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2022 will be the 50th anniversary of the first Dieppe Raid Cycling Weekend based around the Dieppe
event Tour des Trois Vallees. The event is a series of touring rides organised by the Cyclo-Club
Dieppois based on the roads and lanes of the countryside in and around Dieppe, offering various distances
(from 30k to 140k) to suit both families and keen club cyclists. A walk is generally offered for non-cyclists.
With the exception of 2020 and 2021, when the event was unavoidably cancelled due to Covid, the event has
been held every year. In the 1970s even a ferry strike did not prevent cyclists travelling on the ferry to
attend the event! I understand that the ferry had no other passengers; that result was definitely a credit to
Neville and his powers of persuasion!
The international Dieppe Raid event was started in 1972 by
Neville Chanin - a well known cyclist who travelled widely throughout
the world by bicycle. It was established in commemoration of the original Dieppe Raid in 1942 where our Canadian
Allies suffered such
terrible losses. After organising the weekend for 22 years the
responsibility was passed to Paul Coan. Since June 2004 Caroline Street has coordinated the UK contingent.
Neville continued to attend the event each year until his sad death on 30th April 2010.
He had been planning on riding the 140 km event in June 2010. Use this link to find
out more about Neville.
All work is undertaken voluntarily so it is not a business. It is a great way to introduce less experienced
cyclists to cycling in France and every year we have people who thoroughly enjoy the experience. At the other
end of the spectrum, many keen club cyclists also come back every year.
The Entry form and Travel information are now available. Click here to
access them.
Ferry and accommodation needs to be booked individually by entrants.
The group booking Newhaven - Dieppe ferry options are based on Friday or Saturday sailings
are available with return on either the Monday or Wednesday.
A route sheet is supplied and most directions are marked on the road. These markings and regular control
points ensure simple navigation for first timers. The events may be ridden on any type of cycle and children
are welcome. The weekend is a truly educational experience for both children and adults. You will have the
opportunity to discover more about how they live, their food, history, french culture and their attitude to
sport - particularly cycling.
Dieppe is a beautiful town with a long esplanade, chateau, marina and an excellent selection of bars and
restaurants. There is also an excellent new swimming complex on the seafront with flumes, 50m pool, various
indoor pools and a spa facility.
The ferry is less than a mile from the town centre so you can leave your car at the ferry port
in Newhaven and travel by bike on the ferry. If you have panniers then that's great but many of our group
travel with a bag on their back for the short distance to the Hotels. An increasing number of cyclists prefer
to bring the car over and travel via one of the other ports or the Channel tunnel. The choice is yours.
For further information, click here to email.
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