Posts Tagged "London to Paris cycle ride"

Pedal2Paris Day 4!

Posted by in Castle Coop News, Cycling from London to Paris for WLS & the Royal British Legion | 2 comments

Pedal2Paris Day 4!

 

 

 

Pedal2Paris Day 4!

 

Day 4: Beauvais to Paris (100.8km)

taken from the  P2P itinerary – The Royal British Legion.

Enjoy the mounting sense of anticipation as you leave Beauvais for the final stretch to Paris. After lunch, you will merge together into one massive peloton for your triumphant entry into Paris.

From the outskirts of the city, Paris police accompany you, sirens blaring, as you wind through city streets to your final destination. Your first view of the Arc de Triomphe as you turn the corner is a magical moment that you will never forget. We are the only bike ride other than the Tour de France that the roads around the Arc are closed fo and cycling around this iconic monument with 300 cyclists is thrilling end to your exhilarating, unforgettable adventure.

But it’s not quite over yet. Before celebrations begin you will, as a group, parade up to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath the iconic Arc. During a poignant ceremony, cycling becomes secondary for a few minutes as we remember all those in our Armed Forces who are away from home serving their country – some of them in difficult and dangerous surroundings. What better way to “Stand shoulder to shoulder with all who Serve”?.

But the evening is all about celebration as we toast your fantastic achievement! As your bike heads back to London, you travel by coach to your hotel and a final celebratory dinner together, hosted by The Royal British Legion.

 
 Day 4 – 7.00am breakfast 7.30pm coach pick up from hotels Departures at 8.30am…
Day 4 – Beauvais to Menucourt
34.9 mi – about 1 hour 4 mins
Menucourt
Day 4 – 11.40am -12.30pm lunch; 1.00pm All leave together for Paris
Day 4 Menucourt to Paris
26.9 mi – about 1 hour 13 mins
Paris
Day 4 3.24pm Arrive Arc de Triomphe 3.25-4.00pm Celebration and medal presentations 4.30pm Remembrance Ceremony at Arc de Triomphe 5.00pm Depart Arc de Triomphe 5.25pm ARrive at Hôtel National des Inv…

 

Pedal2Paris Map Day 4

and here are the very last hills for our trip:

Pedal2Paris Day 4 hills

 

 

 

Yours thrilled to bits to be in Paris! 

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Pedal2Paris Day 3!

Posted by in Castle Coop News, Cycling from London to Paris for WLS & the Royal British Legion | 0 comments

Pedal2Paris Day 3!

 

 

 

Pedal2Paris Day 3!

 

Information taken from: P2P itinerary – The Royal British Legion.

Day 3: Abbeville to Beauvais (106.9km)

Following a rousing send-off from the people of Abbeville, we continue our cycling by heading south through the Somme region.

The Somme is remembered for the terrible battles of the First World War and the beautiful countryside is studded with cemeteries and other poignant reminders of the thousands of men who lost their lives. You will continue through the Oise Region of Picardie and in the afternoon there will be a special reception at the small village of Auchy La Montagne, where each year the villagers give us a wonderful welcome in thanks for their liberation by British Forces in the Second World War.

The day ends with a ceremony at the war memorial in Beauvais followed by a drinks reception at the Fire Station, before coaches take you to your hotels.

 

 Day 3 – 7.00am breakfast in hotels 7.40am coach from Cap Hornu 8.00am coaches from Ibis and Mecure hotels 8.45am War Memorial ceremonyDepartures at 9.00am, 9.45am and 10.00am
Day 3 – Abbeville to Poix de Picardie
30.1 mi – about 1 hour 2 mins
Poix de Picardie
Day 3 – arrive 11.55am-12.35pm for lunch Departures at 1.00pm, 1.30pm and 1.45pm
Day 3 – Poix de Picardie to Auchy la Montagne
24.5 mi – about 46 mins
Auchy la Montagne
Day 3 – 3.00-3.40pm Arrive Auchy la Montagne, regroup and drinks 4.30 pm depart in one group
Day 3 – Auchy la Montagne to Beauvais
11.5 mi – about 20 mins
Beauvais
Day 3 – 5.30pm arrive Beauvais War Memorial for ceremony 6.10pm arrive fire station for bike storage and coaches to hotel.

 

Peda2Paris Map Day 3

 

Here is the map for the hills:

Pedal2Paris Day 3 hills

 

 

 

Yours with only one more day to go until PARIS!!!

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Pedal2Paris Day 2!

Posted by in Castle Coop News, Cycling from London to Paris for WLS & the Royal British Legion | 2 comments

Pedal2Paris Day 2!

Pedal2Paris Day 2!

 

Information taken from: P2P itinerary – The Royal British Legion.

 

Day 2: Calais to Abbeville (120.9km)

A moving ceremony at the Calais War Memorial begins our first day in France. After laying a wreath of Remembrance, set off south-west through the beautiful undulating fields and open countryside of the Pas de Calais region. Cycling is the national sport of France and you’ll receive a warm welcome with locals cheering and waving you on your way.

Rolling road-closures and our fleet of support vehicles make sure you need stop for no-one as you cycle to ancient Desevres for lunch. You’ll then pass through the picturesque villages of Roussent and Crécy-en-Ponthieu. Our final leg of the day will bring you to the stunning town of  Abbeville, which lies on the River Somme. Abbeville suffered badly in a German air raid in WW2 but its beautiful Flemish-style architecture is still in evidence.

 

Calais Town Hall
Day 2 – 7.00am Breakfast in hotels 7.30am Coach pick-up from hotels to Town Hall
and bike storage 8.30am War Memorial ceremony; Departures at 9.00am, 9.45am and 10.00am
Day 2 – Calais to Desvres
29.1 mi – about 57 mins
Desvres
Day 2 Lunch 11.15 – 11.50am Departure at 12.30, 1.15 and 1.30pm
Day 2 – Desvres to Roussent
28.2 mi – about 51 mins
Roussent
Day 2 – 2.35 to 3.21pm
Day 2 – Roussent to Crècy-en-Ponthieu
14.6 mi – about 37 mins
Crècy-en-Ponthieu pit stop
Crècy-en-Ponthieu to Abbeville
13.8 mi – about 32 mins
Abbeville
Day 2 – 6.05pm arrive in Abbeville – bike storage and coaches to hotels

Pedal2Paris Map Day 2

 

and this is what the hills will be like:

Pedal2Paris Day 2 hills

 

 

Yours very pro the ‘plain sailing bits’,

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Pedal2Paris Day 1

Posted by in Castle Coop News, Cycling from London to Paris for WLS & the Royal British Legion | 4 comments

Pedal2Paris Day 1

 

 

 

Pedal2Paris Day 1

 

 

 

Information taken from : P2P itinerary – The Royal British Legion..

Pedal to Paris
The Royal British Legion’s signature bike ride. 300 cyclists on a 4-day ride to Paris with a triumphant finish at the Arc de Triomphe. The starting point is Greenwich Park. Please note: Google maps add the distance and DRIVING time to this map. Cycling time is not included.
Day 1: London to Calais (129km)
Leave the capital bright and early from Greenwich Park, accompanied by our motorbike outriders, and head for the coast through some of Kent’s finest scenery.
Start – Greenwich Park
Registration 6.30-7.30am; photo shoot 7.30am; start at 8.00am
Day 1 – Greenwich to Aylesford
28.4 mi – about 1 hour 5 mins
Royal British Legion Village, Alyesford
9.45-10.45am tea stop 10.45, 11.00 and 11.15 departures
Day 1 – Aylesford to Sellindge
28.4 mi – about 54 mins
Sellindge Sports and Social Club
1.00pm-2.00pm Lunch Departures at 2.00pm, 2.15pm and 2.30pm
Day 1 – final leg to Dover
20.3 mi – about 39 mins
Dover
3.00-3.30pm break at Dover Port and P&O ferry registration; 3.25pm group leaves for 4.40pm ferry; dinner on ferry
Ferry to Calais
7.30pm (local time) arrival at Calais

 

Pedal2Paris Map Day 1

 

There’s been a lot of talk on here about tough hills, so we asked the super-efficient P2P organisers to highlight key elevation moments that might be challenging. Here’s what they told us…

Pedal2Paris Day 1 hills

 

 

Yours, not quite believing that I’m really on my way!

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Reading for my Ride to Paris

Posted by in Castle Coop News, Cycling from London to Paris for WLS & the Royal British Legion | 4 comments

Reading for my Ride to Paris

Reading for my Ride to Paris:

 

The Agent has been laughing his head off at me because he caught me studying ‘Cycling Weekly’ which I gather is the UK’s best-selling cycling magazine.

 

 

 

 

Don’t you think this week’s edition looks interesting?

CW cropped

 

I’ve told him sternly he may laugh if he likes but although it’s true I may not exactly measure up to the prowess of the target readership of ‘Cycling Weekly’, I am considering taking out a subscription. If I’m going to be able to cycle to Paris in September, it’s simply not good enough to cross my fingers and hope for the best. I need to think myself into the role. Perhaps the Agent hasn’t heard of  ‘Method Acting‘.

Now that I have:

  • a beautiful bike to try to ride to Paris on
  • dear little lights which flash fore and aft from my helmet.
  • a training schedule as approved by the Poppy Bike Ride organisers
  • amazing magic clip-in cycling shoes and pedals
  • a  username for map-my-ride so I can log my training sorties
  • some WD40
  • a ticket from Paris to London on Eurostar to return home with….

‘Cycling Weekly’ might prove to be essential reading. I need to learn how to be ‘mentally prepared ‘!

 

This week’s edition:

This week’s edition has been very informative. I’ve read about techniques for effective uphill training, how to avoid DOMS (delayed-onset muscle soreness), interval training and the best ways to coping with potholes on the road. There was also an encouraging article called, ‘Starting afresh…you’re never too old..’

 

I love the sound of ‘Cycling cafés’; they sound fun!

cycle cafe cropped

 

The April weather has meant my recent forays out on the Poppy Bike have been rather damp ones. Cycling in the rain is much better fun than I ever dreamed it could be. Other cyclists have started to nod their heads at me and it feels very convivial.

Lady Liberty training in rain

 

Yours, luckily without any delayed-onset muscle soreness thanks to my new-found knowledge gleaned from ‘Cycling Weekly’,

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