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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, tu oublies de dire qu’à Gillette c’est la marchande de pizzas qui l’a remonté au centre, le veinard !

Guy Harlé

Michel ne laissait personne indifférent. On avait pour lui une sympathie naturelle à son endroit car il était souvent en décalage avec nos emplois du temps lors de nos séjours. Ses parcours étaient souvent improvisés. A Lozari, en 2013, mésaventure : il part avec son vélo chercher de l’argent à un distributeur. Une fois revenu à son camping-car, il avait perdu son portefeuille et tous ses papiers…ainsi que l’argent fraîchement retiré. Les uns et les autres membres se sont cotisés pour lui assurer son retour en métropole. La perte de son épouse l’avait beaucoup affecté. C’était un bon copain.

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

Je le revoie chercher les cols avec une carte Michelin au 200.000ème , persévérant jusqu’au bout ! !
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.