Sign On takes place at Imber Court Sports Club, Ember Lane, Hampton Court, KT8 0BT.

14:00 - 17:00: Sign on

16:30 - 17:00: Rider briefing, Gravel

17:00 - 17:30: Rider briefing, Road

London to Newhaven

Prepare for a sunrise start as we depart Hampton Court for the coast.

Start location

Imber Court Sports Club, Ember Lane, East Moseley, KT8 0BT (entrance via back gate / playing fields)

Parking

Parking is available at Imber Court free of charge for the duration of the event. All vehicles must be collected no later than 15:00 on Monday 25 July.

Breakfast

There is tea/coffee and basic breakfast provisions available at the Start.

Start time

Gravel riders will leave immediately after the 6 road groups, at 06:30. You are best advised to arrive early to deal with any mechanical issues or last minute “@%*$ I forgot something!”. Riders must arrive 45 minutes before your departure time.

If you are not local and need to source local accommodation, we suggest booking.com searching the Esher area or postcode KT8.

The ride

This is a 3 out of 5 relatively flat stage. With 110kms offroad, we need to be at the ferry ready for check in by 15:30 latest, so we will need to keep a steady pace to have plenty of time for any delays. The road follows the Wey navigation canal system and links post Guildford in Surrey to the South Downs to the coast before a run along the seafront through Brighton and finishing in Newhaven.

Channel crossing

All riders must check in and board the ferry together. On arrival at the port the Hotchillee crew will be waiting for you. The crossing is at 17:00 and all passengers must check in at least 1.5 hours before. We have a cut off point on the route, so that if any riders have not met the cut off time we will transport you to the ferry port in one of the crew vehicles so you do not miss the crossing.

The crossing takes 4 hours and you will have dinner onboard. We will arrive in Dieppe at 22:00 local time. Then a short cycle from the ferry to the hotel led by the ride captains, please bring lights.

Dieppe to Vernon

Wake up to a continental hotel breakfast before you hit the road (or gravel) for your first day riding in France.

Breakfast

Breakfast will be at the event hotel.

Start time

Rolling by 08:00 (you can leave earlier if you wish).

The ride

This is a 5 out of 5. A long day with plenty of off-road sections following farm roads/fields, forest trails, river paths and some steep short climbs and a few tricky short descents thrown in. It is a great route and ride, with the key to success being “just keep movin”. Check points for water and snacks and a lunch break will be essential as we will burn some calories on this Queens Stage.

Finish

We finish the day in Vernon. There are bike washing facilities on arrival at the event hotel.

Vernon to Paris

The morning may feel long, but as the excitement builds there’s no more iconic finish line than the Champs Élysées and you get to cross it with all your London-Paris comrades.

Breakfast

Once again breakfast will be at the event hotel.

Start times

Rolling by 08:00 (you can leave earlier if you wish).

The ride

A 3 out of 5. A ride of two parts, Part 1 off-road to the lunch stop at Menucourt, although only 57kms it’s a solid ride and on tired legs with some great views as we travel through some very special villages, expanding river views and woodland/farms and French countryside. At Mencourt the gravel event meets up with the LONDON PARIS road event who have made their way from London via Folkestone, Calais and Amiens. Together we will ride the final 45km on the road to the centre of Paris and finish in the shadows of the Eiffel Tower.

ETA to the finish is currently 16:30 but timings may change and we will provide final details nearer the time, along with the exact location for you to share with any friends or family who wish to cheer you in.

For those not taking part in the Tour de France Experience on Sunday, it’s time to say goodbye to your bike. At the finish your bike will be packed onto the DHL trucks. Pedals will be removed and given to you for safe keeping, any bike computers and water bottles must also be removed. The trucks then start their journey back to the UK and will see you again at the start venue, Imber Court. For those taking part in the Tour de France Experience on Sunday – you will ride back to the hotel, escorted by the Hotchillee ride captains. What’s another 3.5km anyway?! Once at the hotel we have secure bike storage.

For anyone whose bike is not returning to the UK and requires a bike box for their onward travel please make sure they add this to your rider information questionnaire. For those of you with bike boxes, these will be waiting for you at the event hotel where you will be able to pack your bike and store it until your departure.

Accommodation

All riders are staying at Le Meridien Etoile, 81 Boulevard Gouvion Saint-Cyr, 75848 Cedex 17, 75017 Paris.

Luggage

Will be waiting for all riders at the hotel and can be collected at check in.

Celebrations

A drinks reception with canapes will take place at Le Meridien Etoile from 19:00 until 20:00. Here there will be the jersey presentation, rider ‘spirit’ awards and more.

Dinner

Dinner is at leisure and folk normally meet up again later at the Canadian Embassy pub, across the road from the hotel, for drinks and more celebrations!

Eurostar

For those who have purchased a 11:13 Eurostar ticket via Hotchillee. You will need to make your own way to Gare de Nord and should allow at least 1hr from checking in to departure. On arrival at St Pancras there will be a coach waiting for you to take you and your luggage to the start location (Imber Court) where your bike and car (if you have parked) will be waiting for you. Bikes/cars are available for collection from 12:00 to 15:00 only.

The Tour de France experience

We will provide separate and more detailed information regarding the ride on Sunday morning and grandstand seating. Along with the ASO timing and schedule for both the start of the Femme competition and finish of the Men’s Tour de France.

Tour de France VIP Hospitality

If you have purchased the Rive Gauche VIP hospitality package, we will provide you with all the information nearer the time.

Eurostar

For those who have purchased a 11:13 Eurostar ticket via Hotchillee. You will need to make your own way to Gare de Nord and should allow at least 1hr from checking in to departure. On arrival at St Pancras there will be a coach waiting for you to take you and your luggage to the start location (Imber Court) where your bike and car (if you have parked) will be waiting for you. Bikes/cars are available for collection from 12:00 to 15:00 only.

All vehicles must be collected no later than 15:00 on Monday 25 July. After this time vehicles will be removed and any cost or damage associated with this will be the responsibility of the owner.

Any bikes not collected on Monday will be stored at Imber Court temporarily at the owner’s own risk. Storage will be charged at £25 per day and can only be collected by appointment and after payment.

If you wish to organise bike storage in advance then the charge will be £15 per day. However all bikes must be collected no later than 14:00 on Saturday 30 July.