London To Paris 24hr Express Corporate Cycle Challenge

Itinerary

Stage 1 - London to Newhaven (apx 100km/60 miles)
13:00 - Assemble at our agreed start place in London - final checks - briefing -pre ride publicity and photos 
14:00 - Depart ride. On the chime of 2pm from Big Ben, we're off!! We ride south, out of the city and into the countryside past Sevenoaks, Crowborough and Lewes, then down to the Sussex coast arriving at Newhaven for 19:30.
20:00 - Evening meal in Newhaven
22:30 - Ferry departs from Newhaven for Dieppe (approx crossing time 5 hours- time for a visit to the on board bar, and then find a spot to get your head down for a few hours. ) 
05:00 (french time) - Arrive in Dieppe
Stage 2 - Dieppe to Paris (apx 180km/115 miles)
Now the challenge is on! After a quick breakfast, we breakthrough the darkness into the new day on the saddle and 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!
15:00 - Our deadline in Paris - Celebrations at the Trocadero Eiffel Tower veiwing area, and then ride on to our accommodation for the evening
Next Day - Travel back to London
10:00 - Checkout of hotel and  enjoy a couple of hours enjoying Paris.
12:00 - Assemble at Gare du Nord Intl Rail Station to return by Eurostar**
14:30 - Arrive at St Pancras rail station - collect bikes
**Special Note - The time of departure by Eurostar to London is subject to availability, however, Adventure Café will endevour to meet necessary travel requirements for the trip.

Accommodation

1 night accommodation in Paris

We will be staying in Twin rooms at our destnation hotel in Paris at the end of the ride. If you require a single room please contact us for the single room supplementary fee for your trip. 

Our overnight during the challnege will be spent on the Newhaven-Dieppe 5-hour ferry crossing. You will be able to find a reclining seat in one of the quiet lounges to get a decent sleep for a few hours. You may wish to consider brining along a pillow and lightweight blanket or sleeping bag, possibly ear plus and eye mask.  (Cabins on board the ferry are very restrictied availability, therefore for large corporate groups these are not included in the trip.)

What is a Level 4.0 Cycling Challenge Like?

You are now moving into the realms of serious cycling challenges. Cycling days will be up to 10 hours (stops included), or slightly less if the event stretches over several days. You should have very good cycling fitness, with good leg strength, and you should be used to putting in regular training rides most weekends - with some good long rides. Most folks will consider these rides very long, and very challenging. Expect a mixture of length and terrain (think hilly!).

How Fit Do I need to be to join a Level 4.0 ‘Bike Ride’?

To participate in these events you need to be in good cycling fitness. You probably are capable of riding at high speeds for 2 to 2.5 hours, around 23 - 25 km/hr. And you should be used to riding long distances and over hilly terrain. If you do not cycle regularly you must be of very high fitness level - and should think about converting as soon as possible and getting on to a bike - you will need to develop your specific strength and cycling technique. Do not come on these challenges without having spent plenty of time in the saddle. Training rides should be up to 60 or 70 miles, and you should have done a few like this. You should be getting out on your bike most weekends in the run up to your event, seeking out longer climbs to improve your climbing fitness for the event.

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, Feed stops along the route, Return journey to London on Eurostar, Transfer of bikes back to London for collection,

Excluded From Trip

Transport to/from London start/finish points (London) , 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 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.

Weather

This challenge typically takes place from early May through to late September. The weather conditions therefore will very a little depending on what time in the season your ride is scheduled for. We should expect mild- warm temperatures, but with reasonable chance of rain. We should expect a colder start as we roll off the ferry in Dieppe in the early hours of the morning at the start of the second stage, and prepare for that too.

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

To Reserve Your Space on this Challenge