Sign up to our newsletter
Sign up to receive our Newsletter with exclusive offers, trips and promotions
Sign up to receive our Newsletter with exclusive offers, trips and promotions
The London-Paris by Tour de France
4 Days / 4 Nights . 15 - 18 July 2021. From £1700 per rider
This is the ultimate ride for any Tour de France junkie! You’ll arrive in Paris the day before the Tour de France and ride the closed course of the Champs-Élysées under official race escort just hours before the pros.
After a finish-line photo the weekend is topped off by access to trackside seating to watch the pros race the iconic laps and accommodation in an official Tour de France team’s hotel.
Stage 1 - 175KM . 2007m
Stage 1: There’s a Channel to cross on today’s stage, so prepare for an early start. Each group will set off individually with a lead car, mechanic’s van and paramedic all in radio comms with your Hotchillee Ride Captains who will be looking after you for the next few days. Expect a few nerves on the first morning as the route takes in part of the iconic 2012 Olympic Road Race circuit and we head South East towards Kent and the Garden of England. As we roll past traditional Oast Houses don’t burn all your matches if you’re riding in Group 1 and competing in the timed race sections – it’s a solid first day to the coast. Lunch will be in a quintessential traditional country pub where sports therapists will be on hand to help with any niggles before we push on to Folkestone and you clock up your first century. Once at the finish you’ll swap your bike for your suitcase, board a mid-afternoon coach and go over (or under) the Channel to your hotel in time for a well earned traditional French dinner with your new cycling buddies.
Stage 2 - 164KM . 1626m
Stage 2: The morning’s stage is always fizzing with excitement at the prospect of riding on French soil, and with no Channel to cross expect a more sociable start time. Potholes vanish, the tarmac smoothens and with the french motor-outriders having the power to stop traffic entirely it’s the closest us mere mortals get to feeling like a pro cyclist. Lunch will be a stop in Frevent, and what else could be more fitting than baguettes and apple tart? The stage will finish just outside Amiens and after bag collection a coach to the hotels beckoned, giving you time to relax before dinner. A good meal, evening stroll around the cathedral and an early night are on the cards for the sensible. However, for some the socialising is known to go on late into the evening. Naming no names Sven Thiele.
Stage 3 - 183KM . 1548m
Stage 3: Today it’s the turn of Group 5 to set off first, waiting at lunch where all groups join and form one giant peloton. Excitement inevitably builds as the Parisian cobbles beckon so expect the peloton to start to fizz as we reach the outskirts of the city and cross the Seine for the first time. The only other cycling event our size to close roads in Paris this weekend is the Tour de France so goosebumps are inevitable. Whether you’re a racing snake in Group 1 or a newbie in Group 5 you’ll cross the closed Arc de Triomphe and roll towards the Eiffel Tower with a lump in your throat – we (almost) guarantee it! Friends and family welcome riders at the finish, medals will be handed out, bikes are stored and inevitably the hotel bar will be busy. After a well earned meal the celebration party will get into full swing, the jersey presentation concluded and one too many beers drunk. Perfect preparation for tomorrow’s Tour de France finale!
WHATS INCLUDED
4 day / 4 night event entry
Champs-Élysées lap under official Tour de France race escort
Tour de France finish line photo
Access to track side seating for Tour de France Pro race
Four nights accommodation (twin sharing – upgrades available)
All meals*
Celebration Party in Paris
Full Service Corps technical support
Medical support
Rolling road closures and motorbike outriders
Exclusive Tour de France London-Paris cycling jersey
Secure car parking for the duration of the event
Baggage forwarding
Bike return from finish line to the UK (if required)
Access to and use of digital photos and film
Timing chip (Group 1 only)
Event t-shirt
Event massages
Water, tea and coffee
Musette
Monthly supported group rides from registration to the event (COVID-19/ British Cycling guidelines dependent)
Free membership of Hotchillee with access to The LONDON-PARIS by Tour de France channel on the Hotchillee App.
WHATS NOT INCLUDED:
Travel insurance
Return travel
Alcohol
*Saturday dinner and Sunday lunch and dinner
20% deposit required at the time of booking. Please note that final balance is due 12 weeks before the date of the event.
Event format
This is a multi stage endurance road cycling event consisting of flagged race sections with tempo riding between. The format allows for ample racing in the “Race” level groups (1 and 2), social tempo riding and interaction between the flagged sections with the “Ride” level groups (3, 4 and 5) more focused on completing the endurance nature of the event. The flagged race sections cover sprinting, climbing and over all time (general classification). Click here for further information about the competition.
The five groups based on both ability and experience. The actual speeds of the groups will be based on rider distribution, but will generally be as listed below:
Group 1: 30+ km/h
Group 2: 29 km/h
Group 3: 28 km/h
Group 4: 26-27 km/h
Group 5: 24-25 km/h
Each group will have approximately 60 cyclists and ride as a peloton. They are each supported by their own lead car, motorbike outriders (which manage the traffic in the UK and close the roads completely in France), mechanics van and medical support. Each group is also looked after by the HotChillee Ride Captains who are in radio contact with the support vehicles.
The flagged race sections cover sprinting, climbing and general classification (GC).
Seeding information
When you registered for the event we asked you indicate your preferred speed group. In addition to this we will require you to submit two rides to ensure that you are allocated your correct speed group. One of these rides must be 100 miles, the other 100kms. You have until 31st May to provide this information – it does not have to be at an organised event, but it will need to be recorded on Strava and shared on the HotChillee Strava Club which you can join here. The monthly HotChillee group ride in April will be 100km.
The Ride
Who manages the ride? The ride is managed by the Commissaire and ultimately the Event Director. Any decision by the Commissaire is final.
What kind of bike may I ride? The HotChillee London-Paris is restricted to roadworthy road bicycles only. If you are in any doubt then contact the organisers whose decision is final. The ride takes place on tarred or cobbled roads and where authentic “Spring Stages” as in the 2009 tour are included you can expect some rougher roads as used in the “classics”.
Note that no bicycle is permitted to have unconventional handlebars including triathlon bars, aero bars, clip-ons, prayer bars, and cow bars.
What do I wear? Helmets complying with international safety standards are compulsory for the duration of the ride. Closed cycling shoes (no fancy sandals), shorts and jerseys are also recommended for your safety. It is recommended that you take three sets of cycling kit and a plastic bag for the dirty clothes! At this time of the year in France the day time temperature is 15-23 Deg Celsius. Be sure to include a lightweight rain jacket – with global warming you never know!
Post riding, (and evening wear) dress is casual.
Personal Stereos and Headsets
There has been an increasing prevalence of riding with stereo headsets and Ipods. For safety reasons they are not permitted whilst riding.
Bag Service
We operate a bag service. The bags will “ride ahead” of you and you will only see your bag again in the evening for the overnight stop. If you require items during the day please use the Musettes as provided by the service vehicle. You will be able to access your musette at the lunch stop and the finish of each day. Each rider will be given a luggage label at Sign On, please ensure that this attached securly to your bag. Every care will be taken to ensure that the bags are safeguarded. However, cyclists are advised not to leave expensive, valuable items in their bags, as the organisers cannot take responsibility for any losses.
Only soft travel bags will be permitted and one bag per rider.
Lost Property
We will have a lost property box located next to the “Information” banner. Please place or retrieve lost property from here. Lost property will be kept for 1 week after the event, and thereafter donated to charity. Any postal or couriered returns will be charged for.
Do I need a bike bag or box? No, please do not bring bags or boxes (unless you are travelling onwards from Paris). These take up valuable space. The support crew will pack the bikes with protection (however you are responsible for insuring your bike against any damage for the duration of the event, including transit). If you are leaving us in Paris then you will need to book your bike bag/box (hard or soft) onto the transportation trucks at a cost of £45.
Do we have mechanics? Yes we have a full mechanics service for each group. This service is provided by Service Corps and lead Graeme Freestone-King as the Head Mechanic. The service runs from fully fitted vans and thus most repairs will be able to be facilitated. The service is available to deal with bike repairs/failures and problems. There will also be spare bikes and numerous spare wheels.
What happens if I puncture? Let’s hope that you do not puncture! Please try and ensure that you are using new tyres and tubes as this greatly reduces the chance of puncture.
Let the group know that you have punctured. Let your support van know that you have a puncture. If you have lost the group, the support van will drop you off with the group again.
There may of course be a situation with loads of punctures for whatever reason. Thus be sure to carry one tube and CO2 canister at least, so that you can effect the repair yourself.
How do I pay for tubes, spares etc used? We use a “chit” system. All you need to do is sign for the items and your credit card will be charged after the event. In order to use this service you will need to sign a form before departing on the LONDON-PARIS acknowledging that you will be using this service.
Where do I keep my sun cream, wallet, and other small items? The support van will have musettes available. These are small bags. You can keep items that you may wish to access during the day in this bag, and it will be kept in the support van. Be aware that your luggage bags will be well ahead of the peloton, so you will not be able to access this before arrival at the hotel.
It might be useful to keep a dry top, arm and leg warmers and long sleeve in the musette.
What about lunch on route? Each day we have a lunch stop of approx. 30-45 minutes (except Stage 1 where lunch will be at Stop 24 Folkestone). Lunch is included and consists of endurance related foods.
Massages
We have a team of sports therapists from Roadside Therapy. They will be available at the start, lunch and hotels in the evenings. You can book these at the beginning of each day with the Sports Therapist Team.
The Route
A detailed map of the route will be distributed before the event. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the route. The route is open to traffic, and you are warned to keep to the left of the road in the UK and on the right in France, not cross the centre line at any time and to obey traffic regulations, traffic officers and authorised marshals. The route will be published on Ride Cards that you receive at Sign On. Please keep your Ride Cards with you for the duration of the ride.
Can I download the course to my Wahoo? HotChillee has decided not to publish the course in GPX format for several reasons. If the event course is subject to last minute changes or safety related detours under the direction of the race commissar we feel that for group safety it’s best that the peloton follows the exclusive directions of the marshals and lead cars. The riders must stay behind the lead car and in front of the mechanics support van at all times following the direction of the marshals who are responsible for directing us to the finish in Paris. Relieved of hassles of navigation you are then free to concentrate on cycling and experiencing the true pleasure of group riding.
General
What happens if I need to cancel my entry? If for any reason you need to cancel your entry you are able to nominate a substitute for your place and we will refund your entry less a £300 administration fee for a completed substitution. You are able to substitute your place up to 31 days prior to the event Sign On Date. If you have to cancel in full then please call us to discuss as soon as you can. We will do our best to make sure you can defer or gain a partial refund on your trip.
Travel Documents
You will require a valid passport and if applicable, visa for travel. You are also required to take out personal travel insurance.
Insurance
We recommend that all riders take out travel insurance as the tour involves multi geography riding. We recommend our Insurance Partner Procycle Insurance.
Checklist of what is useful to pack
Passport (Visa)
European Health Insurance Card
British Cycling Membership (Gold/Silver) or Ride Cycling Membership
Cell phone (Be sure to enable roaming well before you leave. If you are coming from the USA or Asia, make sure that you have a GSM enabled phone.) Carry your phone on you for text alerts.
Telephone ChargerTravel Adapter
Cash – Euros for France, Sterling for the UK
Credit Card
Small camera
Sun Cream
Sun Block
Chamois Cream
Lip Balm
Pain Killers
Anti Diarrhoea
Anti Inflammatory
Salt Tablets
Sportique Warm up and cool down creams
Baby wipes
Towel
HRM and strap
Helmet
Sunglasses
Plastic Bag for dirty cycle kit
Water bottles
Gels, drink powders and energy bars
Fresh legs!
If you have any further questions about the event please contact us
Bike Hire is available. Please contact us to arrange in advance of HotChillee London-Paris.
