Events calendar

Cycle London to Paris 2027

In September 2027, we’re organising a second cycle ride from London to Paris. Come and join us!

Date: 23–26 September 2027
Time: 8am–5pm
Location: Meet in southeast England, location to be confirmed.
Fundraising target: £1,760, of which £880 is the cost amount, £880 is the donation amount.
Deposit to hold your place: £150 non-refundable deposit, payable on registration.
How your support helps Katharine House Hospice: £880 sponsorship could fund 40 hours of care for a patient in our specialist Inpatient Unit here at the hospice.

Looking for a new challenge?

We promise, you’ll never forget arriving at the Eiffel Tower, knowing you’ve cycled all the way from London, under your own steam!

This classic cross-channel cycle ride takes you to the English coast from Tower Bridge and then through the small villages and medieval market towns of Northern France. After some long days in the saddle and some big-hill climbs, you’ll get a real sense of achievement as you reach our finishing point, the Eiffel Tower.

Join this challenge for Katharine House and you’ll get …

Long weekend challenge.
Chance to extend your stay in Paris.
Experienced cycle guide and support.
To be part of a small and exclusive Katharine House Hospice group.
Spectacular cycling.
A full safety briefing.
The camaraderie of your Katharine House team.
A Katharine House Hospice T-shirt.
A dedicated fundraiser on hand to help you hit (and exceed!) your fundraising target, along with access to our helpful fundraising tips and tricks.

Don’t just take our word for it, Ian took on the challenge in 2025. “Honestly, this was one of the best things I’ve ever done. The camaraderie and support between the participants was superb. The stories about how many had been personally impacted by Katharine House, inspirational and thought provoking, and the organisation from Sporta was just brilliant.”

Why your support matters

It costs more than £5.9m per year to run every element of Katharine House Hospice.
While Katharine House Hospice receives some funding from the government to cover these costs, our fundraising and retail teams still have to raise two-thirds of the running costs every year and we rely on the generosity of our community to help us.

“When you lose somebody, you always think, ‘Is there anything else I could have done?’ But I know, thanks to Katharine House, that the answer is no.”

Itinerary

Day 1: Thursday – London to Newhaven (97km/60 miles)

Early morning start at Tower Bridge. After crossing the South Downs we catch the ferry to Dieppe, where we stay the night.

Day 2: Friday – Dieppe to Beauvais (107km/66 miles)

We follow sections of the Avenue Verte and rural lanes to Beauvais, where we stay for the night.

Day 3: Saturday – Beauvais to Paris (97km/60 miles)

We start the final leg and head to Paris! A guided ride through the suburbs, finishing with a ride up the Champs-Élysées and celebrations at the Eiffel Tower.

Day 4: Sunday – Paris to London

Morning at leisure in Paris before catching the train back to St Pancras.

Exact timings will be shared with you nearer to the cycle ride itself.

Cycle London to Paris FAQs

How far is the London to Paris cycle ride?

301 km or 186 miles. Day 1 is 97km, Day 2 is 107km and Day 3 is 97km.

Where does the trip start and end?

The start point is typically Tower Bridge or Greenwich Park and this is agreed with the group well in advance of the ride date. The ride ends at your hotel after you have had picture opportunities at the Eiffel Tower. The official trip finish is when you collect your bike from us back in London on the final day.

What is the typical average speed?

There is not really an average speed as there are so many variables over the trip. As a minimum, if you can ride comfortably at 12mph/20kph on the flat then you will be fine.

What breaks do we have throughout the day?

We generally suggest that riders get a good two-hour block of riding in for a first stint and then stop for a break every 90 minutes thereafter. However, if it is very hilly or hot, we suggest stopping more frequently and we will often have a vehicle at the top of any longer ascents.

What type of bike is most suitable for this ride?

We generally recommend a road bike. However, a hybrid bike or gravel bike would also be fine. We suggest not riding on tyres with significant tread nor much wider than 35mm to make sure your rolling speed allows you spin along comfortably on all terrain. We also welcome the use of e-bikes, but you will need to bring your own charger and you will have access to charging points on the route.

If I am bit slower will I get left behind at all?

No, we make sure no one is left unsupported, although riders may find themselves riding alone at some points. Cyclists tend to break into smaller groups – this is an organic process rather than heavily managed.

We find people enjoy cycling alone at times, but we try to cater for each individual rather than make rules that can compromise the enjoyment of others.

Is there a support vehicle? 

The support vehicle is available in case anyone needs a break or decides not to cycle any further, in which case we will arrange a pickup in the support vehicle. We are often around the group, and aim to be at the top of any climbs to offer support. We provide basic mechanical support, but we recommend all bikes are serviced prior to the trip and that you are able to do running repairs on the road where possible.

What sort of roads do we cycle on and is it busy?

While we try to take less busy roads, there are some busier sections, particularly on Day 1 and through Paris. We try to take roads that are less busy and this includes the occasional French farm track. We try to plot the most enjoyable and safe route possible.

Do you transport our bicycles back to London?

Yes. On the final evening we travel back to London with your bicycles, we ask that guests keep non-bike luggage for their own journey. We will meet you off your Eurostar train at St Pancras station at the rear of the Francis Crick institute.

Will we have time to explore Paris?

Yes. On the final day you will have the opportunity to explore Paris before getting the Eurostar back to London in the afternoon. If you wish to stay in Paris for extra time at the end of the trip, our tour operators can work with you to arrange this.

Is there an age limit?

Yes, the minimum age is 18 years. There is no maximum age limit!

What equipment do I need?

You will be sent a full kit list on signing up.

Are transport and accommodation included?

Here’s what’s included:

Three nights in B&B accommodation.
Ferry travel from Newhaven to Dieppe on Day 1.
Simple lunch on the road when cycling.
Support vehicle carrying your luggage throughout, with basic spares and water plus mechanical assistance.
Guide into Paris and through busy suburbs.
Eurostar travel back to London on 21 September.
2 x pre-trip cycle rides in the UK.
GPX routes for each day agreed well in advance.
Pre-trip online meeting one week before departure.
Single room supplement of £25 per night.

What does it cost?

This event is a fundraising challenge for Katharine House Hospice. We ask you to raise as much possible to support the work that we do.

Pay a £150 non-refundable deposit.
Agree to raise a minimum of £1,760 sponsorship (of which 50% is due by 30 June 2027): £880 is the cost amount and £880 is the donation amount.

Please note that, in addition, you will have to provide the following items at your own cost: