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Michel Minard

Before we got to know Michel (N°1361), we often rode with his son Philippe in the 1990s. Philippe was also an active member of the Cent Cols at the time.

The first time we met Michel was during our stay in Gilette in April 2015. Having climbed just over 1300 passes at the time, he told us that his goal was to reach 1500. We thought that was a very ambitious goal, given Michel's imposing physique and age.

But that was without counting on his obstinacy and perseverance, because he was going to go far beyond this objective. He embodied the quiet forceWe met up with him again on each of our trips with the CCC. He categorically refused to switch to the VAE, and kept telling us: "This is the last time I'll be taking part...".

The loss of his wife Colette in 2008 affected him greatly, and he often spoke of her memory.

At the age of 85, he has gone quietly, as he always had, and we won't see the little camper van that was his only vehicle arriving at our next get-togethers.

Claude and Michel RABUTEAU

Michel was a very endearing man, particularly because of the glitches he had during his stays, of which I'll mention 2.

In 2014, during his stay in Bussang, he went to watch the Tour as it climbed the Col des Croix. A policeman forbade him to cross back over to pick up his picnic left on the bike on the other side of the road, leaving him hungry.

At Gilette Guy Moreau and Laurent Cornet had concocted a shorter route for him and had taken him to the starting point of the circuit with instructions to meet at the same place. On his return, Michel was nowhere to be found, and after a long wait, they decided to return to the centre, thinking that he had gone back on his own.

When it was time for the evening meal, Michel was still missing. Calls to the police, to his sister... but what a relief when we saw him arrive at the centre.

Michel was always a little lost, but so friendly.

Alain Brault

Alain, you're forgetting to mention that at Gillette it was the pizza lady who brought him back to the centre, the lucky man!

Guy Harlé

Michel never left anyone indifferent. We had a natural sympathy for him because he was often out of sync with our schedules when we were away. His routes were often improvised. In Lozari, in 2013, there was a mishap: he left with his bike to get money from an ATM. When he returned to his camper van, he had lost his wallet and all his papers... as well as the money he had just withdrawn. The other members all chipped in to ensure his return to mainland France. The loss of his wife had affected him greatly. He was a good friend.

Max Tissot

Michel Minard is my childhood and my school years,
Every morning, when I went to school, I'd see him in Dijon, on his bike, on Boulevard Kennedy on his way to work...
Then, when I took up cycle touring, he was at the TCF club in Dijon.
Then, when we met at a rally...I was the FEE son.
A lot of grief and emotion...

Philippe Fee

Like all of you, I've met Michel on a number of different trips and measured his willpower on, or next to, his bike. I appreciated his zenitude at Ghysonnaccia, where we shared a bungalow.

Guy Chaurin

I can still see him looking for the passes with a 200,000 Michelin map, persevering to the end!
So much for being late for supper ...

Bernard Chinal

I loved talking to him. I did so again at the AGM. When you're in good health and still alert, you think you'll live forever, that everything will go on. Seeing your family and friends leave you makes you realise that you're just passing through.