The London to Paris Bike Ride 2022 Report
Our London to Paris Bike Ride is officially over for another year and was our biggest yet with 29 riders taking on the 200mile journey (206.4 to be exact) from London to Paris over the space of three days. Raising much needed funds for Kids Inspire during the process.
29 Riders
Distance in total 206.4 miles over 3 days
Elevation climbed 7,995 ft (or 22 times the height of Danbury)
Time in the saddle 15 hours & 20 minutes …. Ouch!
Highest Temperature: 42 degrees
You may be wondering how this bike ride even came about? This was actually our first bike ride trip to the French capital, following on from a successful Essex to Amsterdam ride in previous years. This trip was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic so felt even more special setting off in 2022.
Day One
16th June 2022 - Starting bright and early with a planned first day from London to Dieppe, travelling about 63 miles, our determined cyclists set off in the glorious sunshine from the London’s Battersea Park. The first 10 miles are the trickiest in terms of traffic and navigating the road layouts to get out of the capital, but this was an easy feat for our riders.
The most challenging part of day one was actually before the bike ride had even begun, as due to tube delays and transport issues, getting to the start line proved harder than planned across London but everyone did manage to make it on time, just.
You may be wondering how our riders got across the channel into France. The Newhaven Dieppe ferry route was the perfect route option as it connects England with France, with the one ferry operating up to 21 times each week with a sailing duration of around 4 hours. Once our riders had safely arrived in Dieppe, it was nearly midnight local time so heading straight to bed was the preferred option for most of our team. (Although there are rumours of some wanting to visit the on-site hotel casino!)
Day Two
17th June 2022 - After our riders had re-fuelled with some yummy breakfast, it was a 9am start for the second day of the ride. Travelling from Dieppe to the beautiful Beauvais across a gruelling 65 miles, it marked the longest distance day of the entire ride. Despite the hot weather and sunburn lines, the scenic routes and landscape made for a beautiful ride across the northern regions of France.
As with any group bike ride or challenge, there was a few broken chains, gears and spokes along the way, but our team had a ride-along van and event co-ordination team to ensure everyone was able to keep going safely. We wanted to say a special thank you to Chapeau Events, who specialise in charity bike rides, and their team went above and beyond to ensure everything was organised and in place for the three day event.
Did you know? Beauvais has an interesting history of textile manufacturing dating back to medieval times and is also known as the “City of Tapestry Making” with the wool industry playing a huge part in the development of the community.
Day Three -
18th June 2022 - The final day started at 8am and saw our team travel from the regions of Beauvais into the capital city Paris where our team finished in style at the iconic Eiffel Tower. With an approximate cycling distance of 60 miles, the third and final day was definitely the toughest in terms of tiredness and fatigue. After an average saddle time of around 15 hours total, the riders finishing buzz started as they cycled round the Arc De Triomphe, where the emotions and sense of achievement started to flood through.
After a quick photoshoot outside the Eiffel Tower and celebration on their incredible achievement, a chilled evening was in store to wonder the streets of Paris (and with a well deserved drink!). The next day saw our team travel home in much comfier fashion to finish off an incredible trip. Bravo to everyone who took part, we are forever grateful.
Finishing shot outside the Eiffel Tower, Paris. 18th June 2022.
Below are some of the reasons behind why our dedicated team KidsInspire took part in the London to Paris bike ride.
Barry, one of our ambassadors since 2020 commented on his feelings at the end of the bike ride.
“The reason I was doing it is to raise much needed funds for Kids Inspire, and it was a great way of meeting like-minded people and having fun across 3 days and 200 miles of pedalling. Coming into the centre of France, I was surprised how emotional I felt to see the finish line. Overall I have come away with a fantastic feeling of celebration, worth all the hard work and effort. ”
Martyn Mead, one of our volunteers talked to us about his motivation to ride this year.
“This will be my longest effort yet but any aches and pains post ride will pale into insignificance when I think of the good that this will help do to help Children who really do need the support, therapy and care which Kids Inspire provides
Kids Inspire are now getting 10 referrals every day and the demands on the charity continue to grow so fund raising events such as these are all the more important especially in these difficult times.”
If we have inspired you to take part in our next cycle event to raise money, look no further as our Bike Mile Challenge is taking place in September and we would love for you to get involved. Read Further here.
There is still time to donate to the London to Paris bike ride sponsorship by visiting the riders individual fundraising pages. Any donations or support will be greatly appreciated by all our riders and team.
Some Of Our Rider Donation Pages
Barry Milchem
Matryn Mead
Steve Bush