London to Paris - 23/24th July 2016

[Cyclingmur01]

Hi all,

I am looking to cycle from London to Paris (London - Newhaven - Dieppe - Paris) on the 23rd of July 2016 to make it to Paris in time to see the final of the TOUR DE FRANCE on 24th July.

I am looking to see if anyone else would be interested in joining me to make this a good group challenge, I am not asking for super professional cyclists, just general road cyclists who would be comfortable travelling at a good speed and appreciating the scenery of France.

Drop me a message or reply if you are interested and we can work out some plans, it's a fairly easy route and there are many videos of people completing this ride on YouTube if you want to have a look first.

The more the merrier! Most abilities would be suited and we will keep to a steady pace the whole way (this is not a race or a hard challenge, just an enjoyable weekend away.

A general idea of the itinerary is;

1 - Leave London
2 - Arrive Newhaven
3 - Ferry overnight to Dieppe
4 - Very Early morning start to Paris
5 - Arrive in Paris with enough time to see final
6 - Coach or Eurostar return or even possibly cycle back to ferry if that's something people are interested in.

Let me know what you think!

P.s - This will be a cheap trip so don't worry about huge payouts, the ferry is very cheap!

Looks forward to hearing from anyone!

 

[oldfatfool]

The more the merrier! Most abilities would be suited and we will keep to a steady pace the whole way (this is not a race or a hard challenge, just an enjoyable weekend away.


Let me know what you think!

I would suggest it does not suit most abilities

23rd London to Newhaven 70 miles + 7hrs ferry (inc. hour loss and waiting time)
24th Dieppe to Paris 130 miles + starting in dark if you intend to be in Paris by very early afternoon to ensure a semi reasonable place to stand.

 

[jefmcg]

I would suggest it does not suit most abilities

23rd London to Newhaven 70 miles + 7hrs ferry (inc. hour loss and waiting time)
24th Dieppe to Paris 130 miles + starting in dark if you intend to be in Paris by very early afternoon to ensure a semi reasonable place to stand.

I make it about 110 miles Dieppe to Paris. Still, the whole thing could fall in a heap with one mechanical. Which is the disadvantage of the "more the merrier" approach.

6 - Coach or Eurostar return or even possibly cycle back to ferry if that's something people are interested in.

You could also get a train back to the ferry, then cycle from Newhaven, or even catch another train back to London.

 

[oldfatfool]

I make it about 110 miles Dieppe to Paris. Still, the whole thing could fall in a heap with one mechanical. Which is the disadvantage of the "more the merrier" approach.

Yeh I was looking at a quiet route, witch given the events occurring in Paris would be a sensible option. But even at 110 miles which as to be done following a previous 70 miles and with only a 3 hr ferry x-ing to rest I think it outside most abilities comfort zone. I would suggest a Friday night crossing would be more sensible, cycle to Paris on the Saturday and overnight close by ready to be fresh for the TdeF melee, It would also allow some leeway for contingencies.

Having said that I will keep an eye on this thread and if I am still free think about touring down from Yorkshire and meeting at the ferry.

 

[mmmmartin]

you have an excellent idea. you will not be surprised to hear others have the same idea and the same time with the same idea of seeing The Tour.

the normal limit for bikes on the newhaven-dieppe ferry is five. five. before you get too excited about this trip you may wish to ensure you can actually get the bikes on that boat. if you cannot then you may have to phone them in newhaven and they will give you a UK number to ring, this will put you through to the dieppe side, where they have authority to increase the number of bike spaces and they will usually do this.

another way is to ride overnight in the dark to newhaven starting on the thursday evening and take the friday morning ferry, and ride a bit and stay friday night somewhere. then ride on the saturday and stay closer to paris, and ride into paris on sunday morning and see the Tour end. be aware there will be many thousands of people and if you're short and at the back, you'll see nothing.

you could then either get the train home, or stay in Paris sunday night and return on eurostar/fly/train to dieppe and ferry back. the FNRttC has done this many times.
but your plan involves getting bikes on to a ferry likely to have loads of bikes, and a Eurostar train in the same position. One way out is to use a Brompton, obvs.

an alternative route home would be the SNCF to Calais, and ride to the port and get a ferry from there.

 

[andym]

Book ahead for the ferry?

 

[Lemond]

I would suggest it does not suit most abilities

23rd London to Newhaven 70 miles + 7hrs ferry (inc. hour loss and waiting time)
24th Dieppe to Paris 130 miles + starting in dark if you intend to be in Paris by very early afternoon to ensure a semi reasonable place to stand.

Agreed. I doubt you'd be doing much "appreciating the scenery". Also, Paris will be chock-a-block on the 24th, with areas shut for the Tour. When I did this last year with a small group, we rode into Paris on the Saturday, which meant we got to ride some of the official route, which was fun.

 

[Ecphysio]

Hi,

Not sure if you're interested but I'm organising a L2P ride to arrive in time for the TdF. We're leaving London early on Thursday 21st and going to Brighton, then next morning new haven to Dieppe and on to Rouen, then on the Saturday cycling to pAris to have a relaxing morning in Paris before watching the finish.

You'd be welcome to join us if you like - we are currently about 16 riders who will be travelling at a leisurely pace with 2 support vehicles. We aren't doing it for any profit and whilst accommodation is decent, it is not expensive (whole trip around £400 ish incl ferry and hotels and food on the ride and breakfasts). Basically, a few more riders helps make it cheaper for all.

We've got everything booked already and have some capacity to add a few more people, including spaces on the Friday morning ferry.

Let me know if you're interested.

 

[oldfatfool]

How are you returning and is it taken into account in the. £400?

 

[Ecphysio]

How are you returning and is it taken into account in the. £400?

Hi,

People are each returning by their own arrangements, so sorry, but it is not included in the estimated cost.

As to how people are getting back... personally my wife is driving over and the family and I are heading down to the south of France for a week's holiday, but others are booked on the Eurostar on Monday morning (deals for as low as £30 + another £30 for the bike). One of the support vehicles is coming back as well but is unfortunately already full of people and bikes.

Either way, still a pretty decent price if you ask me - especially as it includes accommodation, breakfasts, lunches and refreshments on the ride, support vehicles and the volunteers to drive them....etc).

Welcome to join us if you're interested?