London>Paris - are there any companies that could organise this for us?

[eml1909]

A small group of friends (about 10 adults) would like to do a cycle ride from London to Paris and to meet our non-cycling spouses in Paris for the weekend.

We would like to do this at our own pace and not as part of a large, organised event. Some of us are more experienced cyclists than others, but none of us is a serious cyclist. This is not the sort of thing we'd like to do "on our own", i.e. without proper support.

Does anyone know of any companies that could arrange and organise this for us? We'd be interested in having a van follow us (to show us the way, to carry equipment and to help us with any bike maintenance along the way). Also, they could arrange logistics for us.

Do such companies exist and, if so, does anyone have any recommendations?

 

[sabian92]

Could you not just rent a van and get a friend to drive it? Probably a hell of a lot cheaper as you don't have to pay him/her!

 

[eml1909]

Thanks - yes, that's what I'm starting to think. In fact, thinking about it a bit more, perhaps we don't need a van at all???

 

[sabian92]

Thanks - yes, that's what I'm starting to think. In fact, thinking about it a bit more, perhaps we don't need a van at all???

Well, it's up to you. If you want to it unloaded then you'll need a van. The route finding problem could be solved by getting a GPS (not even an expensive one, just one that tells you where to turn and for how far). Doing it loaded shouldn't really be a problem though, if you stay in B&Bs you could easily get away with just taking 2 jerseys, shorts, shoes, a set of clothes for nipping out at night in for a meal and a phone/passport/wallet. That's probably not even 2 small panniers (I could fit that in my panniers, which are Altura Arrans but they're only 16 litres each) worth of stuff. You probably wouldn't even need a bar bag.

Get your wives to take your stuff with them, save you lugging it 3-400 miles!

 

[MarkF]

I agree with Sabian, 2 small panniers is all you need. Calm down, it's not far, what are you likely to need or do? I rode for 3 weeks on my last tour and, apart from checking the tyres now and gain, I oiled the chain once.

 

[dellzeqq]

having sorted two FNRttCs to Newhaven, Dieppe and Paris, I'd have said that you need to give yourself a bit of time, sort out your accommodation, and take a decent repair kit. If you're returning by Eurostar that takes a bit of sorting. Starting at midnight helps, but it's not essential. Some of us had panniers, but I managed with a bar bag and a small six litre saddle pack. The tricky bit is the ride in to Paris from Cergy-Pontoise - you need to research that thoroughly. That's about it. It really isn't that great a distance.

Oh - and watch out for the ABTA rules.

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/fnrtc-to-newhaven-dieppe-and-paris.94346/

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/fnrttc-to-newhaven-dieppe-and-paris-2011.76270/

and this isn't quite the route (Google Maps can't get its head around some offroad bits) but it gives you an idea of the distance if you go via Newhaven.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Hyde Park Corner, Belgravia, London&daddr=51.2806518,-0.1764276 to:51.2075225,-0.188347 to:Gatwick, Horley to:51.1506806,-0.1048961 to:51.0743995,-0.0814607 to:50.990651,-0.0684082 to:Lewes Rd toieppe, France to:49.8650656,1.1508162 to:Saint-Saëns, France to:Gisors, France to:Paris, France&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=49.348388,1.738586&spn=0.372617,0.617294&sll=49.8052,1.273727&sspn=0.369145,0.617294&geocode=FbbfEQMdnKz9_yk_c5E1JQV2SDEflY3ow3Phrw;FQt7DgMd1U79_ymXB8oVt_x1SDHNTVd8jYTQpw;FWJdDQMdRSD9_ykBJ3sEM-V1SDHeLG4lpSmsfg;Ff-RDAMdPnv9_yH_c4kBv6TdWSkbOR993u91SDH_c4kBv6TdWQ;FVh_DAMdQGb-_ykHsEazxfB1SDFEs-XrojRLmQ;FV9VCwMdzMH-_yn1CvBfDfR1SDErk6Yo6m92SQ;FTsOCgMdyPT-_ykNwmKqaot1SDGRsnuGnIKNOQ;FcQTBwMd2rIAAA;FbDD-QId63AQACn5GQZnB6LgRzFFhUF4PQqirg;FWnh-AIdYI8RACllWxqaQ6PgRzHcZTd34FHqUA;FXr09QIdL5YTACkXqyoSMsjgRzFWIfMK7bSdpA;FR7z7wIdwxsbACnxeoZmpeDmRzEjErn--yczYQ;FSZ-6QIdXuQjACkPt-IGH27mRzFglIxow4ILBA&oq=paris&dirflg=w&mra=dpe&mrsp=9&sz=11&via=1,2,4,5,6,9&t=m&z=11

 

[StuartG]

Route? The easiest and prettiest is via Newhaven/Dieppe. (LD Ferries)

Newhaven is a pleasant days ride from London (about 60 miles). Dieppe to Paris is just over 100 miles so probably two good days. Think around Gisors for the night. Formule1, B&B Hotels and Premiere Classe are all very inexpensive cycle friendly motels. You can book them all online.

You don't need a support vehicle. Just what you would carry for a day ride plus a change of underwear and a toothbrush. You can meet up with the rest in Paris. In France Decathalon or a large hypermarket can top you up with inner tubes etc should you suffer a concerted attack by the puncture fairy or other minor mechanicals.

The Newhaven/Dieppe ferry only runs twice a day so you might want to work your trip around it. I would go for the evening ferry (usually around 9/10pm). That gives you plenty of time to get there during the day and have a meal/drink beforehand. You get four hours kip on the boat. In June it should get light early so you will be well into France for breakfast. If its your first time you could use the Avenue Verte cyclepath. Its more fun on the the country D roads - the French motorists (outside Paris) are exceptionally kind to cyclists if to no one else! Just keep clear of the Routes Nationales (N-roads).

Finding your way is not difficult with the Michelin Normandy map. The environs of Paris are not good but you will have the smell of success to get you through that and I found once you get into the city it is a lot more bike friendly than London.

I've done it twice, once on a three speed Brompton and I'm hardly a spring chicken and don't do hills. Hence it should be within the comfortable reach of anyone who can do a good day ride. Join a club like ours (The Anerley) if you need to get up to that level enjoyably over the spring.

There are a fair number of write-ups of this kind of trip to guide you once you have made the decision. And of course folks here too. Its a peach of a ride (except for those Paris environs which are quickly forgotten).

 

[dellzeqq]

I'd agree with Stuart on the Normandy map, and add only that there is a larger scale Michelin map of Paris that comes in handy

http://www.stanfords.co.uk/Home/Product-Detail/Paris-the-Environs_9782067157811.htm

 

[StuartG]

DZ and i are overlapping.

An alternative (and the way I came back from Paris this summer) is to go via Rouen. Rich in motels. It is a imperceptable climb from Dieppe to Rouen on day 1 and a glorious steep descent into the city. Then dead flat and very pretty (once you have cleared Rouen & Elbeuf) along the the Seine towards Paris. It has the benefit of following the railway line should anyone need to bail.

Plus while it is a bit further you could cut the last unpleasant bit into Paris by taking the train from Mantes la Jolie through the outskirts unless doing the whole lot by bike is important.

 

[steveindenmark]

I would certainly not pay someone to organise this trip for me. I assume you are not going until it warms up a bit. If that is the case it gives you all time to sit down and plan it between you over a few coffee and cakes, or something stronger. If you are looking for accomodation that is cheap and clean and that can accomodate 10 of you, then look at F1 or Premier hotels in France. They are all over the place. Otherwise you will have to book somewhere before you leave to make sure you can all get in. It sounds like a great trip and I am sure you will get just as much enjoyment out of planning it all yourselves.

 

[CopperBrompton]

The only challenge I can see you facing is finding accommodation for 10 people. The best approach is probably to contact B&Bs, find out how many they can accommodate and see if they can then ring round other local places to accommodate all of you across a few of them,

I did the Avenue Verte route, and can recommend it highly. I would not take the overnight ferry, however, as you get woken at 03:25 and kicked off in Dieppe at 4am where there is nothing at all open. You then end up cycling in the dark with nowhere open until 7.30am-ish.

Total distance was 70 miles on the UK side (starting from London Bridge) and 144 miles on the French side. We did the French side over a relaxed 2.5 days.

Blog here, with photos and route details:
http://www.benlovejoy.com/cycle/tripreports/londontoparis/

 

[livpoksoc]

Surely if your non cycling partners wish to meet u in paris, they could do your logistical bits for u?

I.e. they drive a reasonable sized car to hold them, any food and some essential parts (tubes/tyres) and for other parts rely on local cycle shops en route. When i did this with discover adventure, they only stocked spare chains, rims, brake blocks and cleats. If u needed cables/crank etc. they'd run u to a cycle shop that they knew on each day.

 

[eml1909]

Just wanted to thank everyone for their very helpful ideas and suggestions - very much appreciated. This idea is still very much in its infancy, but I am reading these posts with interest and will certainly return to this post once we have a better idea about what we're going to do.

Current thinking is to forget the suppor vehicle and just do it on our tod (as suggested above) and meet our other halves in Paris.

All seems very exciting. But in the meantime, I think I will sign up for a couple of sportives to see how I fare on a longer ride. At the moment, I have nevr cycled more than about 35 miles (averaging 15mph). I'm fairly confident that I could double that distance in one day, but more than that will require some training (and dieting!).

Anyway, thanks again!

 

[StuartG]

At the moment, I have nevr cycled more than about 35 miles (averaging 15mph). I'm fairly confident that I could double that distance in one day, but more than that will require some training

IMHO 50 miles @ 12 mph is easier than 35 @ 15. So if you take it easy the mileage is almost already in the bag. Why not come on one of Dell's FNRttC (see informal ride section)? Around 50/60 miles at conversational pace and you will be sucked along by the good company. The object is to get there comfortably. Sportives in contrast are to get you there quickly.

If the dark is not your thing then slow clubs like ours will also get your mileage confidence fixed nicely.

 

[eml1909]

So, today's the day...

In the end, there are 3 of us going (not 10 as I originally anticipated).

We're cycling this evening from London to Newhaven and staying in a small guest house near the ferry. Catching the ferry tomorrow morning and then cycling to Lalandelle (should arrive around 8.30pm). Staying in what looks like a fantastic guest-house (http://www.chambres-confiturier.com/ and http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUs...urier_de_Malethi-Lalandelle_Oise_Picardy.html)

Finishing the ride on Tuesday morning. Drop off the bikes at Gare du Nord and then spending the rest of the day in Paris before catching the last Eurostar home.

Following the Donald Hirsch route - http://www.donaldhirsch.com/dieppeparis.html

Tres exciting!