they talk about their first outing on the Vélo bressuiraise

The fine autumn rain did not get the better of some 200 cyclists who came to test the Vélo Bressuiraise, a new mountain bike route bringing together several circuits allowing you to discover Bressuire and its delegated municipalities.

Launched by the associations Têtesraid’s and Motivés tout terrain, with the support of the City of Bressuire, this course was inaugurated on Sunday October 6, 2024 from the La Marelle school, near Bressuire station.

“It’s a change from the greenway”

For this first, participants had the choice of trying four different formats, namely the large 85-kilometer loop, a smaller 23.3-kilometer loop passing through Saint-Sauveur-de-Givre-en-Mai, a another of 21.5 kilometers crossing Beaulieu-sous-Bressuire and a last of 45 kilometers bringing together the two small loops mentioned above.

Didier, a mustachioed Bressuire retiree, was one of the first to set off on the paths of this Bressuire Vélo. He is one of around fifteen cyclists to have tackled the largest circuit, a large loop completed in 4 hours 15 minutes. “There are quite a few stony and tarmac paths. I discovered places I had never been beforerecognizes the one who nevertheless has the habit of crisscrossing the Bocage by bike. In Noirlieu in particular, there are beautiful, large gravel paths perfect for gravel riding! »

Because one of the strengths of this Vélo Bressuiraise is the versatility that it can offer cyclists. “It’s really suitable for all types of bikes, admits Fabien, covered in mud after this wet first. Today it could be done with something other than a mountain bike but it was still a little slippery…”

Like him, Laurent completed the 45 kilometer course. “I set off on the steep slopes of Beaulieu, it went up quite a bit but there were soon some long descents so it was very pleasant. And then there is this sporting side all the same with technical places. » After Beaulieu-sous-Bressuire, the cyclist reached Saint-Sauveur-de-Givre-en-Mai with a smoother route. “It’s really good to have these new circuits because it’s a change from the greenway. I didn’t really dare venture towards Saint-Sauveur before but here it’s easy because the signage is very well done! There are still a couple of hiccups but we were a bit like guinea pigs, right? »he jokes.

Children at the meeting

The children were also there on Sunday morning. For them, “there wasn’t enough mud”says Thibault, just 10 years old, his face covered in dirt. This young Cerizéen discovered Vélo Bressuiraise with his father, Thomas, and his three friends, Karl, Martin and Timéo, “a secure route”assure Thomas.

Germain, 12 years old, was accompanied by his mother Aurélie. They live in Bressuire and are delighted to see this local initiative take shape. “It’s really cool, we’ll try other loops soon, that’s for sure, and this time we’ll choose the time!” »