track, this is not an area inhabited by larger animals with a few exceptions. Foxes are common in England, particularly in London where they can be seen foraging even by day, while many of the forests passed through have roe deer, fallow deer or muntjac populations. Boar can be found in French forests and there are some in south-east England although these are rarely seen. Badgers are common, but as nocturnal animals are unlikely to be encountered.
Preparation
Sauf cyclistes (cyclists excepted) shows contra-flow cycling allowed on a one-way street
When to go
The routes can be cycled at any time of year, but they are best followed between April and October when the days are longer, the weather is warmer and there is no chance of snow.
How long will it take?
Both routes have been broken into stages averaging just under 50km per stage. A summary of stage distances can be found in the route summary tables. A fit cyclist, cycling an average of 80km per day should be able to complete the eleven stages of the classic route in six days and the nine stages of Avenue Verte in five days. Allowing time for exploring Paris, the round trip can be accomplished in two weeks. A faster cyclist averaging 100km per day could complete the round trip in nine days, whereas those preferring a more leisurely pace of 60km per day would take about 17 days. There are many places to stay along both routes making it possible to tailor daily distances to your requirements.
What kind of cycle is suitable?
Most of the route is on asphalt cycle tracks or along quiet country roads. However, there are some stretches with gravel surfaces and, although most are well graded, there are some rougher sections, particularly on the Pilgrims’ Way (classic route, Stage 2) and Coulée Verte (classic route, Stage 8), which are not passable on a narrow tyred racing cycle. The most suitable type of cycle is either a touring cycle or a hybrid (a lightweight but strong cross between a touring cycle and a mountain bike with at least 21 gears). Except for the off-road Coulée Verte (classic route, Stage 8, which has an on-road alternative), there is no advantage in using a mountain bike. Front suspension is beneficial as it absorbs much of the vibration. Straight handlebars, with bar-ends enabling you to vary your position regularly, are recommended. Make sure your cycle is serviced and lubricated before you start, particularly the brakes, gears and chain.
As important as the cycle, is your choice of tyres. Slick road tyres are not suitable and knobbly mountain bike tyres not necessary. What you need is something in-between with good tread and a slightly wider profile than you would use for everyday cycling at home. To reduce the chance of punctures, choose tyres with puncture resistant armouring, such as a Kevlar™ band.
Getting there and back
The start and end points in London and Paris are in city centre locations. Regular fast Eurostar trains connect London St Pancras and Paris Gare du Nord stations enabling you to start or end your ride in either city. See Appendix D for a list of useful transport details.
| UK Nat Grid | Geographic | UTM | |
| Tower Hill | TQ336807 | 00º04’35’’W, 51º30’35’’N | 30U 700031E, 5709709N |
| London Eye | TQ307799 | 00º07’04’’W, 51º30’11’’N | 30U 702873E, 5710563N |
| St Pancras | TQ300832 | 00º07’38’’W, 51º32’00’’N | 30U 699243E, 5713049N |
| Eiffel Tower | 02º17’39’’W, 48º51’31’’N | 31U 448228E, 5411979N | |
| Notre Dame | 02º20’56’’W, 48º51’12’’N | 31U 452237E, 5411356N | |
| Gare du Nord | 02º21’17’’W, 48º52’56’’N | 31U 452695E, 5414559N |
Getting to the start
Main line, suburban and overground trains in London carry cycles. On underground trains in central London, cycles are permitted on sub-surface lines (Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan) but not on deep-tube lines (Bakerloo, Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria, Waterloo & City). On all lines prohibitions apply during weekday rush hours.
The Tower of London is in front of Tower Hill underground station served by the Circle and District lines, both of which carry cycles, and is only a short ride from Cannon Street, Fenchurch Street, Liverpool Street and London Bridge railway stations and Aldgate on the Metropolitan line.
The London Eye is on the South Bank of the Thames close to Waterloo station. Although main line and suburban trains can be used to reach Waterloo, none of the underground lines that serve the station carry cycles. The nearest cycle-permitted underground stations are both on the other side of the river: Westminster (cycle over Westminster bridge and turn left into Belvedere Road) and Embankment (take your cycle by lift to the walkway beside Hungerford railway bridge and walk it over the river). Both these stations are served by the Circle and District lines.
St Pancras Eurostar station is served by Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines which carry cycles (and Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines which do not). It is also served by main line and suburban trains at Kings Cross and St Pancras stations and is only a short ride from Euston (main line, suburban and overground services).
Crossing the Channel
Up to 40 ferry sailings per day connect Dover and Calais (classic route, Stages 3–4)
The classic route crosses the English Channel at its narrowest point between Dover or Folkestone in England and Calais in France. There are two ways of making this crossing, by ferry from Dover or by shuttle train through the Channel Tunnel.
Up to 40 ferry sailings operate daily (depending on the season) between Dover Eastern docks and Calais Gare Maritime ferry port operated by two companies, P&O (www.poferries.com) and DFDS (www.dfdsseaways.co.uk). Crossing time is 90 minutes. As these are vehicular ferries there is ample capacity on board for cyclists without the need for reservations, although lower prices are available by advance booking online.
Although up to four vehicle shuttles run every hour through the Channel Tunnel between Cheriton terminal near Folkestone and Coquelles near Calais, only two departures daily carry cycles. These are transported in a specially contracted vehicle, equipped to carry six cycles, which picks up from Cheriton Holiday Inn hotel at 0800 and 1530 and deposits you opposite the CIFFCO building near the Coquelles terminal. Return journeys pick-up in Coquelles at 1230 and 1800. Reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance on +44 1303 282201. This service is provided as a requirement in Eurotunnel’s operating license and is heavily subsidised, but as it is not promoted by the company it is little used. For more information see www.eurotunnel.com. Directions to Cheriton and Coquelles are given in Stages 3 and 4 of the classic route.
The Channel Tunnel cycle shuttle is slightly cheaper and slightly faster than the ferries and saves 17km of cycling from Folkestone to Dover. However, as this must be booked in advance with only two services per day