Is it safe for me to cycle solo London to Paris?

[jefmcg]

I've had this wonderful idea, partly inspired by a post here, and encouraged by reading more here. Basically, leave work Friday afternoon, cycle down to Newhaven, catch the ferry across to Dieppe, and head straight to Paris. A loose goal of 24 hours, but mostly the pleasure of the journey and the achievement.

Mobile phone, maps, rail timetable, a smattering of French: I'll think it will be an adventure. I think I will have room for a dress and a pair of flat shoes, so will be ready for Paris.

I put this to my partner."You catch the Eurostar, and I'll meet you there. And we'll come back together" He seemed ok with this. But when I brought it up again, he said "I think cycling out of Dieppe at 2am [I told him that time] is too dangerous. I'll come with you."

Which is lovely, in a way. But it's not his idea of a good time, and he's not been cycling much and he's training for a Spartan race a few weeks before, so he won't have time to get into cycling shape. That means we'll have to take two or three days, and he won't enjoy it. So my wonderful solo adventure has turned into a bit of a slog and I'll owe him.

My take is that the big risks in an trip like this are cars, so northern France before dawn on a Saturday morning will be the safest part of it.

He's not normally a fusspot. "Bye Hon, I'm cycling to Brighton solo today" "Have fun"

Is he right? If not, can you share your experiences of Dieppe in the wee small hours so I can convince him?

thanks

 

[rollinstok]

I would suggest that walking in London at noon is far more dangerous than cycling through Dieppe at 2am. There is a certain risk with any type of solo tour, but our "fear" is largely due to the unknown factor of being in unfamiliar places. I believe that, certainly in Europe, you should not worry too much about your safety, though you should always be aware of any possible threat. If you get the touring bug you will develop a "d...head radar" and keep well away from any unpleasant situations...if you live in London I would guess your radar is already fully developed.

 

[Ticktockmy]

Having arrived many times in Strange and magicial cities and towns in the middle of the night, it can be quite dauntng, trying to get your bearings, trying to fight your instincts and stay on the wrong side of the road. As I recall from my last adventure into Dieppe at sparrows fart time, I found a cafe which was open near the Ferry Terminal, I relaxed there awhile had breakfast before I rode off into the sunrise. but that was many years ago, and i think the ferry port is in a diffrent place now.

 

[Brommyboy]

All you need to know are some differences on the road: keep to the right; entries from the right have priority unless marked as stop - most main roads are as here, only minor roads in towns or country are like this; supermarkets often shut for lunch - buy food beforehand!
Cyclists are respected! Unusual to be threatened by motorists! Just enjoy the trip

 

[jefmcg]

Thanks, keep them coming.

Just to be clear, I'm perfectly happy to do it. In fact, I'm itching to do it. He's the one I have to convince. I suspect he's worried about me alone in the dark in a French port .... oh, I've had an insight! He was in Marseille a few months ago. That's probably not a good place to for a single woman at night. I'm assuming Dieppe is unlike Marseille.

 

[fimm]

What is he worried about? Random dodgy men? Stupid drivers?

 

[steveindenmark]

Good question Fimm.

We would need to know what his concerns are. I doubt if you could find a dodgy random man in Dieppe at 2am if you were looking for one. If one saw you he would not know at that time of day if you were a man or woman.

As for drivers. It sounds as though you know what you are doing. Just be lit up like a Christmas tree so they can see you.

It is kind of your partner to offer but I think it will make you feel as though you have a minder hanging onto you. When you really want to taste the adventure solo, no matter how much you love them.

Just go for it and remember that there are far more good people than bad people out there

Make sure he reads these posts.

Steve

 

[snorri]

The only down side I can think of is if you get lost, there are not many people around at 02.00 to ask for directions.
If you are confident regarding navigation, then do it!

 

[yello]

I'm assuming Dieppe is unlike Marseille.

That would be a fair assumption.

 

[rollinstok]

I would suggest that walking in London at noon is far more dangerous than cycling through Dieppe at 2am. There is a certain risk with any type of solo tour, but our "fear" is largely due to the unknown factor of being in unfamiliar places. I believe that, certainly in Europe, you should not worry too much about your safety, though you should always be aware of any possible threat. If you get the touring bug you will develop a "d...head radar" and keep well away from any unpleasant situations...if you live in London I would guess your radar is already fully developed.

I want to make it absolutely clear that i,m not insinuating all Londoners are d...heads in my previous post. There are of course, terrorists, muggers,drug dealers,pimps,stabbers,shooters,gangsters,prostitutes,drunks,smackheads,corrupt mps,greedy bankers,spivs,fences,burglars,gay gordons,jack-the-lads and cor-blimeys too. Hope this clears things up.

 

[Archie_tect]

Take a compass and a map [or/and a smartphone with gps] so you can tell where you are until you get on the lovely straight poplar-lined roads...... can't get lost then!

Either solo or with him, have a great time.

 

[TheDoctor]

From Dieppe to Paris, the first 40k is on a traffic-free converted railway line anyhow.
That'll get you to Forges-les-Eaux nicely in time for breakfast, if you get off the boat at 2am.
And Dieppe is a small and sleepy kind of place, nothing like Marseilles. I felt nervous in Marseilles, and all I was doing was changing trains...

 

[trio25]

No experience of Dieppe, sounds a wonderful adventure I am yet to cycle abroad and it is something I would love to do. But I have come up with ideas and my partner not been sure about me doing it on my own, I found out that actually Al thought it sounded like fun and wanted to come. So even though I am significantly more bike-fit I changed it slightly and we both went. Maybe that is the case?

If not go through what your partner is worried about and how to minimise the risks. I go bivvying on my own and I text a grid reference of where I am sleeping. Al sleeps better then. I also usually leave my route at home.

Now more important things when are you planning this adventure? If only so I can do lots of miles that day as this sounds like a long ride and I like topping the leaderboard

 

[psmiffy]

Ive no idea as I am an ugly looking bloke of uncertain age - However, Ive cycled tens of thousands of km in France on over a dozen occasions and have never felt ill at ease or insecure (even at night in Marseilles - despite every French person Ive spoken to advising me against going there) - Ive landed at Dieppe early in the morning but not done the velo route towards Paris - personally from my experience I would say that the biggest risk is the normal cycling in the dark bit - ie have sufficient lights to be able to comfortably see where you are going and pick out signposts, enough rear lights and hi viz that if you do come across any traffic in the dark they can see you and a head torch for map reading and #uncture repair - first bit on the velo route should see you clear of most of the dark bit then its plain sailing to Paris. A bit of a pack up so you have got something to eat and drink as you go.

Ive never had a problem cycling in Europe in over a dozen countries - personally I would rate it to be less of a risk than cycling in the UK - extremly small and very small - again the caveat is that I am an ugly bloke

 

[jefmcg]

Thanks everyone.

Everyday I cycle through east London, past the site of at least one shooting, sometimes after 10pm. And of course, through London itself including Hyde Park Corner and the Hammersmith Gyratory (I've worked out how to skip the Chiswick roundabout), though sometimes I skip the second part and catch a train. So the points about London cycling are well made.

Anyway ...

I had a proper chat with him about it. It comes down to this "What do I do if I'm in Paris, and you don't arrive?" We discussed this. I suggested he could call me. "What if your battery is flat, or your phone is broken?" Good point, I am the-drainer-of-batteries and the-destroyer-of-small-electronics. I asked why it was ok for me to head off in the UK. "Because that's this country, and during daylight and I speak the language" He won. While I don't think that something catastrophic would happen, being hours late and for various reasons not being able to contact him seems a likely scenario. And who wants to be in the city of lights, staring a phone that isn't ringing, worrying? Even if you are in a sidewalk cafe, with a glass of Beaujolais.

So, compromises: I first suggested that he could catch the train to Newhaven. He liked that. If we go with that plan, I'll also find a place where we can put him on a train to Paris, 40-60 km along, if he decides he's bored with cycling. Then I suggested that perhaps we should catch the morning ferry and spend a night in the lovely chateau on the Avenue Verte we have stayed in before (with cars). Even better: "We've always planned to go back there", quoth he. I'm big for this quite different plan: only problem, that would involve me setting out at 2am fnrttc style: night cycling again. However, I think I can make him ok with that. And booking the ferry becomes less urgent, we just need a couple of seats, not a cabin.

I'll keep you posted on the plans.