ianmac62
Guru
- Location
- Northampton
Thanks for that, @Flying Dodo - but it doesn't look doable for me simply in terms of the earliest train into Euston (at least from London Midland's website which is playing up a bit at the moment).
A day ride in France - Sat. 11th April
- Thread starter Flying Dodo
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
OP
OP
Flying Dodo
It'll soon be summer
The first Northampton train is the 05:16 arriving Euston 06:38, so too late if we look at the earlier St Pancras HS1. However you could get the 07:08 train arriving Dover 08:31 which should still allow you to just make the 09:25 boat.
ianmac62
Guru
- Location
- Northampton
Noted! Thanks!!
The first Northampton train is the 05:16 arriving Euston 06:38, so too late if we look at the earlier St Pancras HS1. However you could get the 07:08 train arriving Dover 08:31 which should still allow you to just make the 09:25 boat.
- Location
- The TerrorVortex
That sounds entirely splendid, apart from the prevailing wind. IME the wind blows from Wimereux towards Calais, so I'd take an inland route out, then back along the coast road.
EDIT - Like I did on this ride a few years ago, in fact.
Last edited:
OP
OP
Flying Dodo
It'll soon be summer
Based on the earlier sailing, it's 52 miles of cycling to be done, with 7 hours available to cover that and a lunch stop. I work on a moving average speed of 11-12 mph, so that's easily do-able. However if you're in Solihull, I think you may have problems getting to St Pancras in time, in order to get the HS1 to Dover. You'd have to get a Virgin train from Birmingham New Street.
Thanks for that - I did wonder about the wind, so yes it would make sense to go the other way. There'd only be a small bit of adjusting the route in Calais to take account of their one-way system.
OP
OP
Flying Dodo
It'll soon be summer
To summarise:
Looking at a Saturday, April/early May, departing 06:37 St Pancras HS1, arriving Dover 07:41 (or make your own way to Dover if more convenient). Then get the 09:25 sailing arriving Calais 11:55 local time. Cycling around for a few hours, having lunch in Wimereux, cycling for a few more hours following the coast road back to Calais, in time to get the 20:35 boat arriving back in Dover 21:05 local time, to get the 21:49 HS1 arriving in St Pancras 22:54.
All to be done at a gentle pace 11-12 mph moving average (as it's not a race), no-one gets left behind.
I was thinking Saturday 2nd May, but has anyone got any preferences?
Looking at a Saturday, April/early May, departing 06:37 St Pancras HS1, arriving Dover 07:41 (or make your own way to Dover if more convenient). Then get the 09:25 sailing arriving Calais 11:55 local time. Cycling around for a few hours, having lunch in Wimereux, cycling for a few more hours following the coast road back to Calais, in time to get the 20:35 boat arriving back in Dover 21:05 local time, to get the 21:49 HS1 arriving in St Pancras 22:54.
All to be done at a gentle pace 11-12 mph moving average (as it's not a race), no-one gets left behind.
I was thinking Saturday 2nd May, but has anyone got any preferences?
ianmac62
Guru
- Location
- Northampton
The first Northampton train is the 05:16 arriving Euston 06:38, so too late if we look at the earlier St Pancras HS1. However you could get the 07:08 train arriving Dover 08:31 which should still allow you to just make the 09:25 boat.
Having slept on this, I realise that on the last couple of occasions I've crossed with a bike from Dover I've actually got to Dover the night before. The Premier Inn is just a quarter of a mile along NCR 1 from the main entrance to the docks. More civilised that catching the 0516 train out of Northampton. Call it an OAP thing.
And on one of those occasions, as CTC Northampton rode back from Aachen, we stopped at the Dunkirk Formule 1. A three-bed room was €27 which made the maths easy. Two single beds with the third folding out from the wall. Add three bikes and three sets of panniers into the room. It was
Ah, the last day of the season, when the Cobblers take on the mighty Wycombe Wanderers in an attempt to maintain League status. And then for me at least we're into the month in which dates for the Not The Fridays Tour Recce are starting to be juggled around.
OP
OP
Flying Dodo
It'll soon be summer
No problem.
If it was a Sunday or Monday, then we'd have problems finding somewhere to eat. Bearing in mind we get into Calais just before noon local time, it would make sense to eat nearer to Calais, so I'll do some research, as there are some nice restaurants* in the villages we go through.
* one seems to be frequented by a large cycling club...........
If it was a Sunday or Monday, then we'd have problems finding somewhere to eat. Bearing in mind we get into Calais just before noon local time, it would make sense to eat nearer to Calais, so I'll do some research, as there are some nice restaurants* in the villages we go through.
* one seems to be frequented by a large cycling club...........
- Location
- The TerrorVortex
In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the Lycra sleeps tonight...
There's a lot of amusing place names in France.
Ambleteuse isn't actually pronounced amble-toes, except for in my head.
There's a lot of amusing place names in France.
Ambleteuse isn't actually pronounced amble-toes, except for in my head.
I'd be interested depending on the dates. I might even ride down to Dover overnight.
I've actually been thinking of doing the same using the Eurotunnel. Only £22 for a day return.
http://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/traveller-info/vehicles/bicycles/ A maximum of 6 riders though!
I've actually been thinking of doing the same using the Eurotunnel. Only £22 for a day return.
http://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/traveller-info/vehicles/bicycles/ A maximum of 6 riders though!
