There is no set route for the challenge but, in any case, the channel needs to be crossed and this represents a major logistical issue.
Warning: the challenge involves cycling on open roads, sometimes by night.
– Ride carefully and make sure you are sufficiently equipped to see and be seen.
– If you are taking the challenge on your own, take sufficient food and water, and
– Make sure you know how to fix any basic mechanical problem and repair a puncture because you will probably not find anyone that can help you in the middle of the night.
Routes
Ferry Route
The route presented below is deemed the shortest as it is the straightest route avoiding high traffic.
Approximately 100km in England: exit London via Clapham and take the A24 until Tooting Broadway. Turn left and get to the A237 leading to Coulsdon. Cycle across Farthing Downs and continue on Ditches Lane until after the crossing of the M25. Turn left on Merstham Road and straight until you reach the A25. Follow the A25 for few hundred meters across Bletchingley and turn right on Outwood Lane. Continue straight and cycle past Scott’s Hill. After Scott’s Hill, turn left on Cogman’s Lane (hardly visible in a corner) and continue straight on this lovely countryside road until you get to the B2037. After few hundred meters on the B2037, turn right on the B2028 and climb Turners Hill (ideal to stop). Continue straight to Ardingly and then take College Road until Wivelsfield. Turn at Wivelsfield towards Newhaven and follow your GPS for the last 25 kilometers
Approximately 70km in France: cycle to Arques-la-Bataille from Dieppe, and follow the D100 until Montreuil-en-Caux. Then, take the D96 and turn on the D151 just before Grigneuseville. The D151 leads to the D928 (Route de Neufchâtel) is straight to the city center of Rouen.
Tunnel Route
The tunnel route minimises time to cross the channel, however cycling distance almost doubles as a result : 125km on the UK side of which a large part along Kent Downs, and 225km down the Cote d’Albatre on the French side.
Getting to Rouen in 12 hours via this route requires an average cycling speed over 30km per hour.
Feel free to propose alternative routes in comments below or on the Facebook page
Tips
If you opt for the ferry:
– Rush to the restaurant to eat and drink asap and maximise your recovery time .
– On the ferry, options to rest and charge your phone at the same time are limited. Try to secure a cabin (£25-30) to :
1/ have a proper bed to sleep and avoid light and noise from other passengers, and
2/ access to a plug to recharge your phone/GPS .
– Take very warm clothes (gloves and overshoes) for the cycling part by night on the French side .
If you take a hotel room in Rouen and you can afford a booking of 2 nights instead of 1, you will be very satisfied to find a hot breakfast served on arrival – just notify the hotel of your late check-in. Even if you do not want to book for 2 nights or can’t find an agreement with a hotel, bakeries usually open early and sell freshly-baked croissants or pains au chocolat.
Coming soon : deals with partners offering solutions for accommodation and logistics. See In Rouen
Feel free to share your tips in comments below or on the Facebook page