The Écrivélo Files

Journeys Through War-Torn Europe by Bike.

Father’s Day

A few photo's of and by my Dad As the 17th June, approaches along with my start date of 10th June I am thinking about the 17th June in particular - Father's Day. Whilst, not every country celebrates this on the same day, perhaps now is a good time to[...]
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??‍♂️ ?? 1 MONTH TO GO ????‍♂️

With only 1 month to go until I start, I thought this would be a good time to remind you how you can help raise the profile of Bomber Command for future generations. I will start on 10th July and arrive in Lincoln on 26th July - 74 years to[...]
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Lyon to Lincoln the Route

The Route DistanceElevationDurationMoney Raising TargetDistance 1,610 km (1000 miles) Elevation 12,944m elevation gain (425,000 ft) -  equivalent to one and a half times up Everest Duration 96 hours - estimated moving time Money Raising Target 2000 euros Use this link to donate directly to the IBCC Tweet to @@ecrivelo!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script',[...]
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100 Days to Lincoln

*|MC:SUBJECT|*   LYON TO LINCOLN  100 DAYS  Click this link to make a donation directly to the IBCC. Hi  In 100 days I will be arriving in Lincoln. A journey of reflection and remembrance of Bomber Command, raising vital funds for The International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) to ensure that[…]

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Recce of the Start

Strava Route Photos from the stage Lancaster WA118-ZN-Y Admiral Prune belonging to Squadron 106 departed at 6:30 pm on February 4, 1943, from the RAF Syerston near Nottingham, England. It was part of a mission of 188 aircraft including 77 Lancasters en route to Turnin to bomb industrial. The last[...]
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Air Force Records: A Guide for Family Historians

If you are new to searching old records like me, then this is an excellent book . One of the first things I did when researching the Mosquito in the Forest was to buy the service records of the crew. Without this book I think it is fair to say[...]
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Woodhall Spa to Lincoln Cathedral

During the war the imposing Lincoln Cathedral and the River Witham served as geographical navigational aids for returning bombers. In many instances Lincoln Cathedral was the last recognisable building that the crews would see as they left on their missions in mainland Europe.  The route I took started at my[...]
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In search of the home of 627 Squadron.

My objective on my first afternoon in Woodhall Spa was to find the site of the old Woodall Spa Airfield and then hopefully some evidence about Christie and Flaherty. It was not to be so.  My route started at  The Petwood hotel, more specifically from within the Dambusters' Bar, a small[...]
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Closing the Barn Door…

... after the plane has bolted. Wheel Support Rod This part – a wheel support rod was recovered by a farmer from Dieme and showed to me by his son. Ever since its discovery it had been used to open and close the barn door. I am certainly no expert[...]
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