London – Paris Bike Ride
Stop press: Registration for this event has now closed If you fancy a cycling challenge why not try our 100 mile night ride on Saturday 31 July or the Great Big Bike Ride on Sunday 5 September.
The London-Paris Bike Ride is a new event for us this year. Each year a number of cyclists choose to take part in large scale events of this kind to support Severn Hospice. We decided that it would benefit everybody if we put our own trip together. This means that all riders will be cycling for the same cause and also allows us to organise social gatherings and training rides so the team get to know each other in advance. Team members have also been able to work together on fundraising activities to make sure everyone hits their target.
We are organising the event through Classic Tours. Riders will cycle from London to Paris over the weekend of 10-13 September 2010, finishing under the Eiffel Tower. Accommodation and travel back are arranged as part of the event.
Riders need to pay £625 to cover the costs of the event and then raise a further £625 for Severn Hospice. Alternatively they can raise the full £1250 through fundraising activities.
Please note, participants are not able to use a Just Giving page or similar online format when raising sponsorship. This is because the sites automatically reclaim Gift Aid, which this event is not eligible for. If you do set up such a page after registering it, we will remove it.
FAQs
How far is it?
Our route is approximately 318km / 197 miles. This will be divided up into roughly 116km on day one, 88km on day two and 114km on day three.
What is the plan?
From Bexley in south east London, we cycle down to Dover via Rochester, following Pilgrims’ Way and skirting the North Downs, an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We will catch the 7pm ferry to Calais, eating dinner onboard, then transfer by coach to the hotel in Dieppe.
On day two we cycle through Dieppe, an old fashioned port town, and are quickly into the Normandy countryside. The morning stretch is gently undulating, then after lunch we encounter a few uphill sections of varying difficulty. At the 51km point the road becomes undulating once more. We finish with an uphill stretch giving beautiful views of Saint Aubert-en-Bray and Onse-en-Bray and will spend the night in Gournay-en-Bray.
On day three we cycle through very traditional countryside featuring farmland criss-crossed with hedges and trees, passing through many small villages. We stop for lunch after about 40km, in the suburbs of Paris. After lunch we ride through the woody Le Parc aux Etoiles then follow a steep descent towards the Seine. We cross the river several times before reaching the Bois de Boulogne on the western edge of Paris. We will re-group in the park and cycle together along wide boulevards to our destination, finishing the ride by crossing the Port d’Lena to reach the Eiffel Tower.
The morning of day four is free for sightseeing before our afternoon return journey on Eurostar.
What will the accommodation be?
Accommodation is included as part of the package and will consist of shared rooms in 2star tourist class hotels, selected because of their location on the route. Rooms are likely to be twins and some may be triples or quads. Couples should be aware that it may not be possible to share a room together. Full details of accommodation will be given nearer the time.
How many people will be taking part?
We have 38 riders taking part this year.
How do I get to Bexley?
We have organised a coach to transport cyclists between Shropshire and Bexley and have booked overnight accommodation in Bexley for those who take this option. You are welcome to make your own arrangements if you prefer. If you do wish to travel with us you must tell us as soon as possible as spaces are limited. There will be a charge for the service.
If you have any other questions email appeals@severnhospice.org.uk or call 01743 354 450. If we don’t already know the answer, we will find it out for you!
