Join the Peloton to Paris

"It was an amazing experience, one I will never forget. It was a tough challenge but I had some really nice people around me. The help and support was second to none. I feel really privileged to have been able to achieve this ride."

Neil, London to Paris 2019 Are you looking for a challenge this year? Or perhaps some short break inspiration? Whether you are a cycling beginner or aficionado, we have a timeless classic to suit you. Action Medical Research’s London to Paris bike ride (15-19 July 2020) is one of Europe’s greatest cycling challenges which sees cyclists ride from one great capital to another in four days, pedalling 307 miles in total.

We are delighted to be joined this year by a very special guest rider, Olympian, former Tour de France stage winner, Yellow jersey holder and World Tour Director Sportive, Sean Yates. You will be able to ride side by side, on the streets he once rode as a professional road cyclist, in a career spanning 15 years. An experience you’ll never forget!

Setting off from Clapham Common in south London on Wednesday 15th July, the route will take you through the glorious English countryside of Surrey and Sussex, up and over the beautiful South Downs before descending into the harbour town of Newhaven, where the four-hour ferry crossing to Dieppe awaits. Upon arriving at the hotel near the port, you will have time to unwind with your fellow cyclists, perhaps reliving the day’s ride, catching up on the latest news in the final stages of le Tour, or simply getting an early night, ready for the next day. Departing from Dieppe the next morning, you will ride along the scenic French coast, before heading inland and south through the beautiful Saâne valley, a lovely area which cuts through low-lying hills. You will then soon catch your first glimpse of the River Seine, southwest of the town of Yerville. The ride continues through the Brotonne Forest, a picturesque area of oak and beech trees surrounded by a wide loop of the Seine. The finishing point for day two is Lisieux, a town with some magnificent chateaus and charming churches.

Leaving Liseux behind on day three, the ride winds through the Normandy countryside, renowned for its production of cheeses, cider and calvados. The route is steeped in history with beautiful, varying landscape providing ample opportunity to stop for photos, pop in to refuel at bijou cafes or to simply spend time getting to

know your fellow riders. After lunch, riders pass through green forests which provide a real contrast to the first part of the day, before arriving in Vernon, a historic town on the Seine. You will then be be treated to a truly unique experience as youdine with a legend of British cycling, Sean Yates. Known as The Animal, for his relentless attitude in the saddle, Sean will share tales of his days as a professional rider on le Tour over dinner.

For the final day of cycling, you will rise early and set off alongside Sean for the last leg in to Paris, marking a change of scenery, from rural to urban, as the sights of the French capital loom large on the horizon. The distinctive landmarks of the Tour Eiffel and Sacré Coeur on the skyline will evoke an enormous sense of achievement. The excitement begins to build as the peloton come together as one to ride round the Arc de Triomphe, then down the 71-metre wide Champs-Élysées to your glorious finish beneath the lofty arches of the Eiffel Tower. The atmosphere will be electric as crowds of tourists and well-wishers cheer you on. Plus it’s not every day you get to ride through Paris with a former Yellow jersey holder, so savour the moment and grab a selfie with Sean!

A free day in Paris is the cherry on the cake with time to explore the famous sights and soak up the atmosphere of the final stage of the 107th edition of the Tour de France. helping to introduce the first polio vaccines in the UK, developing the use of ultrasound in pregnancy and testing the rubella vaccine.

We are currently funding research into a wide variety of conditions that affect babies and children including prematurity, epilepsy, meningitis, cerebral palsy, brain cancer as well as some rare and distressing diseases.

So what are you waiting for? Your tremendous effort in the saddle will fund potentially life-saving research to tackle some of the toughest fights our children face.

Join the peloton to Paris today and help our fight for little lives!

Register before the end of March for just £35 (usual price £79), plus fundraising.

See action.org.uk/bikemag, or search “Action London to Paris”, for more details.

Action’s London to Paris bike ride is a tough but achievable challenge, perfect for experienced cyclists looking to tick it off their bucketlist, as well as those new to cycling. Our experienced crew will take care of everything from food and drink, to route marking, luggage transfer and puncture repair (if needed!) so you can get on with enjoying the ride. Action was one of the first charities to launch this fundraiser back in 2000. Since that time, around 5,175 riders have helped the charity raise more than £8.4 million for vital medical research.

Credit: ©Graham Watson

Sean Yates returns to Paris!

As a former professional road cyclist, Sean Yates, has seen and done it all in the world of cycling. He knows the rural roads of France and the cobbled streets of Paris well, having ridden them many times before in the Tour de France. “I can’t wait.” says Sean. “It’s always a fantastic experience when you start getting into Paris and seeing some of its world famous landmarks. I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone and sharing a few stories about my Tour de France experiences!”

Register to ride now and you could be there pedalling alongside Sean as he recreates the iconic final ride along the Champs-Élysées!