Cycle London To Paris 24hr Extreme Picture 1
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Best Time of Year: April - October
Cycle London To Paris 24hr Extreme
Bike Adventure
Come with us on a whirlwind ride on this classic tour in just 24hrs!
That's right! 24hrs to get to Paris from London, via Calais - this itinerary is not for the faint hearted. If you've already completed the standard tour or if this is a box you need to tick off you can be certain of an experience of a lifetime (plus bragging rights).
This grand 250 mile route from central London to the Eiffel Tower in Paris is a classic, with an Adventure Café twist. Ride from one exciting European capital to another in just two days!
Starting from the iconic London landmark of the Observatory in Greenwich at 2:30pm GMT your leaders will guide you south-east through the suburbs and out into the countryside past Gravesend, Rochester, and Canterbury, before crossing the Kent Downs and dropping to the White Cliffs of Dover and our ferry crossing to the French port of Calais.
Our nighttime ride through France takes us through the quiet French countryside, on fast-flowing, yet empty B-roads. As the sun rises we’ll glimpse poppy fields and charming French villages. It’s downhill into Central Paris and we’ll eventually swoop right around the impressive Arc de Triomphe to our finish point at the Place du Trocadero, overlooking the iconic Eiffel Tower. With the challeneg complete, we'll then make our way down the grand Champs Elysees, in the wheel-tracks of Tour de France legends, to our hotel and a well-earned rest! From one capital to the other…. The evening is then yours to enjoy; celebrate in this beautiful and culturally vibrant capital. You are accommodated in Paris and the following day (aching legs permitted!) you are free to sample the delights of city before catching the Eurostar train directly back to London. Your bike will have a head start on this journey and you will be reunited back in London.
Due to the extreme nature of this challenge, please note that this trip is not for beginner cyclists. If this will be your first 24hr ride, please consider our standard 24hr London to Paris itinerary here. Before signing up for this ride we will need to see proof of previous experience in the form of Strava/GPS files.
Itinerary
Stage 1 - London to Dover (apx 70 miles)
13:30 - Assemble at start location (TBC), London - final checks - briefing
14:30 - Depart ride on the chime of 3pm from Big Ben, We're off... we travel south-east into the countryside past Sevenoaks, Crowborough and Lewes, then down to the Sussex coast arriving at Newhaven for 19:30.
20:30 - Evening meal in Dover
22:00 - Ferry departs from Dover for Calais (approx crossing time 1.5 hours)
00:30 (French time) - Arrive in Calais
Stage 2 - Calais to Paris (apx 175 miles)
Now the challenge is on! We ride through the night, before breaking through the darkness into the new day, with Paris looming on the horizon - try to take in the beautiful countryside as we blast towards the French Capital! We have to make the most of the open roads before entering the outer reaches of the city and of course the Paris traffic. We will stop for lunch on the outskirts of the city. As we near the city centre you will be greeted by all of Paris famous sites such as the Arc De Triomph and the Eiffel Tower. Congratulations you have reached your destination!
16:00 (French time) - Our deadline in Paris - Celebrations at Eiffel Tower then ride to accommodation for the evening
Next Day - Travel back to London
After a lie-in, you will have the morning to explore Paris before an early afternoon Eurostar return to London. We will transfer your bike back for you in the support vehicle, meeting you at St Pancras to hand your bike over, ready for your next adventure!
Accommodation
1 night accommodation in Paris
We will be staying in Twin or Triple rooms at our accommodation. If you require a single room please contact us for the single room supplementary fee for your trip.
Included In Trip
Experienced Cycle Leader, Qualified First Aider, Full Vehicle Support and Driver/Mechanic, Pre-event briefing, Ferry Crossing to Dieppe, Paris accommodation, Picnic Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Return journey to London on Eurostar, Transfer of bikes back to London for collection,
Excluded From Trip
Transport to/from London start/finish points, Lunches and dinners. Pre Event Accommodation in London.
Equipment Required
Kit lists specific to your trip dates and location will be issued upon enquiry...below is our guide advice to give an idea of what you should bring on a multi--day ride in Europe
Bike Items
Road Bike / Hybrid Bike (with puncture resistant tyres) - please call us for guidance on type of bike on a trip by trip basis
2 X Water Bottles (bladder system/cycle water bottles)
Cycling Gloves, Bike Lock, Neck Scarf, Inner Tubes*, Multi-Tool (with allen keys)*
Day Bag for support vehicle, Small Holdall (for overnight gear)
Bike Lights (front and rear, head torch can be worn)
Saddle Bag (recommended - can be used to carry asterisk* items)
Puncture Repair Kit*, Spare parts for your bike (specialist parts and spokes), Pump (suitable for your valve type)
Helmet (compulsory)
Personal Medikit Suncream, Plasters, Vaseline, Painkillers, Sunbloc, Insect Repellant
Washkit
Warm Clothing Medium Weight Softshell, Long sleeve Jersey / insulating layer Lightweight Gloves.
Cycle Clothing
Padded Lycra Cycling Shorts, Cotton Shorts, or Long Cycling Trousers (Tights/Tracksuit Bottoms)
Short Sleeve Cycling T-Shirts (wicking type material) or Cycle Top with rear pockets
Cycling Shoes (approach shoes or sturdy traners suitable),
Spare Shoes/Sandals for after ride
Casual Evening Wear - tracksuits, jeans, T shirts, fleece ...
Waterproof Clothing
1 Outer Fully Waterproof Jacket (gore-tex, e-vent) - comfortable to cycle in
Other
Travel Documents, EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) Credit Cards, Cash, Local Currency, Mobile Phone, chargers, EU plug adaptor, Sunglasses
Snacks for Cycling Days (dried fruits, nuts, flapjacks, cereal bars etc)
Travel insurance (not included), Passport
Important
Make sure you do not ‘over pack’ - bring only what is essential for the trip. It is advisable to check that your travel insurance covers the value of any expensive items of kit that you chose to bring along with you.
A final kit list will be provided in your ‘Final Joining Instructions’ pre-departure
Safety Information
By nature all activities contain a an element of risk. Your leader will be first aid qualified and will carry the appropriate safety kit for the activity. Safety equipment carried will be appropriate to trip. The leader's primary role is to ensure your safety, but it is your responsibility to listen to their guidance and instructions.
This trip is of an extremely strenuous nature. Both you and a significant other will need to sign a disclaimer stating that you understand what you are signing up for prior to the event.
Weather
Expect warm weather but possibly rainshowers. Expect cool temperatures riding through the small hours into the morning.
Plan for these conditions, and if we encounter anything more benign, then that will be a bonus for us!
Notes on Cycling Events
This is our standard range of Cycling Challenges in the UK, Europe and further afield. However, we offer completely tailormade itineraries to your specification. Call us to discuss!
Please note that for overseas point to point cycling challenges we can transport soft cases for bike transport - but not hard cases, due to space limitations on board our support vehicles.
On all our cycling events, please pack sensibly and bring a reasonably sized soft holdall type bag.
To participate in an overseas Adventure Cafe challenge - you must carry Travel Insurance (to be for the activity you are participating in, and to include repatriation to the UK).
Please also note that you should have a good level of cycling experience and be competent to handle your bike. We ride on roads shared with other vehicles - and you need to be able to deal with this safely.
Adventure Cafe Booking Terms and Conditions
By booking an event with Adventure Cafe, you agree to these standard terms of booking. Please ensure that you read the appropriate document for your type of event carefully.
Adventure Cafe Terms & Conditions - For all types of event
To Reserve Your Space on this Challenge
You should fill in the Google Form - linked here below, and then please call us on 01823 444 246 to advise of your payment method. We can accept card payments over the phone, or Bank Transfer.
Please note that your space is not confirmed until you have received your booking receipt.
CLICK HERE:
Adventure Cafe Challenge Booking Form - For Challenge Events