European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - June 29, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Magazine Belgium i West rpm Spain lev Mediterranean biking to Bastogne on the Liberty Trail & 151 Story and photog by Juan r. Melendez  uan this is Dan. Them s something coming in Over the telex fan i think you be interested in three weeks later we would be standing on a Hilltop overlooking Bastogne Belgium nursing our sore legs and contemplating the fact thai we had cycled Over a thousand kit meters in six Days to get there. The something my Friend Dan Klein from it7 had called me Aboul turned out to be the ran tonne tie la Voie tie la liberl6, he Liberty Trail bicycle tour. The Liberty Trail first so designated in 1947, winds from Utah Beach in Normandy Down Inlo Brit any and Hen East following the general rack of Gen. George s. Pallon or s 3id army during its victorious 1944 Campaign. The Trail continues in of Lorraine Mien cuts North into Luxembourg then weal and North again to the ally of Bastogne a local of 1,145 Kilometres about 710 Miles. Two years alter Hal Campaign s 40th anniversary the plans of the association of friends of the Liberty Trail had finally borne fruit. A great ran Donico. Or bicycle tour would be held a sure fire Way to get attention in a country that is in love with the bicycle o commemorate the sacrifices of All Allied soldiers in the liberation of Europe. Five Hundred riders from France Belgium and Luxembourg the countries the Trail ions through would participate As Well As representatives of their allies the British and the americans. The word gets out none Loo soon Tor the americans in Germany but by june 6, the Dale we ail gather in the Normandy City of St. L6, there Are 28 registered to ride the gathering place is in the gendarmerie Cavern and As we Settle ourselves m Lor the night it is Clear thai the All Volunteer stall is racing against the clock to get All the entry packets together. Each of the 487 riders receives an identification card two official jerseys a rain jacket and a Cap. Tho riders from the other count lies Are an impressive lot representing cycling clubs and Louring organizations. They All seem to fall Inlo one of iwo categories svelte racers on stripped Down racing machines or sturdy older riders Groat of Girth and with legs like tree trunks Riding Woll rendered Strong Louring bikes thai sneer at mountains and cobblestones. Only a half dozen or so women bikers Are among them our group is  Ryan Levy a civilian living in Frankfurt is a former member of the us. Cycling team while another member of the group had lust bought his first adult Bike Lour weeks before. One Soldier irom Stuttgart shows upon a Mountain Bike whose monstrous tires Are a cause Lor great wonder on the part of the europeans. The europeans also seem disappointed that no european Campaign veterans Are among us. There Are several belgians and frenchmen who identify themselves As having served with the american forces during that Coollick. One of them wears a 4th army div Patch on Hia Jersey. The oldest rider is 72. And a couple of Days into the ride he would be joined by another the same age. They had test met during world War ii. Saturday june 7 the Day begins Cool but sunny. Well be going id Utah Beach to atari Riding and coming Back to St Lolo spend the night the distance a Only 57 Kilor Naters about 35vi mile so some riders choose to pedal out to the Start Point. At Utah Beach we ind festival in Progress food stands music fresh Flowers on All the monuments As Woli As Large numbers of Well wishers and supporters mixing in with he usual platoons of tourists the ride s titular sponsors belgian cycling great Eddy Merck and St. La native Raymond Delisle whose racing career was for so Long intertwined with Merckx a put in an appearance. For the first Lima we see the entire group of cyclists together. Well make an impressive Convoy along the roads. Preceded by an official vehicle and escorted by French gendarmerie continued on Page 14 sunday june 29, 19b6 the stars and stripes Page 13