Events: Bastille Day Randonee/ V5 Anniversary Celebration Ride

(2018) Anniversaries and birthdays are always reasons to celebrate. The States just celebrated its freedom on July Fourth. Our site silently passed over its third anniversary of turning the lights on. France is set to celebrate its form of Independence Day this upcoming weekend. To celebrate both its anniversary of its opening as well as Bastille Day during the Tour de France, V5 Cycles in Flemington, New Jersey, is bringing back the Kermesse Sport route from a few years ago on Sunday July 15th. 

Several years ago we took part in the newest Kermesse Sport ride aptly named the Bastille Day Randonee. Among other reasons, we took part because the route explored roads yet to be discovered. It had two distances: the shorter 38- mile affair and the lengthier 85- mile course. The parcours went north of Flemington, bringing the route within proximity of New York City. These were miles never covered before and sadly not covered since. We always long to return.

The route in 2018, as it was in 2015, is self-supported. There were no route markers. There are no support cars. Riders should be able to support themselves. As Kermesse Sport states on their site, wheel changes didn’t start in the Tour de France until 1956. With the two remarkable distances, it is doubtful riders attempting each course show up unprepared. 

With this July 14th and 15th being the second full weekend of the Tour de France, people may feel inspired to ride their own stage. The big race in France tends to have a positive effect on the cycling population on the roads. Even the past few days have witnessed a surge in cyclists visible on the roadways.

With V5 hosting the event, served as their anniversary celebration, the ride can serve as a new experience for many. It is tough to beat the no-fee entry. We still reminisce about many of the peaceful roads we visited during the 2015 edition of the Bastille Day Randonee. What better way to attend an anniversary celebration of V5 Cycles, France, and the Tour de France than by gearing up the bike and tackling some new terrain? Be sure to clear the shop of mix and gels. Self-supported never felt so free.