Dates: 17 July 2013 – 22 July 2013

After registration we set off early to avoid the main hustle and bustle of the London traffic. It’s not too long before we’re cycling to the outskirts of London and hitting the countryside of Kent. It’s a long cycling day today but upon reaching the port of Dover and seeing the famous white cliffs, there’ll be a great sense of achievement. We then board the ferry to Calais and have dinner whilst on board. Upon reaching Calais, it’s just a very short push onto our hotel where we have a well deserved rest and get our heads down for the night.

Following breakfast at our hotel we leave Calais behind us, remembering to stay on the right! We begin cycling on smooth, flat roads for approximately 10 miles, before we start to pull up towards our first water stop. The route then becomes more undulating as we cycle through the French countryside up to our lunch stop. Some small climbs after lunch bring us to a gentle descent into the beautiful mediaeval town of Arras, one of the prettiest towns in northern France, where we check into our hotel.

After a hearty breakfast, we continue with our cycling and head south through the Region of the Somme and its WWI battlefields – rolling, green meadows studded with the many war memorials and cemeteries of the First World War. Following traditionally French, tree-lined avenues, we approach our next overnight stop in Compiègne. Since 1968, Compiègne has been the starting place of the “Paris-Roubaix” the most famous French cycling race after the Tour de France.

The final day of our European cycling adventure! Our last day in the saddle sees us leaving Compiègne riding through the beautiful forest surrounding the town – it was in the forest that the 1918 Armistice was signed. Our route then continues through pretty towns and villages towards the outskirts of Paris. Cycling is the national sport of France and it’s not uncommon to see locals cheering and waving us on. We cycle through the hustle and bustle of the Parisian streets until we reach the Louvre where we stop to re-assemble, then ride as a group up the majestic Champs Elyseés to our finish line at the Eiffle Tower! This evening we toast our achievements at a celebratory dinner. 

After breakfast at our hotel, you are free to enjoy the sights and sounds of Paris. In particular, you might enjoy watching the final leg of the Tour de France, an opportunity not to be missed! 

Each participant will be responsible for getting themselves to Gare du Nord in order to catch the Eurostar back to England. Bicycles will be transported by our crew in the support vehicles and will be waiting for you on arrival at the starting point, ready for you to continue your homeward journey.