1953 – Rome
“Saturday 25th July 1953 was an historic date for St. Christopher’s Catholic C. C, for on that date commenced a Cycle Pilgrimage from Birmingham to Rome, organised by our Founder and National President Mr. Carl Ehrenzeller to celebrate the occasion of the twenty-first Anniversary of the foundation of St. Christophers.” Jim Watters.
Saturday July 25th – Thursday August 13th
1226 miles
Carl Ehrenzeller, Smethwick, Leader, Patrick James, Sparkhill, 14 Mascot, Charles Davidson, Nelson, Tony Diamond, Sparkhill, Andrew Fenwick, Dundee, Leo Hopley, Erdington, Michael Judge, Dalkeith, Thomas McGuire, Glasgow, Mary Meahan, Leicester, Danny Moore, Stetchford, Deputy Leader, Teresa Smith, Nelson, Jim Watters, Sparkbrook, Bernard Westley, Coventry, Vincent Worth, London
Start of Pilgrimage St. Vincent’s Boys Home
ROUTE
1-Saturday 25th July
St. Vincent’s Boys Home, Birmingham, Bishop Bright’s Blessing. St. Dominic’s Priory, London.
110 miles
Accommodation : St. Dominic’s Priory
2-Sunday 26th
Dominic’s Priory, London, accompanied by St. Christopher’s C.C.C. riders to Lympne Romney Marshes
73 miles
Silver City Airlines to Le Touquet. FRANCE
3-Monday 27th
Le Touquet, Montreuil, Marasquel, Humiers, Tincoquette, 66.5 miles
4-Tuesday 28th
Tincoquette, Arras, Bapaume, Perrone, Maiigny, 66miles
5- Wednesday 29th
Maiigny, Ham, Chauny, Soissons, Chateau Thierry, 65.5 miles
6-Thursday 30th
Chateau Thierry, Serzanne, Aglure, Merry, Camp site junction of N442 61.5 miles
7-Friday 31st
Camp site, Troyes, Chattillon, camp site N454 crossing 64.5 miles
8-Saturday August 1st
Camp site, Dignon, Nuits St. George, Chagny, Camp by River Saone 65 miles
9-Sunday 2nd
Camp, Chalon sur Saone Mass at Church of St. Pierre, Place Hotel de Ville.
Sennecy le Grand, Tournus, Bourg en Bresse, Camp before Pont d’Ain 62 miles
10- Monday 3rd
Camp, Pont d’Ain, Col du Chat, Tenay, Chambery. 61 miles
11- Tuesday 4th
Chambery, St. Jean, St. Michel, Modane 64.5 miles
12- Wednesday 5th
Modane, Lansebourg, Pass of Mont Cenlis 2084 meters
ITALY, Susa, Bussoleno, Rivoli 56 miles
13- Thursday 6th
Rivoli, Turin, Polrino, Asti, Alessandria 64.5 miles
14-Friday 7th
Alessandria, Genoa, Nevi, Recco 63 miles
15-Saturday 8th
Recco, Rapello, Bracco Pass 615 meters , La Spezia, Sarzana 60 miles
16-Sunday 9th
Sarzana, Massa, Mass, Pisa, Leghorne Cecina, St. Vincenzo 66 miles
17- Monday 10th
St. Vincenzo, Grossette, Fonte Blanda, 59.5 miles
18- Tuesday 11th
Fonte Blanda, Tarquinia, Civilavecchia, St. Marinella 61 miles
19- Wednesday 12th
St. Marinella, Rome 65 miles
20- Thursday 13th
Rome Visit to VATICAN CITY and Audience with the Pope
Jim Watters prepared a detailed account of the journey, the following is an extract “Our journey to Rome had been strenuous. It became evident on the way that some members had no experience of cycling on the Continent. This proved trying for Carl in endeavouring to keep the party together.”
“We had our trials in travelling and camping in the dark in order to keep up to the schedule. Nevertheless, it is a tribute to each member and in particular our leader Carl, that the team spirit and club spirit of St. Christophers prevailed against all odds and that we arrived in Rome on time and attained our objective. We returned home with happy memories of our thrilling adventure.”