A rail bike report…

Dordogne in the winter

It all starts with a journalist calling Tourist Information in November. The freelancer suggests story ideas to the French TF1 channel for the 1pm news. 

The journalist and cameraman ask to visit Dordogne in January to promote the region in winter and show that life goes on outside peak season and summer.

We suggest a unique activity that will be even more exciting in January: a rail bike adventure! This is going to be one report that’s as out of the ordinary as the activity it showcases!

The idea is approved by reporters and now I’m part of the adventure. We set up a meeting with the journalists and Cathy and Daniel, the owners of Périgord Vert rail bike.

The big day is fast approaching and the weather is getting clearer. The forecast is good so I won’t get soaked! I just forget to look at the temperature… It’s going to be the coldest day of the year: -10°!

Shooting

The journalists get their bearings when they reach Corgnac sur l’Isle and scout some shooting locations. A short while later and the rail bike report is all wrapped up: its launch, development and its owners’ back story. Next it’s the workout. The TF1 journalists want to film base camp but they REALLY want to shoot the rail bike in action!

Now we’re off: the cameraman films the winter landscape, wheels skimming over the rails and grating against the tracks. Then we start again. Another take, another angle, different light etc.

Rail biking in the cold is all well and good but reshoots in the icy wind are a bit tougher!

Luckily the rail bike team are here to warm me up with a steaming mug of hot chocolate and a blanket on arrival!

What an experience! Journalists, I’m happy to do it all again but June is best for me. Remember: June.

How does the story end? I called all my relatives to tell them to watch me on the Friday news only to see I’d been edited out of the final cut!

My advice won’t surprise you: this is a must-do when it’s warm and sunny 🙂