Paris Bordeaux Atlantique Bike Challenge

Itinerary

N.B You will need to drop your bike off at a predetermined location near London on the day before if you wish your bike to be transported to Paris for you. Your bike should be protected with pipe insulators if you wish to avoid the minor scratches that can occur. Or you may wish to put it in a bike case.

Day 1 - (Cycle 100km) - London - Paris - Chartres
Early depart from UK to arrive Paris late morning for meet, and prepare for departure from Gare du Nord. Latest arrival Gare du Nord - 11:00. Expected departure from Central Paris 12:00. Ride of approximately 100 km - to take us out of Paris to the small town of Chartres. We shall pass some lovely sights, including the Bois de Boulogne and Versailles Palace. Here we shall overnight - have a good hearty meal and prepare for the onwards journey - taking a little time to iron out any little issues with bikes, packing, equipment etc.

Day 2 - (Cycle 145km) Chartres to Amboise
After breakfast we shall continue southwards and head into the Loire region of France. Maybe our support driver will collect a bottle to sample later this evening on our arrival after our second tough day of riding? We shall spend the evening in either Amboise or a nearby town - having ridden around 145km for this day. Hopefully we shall have time to sample some of the famous Loire Valley Wines tonight!

Day 3 - (Cycle 135km) Amboise - Saumur

A classic day's ride awaits us today - as we ride through the very heart of the magnificent Loire Valley. Passing Chateaux, and riding beside the longest and most famous river in France, it is simply unforgettable. Our journey's end is the town of Saumur (or nearby) - here we shall have the chance to indulge in the local speciality - sparkling wine to rival the more famous compatriot Champagne. (Don't forget you are riding again tomorrow!)
Day 4 - (Cycle 150km) Saumur - Saint Jean D'Angely

Leaving the Loire Valley behind we shall continue southwards - but the countryside remains beautiful, as we pass through heaps of tiny, sleepy French villages, and rolling countryside. By the time the evening comes we shall be heading into Cognac country.
Day 5 - (Cycle 140km) Saint Jean D'Angely - Bordeaux - Via Gironde Estuary

Past Cognac itself today and then on to Bordeaux country proper, maybe even riding amongst the vineyards for the final part of the journey. Eventually we shall reach the Gironde itself, and ride beside this impressive estuary before entering Bordeaux itself. Now one last night to savour the wonderful Gatronomie of France!
Day 6 - Final Day - wake, breakfast, and return home either by train or by flight. Bikes will follow by support vehicle. (Please note bikes will arrive very late back into London and be delivered to a pre-specified location)

Accommodation

5 nights accommodation. Each evening we shall use accommodation as we are able to find it, in each location at the end of our day's ride. Sometimes this may be small gite style accommodation, other times a more normal small hotel.

What is a Level 3.5 Cycling Challenge Like?

These challenge rides are either longer, with more ascent, or span several days. In the case of single day events, you can expect up to 10 hours cycling. In the case of a multi day ride, you can expect lower daily durations - but of course - the effort is sustained over a longer period. You need to be a keen cyclist for these events, and to enjoy training, and to ride regularly. If the ride is outside the EU, it is likely to be easier in terms of the physical riding, however, you will need to be more resilient - due to more basic living conditions (in the case of Asia / Africa especially)

How Fit Do I need to be to join a Level 3.5 ‘Bike Ride’?

You need to have good endurance for these events. You must be used to doing long rides in the countryside - 6 hours + . You should be doing regular exercise - with some serious cycle training. Your typical comfortable cycling speed will be at least 22-24 km/hr, and you should be able to cycle at high speed for up to 1 hour or 25 km. You may also be concentrating on other types of exercise - but for longer periods of time (ie sessions in excess of 1.5 hrs.) - however cycling is the best preparation (obviously!)

Medical Issues

Please note, it is extremely important for this physical challenge that you are in good health. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, please consider carefully whether you should be joining the challenge. Please ensure you fill in the booking form accurately and honestly, this is important. In the case of serious conditions (epilepsy, diabetes, heart conditions, recent illness or operations), please discuss the challenge with your GP. Please also ensure you notify us of any allergies or similar.

It requires stamina and good aerobic fitness - but good willpower will also come in handy! Failure to disclose medical conditions is a serious omission - that could have serious repercussions on any of our challenges.

Special Notes

In order for the logistics of this challenge to work - we recommend that participants travel to London Gatwick the night prior to the start of the challenge and Adventure Cafe will then collect and transfer bikes whilst you fly out. Alternatively you may wish to transport your bike out and back - or you may wish to hire a bike from Adventure Cafe from our hire fleet. If you would like to use bike transfers, please note this will run out of  Gatwick and back into Gatwick. You may leave your car at Gatwick during the challenge.

Visas / Redtape

None required for this trip (if you are an EU citizen). If from further afield you will need to check requirements.

Included In Trip

Leader (experienced with first aid qualification, and experienced mechanic), Support Vehicle with driver, Transfers for bikes from UK to Paris and all accommodation B&B basis. Transfers for bikes back from Bordeaux to UK - subject to confirmation of service by Adventure Café.

Excluded From Trip

Transport to and from event. Lunches, dinners. Bike Hire.

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, such as mountain safety shelters, walking rope and from time to time mobile radios. 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

Mild warm and sunny weather. Be prepared for hot and sunny conditions - so be prepared to protect against the sun. Equally however, we could get unlucky! So pack rain jackets and warmer clothes too! Just in case!

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