London to Paris by bike - Blog - Preparations

25 September 2008

By Paul Vincent

With the departure from Trafalgar Square scheduled for midday on Friday, preparations for the trip finally begin in earnest on Thursday evening. We've already booked our ferry crossing and accommodation, but route details are very sketchy and some intensive internet research gets underway.

As the evening progresses, and the planning doesn't, I decide to focus on establishing an approximate itinerary, based on a list of the villages we should aim to pass through. I also print off a tiny map showing the paths of National Cycle Network routes 20 and 21, which lead from London to the towns of Brighton and Eastbourne, respectively.

Unfortunately for us, our ferry crossing will depart Newhaven, which lies exactly half way between Brighton and Eastbourne. And, sadly, the online map gives no indication of scale.

By comparison, the stretch from Dieppe to Paris is much better documented, thanks to the online efforts of previous cyclists. So our main concern is getting to our ferry in Newhaven on Friday evening. The departure is scheduled for 22:30 and we must be at the port at least an hour before that.

Initial estimates suggest the following distances to be covered over three days:

• Day 1 - London to Newhaven: approx. 100 km
• Day 2 - Dieppe to Gournay-en-Bray: approx. 80 km
• Day 3 - Gournay-en-Bray to Paris: approx. 120 km

Turning my attention to luggage, space is of course strictly limited by the the size restrictions of my panniers and I find it too easy to think of things to pack. But I decide, perhaps unwisely, to trust the optimistic weather forecast and will leave my jacket at home (it can feel surprisingly heavy, especially in bright sunshine).

While Mark's luggage comprises pretty much of himself and his bike, I fill my panniers with:

• Passport, ferry booking confirmation, Eurostar ticket (for return leg)
• Selection of printed maps, A-Z of Great Britain, notepad (to write this diary)
• Cash (including Euros), mobile phone (+ charger), camera (+ charger)
• Two bike locks, bike lights, basic tool kit
• Puncture repair kit, spare inner tube, bike pump
• Clothes, sunglasses, towel, paper towels and handkerchiefs
• A couple of snacks, a couple of bottles of energy drink

By about midnight, my packing is complete and my panniers mounted. There are 12 hours to go and it's time to get some much-needed rest ahead of 300 km in the saddle...

(Continue to Cycling day 1 - 26 September 2008)