Posted by Alan Bull | Posted in Planning | Posted on 02-06-2009
I have been looking into the route in more detail over the last few days and as a result, I have some questions that I need to run by you all.
Here was the initial route idea:
- London to Dieppe via NewHaven (Approx. 64 Miles):
Thursday 17th September - Dieppe to Rouen (Approx. 38 Miles):
Friday 18th September - Rouen to Beauvais (Approx. 55 Miles):
Saturday 19th September - Beauvais to Paris (Approx. 53 Miles):
Sunday 20th September
This route was created from suggestions by those who have completed the trip already as well as trying to take in the major sights along the way. As you can see by looking at the route on a map, it’s the most direct route possible and takes in some really nice places (well in France anyway!).
I’ve been looking into the ferry times from Newhaven to Dieppe and here is where the problem lies. The ferry times have now changed and are as follows:
- Departure: 09:30 / Arrival: 14:30
- Departure: 22:30 / Arrival: 03:30
Ferry small print Times are subject to tidal variations. Check-in starts 2 hours prior to sailing time. Passengers arriving less than 45 minutes before departure may not be granted embarkation. [Ferry Website]
The original plan was to get from London to Newhaven in one day and get onto the ferry as soon as possible and sleep in Dieppe for the night ready for the next days cycling. Problem is, the ferry doesn’t leave until 22:30 which is very late. Providing the boat is on time then we will not arrive in Dieppe until 3:30am, and from there we still need to cycle to our hotel. It could be 4.30am before we arrive and get to sleep. This would be too hard after a very long day’s cycling!
I have a couple of ideas of how we can get around this and wanted to get your opinions on them.
Option 1
- London to NewHaven (Approx. 64 Miles):
Thursday 17th September - Newhaven to Rouen via Dieppe (Approx. 38 Miles):
Friday 18th September - Rouen to Beauvais (Approx. 55 Miles):
Saturday 19th September - Beauvais to Paris (Approx. 53 Miles):
Sunday 20th September
We cycle from London to Newhaven and stay in Newhaven for the night. This reduces the pressure on us to make sure that we arrive in Newhaven in time for the ferry (however late the ferry is!). It means that we can wake up and relax for a few hours on the ferry (4 hours on ferry) before we get cycling from Dieppe to Rouen.
Only problem with this option is that we will arrive in Dieppe late in the afternoon. It will not be till 3:30pm before we get cycling, and with around 6 hours cycling and that sunrise at this time of the year in France is 07:30 and sunset 19:50, it means that we will be cycling in the dark and won’t arrive until late – something I was hoping to avoid.
Option 2
- London to NewHaven (Approx. 64 Miles):
Thursday 17th September - Newhaven to Neufchâtel-en-Bray via Dieppe (Approx. 23 Miles):
Friday 18th September - Neufchâtel-en-Bray to Beauvais (Approx. 39 Miles):
Saturday 19th September - Beauvais to Paris (Approx. 53 Miles):
Sunday 20th September
The same as option 1 in that we cycle from London to Newhaven and stay in Newhaven for the night. We take the morning ferry the next day but instead of cycling all the way to Rouen, we miss Rouen out completely and cycle the shorter distance of just 23 miles (about 2.5 hours) to Neufchâtel-en-Bray and stay there the night instead. Should be able to get there around 6pm – well before sunset.
This option also means that the trip from Neufchâtel-en-Bray to Beauvais is just 39 miles instead of 55 miles from Rouen to Beauvais shaving off over 45 miles from the whole trip.
What do you think? Which option do you think is best? Any other ideas?
Personally I would prefer to go through Roueon (however it is spelt) because I remember it being a beautifull place when I went there when I was younger and would like to re visit it, however the times/ arrangements etc may make this option not particularly viable.
However Ill go with the majority, im all for cutting off 45 miles, but thats cause Im seriously lazy…
For me Option 1 please Al .
I know we planned not the travel in the night . But It shouldn’t be for long , and travelling in a group at night . I forsee as being not that bad .
As already said we are not just doing this for the challenge it would be nice to take in some of the sights . !!!
I think Option 2 is better. The first day is going to be hard enough, the shorter 2nd day will be welcome. What if the boat is late, this make it very difficult for us. Also if we have a problem with our bikes then in the dark this would be very hard.
Also, if we can save on doing extra miles for no reason then this will be better – no point adding to the pain!!
Ok, so I have had the chance to think about this carefully and after reading all your comments so far and doing a little more research on the matter I feel that Option 2 is my preferred.
Here are my reasons:
Reason One
I agree with Ed in that it’s not just about the challenge, it’s about the journey itself and the places we visit and pass through. Problem with Option 1 is that we will likely not arrive into Rouen until around 9pm at night and therefore will not have the opportunity to explore the place properly anyway, especially with the need for an early start the next day.
Neufchâtel-en-Bray being closer will mean that we arrive early enough to get to know the place. It’s a small historic village which is famous for it’s natural beauty and cheese making (read more here) and should be a nice place to rest for the night.
Reason Two
Whilst researching what route to take I came across information about a largely traffic free route between London and Paris (via Newhaven & Dieppe) for cyclists. The route called ‘Avenue Verte’ (translates as Green Way), is a part European Union funded initiative, which is due to be completed by 2012. Parts of it however have already been completed and are in use now.
The French part of the route starts just outside Dieppe and takes you through the beautiful countryside, with no cars, to Neufchâtel-en-Bray and onto Forges-les-Eaux. It currently finishes there, but will be extended all the way to Paris within the next couple of years.
Here is some more information about Avenue Verte: Watch a video | Look at the map | Visit the website
I’d really like to cycle along the Avenue Verte as it will make the journey so much more enjoyable and relaxed and reading reviews of the route from other cyclists, it comes highly recommended. This is only possible if we go for Option 2 as Option 1 takes s in an opposite direction out of Dieppe.
So therefore, after the morning ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe I suggest we get on the Avenue Verte and stop in Neufchâtel-en-Bray for the night and then the next day carry on the Avenue Verte to the end in Forges-les-Eaux before getting back on to the main country roads to Beauvais.
Reason 3
Removing 45 extra miles from our journey by taking a more direct route to Paris means that we have more opportunity to look around the places we stop in and pass through and enjoy the ride a little more.
We must, as Apple mentioned, think about factoring in time for bike problems, as this is surely going to happen to all of us at one point.
This mileage saving may also give us more reason to start from central London and not the outskirts like we are currently planning.
What’s your thoughts? Does this sound like the better option?
errr give me a couple more days to finish reading what Alan has written and post my riposte….
Ladies and gentlemen, im sadly announcing that I have recently received a most distressing voicemail that borders on harrassment stating that I have to write a comment on this thread, so here I am, surrendering to peer pressure once again like I did when I was a young impressionable child with scabs on my kness due to lunch time football at school, I will as I have been told to do, write a comment… so here it is….
‘a comment’
AL ,
I have read your comments and I can now see the wisdom of option 2.
If I am totally honest you had me when you mentioned cheese making . !!
Ed
Guys I would like to wish you all the best of luck as myself and a group of friends plan on also cycling London to Paris next year.
So Dave & Luke, what do you think of the route plan here?
Im rather easy with either – 2 seems to sound hunky dorey and we will keep interested and moving freely all the way to the cheese place (getting him to complete the journey may be a little difficult).
I like the idea of 2 as it means we will not be rushed on the 1st day having to make it to the beautiful restort of Newhaven for a certain time, though we are going to have to get up rather early – anything before 07:35 for me is hideous – someone will have to come into my room and wake me (bagsee not Scott as i fear i will not be able to ride so well the next day)!
In Short, option 2 sounds groovy!
The above comment misses one vital word between ‘keep & interested’ (bloody silly broadband connection keeps jumping in and out) on the 2nd line, who am i reffering to?
I think we all know!