 2011 - Travel arrangements for 2011
This year it has not been possible to secure group ferry tickets so it will be necessary for everyone to make their own bookings direct with the ferry companies. Normally there is a restriction on the number of cyclists able to travel on each ferry with Transmanche Ferries (Newhaven - Dieppe route); we have managed to arrange for this to be increased to 90 cyclists on the Saturday morning (11th June) and for 80 cyclists returning on 13th June (the remaining 10 places are reserved for cyclists who may require a 5-day ticket). They have requested that bookings be made between 7th March and 25th March. If you are travelling on another route then you can book your travel as soon as you wish. However, please adhere to the 25th March deadline on the Newhaven route as otherwise it is unlikely that you will be able to book. Please bear this in mind when making your arrangements. Also be aware that there is no fixed price for these tickets (unlike the old group tickets) so check the price carefully before making your reservation.

Click here to access the Transmanche Ferry booking screen.

Naturally some of you may opt to travel from another port and then make your way to Dieppe by car or cycle. As we no longer need to travel on the group ticket, Glen and I intend to travel from Portsmouth to Le Havre and then cycle to Dieppe. The Information sheet we issue will provide full details of the arrangements for the weekend.

Click here to access the LD Lines booking screen.

Cyclists without access to the internet should either contact Transmanche by telephone or visit their offices in Newhaven to arrange ticket purchase.

If you experience difficulties booking travel then I would be interested to know. If it appears that Transmanche are not honouring their agreement to carry 90 cycling passengers on the Saturday morning then I may need to follow it up with Dieppe. Similarly if the prices sound very high then please contact me. At current costs I would anticipate the fare being in the region of £35-40.
 
18th January 2011 - Confirmed dates for 2011
I can confirm that the Dieppe Raid will be held on Sunday 12th June 2011.
 
27th July 2010 - Friendship Ride September 2010
Are you free on Sunday 5th September and ready for a fun day out? Come and join the Entente Cordiale when Cyclists from 4 French clubs come to ride the beautiful Sussex lanes in the Friendship 2010 event organized by the East Sussex D.A. and the 21st Century Airports Cycling Team. The French are making a full weekend of it but the official event over 60 or 100km starts from the Alfriston Youth Hostel at 9.00am on Sunday returning there for tea, cakes and prize giving at around 4.30 pm. Always a very sociable and fun day out, please come along and keep our French colleagues company. If you want to meet the French for lunch and a ride out on Saturday that can also be arranged so for all information please email .
 
21st June 2010 - Thanks from Patrick Fallon, Croydon CTC
Just a short note of thanks for organising yet another wonderful weekend in Dieppe. Our French hosts were as welcoming as usual and I look forward to next year.

Best wishes

Patrick
 
20th June 2010 - Thanks from Alan Holbrook, West Surrey CTC
A great weekend on the "raid" and thanks again for your organising this annual event.

Hope to see you in 2011.
 
16th June 2010 - Thanks from David Rowell, Audax UK
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, Michael and Mo for all your hard work in organising this event. The arrangements for Saturday and Sunday worked flawlessly, and the meal at the Windsor on Sunday was excellent, as was the company of course.

It was the first time that my sons and I have participated in the Raid and we all agreed that we had had a fantastic weekend. We are all looking forward to the next Raid in 2011.

Once again, many thanks.
 
16th June 2010 - Mike Morley, Sou'Westers
Many thanks for the photos Mike. Yes, I agree that your team did very well....

Ray Dare - least young male rider 90km
Tony Ashford - furthest travelled rider, visiting from the USA.
Eric Ashford - least young rider overall. (Pictured with son Tony.)
Ruth & Rob Maskell - winners of the MTB, 1st Tombola prize.
Team award - won for team with largest mileage covered / largest entry of the event.
Mike's comment: "... well done once again and thanks for the organisation and hard work!" More photos
 
16th June 2010 - Thanks from Adrian Cowie
This was my first time on the Dieppe Raid and I enjoyed myself so much that I just had to write to thank you for organising the event for the English cyclists.

I was cycling with Dave Hoben, who I believe has been on around 18 Dieppe Raids, so you will probably know him. I am sorry that I did not get to meet you but you did seem to be quite busy, with so many English and French people to talk to. Dave had organised some sorties into the local countryside, in between the various receptions/events, so that took up quite a lot of time also.

I am already looking forward to next years Dieppe Raid and so perhaps I shall get to meet you then to say THANK YOU face to face.
 
15th June 2010 - Bill Collins Riding the Dieppe Raid for Parkinsons Disease
Bill Collins' email to me after the Dieppe Raid described himself and his friends as being completely "cream crackered" following their exertions in France.

He wrote: "...the ride went surprisingly smoothly for the first 50k until of course Sod's Law cut in when 2 young girls decided it was time to cross in front of us on their bicyclettes. Taking appropriate evasive action I shot, thankfully onto the grass verge at around 20mph landing arse over elbow, leaving a few minor cuts on my legs and the neat imprint in colourful bruise on my rear end due to my crashing backside first onto my mobile, but, and this is the important thing, without any serious damage to mon bicyclette, as my son, Toby, was keen to point out...###!!!".

Bill decided to ride for Parkinson's UK because of the tremendous good that these small amounts of money can do when used collectively, not only for those who suffer but also to give a little relief for the carers, the unsung heroes and heroines who battle stoically against tremendous odds and, quite simply, because Bill was diagnosed with early onset PD 3 years ago. He is fighting it in the only way he knows how. He has done really well by raising in excess of £2,500. Congratulations on a magnificent effort.

If you would like to support this cause, please visit his JustGiving page.
 
15th June 2010 - Dieppe Raid 2010

La Marmotte
Col du Galibier
August 1995
The 39th Dieppe Raid was very successful despite the absence of Neville for the 1st time ever. Dieppe Cycling Club paid tribute to Neville with photos and a speech that outlined his extraordinary character and the hard work he undertook to make this event what it is today. They also told of his numerous international cycling trips.

The weather was kind to us and the routes really pretty. Everyone seems to have reported back that they had a good time. Many new attendees have already indicated that they'll be back next year.

Events like this are always dependent upon getting new people along so over the next few months, please let people know what a great event this is. Not that I'm biased, of course.

I intend to try to keep the news page updated with information that you send in. If you have photos or news items related to Dieppe then please email them to me and I'll do my best.

I have setup a group on Facebook so you may be interested in joining it - so far it's not been advertised but it could be a good way of sharing information. Perhaps you would like to join the group? Just search for "Dieppe Raid".
 
31st May 2010 - Letter from Neville's Sister, Eunice
Following Neville's recent death, I sent a small donation to his selected charity (British Heart Foundation) on behalf of all the regulars at Dieppe. Eunice, Neville's sister, requested I display the following letter for all "Dieppe Raiders". I thought it best to publish it on the web site so that it is more accessible. Please click here to view the letter.

Eunice's letter refers to a Dieppe Raid when the ferry was not running - I believe that this was because of a strike. As she correctly says, Neville managed to persuade the ferry company to leave Newhaven with the bikes and cyclists; it is my understanding that no other passengers were allowed to board. Without Neville's charisma, it is certain that the attempt to visit Dieppe that day would have failed.
 
23rd May 2010 - Sponsorship
As many of you are already aware, I recently undertook a challenge to run 7 tough off-road marathons in 7 months. Yesterday I successfully completed the whole series. Thank you so much for all your support and kind donations. Several of you have mentioned that you'd like to know when they have been completed so you can ensure I suffer enough before pledging contributions. Thus, the links for the on-line donations are as follows: Breast Cancer Campaign and The Rainbow Centre, a local charity that helps children (and their families) with cerebral palsy throughout the South of England.

Thanks to everyone who has supported me so far. It is greatly appreciated by both myself and the charities.

18th April 2010 - Neville Chanin (updated 4th May)
I am devastated to report to you the death of Neville Chanin. Neville died in his sleep following his return from a cycling trip in France where he and Chris Davies had been supporting the annual Paris - Camembert race. He will be a great loss to the cycling community, his family, and friends throughout the world. Our thoughts are with his sister, Eunice, and family at this sad time.

Neville's funeral was held at Gloucester Crematorium on Friday 30th April. There was a large gathering - as would be expected for such a popular and well known member of the cycling community. A representative from Dieppe cycle touring club was also in attendance.

Donations in memory of Neville will benefit the British Heart Foundation. Cheques payable to the British Heart Foundation should be sent to Richard Steel & Partners, Alderman House, 12-14 City Road, Winchester SO23 8SD.

Neville instigated the first Dieppe Raid in the summer of 1972 and organised it for the next 22 years. It has continued annually ever year since and Neville participated in every event.
 
18th April 2010 - Group Ferry Arrangements
The group ferry bookings have now closed. Entry is still possible but you would need to make your own travel arrangements.
 
9th March 2010 - Sponsorship
As many of you are aware, I am currently undertaking a challenge to raise money for 2 charities that I have a personal interest in. My challenge is to run 7 tough off-road marathons in 7 months. So far we have complete 4 of the 7. The last is in May. I am raising money for the Breast Cancer Campaign and The Rainbow Centre, a local charity that helps children (and their families) with cerebral palsy throughout the South of England. If you can offer any support, no matter how small, then that would be great. I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who has already contributed.

9th March 2010 - Photos from 2009
There are some photos of last year's event on the CDC Dieppe site

6th February 2010 - On-line Entry
Entries can now be accepted over the Internet using PayPal to secure your credit card payment. Refer to entry & travel page for full details.

20th January 2010 - Confirmed dates for 2010
I can confirm that the Dieppe Raid will be held on 13th June 2010. The group ferry tickets have been reserved: 3-day ticket for up to 150 people leaving on Saturday 12th and returning on Monday 14th; 5-day ticket for up to 20 people leaving on Saturday 12th and returning on Wednesday 16th. Once we have finalised the price of the Sunday evening meal I will complete the entry & travel forms and email through the link to everyone who attended last year and new people who have already expressed an interest. Alternatively, keep a check on this page to see when the on-line entry is available.
 
17th September 2009 - Permanent Ride - Tour Cyclo de la Seine-Maritime
A few people have asked me about the permanent cycle ride that is being organised by Dieppe CDC. A "permanent" is a planned route that can be completed at any time. All arrangements are made by the competitor. Click here to download and save the files. They are in zipped format.
 
24th June 2009 - Comments from June 2009
Comments about this year's event are welcome. Click here to review comments so far.
 
24th June 2009 - Chris Davies - 300,000 Mile Club
Chris Davies was on the first visit to Dieppe back in 1972 and is, no doubt, well known to many of you as CCP. For those of you who are newer to cycling and may not have heard of the 300,000 mile club, members must complete 300,000 miles and provide documentary evidence of the distance before they can join. Chris has recently completed this distance 3 times over – accumulating in excess of 900,000 miles since he started recording his cycling. Well done Chris. Neville Chanin who organised the first visit here is also a member of this prestigious club. More ...
 
24th June 2009 - Sylvia Cheung
It is with great sadness that I report the recent death of Sylvia. She had been cycling near to Grenoble when involved in an accident. Sylvia had intended to attend Dieppe this summer but sadly this was not to be. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.
 
24th June 2009 - Photos
I am looking to include some more photos on the site. A few people have already sent some through to me. If you have any photos that you think may be of interest then please could you let me have them on CD. If you wish to email some through then PLEASE be aware that my email account has a restriction on it and I also use it for work. This means that you should email me first so we can decide how many photos I can receive at a time and when they should be sent

If you have already sent photos then thanks very much for these. I hope to publish them in the next few weeks.
 
24th June 2009 - Alan Gray
I am sorry to report that Alan Gray died on Sunday 17th April while on tour in Mallorca. Alan also attended the Dieppe Raid for many years.

In the Surrey & Sussex section Al was known as "Mr Reliable". He always showed up on time, weather permitting. He didn't like to be late - much better to be early. More ...
 
16th April 2009 - Keith Wawman
Sadly Keith Wawman recently passed away. He had been a regular on the Dieppe Raid for many years and will be sadly missed. According to Paul Coan, he was a member of CTC Croydon since at least 1975 (that's when Paul joined). He was an active organiser of trips, meals & audax type events. In his younger days he raced for Addiscombe CC and has remained a member ever since. To those who knew him he was always the eternal optimist, ready for a laugh and let all of life's problems wash over him.

This picture shows Keith enjoying a ride in Rouen. Click here for some more pictures of Keith.
 
28th March 2009 - Accommodation
If anyone is looking to share accommodation but doesn't have anyone to share with, let me know and I will put you in touch with each other. Please provide either an email address or telephone number that you are happy for me to pass on. Hopefully this will help reduce the expense.
 
27th March 2009 - Group Ferry Arrangements
To date 98 people have booked so there is still space. Booking will stay open until 7th April.
 
10th March 2009 - Group Travel
The outbound ferry on Saturday 13th June has been changed to 09.30 am so check-in will start at 07.30 am.
 
10th March 2009 - Walk
The walkers will be completing a walk of approx. 15 km. Walkers should wear appropriate footwear - preferably walking shoes or boots. Take a small backpack as you will be given food and drink at the start which you must carry. Ensure you have clothing suitable for the conditions.
 
8th March 2009 - On-line Entry
Entries can now be accepted over the Internet using PayPal to secure your credit card payment. Refer to entry & travel page for full details.