1939 – Lourdes
The First National Pilgrimage of St. Christopher’s Cycling Club to Lourdes
On Aug. 6th 1939 as the Second World War was about to commence Patrick Murray of London headed 16 cyclists with the blessing of Cardinal Hinsley on a pilgrimage to Lourdes.
Route:
The group left London Victoria by rail and ferry for Dieppe where they started cycling across France. The first night was spent at Rouen and then averaging 65 miles per day they proceeded via Chartres, Tours, Poitiers, Angouleme, Bergerac, Agen, Auch, Tarbes arriving at Lourdes after 550 miles on the bikes to join the Southwark pilgrimage tor three days.
Notes:
The riders were B.Bush, E. Devanney, A. Dodd, W. Joyce C. Randall, J. Thompson and F. Vanek from London ; J. Brennan and G. Gilhooley, Liverpool ; H. Campbell, Harrogate ; F. Dupres, Plymouth ; R. Hughes, Glasgow ; D. Swinnerton, Stoke on Trent and G. Tanner, Whitley Bay.
A return was made by rail, stopping for one night in Paris; the cost of the tour which included rail fares and overnight accomodation was £8,10s
Doug. Swinnerton is extreme right on front row.
Duration / Distance:
Cycling distance: 550 miles.