So 4 weeks to my London to Paris ride, and this is my weapon of choice all ready to go:-

good enough for the trip I hope, and yes its a boardman (from the original incarnations) with upgrades

I did a London to Paris earlier this year. Here are my top tips –

Make sure your saddle is comfortable,in that you have done several long days on it before you do the actual run.

Think about using road shoes and cleats, trust me they are comfier after 300 miles than MTB shoes and cleats.

Take a camera, stop regularly and take lots of pics. The countryside is gorgeous.

Change to folding tyres if you can, the weight saving pays for itself.

I have the mapmyride logs for the run I did assuming you’re following a similar route (they mostly do) then it might give you an idea of what you’re in for.

Look forward to the french roads and drivers, it really is night and day from cycling in the UK.

G

for the saddle I commute to work every day atm which is a 40 mile round trip with some longer rides on days off etc so thats being well tested, and lke my mtb shoes for convenience (they are very stiff soled compared to some).

The holder on the bars is for my jesus phone which will be mapping and doing pics etc (currently cobbling together a holder for a small solar cell for extra power)

and yes I am looking forward to the french roads as the whole country is alot more cycle friendly

Good luck for your ride, I was in Paris the weekend one of the rides finished there, my wife spotted a group of Mamils near the Eiffel tower the day after the scheduled finish having a photo opportunity for Action for Children. I’d signed up to do the ride but due to a complete lack of training I had to pull out, but have plans to complete the ride next year in the spring.

Tilt your saddle up?

Good luck, and have fun… main thing is to eat plenty. You will be fine with mtb pedals and shoes. Carry stuff on you bike and not on your back. Ortlieb make a nice 3 litre saddle bag, get loads in it. Used one for lejog.

You obviously you like your bike, but really think you should have a bigger frame and a higher bar position.

WTF is going on with that saddle? Have you had a pelvis transplant that went badly wrong?

Can I suggest mudguards if they haven’t already been fitted, oh and have funand enjoy it… (slightly jealous)

Best of luck mate sounds like a great challenge!!

I’m jealous france is just a much more civilised place to cycle. At the moment its the TDF holiday compensator for me this year.

The frame is actually an XL but I am tall with V long legs the tilt in saddle allows for the low bar position, it has an adjustable stem so if it get uncomfy I can adjust either or both pump is on the bike all other tools are in the saddle pack (it can be made bigger to carry some trail food bits), must admit I was thinking if using my camel back for drinks but have 2 large bottles if it’s a better option

With that riding position a Camelbak will be pushing your helmet down over your face. Bottles for tarmac.

Do you not slide off the front of that thing? I’m still boggling at it.

I think your back is gonna be your best friend at the end Kev!!!!

Good luck-whats the furthest you have pedalled so far?

Done a few long weekend rides, with a 40 mile round trip commute most days it should be fine, btw think the photo angle makes the seat look worse than it actually is

Mudguards, bottles not backpack. Will you have a support vehicle / crew?

Are you doing the ride where you get to watch the tDF arrive in Paris?

You planning on climbing a hell of a lot of very very steep hills? If not, sort the saddle out.

tbh, if you are already riding 40km a day then the london to paris will be a doddle as you are already used to long stints in the saddle.

which route are you taking?

i rode from london to munich a few years back and was only doing a six mile commute each day prior to it.
i went from london to portsmouth. portsmouth to le harve and followed the sien river into paris. relatively easy route. the hardest part was the bridge when leaving le harve. it was blowing a gale and i almost had to get off and push it was so windy.

enjoy.

Lose the wheel reflector, and good luck.

for those that wanted to know, this is thge route/itinerary

Day 1 – London to Calais
Cycling distance – approx. 67 miles
Our ride from Bexley in southeast London kicks off
early to avoid the traffic. Within five miles we’re
cycling on quieter roads and hitting the rolling Kent
countryside. Today we get off to a great start as we
find our rhythm cycling in a large group. We cover
nearly 70 miles to reach the white cliffs of Dover, and
cycle through historic Rochester. We tackle some
tough climbs, but there’s plenty of coasting terrain
to rest our legs. We board an early evening ferry to
France and arrive in Calais at our hotel charged for
the next day’s ride.

Day 2 – Calais to Arras
Cycling distance – approx. 78 miles
Following a hearty breakfast, we start cycling
‘French style’, remembering to stay on the right.
Today is the toughest day, both mentally and
physically, but we can do it! We’ll whizz through
beautiful French countryside, with views of green
meadows as far as the eye can see. The roads are
quiet and we travel through attractive small towns.

Day 3 – Arras to Compiègne
Cycling distance – approx. 73 miles
Today’s ride is a step back into history as we head
south towards Bapaume, scene of the Battle of
the Somme. After a delicious Fairtrade lunch next
to a beautiful lake, we continue south and enjoy a
well-earned downhill stretch to our overnight stop in
Compiègne.

Day 4 – Compiègne to Paris
Cycling distance – approx. 66 miles
The final day of our European cycling adventure
sees us cycle south through stunning forests, and
it’s not long before we reach the eastern outskirts
of Paris. We cycle around to the north and proceed
through small villages and towns. It’s normal to see
locals waving us on – after all, the famous Tour de
France ends tomorrow and the atmosphere is sure
to be electric. The sight of the Eiffel Tower will spur
us on as we get closer. We stop for the group to
reassemble and then ride together up the Champs-
Elysées, round the Arc de Triomphe and down to the
finish, overlooking the Eiffel Tower. This evening we
celebrate our achievements with a special dinner.

Day 5 – Paris to London
Cycling distance – 0 miles
After breakfast at our hotel, we are free to enjoy the
sights and sounds of Paris. Maybe you want to get a
good space from which to watch the Tour de France
or simply soak up the atmosphere in one of the
many cafés – the choice is yours. There will be an
early evening Eurostar departure from Gare du Nord
back to St Pancras. Bicycles will be transported back
to London and participants will then have the choice
of either collecting their bike from St Pancras or the
starting point in Bexley.

really looking forward to it now even after a shitty 18mph headwind with gust of 30+ commute this morning, good job the rain held off, guess that’ll be tonights pleasure 🙂

BTW one of my biggest worries is the speed the above seems to suggest the grp will be travelling at is alot slower than my own solo speed, and I sometimes think it hurts more riding slow off your comfortable pace than at you own pace, so i can see some solo riding and letting others catch up at dinner time or day end

Sounds like a pretty similar route to the one that I did earlier this year.

London to Dover is not 67 miles and there are some evil hills near Dover. Day 2 looks pretty good, and it is if you don’t have a headwind….

part 1 of day 1 – morning
part 2 of day 1 – afternoon

Day 2 – day 2 morning
Day 2 – afternoon

Your day three and day four routes sound different slightly,

Watch out for gendarmes when you come to the Arc De Triomphe, you’re not officially allowed to ride around it so we did it in small groups.

Enjoy it, I’d love to do it all again, every month if I could.

BTW one of my biggest worries is the speed the above seems to suggest the grp will be travelling at is alot slower than my own solo speed, and I sometimes think it hurts more riding slow off your comfortable pace than at you own pace, so i can see some solo riding and letting others catch up at dinner time or day end

…

Hmmm… not sure that’s a good idea. Camaraderie of the group and all that.