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The beauty of cycling is that, instead of the countryside just flying by, you can engage with it and listen to it’s stories.

That was - The Lyon to Lincoln Challenge

During July 2018 I rode my bike from the Military Cemetary in Lyon via, military graves in Letra, monuments to Nazi atrocities throughout France, past statues of great leaders, the concrete of old runways, railway stations where airmen escaped from passing trains, the beaches of Dunkirk, old aircraft factories, museums to ancient squadrons, sites long forgotten, working RAF bases and ultimately the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincolnshire.

En route I met and spoke to many people, spoke of my project and heard their stories, these were ordinary peoples but each a hero in their own way.

Whereas I am just a bloke on a bike and in the course of those 17 days and 2000 km I found out so much information.

Naively I had thought I would just update this blog each day and upon returning home life would return to normal. But, while many questions were answered, now I have more questions.

So, I ask that you are patient whilst you wait for the full results and stories of my adventure which I will publish in full.

Watch this space…

Lyon to Lincoln

Letra

In July 1944 a Mosquito light bomber crashed in the hills above Ternaud. The local resistance organised a funeral for the two unfortunate airmen. Hundreds of people attended, at considerable personal risk. They remain in the commonwealth war grave in the village of Letra.

St Cyr de Valorges

In April 1944 a B24 Liberator crashed near St Cyr de Valorges near Tarare. Their fated mission was to resupply the local resistance. 5 of the crew died, one broke his back and two escaped to Spain.

Valsonne

On 6 February 1943, a Lancaster Bomber, en route to Turin, crashed high in the hills above Valsonne. 4 young aviators died and 4 finished the war as prisoners of war.

This post is also available in: Français

Fort Montluc

Posted on April 10, 2019 • No Comments

Montluc Prison is a former prison located in the 3rd arrondissement of Lyon, France. During the occupation of France, it was known for being an internment, torture and execution site used by the Gestapo. It was initially a military prison, opened in 1921 and used as such by the Vichy Regime between[...]

Jean Marie at Fort Montluc

Posted on April 9, 2019 • No Comments

Montluc prison is a former prison located on rue Jeanne Hachette in the 3rd arrondissement of Lyon, France. It was known for being an internment, torture and killing place by the Gestapo during the occupation of France by the Nazis. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montluc_prison Sebastien Jean-Marie Sonnery was bought to Gestapo HQ in Lyon on Sunday 19th December 1943. The HQ was located at 14[...]

Final Day – Day 17 – Woodhall Spa to IBCC

Posted on July 27, 2018 • No Comments

After 17 days of riding, today was the final day. It was a comparatively short run from Woodhall Spa along the Sustrans route into Lincoln. I didn’t manage the Steep Hill up to Lincoln, my legs are finally starting to suffer. After a quick coffee by the Cathedral from where you can[...]

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