Report by Marie Delestré and Chantal Hertrich, WIMA France France had offered to organize the 2023 rally and despite the difficulties of not having a president and several of the committee having resigned, some of us still decided to do this rally.
Three of us had organised the 1990 rally in Alsace (Marie-Ange, Véronique, and Chantal) and for 2023 we were a team of four (two new: Violette and Marie, and two from 1990: Véronique and Chantal).
Sunday afternoon, arrival of the organizing team and volunteers at the Holiday Centre which hosts the Rally. We find the place, and we start with a meeting to define the responsibilities of each person. Installation and removal of the equipment provided. We meet volunteer members and after the meal, we prepare the bags with goodies and gifts.
Very early Monday morning, breakfast. Marquee is installed. It takes up a lot of space. All the team get to work marking the parking lots for motorcycles, cars, camping pitches, putting numbers on the room doors, setting up the reception desk… and already, the first participants are arriving! We direct them to the parking lots, then guide them to their rooms or the campsite; some have ordered brunch. Reunions at WIMA are always a great occasion. Women are coming from everywhere!
During this time a team of volunteers takes care of the decoration, installation of the sound system in the marquee which will be used for welcome and farewell meals, breakfasts, conferences, etc. A busy day, tiring for the whole team, but what a joy to welcome our friends from all over the world! A delicious aperitif will bring together the participants before the welcome meal, which of course begins with the rally song, ‘Douce France’ by Charles Trenet.
The next few days will be very busy, with various visits, motorbike rides on the roads of the Hautes-Alpes, relaxing by the swimming pool…The region is beautiful, and the neighbouring passes are calling for lovers of bends to ride them. Volunteers also take advantage of this calm to visit the surrounding area by motorbike, others rest. The four organizers remain in the centre, to answer any questions, and there are always things to do.
Tuesday at the beginning of the afternoon, Marie, Fabienne and Dominique leave to check the route of the Thursday parade. Tuesday evening, Trash Night is a great success. Several countries have come up with good ideas to entertain the participants.
On Wednesday, it’s the visit to the distillery in the village that produces genepi, the local alcohol. This delights everyone – because there is also a tasting! There are also suggestions for walks in the surrounding passes, watercolour workshops, travel stories, hikes, etc. all of which will brighten up your stay.
Thursday morning the parade takes place, after instructions by the FFMC (Fédération Française des Motards en Colère) which ensures security. All the motorbikes start, and we set off for 23 km on pretty roads, to arrive at the edge of Lake Orcières with the Alps in the background. What a great moment! Cold drinks, group photos, picnic, swimming…. a very beautiful day in the sun which ends with the last evening of the rally. A magnificent aperitif to the sound of a jazz orchestra begins, and there is the farewell meal, with regional specialities and a magnificent cake, the awards ceremony, gifts, presentation of the rally 2024, and the presentation of the Ellen Pfeiffer Award. This year, the recipient is Margrit Podesser, from Switzerland, WIMA member for almost 50 years, and one of the founders of WIMA Switzerland. A beautiful evening, which closes this rally!
On Friday, the motorbikes are loaded, and the participants leave for their home country, for a vacation in France, or elsewhere. We will see each other again in Romania. And it’s a parting of the ways for the French women: with lots of beautiful memories, exchanges, and for the four organizers the feeling of having succeeded with a small team, but smiling, efficient and dedicated, for the pleasure of all the participants.
2023 WIMA France International Rally – Promotion Video
