Cycling in the Somme Valley

[wired99]

Hi guys

Lucky enough to have a few days in France with a mate on a cycling trip. We are going to Dieppe then cycling up to Auxi Le Chateau were we are based. Looking for a nice 100 mile ride on the Saturday. Was gonna go up into Flanders but bit too far so looking at the Somme Valley south of Abbeville. Anyone cycled there? And climbs worth doing? Any nice routes you would reccomend?

Basically a few pointers would be helpful. Going retro of course on either my Gazelle or the Raleigh Gran Sport

Wired99

 

[Ivo]

The Somme valley is quite popular among local and not so local cyclists. Don't miss the lower end towards the Bay de Somme. If you have a GPS I can provide you with a few GPS tracks of BRM's crossing the area or a DIY Permanent I did last june.

 

[jonnyboy666]

a french trip is something i was wondering about myself, i assume you are going via newhaven?

100miles would be too much for me though, i was thinking of getting a few of us to get an early ferry over there, then ride, have some lunch, ride a bit more stop at a b+b for the night, few beers then back to the ferry the next day.

that was my theory anyway but i have never done anything like that before so it needs some looking into.

 

[daj]

a french trip is something i was wondering about myself, i assume you are going via newhaven?

100miles would be too much for me though, i was thinking of getting a few of us to get an early ferry over there, then ride, have some lunch, ride a bit more stop at a b+b for the night, few beers then back to the ferry the next day.

that was my theory anyway but i have never done anything like that before so it needs some looking into.

I like the sound of that alot

 

[wired99]

Basically we are getting the overnight ferry from newhaven which gets in
At around 400am. The plan is to cycle up the coast and then across inland to Auxi le chateau. Saturday is the long ride day and then sunday we head back to Dieppe for a 6 o'clock ferry back. Haven't got a gps but will loOk at the bay area ride, thanks for that.

 

[tonyf39]

We cycled round there a couple of years ago, nothing serious as the missus is more used to riding nags

For the most part the Somme bay area is as flat as a pancake, there's some climbing near the coast a bit further down toward Le Treport and there's a decent shortish climb near Fresnoy-Folny.
They have the regional Tour de Picardie run through the area around May which we found by chance and rode some of the route and got cheered along the way..lol
If you go onto bike hike, it'll give you everything you need to plot a route and to indicate height & gradients.
Here's a quick sample.

The seafood in St.Valery is fantastic and the try the local lamb which feeds on the banks of the bay itself so has a salty taste to it....yummy.
Even on some of the busier raods we didn't have any issues with motor vehicles though there are a fair few tractors at this time of the year so you'll be wanting to overtake them asap. Oh and if you get the chance pick some wild strawberry's and blackberries!
Abbeville is okay but a little dissapointing, the abbey was still being repaired when we visited some decades after they started!
Have a great time.

 

[wired99]

Tony, that's ace! Thanks mate