London to Antwerp by bike...

[JamesK]

I'm considering doing this (Actually Reigate rather than London), My aim is to get from Reigate to Antwerp in 24 hours by bicycle. I think it’s possible, especially if I leave home at around 2am on Friday morning, but this means very little sleep. I have not got a final route sorted yet, but I am considering both of these:

Option 1:

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/10279231


Option 2:

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/10279306


I plan to get the Eurotunnel from Folkestone across to Calais, and then continue my journey from there, so both of these will need some adjustment for the drop off point of the Eurotunnel.

Does anyone have any comments on the routes? I have nabbed them both from other people's routes on line, and have not been researched my me! I intend to read through the "cycling in France" and "Top Touring Tips" threads now. Since I'll be unsupported, any idea on how easy it is to top up water etc along the route. I guess I'll just need to find shops, occassionally!

Cheers for any advice or feedback, I've only ever done a supported ride in the past!

 

[Hill Wimp]

Google cycle map and directions puts that at 253 miles on cycle friendly roads and cycle paths.

Can i ask why you want to do that in 24hrs?

 

[Dayvo]

Can i ask why you want to do that in 24hrs?

He's called Jack Bauer.

 

[JamesK]

It seems like a fun challenge, I'll be able to visit my friends who live out there, and I think it's just about at my limit of ability. I'll have a driver coming over later in the day if I get a problem.

Any comments on the route?

 

[User169]

The other option is to leave at stupid o'clock in the morning and ride to Harwich - about 100 miles. Get 9am ferry to hook of holland, arriving at 5pm euro time. You've then got an 80 miiler to Antwerp.

Shorter cycling, but much longer ferry!

 

[snorri]

The other option is to leave at stupid o'clock in the morning and ride to Harwich - about 100 miles. Get 9am ferry to hook of holland, arriving at 5pm euro time. You've then got an 80 miiler to Antwerp.

Shorter cycling, but much longer ferry!

I don't know if you want to do it all in one day, or within a 24 hour period. If the latter, perhaps consider the overnight ferry leaving around 22.00, have a sleep on the ferry before setting off from Hoek van Holland around 08.00.

 

[StuAff]

Why the tunnel? There are only two cycle-carrying van services a day, and it's £22 each way. Miss one of those and you're done...Harwich then ferry to Hook would be the most sensible option. If you want to use most of one of the routes you've posted anyway, ferry to Dunkerque would be a much better option and save you about 35 miles riding.

 

[srw]

Why the tunnel? There are only two cycle-carrying van services a day, and it's £22 each way. Miss one of those and you're done...Harwich then ferry to Hook would be the most sensible option.

....but there are only two services a day. Miss one of those and you're done.

As you point out, ferries from Dover to Calais and Dunkirk are two a penny - pick the right day and you could probably treat it almost as a turn-up-and-go service.

Alternatively, since the OP talks about a support vehicle he might be considering using that to get through the tunnel.

 

[martint235]

Why the tunnel? There are only two cycle-carrying van services a day, and it's £22 each way. Miss one of those and you're done...Harwich then ferry to Hook would be the most sensible option. If you want to use most of one of the routes you've posted anyway, ferry to Dunkerque would be a much better option and save you about 35 miles riding.

Ooh I didn't realise there were any and was about to post to that effect. ***goes off to check times***

 

[Aperitif]

Since I'll be unsupported, any idea on how easy it is to top up water etc along the route. I guess I'll just need to find shops, occassionally!

Cemeteries have a cold water tap usually. Bars have better. Ferry from Dover to Dunkirk vote here too, as my learned friend, @StuAff expounds.

 

[Hill Wimp]

Another one for Dunkirk.

Myself and @hopless500 travelled Ghent,Bruges to Dunkirk in the summer as the last part of our Holland Belgium tour. Excellent route provided by Google cycling maps. Once out of Dunkirk it's really scenic and mostly along the canals or really quiet roads.

 

[Brains]

Im one for Harwich route
You can have a days cycling to Harwich (80 miles from London, no main road route)
Catch the overnight ferry, with cabin, breakfast in Hook of Holland and Antwerp can be done in a day.

One thing about that area, is be very aware of the wind direction, we have had two trips where we have missed ferries from Calais and Dunkirk as due to the wind.
it has been as fast to push the bike as ride it (no that is not a joke, even the experienced riders could not get above 7mph, and the inexperienced simply walked, it was easier.)