Etienne Vanneste is reunited with his bicycle at the “AfricAntilles” exhibition
Fifty years after his cycling adventure through Africa, Etienne Vanneste was reunited with his faithful “Lady Els” at the Maison du Cyclisme Liège-Bastogne-Liège in Remouchamps. A visit filled with emotion and memories, at the heart of the temporary exhibition “AfricAntilles Vélo Passion”.
“Lady Els”, the bicycle behind an African adventure
For Etienne Vanneste, who comes from Roeselare, this bicycle is much more than a collector’s item. It was his companion on an adventure exactly fifty years ago: a journey that took him from Malawi to Algeria, before he continued home through France, notably via Limoges, and back to Belgium.
Its name, “Lady Els”, pays tribute to his younger sister Els, who is seventeen years his junior. It also refers to the “Lady Alice”, the boat used by the explorer Stanley during his travels in Africa in the nineteenth century.
Displayed in our exhibition “AfricAntilles Vélo Passion”, the bicycle bears witness to a remarkable personal and sporting adventure, which its owner enthusiastically brought back to life for us.
Photographs and memories, fifty years on
As photographs taken during the journey were projected, Etienne shared a wealth of memories and anecdotes. The images brought back the landscapes he had travelled through, his encounters with local communities, including the Fulani and the Tuareg, and his memories of Kilimanjaro.
Seeing “Lady Els” again in the museum gave these stories a special dimension. Etienne’s infectious joy and emotion made the visit a precious opportunity to share his experiences.
A passion for cycling that spans generations
Exploring the exhibition also sparked lively conversations about the history of African cycling, particularly South Africa’s Alan Van Heerden and Algeria’s Abdelkader Zaaf.
Etienne then continued his visit through the permanent collections of the Maison du Cyclisme. From Ferdinand Bracke to Philippe Gilbert, alongside Jean Brankart, Bernard Hinault, Karel Kaers and Claudy Criquielion, the champions’ memorabilia offered countless opportunities to share his passion for cycling.
A heartfelt thank you to Etienne and Gene for this wonderful encounter, celebrating an extraordinary Belgian cycling adventure.
Discover “Lady Els” at the Maison du Cyclisme
Discover Etienne Vanneste’s bicycle and the story of his journey in the temporary exhibition “AfricAntilles Vélo Passion”, open until 3 January 2027 at the Maison du Cyclisme Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
Address: Rue de Louveigné 5A, 4920 Remouchamps, in the municipality of Aywaille.
Discover the “AfricAntilles Vélo Passion” exhibition and plan your visit.
