London to PARIS AND BACK [626km / 5,588m elevation]
A classic ride from the Tower of London to the Arc de Triomphe, perhaps to co-incide with Tour de France? Some folks try to do the London to Paris leg in 24 hours.
Our Top Tips
When to go - usually in the Summer to make the most of the daylight hours.
Book early - especially for the ferry crossing. If you’re travelling overnight cabins are not expensive, especially if you have four sharing.
If you’re not riding back - it can be hard to book bikes on the Eurostar, another option is local train to Calais, ferry to Dover then ride or train back to London.
Watch out for the weather - it can range from a full heatwave in June, or near zero early morning temperatures in early May.
Where to stay - Hotel de la Porte Doree is bike and cyclist friendly.
Kudos to Mike Cohen and David Mason for this Epic Adventure, ridden in June 2018, June 2019 and May 2024.
For more info, take a look at David Mason’s full write up.
London to Newhaven [99km / 927m elevation]
The route crosses a number of small south London parks and also some busy roads, and finally escapes the city at Farthing Downs where there are toilets and great views. Catch your breath and grab a snack after the climb to Turners Hill (55k) then carry on to Newhaven along lovely quiet lanes. Take care on the bend at the bottom of Slugwash Lane (70k).
If you’re doing the 24-hour challenge: The best time to leave the Tower of London is about 16:00. With around 5 hours of riding you should just have time to grab dinner and buy breakfast (shops will be closed when you arrive at 0500). Ferry check-in opens at 21:30 and closes at 22:15. Do adjust the timing for the current crossing times.
Dieppe to Paris [199km / 1,526m elevation]
The route takes you through a supermarket carpark on the outskirts of Dieppe and onto the Avenue Verte – a straight, level cyclepath that runs through woods and little villages. The first cafes are in the square at Forges-les-Eaux (54k) and you’ll be ready for a break. It’s rolling countryside until you descend to the Seine at Meulan-en-Yvelines (142k) where there are a few options for lunch, or break the ride and stay overnight.
The route then curves to the south, taking you through forests and passing the gates of Versailles. There’s a short stretch of off-road, perhaps 1-2km. This is much more enjoyable than the slightly shorter direct route from Meulan, which is mainly through built-up suburbs. After photos and beers at the Arc de Triomphe, the route takes you along the Seine cycle path, past Notre Dame, to the Hotel de la Porte Doree at 208k, which welcomes cyclists.
If you’re doing the 24-hour challenge: With the ferry mooring at 05:00 (04:00 UK time), you’ll be on the road by 05:30. If you allow 10.5 hours on the road including 30 mins for a mid-morning break and 50 mins for lunch this leaves you with about 50 mins contingency if you are aiming to do London to Paris in 24 hours.
Paris to Dieppe via Rouen [220km / 2,052m elevation]
The route criss-crosses the Seine with some short steep climbs and great views over Paris. You may want to grab something to eat at Meulan (47k) or press on to Giverny (82k). There are great views along the Seine until you leave it after a steep climb just beyond Les Andelys. (108k). There are more great views as you descend to Rouen (142k) where you may want to take a break. Then it’s an evening ride over open fields to the coast where there’s a final steep climb to negotiate before you reach Dieppe.
You may want to break the ride for a meal or overnight stay at Vernon/Giverny or Rouen. There are rail connections to Paris and Dieppe from both places.
If you’re doing this in one day: If you’re on the road by 09:00 you should allow for 11 hours of riding, 1.75 hours for breaks, and 1.5 hours of contingency time. Ferry check-in opens at 22:30 and closes at 23:15.
Newhaven to London [108km, 1,083m elevation]
It’s a lovely route back to London via East Grinstead (51k) but the climb to Chaldon at 74k will test your reserves.
If you’ve taken the overnight ferry: You’ll arrive in the very early morning and may want to grab breakfast at the 24-hour MacDonalds by the port while the sun rises before setting back off to London for around lunchtime. If you’ve come off the overnight ferry cafes may be open by the time you reach East Grinstead.
