Tower to Tower

Cycle-touring, Expeditions, Adventures, Major cycle routes NOT LeJoG (see other special board)
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somara
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Joined: 20 Jun 2014, 4:24pm

Tower to Tower

Post by somara »

Hi I am contemplating riding tower to tower ( Blackpool to Paris ) in august and am looking for information on the trip such as how do we get from Paris to the tunnel? We are short on time available so can't ride back. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
nirakaro
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Joined: 22 Dec 2007, 2:01am

Re: Tower to Tower

Post by nirakaro »

You can take bikes by train from Paris to Boulogne. From there it's about a twenty-mile ride to the tunnel; maybe not ideal for you, but better than riding from Paris!
somara
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Joined: 20 Jun 2014, 4:24pm

Re: Tower to Tower

Post by somara »

Thanks very much I'm sure we can manage that. Do you know if you have to book bikes on French trains?
nirakaro
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Joined: 22 Dec 2007, 2:01am

Re: Tower to Tower

Post by nirakaro »

In my experience you just turn up and wheel it on.
LollyKat
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Joined: 28 May 2011, 11:25pm
Location: Scotland

Re: Tower to Tower

Post by LollyKat »

Eurostar from Gare du Nord ?
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Graham
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Re: Tower to Tower

Post by Graham »

somara wrote: . . . . . am looking for information on the trip such as how do we get from Paris to the tunnel? We are short on time available so can't ride back.

This doesn't sound quite right.

If you are short on time, why would you not go back to London by Eurostar ??

If not using a train to get to a channel crossing point, why focus on the tunnel ?? There are other opportunities to cross the channel, some, far easier/closer than Sangatte.

Puzzled.
somara
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Joined: 20 Jun 2014, 4:24pm

Re: Tower to Tower

Post by somara »

Did I mention I was a foreign novice, I didn't realise I could do that. Do you know if we can take bikes ??
Barrenfluffit
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Joined: 20 Oct 2009, 5:31pm

Re: Tower to Tower

Post by Barrenfluffit »

I did it two weeks ago!
Also the eurostar lands you in St Pancras so its a nice short ride to Euston for the onward journey. its e29 each way per bike and your other bags must be 2 and less than a certain dimension. The bike is sortof shipped separately on the same train.

There's a couple of different options for going London Paris depending on how you get across the water.
1, London, Newhaven, Dieppe, Paris. The difference here is that you basically go due south, get on a boat and go south again for 4 hours. So its fairly direct in terms of how the crow flies. Also a nice ride. Donald Hirsch's route is particularly good on its entry to paris and approach to the eiffel tower.
2, London, Folkstone/Cheriton, Calais-eurotunnel terminal (sangatte), Paris. http://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/traveller- ... ycles-one/
3, London, Dover, Calais, Paris. Again no idea but routes have been worked out.

The london routes generally exit central london via greenwich. if your heading for dover you could skirt north and head for a thames ferry crossing. If your going into central london then the canals and riverside trails may offer helpful routes.
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jamesgilbert
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Location: Lyon

Re: Tower to Tower

Post by jamesgilbert »

Just google "eurostar bike" and you will find the following very helpful information: http://www.eurostar.com/uk-en/travel-in ... 6kerpR_srd
skicat
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Joined: 21 Jun 2011, 1:09pm
Location: NCN52 / SL8

Re: Tower to Tower

Post by skicat »

Another superb resource for rail travel anywhere in the world - Seat 61. If it's not on this site it's not worth knowing.
The hurrier I go, the behinder I get
somara
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Joined: 20 Jun 2014, 4:24pm

Re: Tower to Tower

Post by somara »

Thanks for all the info everyone.
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