Читать книгу Cycling London to Paris. The classic Dover/Calais route and the Avenue Verte онлайн

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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 ssss1. 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.