women v cancer london to paris bike ride 2023
Voulez vous faire du vélo avec Women V Cancer? Our phenomenally successful Women V Cancer London to Paris Bike Ride is back for 2023 so more amazing ladies can live the Parisian dream!
In three spectacular days, we'll cycle from the outskirts of London to the bright lights of Paris in support of our three crucial charities, Breast Cancer Now, Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust and Ovarian Cancer Action.
Kicking off early on Thursday morning, we'll leave the London bustle for rural roads through the picturesque villages of the South Downs to Portsmouth. An overnight ferry later, we'll ride through rolling French hills and the quaint, traditional towns of Caen and Évreux, until we reach la belle Paris.
Our final stretch will see us cycle to the Eiffel Tower, one of the world's most iconic landmarks. Here, we'll celebrate with a glass of prosecco, a fantastic celebration dinner and a free day in Paris!
your itinerary
Previous
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Next
day 1
london - portsmouth /caen | approx. 72 miles
After an early morning briefing, we set off from our starting point in London (location to be confirmed at a later date).
We soon leave the hustle and bustle of London behind us as we cycle through rural villages, with quieter roads and a few hills. We stop for lunch in a picturesque village, before heading towards the city of Portsmouth for a well-earned dinner.
Finally, we cycle to the ferry for our overnight accommodation in 4 berth cabins to Caen, which signals the end of our first day’s cycling.
day 2
caen - évreux | approx. 84 miles
Today starts with an early breakfast on the ferry before we dock. Then we jump back in the saddle for a stunning day of cycling – remembering to cycle on the right!
Leaving Caen behind us, we cycle eastwards and head onto quieter roads in the direction of Évreux. We cycle through rolling French hills and quaint villages typical of the region.
Following lunch, we press on towards Évreux, where we stop for the night in twin rooms in local hotels. Tonight, you’re free to make your own dinner arrangements and enjoy the local culture.
day 3
évreux - paris | approx. 85 miles
Our final day in the saddle takes us east towards our goal, the majestic and beloved capital of Paris!
Leaving Évreux, we cycle through some charming, yet sleepy, traditional French towns and villages until we reach our lunch stop. We then have one last push as we head towards our finish line.
Our final stretch will see us cycle to an epic finish line at the Eiffel Tower, one of the world's most iconic landmarks. Here, we'll celebrate with a glass of prosecco and later on after checking into our hotel, we'll tuck into a fantastic celebration dinner!
day 4
paris - london
Today is a free day in Paris to do as you wish. Why not visit some of the fascinating landmarks, like Notre Dame Cathedral and the beautiful Sacre Coeur, which offers stunning hill-top views from the outskirts of the city.
Enjoy lunch and a café au-lait at a local restaurant, tour some of the many museums and art galleries, or enjoy shopping the world-renowned Parisian style.
In the afternoon, you make your own way to the Gare du Nord to catch the Eurostar back to St Pancras. On reaching London, we reunite with our bikes.
book my place
funding options
sponsorship
£1,700
Minimum sponsorship target
Pay the non-refundable registration fee of £149 which is used to administer the challenge and secure your tickets for the ferry and the Eurostar.
Fundraise the minimum sponsorship target of £1,700 for Women V Cancer at least 12 weeks before departure.
Providing you raise the minimum sponsorship target, the charities will pay the challenge costs of £850 on your behalf.
The challenge costs cover your ferry and Eurostar tickets, accommodation, transfers, most food, and full challenge support, including medical support, a team of outdoor remote first aid trained challenge guides and a UK doctor with expedition medicine training.
The remaining funds and anything you raise over the minimum sponsorship target will go directly towards the work of the amazing Women V Cancer charities.
What is included for the weekend?
Your non-refundable registration fee of £149 per person is used to administer the challenge and secure your seats with the Eurostar and ferry.
Your challenge costs of £850 (ie. 50% of the fundraising target) cover:
The remaining costs for your Eurostar and ferry ticket.
Meals throughout your challenge (except for breakfast on Day 1, dinner on Day 2 and lunch and dinner on Day 4).
Accommodation throughout the challenge.
All transfers on the challenge and a back-up vehicle.
Luggage transportation throughout the challenge.
Full support from the Dream Challenges office in the lead-up to and during your challenge.
Medical support, including a UK-qualified doctor with expedition experience accompanying us throughout the challenge and a team of awesome, outdoor remote first aid trained challenge guides.
Mechanical support.
A glass of prosecco at the finish line in Paris.
Your Women V Cancer London to Paris Bike Ride 2023 t-shirt and medal.
Where will we sleep overnight?
On the night of Day 1, we will sleep in shared cabins on-board our overnight ferry from Portsmouth to Caen.
On the nights of Days 2 and 3, we will sleep in comfortable local hotels on a twin-sharing basis.
To request who to share a room with, please email us at events@dream-challenges.com with your names once you're registered for the challenge.
We will have a group of around 80 Women V Cancer warriors on this challenge altogether. We will cycle in small groups of around 15-20 participants.
Please bring your own bike. As this is a long-distance, on-road cycle, we advise you to use a road bike and electric bikes are also welcome. We'll have mechanical support throughout the challenge, but please also bring two spare inner tubes specific to your bike.
If you are planning to use a mountain bike, we recommend that you fit road tyres to your bike, so that you can enjoy a smoother ride.
A cycle helmet is essential and must be worn at all times. Cycling shorts are also recommended and everyone will need their own water bottles or a camel back-type hydration system.
We'll send you a kit list for the challenge in your welcome pack when you register.
No, your main luggage will be transported each day by our support team.
However, at the end of our challenge, you will need to travel back to the UK on the Eurostar with your own luggage, so you are advised to pack light. (Your Eurostar ticket is included in your challenge costs.)
You will need a bag to go on your bike or a waist bag for things like your phone/camera, sun cream, tissues etc. Any extra items you may need during the day can be carried on the support vehicle, which you will have access to at the snack stops and lunch.
London, UK
It's in the name, but we're all about making your wildest dreams a reality. Whether you want to conquer a bucket-list challenge like reaching the famous Everest Base Camp or Cycling the Nile or you simply want to make a big impact for charity, we can help you get there.
From cycles and treks to other bucket list adventures, our immersive challenges are open to everyone and range from the moderate to the extreme. You’ll find them close to home, in far-flung destinations and everywhere in between! Join to make friends, reach your fitness goals, raise funds for charity and get the best experience of your dream destination. Our aim is to give you the platform, the encouragement and the support to release your inner hero.
What’s more, the tonne of endorphins and the renewing perspective you get on life from our challenges will not only improve your immediate happiness but they're also likely to have a long-term positive effect on your emotional and mental health.