FIM Motocamp, Lucon, France, 5th-8th August 2025

The DMTC has a long history of members attending FIM rallies. Dave Gibson and Paddy Murphy pioneered these events, starting in the 70’s.

This year the idea was put out to members to see if there was any interest in attending a Motocamp. 13 members took up the offer.

John and Irene McClintock from Carricfergus have a lot of experience with these events and would be well known in FIM circles.

It was decided to have a meeting in Woodenbridge Golf Club with those who intended to go to the Motocamp in Lucon, France. John guided us with our application forms.

As we are not affiliated to MCI we are entitled to attend, but would not qualify for any awards. The 13 members with an average age of 71 started planning accommodation, ferries, routes etc. Some even purchased new bigger tents. These would be the “Active retirement Members”......also known as "Cripple Creek” Food would be supplied, so no cooking gear necessary.

For some it was their first time attending a FIM event and did not know what to expect, it exceeded all their expectations. Irene was due to ride her sidecar outfit but it had a mechanical problem and John and herself had to revert to their BMW 1600cc. With one exception, all had ridden motorcycles on the continent before.

It was decided to meet at the Kilrane Inn and have a meal before boarding the ferry. As we were about to go into the pub a car passing sounded its horn. It turned out to be the late Laurence Boland’s daughter who turned back to have a chat with us.

Stephen Whelan and John and Irene sailed a few days before us. We sailed with Stena Line and were surprised at how few passengers were on board. Maybe it was because it was the most expensive time to travel, August Bank holiday weekend. It was an unbelievably smooth crossing.

We planned to ride from Cherbourg to Angers, overnight there, and the following day ride to the campsite in Lucon. Paul Dixon was elected Road Captain, and we enjoyed a relaxed pace to our destination. Several stops were made along the journey due to the high temperature, 30+degrees and two riders carrying injuries.

We arrived two days before the official opening. John had informed the organisers that we would be doing so.

From the time we arrived till the time we were leaving the members of the Lucon Motorcycle club, who were hosting the event could not have been more helpful. These volunteers were putting in 18 hour days making sure all went to plan for us. They excelled in all their duties. It would be a hard act to follow.

Our first night under canvas we had some light rain, from then on it was brilliant sunshine till we arrived back home. You couldn't ask for better. We had several chilled out sessions in the shade with Martin, Gerry, Teddy and Conor supplying the entertainment, which went down very well. Martin somehow managed to fit a guitar on the back of his bike. Sitting out in the open listening to some great singing and having a few scoops, sure where else would a guy want to be. The Spanish, Danes and French loved it. The lads did their club and country proud.

On Wednesday there was an organised run to Puy-de-Fou theme park. It is reputed to be the best in Europe. We rode out as a group escorted by club members. A round trip of approx. 160km. It was packed with young and old.

The first event we visited was the “Viking Experience”. It was a re-enactment of a viking attack on a small peaceful village. Words could not explain it, you would have to see it. We were all gobsmacked, it was spectacular.

The second event was a fantastic aerial display of 300 birds of prey. Words fail me, it was incredible, a must see if ever in the area. Some of the birds were released from a large balloon high above us.

The third event takes you back to the glory days of the Roman Empire with their marvelous chariot races in all its splendour.

That was only 3 of 20 events. You would need a few visits to see it all.

All the bikes were parked in a special area with the Lucon club members doing security, so changing into casual summer gear and leaving helmets and boots etc. beside your bike was not a problem.

In between events we sat under the shade of trees and delved into the packed lunches supplied to us. On our return to the bikes we were all issued with ice cool water.

On our return to the campsite we had dinner, followed by an excellent 3 piece band and dancing for those with the energy. The Lady volunteers put on a dance routine which was well rehearsed. It went down very well. It was a night of mighty craic.

The following day it was a guided tour of the Marshes at Damvix, stopping off for a short time at the Maillezais Abbey. Not everyone availed of the free boat trips at the marshes. Some of the lads took off to the coast for a swim while Dermot Carroll led a group back to the camp site. It was another day of 30 plus degrees. After dinner there was more music and dancing. Conor Gill was encouraged to get up on stage and sing what they thought was an Irish song. Their version was “What will we do with the drunken Sailor.” He was brilliant and it went down very well, they wanted more.

The following day it was the Parade of Nations. Here the 16 countries attending lined up behind their national flag and did a tour of the town to the cheers of all the locals, finishing in the municipal park where the Town Mayor greeted all the riders. After his welcoming speech each country had its national anthem played and the participants went up on stage.

Gerry Cobbe, boy scout, reminded us to take off our hats when our anthem was played. Not only did we take off our hats, we also sang “Amhran na Bhfiann” with gusto, something none of the other countries did.

It was a very proud moment for us all. We received a great applause from all the other countries, especially the UK. who shook our hands while going up on stage.

We returned to the campsite for dinner plus the awards. We did not receive any, other than a wooden memento for attending. We responded with “ Go raibh mile maith agat” and thanked the organizers for a brilliant event.

Our return to Cherbourg was a leisurely affair. Paul Dixon took us up the coast roads at a pace that gave us time to take in the French countryside.

The trip finished with another smooth crossing. Each member in their own unique way , made it a holiday to remember.

The bikes were as varied as the riders, all performed faultlessly.

There were a few enquiries as to when Ireland would host another Motocamp…!!!!!!!!!!!

JIM.