Suitable bike for London to Paris cycle challenge
- Thread starter Lucy.P
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
All merged in this thread now.
Origamist
Legendary Member
I think your Dawes will be up for the task, but with a few modifications it will make your job a bit easier. As suggested, I'd dump the rack and get a set of racier, lighter tyres in the 28mm to 35mm range (Schwalbe,Continental etc). I’d also experiment with the height of the adjustable stem – it maybe that you can lower it a little for a more aerodynamic position. I’d also get the bike serviced a couple of weeks before, and then take it out for a few shakedown rides to check all is OK.
That said, given that you are powering the bike, the fitter you are the faster you will go and for pretty much everybody that will be the biggest difference in performance over a 3 day ride.
When I did the London – Paris there were people who were going quickly and there were people going considerably more slowly. It was fine. Some people would stop at bars in every French village and wait to be swept up by the support vehicles – I thought that was a bit cheeky…(it wasn’t me, I promise).
If a new bike appeals to you, I’d consider a touring or audax style bike with drop handlebars, but the important thing is trying different bikes first to see what is comfortable and fits!
Hope you have a great ride.
That said, given that you are powering the bike, the fitter you are the faster you will go and for pretty much everybody that will be the biggest difference in performance over a 3 day ride.
When I did the London – Paris there were people who were going quickly and there were people going considerably more slowly. It was fine. Some people would stop at bars in every French village and wait to be swept up by the support vehicles – I thought that was a bit cheeky…(it wasn’t me, I promise).
If a new bike appeals to you, I’d consider a touring or audax style bike with drop handlebars, but the important thing is trying different bikes first to see what is comfortable and fits!
Hope you have a great ride.
vickster
Legendary Member
fair enough, not a forum I frequent
So after taking in all your wonderful advice i went to my local bike shop and had a look around and chat...I discussed what i was planning to do and they were very helpful. They even 'sized' me when i was there and recommended some lovely bikes for me to look at. As i'm planning to use the bike for lots of things other than riding to Paris on in September like riding with family and around the town i really like the look of a 'sports hybrid' bike by the makers Giant. I contacted European Cycling Tours and told them i'd been to my local bike shop and how helpful they were with sizing ect and that i'd seen a bike i really like that came recommended by the bike shop. The gentleman was very enthusiastic and delighted by the choice saying that a 'sports hybrid' bike is an excellent choice particularly as a utility bike for all sorts of different types of riding and that it would be absolutely fine to ride on their challenge to Paris on in September...i'm now the proud owner of a Giant Escape 1 and i got a deal on some innertubes and tyre changing tools, a new helmet and gloves...the bike shop were brilliant!
I'd like to say a big thankyou to everyone who replied to my post and i'll let you all know how i got on :-) Lucy x
I'd like to say a big thankyou to everyone who replied to my post and i'll let you all know how i got on :-) Lucy x
Last edited by a moderator:
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
RudeNot2
Über Member
- Location
- Bishopton, Scotland
Nice one :-) That'll do the job.
I did L2P on my Hybrid Specialized Cirrus Elite 5 years ago and just last month did London to Amsterdam on it as well. A wee bit of TLC from the LBS in between but have clocked up plenty of miles.
I did L2P on my Hybrid Specialized Cirrus Elite 5 years ago and just last month did London to Amsterdam on it as well. A wee bit of TLC from the LBS in between but have clocked up plenty of miles.
A quick update to everyone :-D
The big day came and with some trepidation I and a dozen or so other riders set off for Paris. My new Giant Escapebike was absolutely brilliant and i soon found i was keeping up ok with the group (which was brilliantly managed by our amazing cycle leader Jason at European Cycling Tours and once my confidence was up there was no stopping me. The gears i had worked really well and i was able to keep up with the boys most of the time on their super duper bikes and not having dropped handlebars made little if any consequence to my riding experience over the trip. Three days later we arrived in the Champs Elysee and the buzz was like nothing else i've ever experienced... it was absolutely brilliant!! I think i'm hooked! Now to sign up to another trip - especially with European Cycling Tours...they were so brilliant! - so well organised and the leadership and support was amazing and i think there were a few on the trip that probably wouldn't have completed the whole tour if it wasn't for their amazing support, motivation and guidance...highly recommended!
Thankyou again everyone for your help in my search for a bike and i'm so glad i took the advice to talk to a local bike shop who were also brilliant who helped me finally find the bike that helped me achieve my dream.
I can't thank you all enough - I am so happy :-D x
The big day came and with some trepidation I and a dozen or so other riders set off for Paris. My new Giant Escapebike was absolutely brilliant and i soon found i was keeping up ok with the group (which was brilliantly managed by our amazing cycle leader Jason at European Cycling Tours and once my confidence was up there was no stopping me. The gears i had worked really well and i was able to keep up with the boys most of the time on their super duper bikes and not having dropped handlebars made little if any consequence to my riding experience over the trip. Three days later we arrived in the Champs Elysee and the buzz was like nothing else i've ever experienced... it was absolutely brilliant!! I think i'm hooked! Now to sign up to another trip - especially with European Cycling Tours...they were so brilliant! - so well organised and the leadership and support was amazing and i think there were a few on the trip that probably wouldn't have completed the whole tour if it wasn't for their amazing support, motivation and guidance...highly recommended!
Thankyou again everyone for your help in my search for a bike and i'm so glad i took the advice to talk to a local bike shop who were also brilliant who helped me finally find the bike that helped me achieve my dream.
I can't thank you all enough - I am so happy :-D x
Last edited by a moderator:
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
Bravo, @LucyP !!
