“A seven day epic gravel bike adventure”
7 Day A Trail of Two Cities Epic Guided Gravel Bike Tour from London, UK, to Paris, France
Lenham, UK; Calais - Montreuil - Amiens - Compiègne - Paris, France
Cycling Tour from UK to France
Ride through the "Garden of England," following Pilgrims Way to Canterbury, then cross the North Downs to Dover. Discover the Côte d'Opale, the battlefield of Crécy and the wildlife of the Marais de Somme. Explore the canals and Gothic cathedral of Amiens before making your final push through the forests to Paris!
Key information
- Trip type: Guided
- Lodging: Point to Point
- Terrain: Tracks, roads and forests
- Starts in: London
- Ends in: Paris
- Total Distance: 339 Miles / 545 Kilometers
- Type of bike: Gravel bike (not included)
Meet the instructors
Charlie
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Highlights
- 6 days of guided cycling
- Luggage transfer included
- Fully guided tour with experienced British Cycling Qualified Ride Leader
- Supported ride, shadowed by van driven by trained bike mechanic
- 6 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast
6 days with instruction
Accommodation
You will be staying in 3 or 4 star hotels throughout the trip, from a traditional English pub to large city centre hotels.
Program
Itinerary
Day 1: London to Lenham
Drop your bags, and you head off following the Thames Estuary out under the Dartford Crossing. Cross the Medway to join the Pilgrims Way to Lenham ending the day at a classic English pub.
- Distance: 90 kilometers / 56 miles
- Elevation: 700 meters / 2,297 feet
Day 2: Lenham to Dover
Fuel up with a proper English breakfast, then follow the Pilgrims' route to Canterbury for lunch. In the afternoon, ride across the North Downs before catching the ferry to Calais.
- Distance: 65 kilometers / 40 miles
- Elevation: 600 meters / 1,969 feet
Day 3: Calais to Montreuil
Start with a scenic ride along the coast to Cap Gris-Nez, where, on a clear day, you can catch a glimpse of England. Pass by the imposing remnants of Hitler's Atlantic Wall, a stark reminder of wartime history, before stopping in Boulogne for a well-deserved lunch.
Afterward, venturing inland, cycle along farm tracks to the historic town of Montreuil.
- Distance: 105 kilometers / 65 miles
- Elevation: 1,000 meters / 3,281 feet
- Terrain: Farm tracks
Day 4: Montreuil to Amiens
Ride a mix of farm tracks and narrow lanes toward Crécy-en-Ponthieu, the site of Edward III's legendary victory over the French in 1346. Stop for lunch in the historic town of Abbeville before joining a scenic Rue Verte that winds along the Somme Valley, passing through serene lakes and marshlands.
Finish the day's ride in Amiens, a city renowned for its immense Gothic cathedral and canals.
- Distance: 100 kilometers / 62 miles
- Elevation: 1,110 meters / 3,642 feet
- Terrain: Farm tracks and narrow lanes
Day 5: Amiens to Compiègne
A glorious day in the saddle, tracing abandoned Roman roads and farm tracks that cut across open fields and wind through sleepy villages. The ride concludes in Compiègne, a town etched in history as the site of the WWI Armistice signing and the 1940 Fall of France.
To cycling enthusiasts, Compiègne is even more renowned as the starting point of the iconic Paris-Roubaix race, adding a legendary touch to the day's journey.
- Distance: 95 kilometers / 59 miles
- Elevation: 630 meters / 2,067 feet
- Terrain: Abandoned Roman roads and farm tracks
Day 6: Compiègne to Paris
Today’s ride takes you through lush forests, starting from Compiègne and winding through the expansive greenery of the Compiègne Forest.
Stop for lunch in the charming village of Senlis, steeped in medieval history. In the afternoon, continue through the picturesque Oise-Pays de France Regional Natural Park, a landscape of rolling woodlands and serene trails.
As Paris approaches, follow the tranquil canal path that guides you right into the heart of the city and the end of the ride.
- Distance: 90 kilometers / 56 miles
- Elevation: 400 meters / 1,312 feet
- Terrain: Forests, woodlands and trails, canal paths
Day 7: Departure
You can choose to depart from all Paris airports: Paris Orly Airport (ORY) and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), or return to London on the Eurostar.
Route grade
This ride varies between blue (moderate) and red (challenging) levels. Blue rides feature moderately difficult terrain with small climbs and uneven surfaces, while red rides involve steeper climbs and more technical trails that require competent off road handling skills.
Riders must have off-road experience and be able to maintain an average speed of 14 km/h (9 mph) or ride steadily for three continuous hours. Regular riding is essential to handle the mixed terrain confidently.
Note: The colour of the route on the map denotes the ride grade.
Supported ride
Rides are shadowed by a van driven by a trained bike mechanic who can fix almost any bike problem.
Fully guided
Rides are guided by Charlie, an experienced British Cycling Qualified Ride Leader
Luggage transfer
Your bags are transported from hotel to hotel.
Instructors
Charlie Codrington
Charlie is an experienced ride leader, who leads the off-road coaching at London's Herne Hill Velodrome when he is not organizing tours and events for Hidden Tracks Cycling, the firm he founded, based on his passion for cycling adventures.
Location
You will cycle through the following locations:
- Lenham, UK
- Calais, France
- Montreuil, France
- Amiens, France
- Compiègne, France
- Paris, France
Food
Breakfasts are included in the tour.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
What's included
- 6 days of fully supported and guided gravel riding
- Ferry fare
- Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel
- Support mechanic
- Bike transfer from Paris to London
- 6 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast
What's not included
- Airfare
- Airport transfers
- Return from Paris
- Other meals
- Additional activities
- Personal expenses
- Bike rental
How to get there
Recommended Airports
LTN
Luton Airport
103 km
Transfer not provided
LGW
Gatwick Airport
64 km
Transfer not provided
LCY
London City Airport
54 km
Transfer not provided
LHR
Heathrow Airport
86 km
Transfer not provided
SEN
London Southend Airport
36 km
Transfer not provided
STN
London Stansted Airport
79 km
Transfer not provided
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through Tripaneer.com. All major credit cards supported.
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