Randonnee Ecrevisse Scheduled for April 29th
Photos and story by: Nathan Gifford
New - Like last year's Randonnee this year's will be held again in Henderson. If like last year's it will be well worth the trip. To see why scroll down to RealVideo targets on the below left. For more information either see our calendar page or call The Bicycle Company at (337)984-2453.
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from Randonee 2000 'Right click' Downloadable high-speed version (2.9 MB) |
Reprint below from April 11, 1999 Randonee
(LAFAYETTE,LA)Who says a 35-mile ride isn't worth the effort? Not the members of the Cajun Cyclists as they help host the Randonnee Ecrevisse (Ride of the Crawfish), Lafayette's premier bike ride.
It might seem unusual for cyclists to come hundreds, if not, thousands of miles for such a short ride. Still the brevity of the ride and what is compressed into those miles that account for its success. No other single event presents such an interesting slice Acadiana, as southwest Louisiana is sometimes known. After all, where else can you see a family dress up like crawfish and ride bikes?
One of the Randonnee's most outstanding features is its cuisine. Cuisine, did I say on a bike ride? You betcha! There are certainly bananas, oranges, and other such things that cyclists expect, but you won't find cold cuts or burgers at any of the stops. Here, the Acadiana Culinary Association which prepares the Randonnee's meals, will teach non-Cajuns that crawfish have better uses than mere bait. This year's menu includes:
- Crawfish and Artichoke Rotini Pasta.
- Marinated Crawfish Salad over Spring Lettuces with Fresh Basil..
- Crawfish Etouffe over Steamed White Rice.
- Crawfish Cakes with Lobster Jumonville Sauce.
- Original Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce.
Sounds more like an outing at restaurant than a bike ride doesn't it?
Still there is more.
The Randonnee's first stop is Chretien Point Plantation. The mansion is nestled in grove of trees among the farmlands and oilfields of southwest Louisiana. The immense columns of this 1831 mansion add a touch of elegance as you line up for the tour's first meal break. So popular is this stop that by the demand of Randonee veterans, a tour of this famous landmark is included in Randonnee's fee.
The tour Chretien Point is well worth your time, especially if you are a fan of Gone With The Wind. The film's buffs will immediately notice that the famous Tara stairway was modeled after Chretien Point's. The scene where Scarlet shoots the Yankee soldier imitates history. Mrs. Felecitié Chretien, wife of the plantation's owner, shot one of Jean Lafitte's pirates who tried to rob the estate. According to local lore, Felecitié lured the pirate up the stairway by rattling her jewelry in darkness. As the pirate got close to the top of the stairway, Felecitié shot the robber in the head and he died on the stairway. To this day his blood is still visible on timbers underneath the stairway.
Still want more? Just sit yourself down next to this old oak tree like I did a few years ago at Academy of the Sacred Heart. The Academy founded in 1821 at Grand Coteau is still a school for young ladies. The grounds are simply gorgeous with many centuries old oaks scattered about. If you are like me this will be your favorite place to enjoy Cajun music.
All the stops feature live Cajun music. The bands are certainly among the best the region has to offer. On the program this year will be the music of Zydeco Joe, Danny Colette the Swap Cats.
What about the non-riders? There are a couple of events that coincide with Randonnee. In New Iberia there is Bunk Fest, a festival to commemorate jazz trumpeter Bunk Johnson. Abbeville will crank up its week long, Vermilion Carousel of Arts, featuring jazz, concerts, community theater, and a gumbo cook-off.
Lafayette has sights of its own too. Friday night before the Randonnee there is a block party called Lafayette Alive! with live music and dancing. On Sunday while you are out riding through those Cajun towns, your non-riding buddies can visit Acadian Village and Gardens. Like the Randonnee, the village too has culture, food, and sometimes, live bands. Just pray they don't forget to pick you up after you finish the ride!
Past Randonnees always featured a lagniappe ride. This year the Saturday morning ride will leave from Pack & Paddle in Lafayette head quaint St. Martinville. Everyone can visit the Evangeline Oak, St. Martin de Tours Church, Maison Duchamp, take the Bayou Walk, and enjoy more Cajun music by the Romero Brothers. The $6 fee benefits the St. Martinville Historical Society.
The ride is limited to 500 people and is filling fast. Unlike past years Pack & Paddle will not be hosting the ride. This year the Randonnee beneficiary will be Toys to Recovery and will co-host the ride with the Cajun Cyclists. "The brochures went out a little late this year so there are still openings" says Ms. Barbara Gray, Executive Director of Toys to Recovery. "However, we expected that the Randonnee will start filling fast." Toys to Recovery (318)667-8157 expects to fill all the slots before the April 11th ride date.
I hope to be there too. So if you see a yellow '86 Cannondale there say "bon jour" and tell us what you think about this ride.
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Resources
Randonnee Registration |
Cajun Cyclists |
Cajun Activities |
Chretien Point Plantation|
Academy of the Sacred Heart |
Acadian Village and Gardens
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