London to Paris - Cost

[sleaver]

Firstly, apologies if this is the wrong section as I couldn't work out which one would be best.

I have been thinking that as a challenge, I would consider London to Paris but until September this year, I can't dedicate the time. However, I saw an advert for an organised even in May next year.

It would be over 3 days with an additional day at the beginning for registration and a seeding time trail. It then sounds like everything is then pretty much included until the optional last day (the one after arriving in Paris) and getting home.

It is organised by HotChillee and would be a few pounds shy of £1,500. So considering things like the crossing to France, accommodation, food, support etc. is included, is that a could price (I have heard good things about HotChillee) or are thee better and cheaper ways of doing it?

I think I would prefe doing it "supported" and I think trying it in 24 hours would be to much.

 

[slowmotion]

£500 a day sounds a bit steep to me.

 

[Berk on a Bike]

The HotChillee L2P gets a documentary on Eurosport. It was on the other night. The team event seems to be full of corporate knobheads but what do I know? A 260-strong support team, motorbike outriders and rolling road blocks into Paris might be worth the entry fee alone.

 

[EasyPeez]

Sounds ridiculously expensive to me. We did it last month for 500 and odd pound all in. That included Dover-Calais ferry over, Eurostar back, 3 nights accommodation plus breakfast and lunch each day and return transport (van) for bikes. 4 days supported riding plus a free day in Paris at the end. We weren't racing though - sounds like you're going for something more intense with this seeding malarkey. More Adventure was the company we went with.

 

[EasyPeez]

A 260-strong support team, motorbike outriders and rolling road blocks into Paris

Hahaha! Right. That's where your 1500 beans are going then. Sounds like a very different 'vibe' to what we were after! Good luck. It's a great ride if you're taking in the history and culture of the route, though far from the most challenging cycling terrain. Oh, and the French do tarmac far better than us.

 

[EltonFrog]

@sleaver is this the event? http://www.londres-paris.com/

It looks great, but for fifteen hundred queens you could probably have a great cycling tour holiday for longer.

As an event though the HC looks FAB, though I'm not sure why the event fee does not include the return journey, that's an extra £150!

 

[robgul]

As suggested a DIY trip is simple to organise at minimal cost - but if you want an organised trip then look at www.ride25.com - not cheap but a great experience.

BTW Hot Chillee is, I'm pretty sure, the company behind Cyclosport - the sportive website ... looks like it may be a "London - Paris Sportive" that you're looking at? - is that what you are after, or do you want to enjoy the scenery?

Rob

 

[sleaver]

sounds like you're going for something more intense with this seeding malarkey.

I may have got that bit wrong, but this is what it says on the site:

New start venue with closed circuit for yellow race section (Cyclopark, Gravesend).

It also says:

A new special group for newcomers to cycling with speed range 22-25 kph. The focus is on riding safely, completing the event, learning rather than racing or being skilled in big bunch riding.

I'm not the fastest rider in the world but that speed would be comfortable for me. I would also assume that as the teams seem to be in a 'race', this would seem more of a relaxed group but still with all the help offered by the organisers. Although I doubt everyone will benefit from rolling road closures, maybe only the fastest bunch.

@sleaver is this the event? http://www.londres-paris.com/

Yep, that's the one.

As suggested a DIY trip is simple to organise at minimal cost - but if you want an organised trip then look at www.ride25.com - not cheap but a great experience.

Thanks, I'll have a look.

BTW Hot Cillee is, I'm pretty sure, the company behind Cyclosport - the sportive website ... looks like it may be a "London - Paris Sportive" that you're looking at? - is that what you are after, or do you want to enjoy the scenery?

If you are thinking of the same one as CarlP mentioned, then yes, that is the one. It would be good to enjoy the scenery but then I think at 22-25 kph, that can be done.

 

[Dibs]

Check out the Discover Adventure website here http://www.discoveradventure.com/challenges/london-to-paris-cycle

£750 cost plus sign up fee... DA are highly recommended...

 

[EltonFrog]

Slightly off topic, sort of. My wife is currently cycling from Paris to Upton, near Didcot where we live. Her firm sent her out there yesterday morning for a meeting, and rather than fly back, she took her bike in a cardboard bike box and is cycling back. Yesterday afternoon after the meeting in Paris, she cycled 18 miles out and stayed in a very cheap hotel, this morning she cycled to LeHavre to catch the ferry (she is on that now), a stop over in Newhaven tonight and cycles back home to Oxfordshire tomorrow morning. She has never done anything like that before. She is well 'ard, my wife.

 

[sleaver]

Check out the Discover Adventure website here http://www.discoveradventure.com/challenges/london-to-paris-cycle

£750 cost plus sign up fee... DA are highly recommended...

What with the other challenges, London - Paris - Geneva - Nice it is then

If only I actually had the time and legs to do that though

@CarlP Why didn't you go out there with her, sightsee while she was in the meeting and then ride back with her

 

[EltonFrog]

What with the other challenges, London - Paris - Geneva - Nice it is then

If only I actually had the time and legs to do that though

@CarlP Why didn't you go out there with her, sightsee while she was in the meeting and then ride back with her

Because I have to work Saturday.