London to Paris 2009 for Final Stage of Tour

[Marek]

This year I was a bit late in organising this, and therefore did not manage to get much of a take up, and also the ferries were booked up. I would really like to try to organise something for 2009. I was even thinking that if we can get a good range of riders that we could have two ability groups. I am not quite sure what would be the most popular for the masses but was thinking about the following options:

Option 1 - 3 nights away
Friday afternoon cycle to Newhaven and get the ferry to Dieppe. (Approximately 50 miles)
Friday night stay in Dieppe, a few beers etc and meal
Saturday morning cycle to within 1 hour of Paris, stay the night. (Approximately 100 miles)
Sunday morning cycle into Paris, soak up the atmosphere, watch the final stage, drink a few beers. Cycle back an hour out of Paris and stay night. (25 miles each wayish)
Monday, cycle back to Dieppe, get ferry to Newhaven and then make the choice as to train from Brighton or ride back to Croydon. (Approximately 100 miles)

Option 2 - 2 nights away.
Drive or train down to Newhaven early on Saturday morning and get ferry to Dieppe
Ride to within an hour of Paris and stay the night (Approximately 100 miles)
Sunday morning cycle into Paris and watch the final stage, then cycle back to an hour out of Paris and stay night. (Approximately 25 miles each way)
Monday morning cycle back to Dieppe and get ferry back to Newhaven, Train or ride back to Croydon. (Approximately 100 miles)

Option 3 - 3 nights away.
Cycle to Dover through Kent taking in a scenic route on the Friday, probably about 200km route
Stay night in Calais
Saturday ride 200km towards Paris, taking in another Scenic route, stay night in town with cycle friendly hotel.
Sunday get up early and ride remaining 200km into Paris and hopefully arrive in time to see the finish of the tour.
Stay night in Paris and then get Eurostar back to London on the Monday (do they accept bikes on Eurostar)

Not sure on ferry times yet, but this year they ran at either 8pm or 8am for Newhaven to Dieppe. So if we did option 1 we would be in Dieppe quite late in the evening, but am sure we could find a cycle friendly place.

Option 3 is almost a copy of the organised London to Paris event that takes place. This would probably be quite tough as takes in a lot more miles than the other two. I think 1 and 2 would be cheaper than number 3. Also would mean less holiday required to take with 1 and 2. Number 3 is just tempting as it would be a hard challenge.

So, would anyone be interested and if so has anyone got a preference and any ideas on a similar theme. Once have a few people interested maybe we could put our heads together to work on a good route.

Cheers

Marek.....

[Keith]

Reckon we should get together over a few beers to discuss this idea.

[George]

[quote]Reckon we should get together over a few beers to discuss this idea.

[Michelle]

Good idea. I like beer. I like cycling. I like watching the TDF. Sounds like a perfect combination. Lets do it!

[MJ_1993]

[img]http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo329/jaffer324/csc_maillot.jpg[/img]

I'm going for this option...sponsoring a team

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

Marek, I am with you on the idea, but would you consider riding to Dover and getting the Speed-ferry to Boulogne, which is then a much shorter hop to Paris?

Agree that some beers are needed to sort this out.

Guru P

[Marek]

Yes Paul, all ideas greatly welcomed. Would we ride to Dover or drive and do the two night thing over in France? Dieppe is closer to Paris I think, but I don't mind either way. Just wanted to get a consensus view on what people thought was best. Then all of a sudden my thread became an excuse for a beer session.

Cheers

Marek.....

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

beer....good - what's the matter with you man

I would say ride down to the ferry. I wouldn't want to leave my car down there.

You are right about the ferry - Dieppe is 60k nearer to Paris.

I would definitely go with option 1

Ride to Newhaven Friday PM, ferry across and stay in Dieppe - few beers.
Saturday to 20k or so outside Paris - few more beers
Sunday short ride (or metro?) to Paris- more beers and back to stopover - mmm maybe some beer
Monday ride to Dieppe and get ferry to Newhaven.
Ride/train home from Newhaven.

(This might encourage Jon Avery to come along )

[MJ_1993]

Is this going ahead? Cos (notice the teenage slang) I was thinking i might go over and watch the last few stages since i have nothing better to do.

[Marek]

I cannot make this now, but there are some good options on here and it would be good if someone picked this up and sorted it. I will be in Italy, whadda mistdaka to makea.

Cheers

Marek....

[MJ_1993]

i'm planning to ride to paris in 24hrs. or attempt to. if theres enough takers, marky mark we may need to borrow your trailer tent!
sylvs a possible as is a triathlete work colleague of my dads. will probs get grandad to drive behing in the "team car"