“Saturday afternoon, it worked really well. Today, it’s starting slowly. » For the mechanic at the Tour de France stand, Place Anatole-France, this Sunday, October 6, 2024 in the morning, the pleasure of interacting with the cyclists who have come to have their bikes checked or repaired outweighs the gloomy weather. “Honestly, it’s nice to be here. »
Good mood guaranteed with L’Enquête tourangelle à vélo.
© Photo NR, Olivier Brosset
And we quickly understand that we are dealing with an enthusiast who appreciates explaining that a bike – even an electric one like ours – requires maintenance and pampering.
A means of transport that is on the rise, for economic, environmental and philosophical reasons, the bicycle was the star of this first weekend in October.
Get as many people in the saddle as possible
Introductory workshops, bicycle exchange, stands of associations and professionals… the village may be ephemeral, but it aimed at a lasting challenge: to get as many people on the saddle as possible.
Repairing or having it repaired means extending the life of your bike.
© Photo NR, Olivier Brosset
Certainly, in the context of the 118e edition of the Paris-Tours which greatly restricts traffic in the city center, cyclists could have taken over the streets to a greater extent but, with the exception of a few families braving the morning drizzle, there were not many of them.
Ephemeral village but sustainable approach: take your bike rather than your car!
© Photo NR, Olivier Brosset
However, the “Tours en saddle” village has enjoyed some success. Not only because you could have your bike repaired or overhauled there, or buy a reconditioned one, but also because we saw some great initiatives there.
The Cyclist Collective 37 spared no effort despite the rain.
© Photo NR, Olivier Brosset
Jumbled and in disorder: À vélo 37 presented its ecological and responsible delivery; En Selle Marcelle rides on a scooter for the elderly; Air’go cyclo offers adapted cycle rentals. Also present were the Cyclist Collective 37, which needs no introduction; the JV Fenioux cycles and their velomobiles; Starway and its electric two-wheelers made in Touraine; Cyclable which has two stores in Tours or the Union cyclotouriste de Touraine which is one of the oldest clubs of the French Cycling Federation.
On the fun side, an escape game entitled L’Enquête tourangelle à vélo attracted the curiosity of visitors; The Toque Brothers presented their premium delivery; Cyclomorf collects and recycles plastic and La Loire à Vélo organizes its stays.
Reconditioned bicycles from Veloop were also visible, as were bicycle gardeners from Demonfaucon services; Pony’s shared bicycles and scooters; Velociti rentals; Veloland; the two-wheeled sewing machine repair of Anne Répare or the militant self-repair cycle workshops of Roulement à Bill… Also note the presence of the Tours Métropole and Road Prevention stand.
