The road for roller fans... at least if it doesn't rain

NAMUR THE FIRST, IT'S THURSDAY Namur-Dave-Wépion -Namur: a route to (re)discover every Thursday. And it's free! No doubt, roller fans will be watching the sky tomorrow. Because in case of rain, the very first roller parade of the summer in Namur would simply and purely be cancelled for safety reasons. This year, the roller parade will be held every Thursday of the summer, until September 15. Like other cities in the country, the Walloon capital seems to have definitively adopted roller skates: last year, up to 1500 participants were counted on a single evening. Faithful to the operation organized by Carl de Moncharline, the police and the City of Namur are once again partnering with the event. Photo: Always an astonishing spectacle in the streets of Namur. ARCHIVES V.L Roller cops will supervise the ride, while ensuring the safety of participants. An opportunity not to be missed, where one can somewhat "forget" the highway code, while observing a minimum of safety rules. Here, the entire roadway is reserved for fans of eight-wheeled gliding. Bikes will have to follow For this edition, sports alderman Laloux announced that bicycles would still be welcome, but would have to follow the parade. Clearly, cyclists will no longer be supervised. The experience of previous years had apparently shown that the situation was difficult to manage. Contacted to accompany these cyclists, several specialized associations had declined the invitation. "Our subsidies do not allow us to hire staff to supervise these many users," states the Maison des cyclistes. Cyclists are therefore advised to equip themselves with adequate lights and to exercise caution. SACHA PEIFFER : the figures 7 police officers Roller cops will be there to supervise you every Thursday evening. They patrol the peloton from the beginning to the end of the ride. July 21 A special walk is scheduled at the citadel... : in practice BEFORE STARTING The meeting point. The meeting point is set every Thursday, starting tomorrow, at 7 p.m., on Place de l'Ange. After a quick warm-up, the actual departure is scheduled for 8 p.m. Return to the starting point after approximately 23 kilometers of riding around 11 p.m. Departure confirmed? In case of rain, the parade is always cancelled for safety reasons. A slippery road is particularly dangerous in such a situation. On the day of the parade, if in doubt, call 02/227.27.24 or send "BRFR" via SMS to 3791 (0.25 € per SMS) to verify that the departure is taking place. Roller rental. Have your rollers become too tight since last summer, or do you simply not own any? No worries: you can rent them at the start. Be on time: first come, first served... "Boo-boo" staff. These things happen: minor or major falls can quickly lead to a boo-boo. Good news: a bandage manufacturer will help those who have suffered minor injuries. It's a promise, your fall will quickly be forgotten. Brief overview of the route. Starting from Namur to pass through Jambes, Dave, Wépion and La Plante before returning to the center, the parade covers 23 kilometers. The procession moves in a good-natured musical atmosphere. Fun guaranteed... BREAKS focus To chat and quench your thirst Photo: This is what puts off some of the public: the parade route extends over 23 kilometers and takes 3 hours. However, it should be noted that many breaks are planned during the ride. Enough to chat with friends, and especially, to quench your thirst thanks to the event's various sponsors. While the adventure proves sporty, it is therefore not a mini marathon! V.L ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW The roller parade in five questions Valuable advice before setting off. > I have never worn roller skates. Can I participate? Everyone is welcome at roller parades, bringing together experts in the discipline as well as beginners. It is advisable not to participate without having practiced a minimum. Mastering braking technique and balance is a plus, especially among a strong group of hundreds of participants. > Do you need to protect yourself to participate? Protections are mandatory for children and optional for adults. Wearing a helmet, knee pads and elbow pads is recommended. > What should I do if I get tired halfway through the route? No problem: a broom car follows the parade and picks up injured or tired participants. You will be taken back to the city center at the end of the route, following the peloton. > I hesitate to participate given the length of the journey. Where can I stop if I only want to complete part of the route? Many parents pick up their children at the Parc d'Amée in Jambes, where the parade passes. Easy parking facilitates these meetings. Some participants stop at this point, after a little less than an hour of the route. > Should I bring snacks? Sponsors offer sweets, samples and drinks