Pioneering gravel route announced for LONDON-PARIS 2022
- May 2022
The LONDON-PARIS by Tour de France organizers today announced a challenging new off-road route for this July’s event. The epic 3-day adventure is an exciting new offering including bridleways, tow-paths, field-side tracks, disused railways lines and even singletrack – if you like it rough, you won’t be disappointed.
“It’s such a fantastic route, packed with a wide variety of different surfaces and terrains, which keeps you immersed in the ride experience” – Hotchillee Ride Captain, Jack Kirkby
Thursday 21 July
122km / 400m
Duration: 6-8 Hrs
Day 1 – A fast and flat 122km following the Downs Link to the coast. Hitting urban gravel almost from the off before punching south with the chalky and flinty trails whizzing beneath your tyres.
Friday 22 July
140km / 1350m
Duration: 6-10 Hrs
Day 2 – The Queen Stage covering 140km of rolling French trails, dipping in and out of forests, through picture postcard villages and finishing along the banks of the Seine. It’s a long day, but with an early start and late cut off there’s time to look up and enjoy the views.
Saturday 23 July
107km / 800m
Duration 6-7 Hrs
Day 3 – A flat roll-out along the Seine to ease the legs off before a string of brutal climbs and adrenaline fuelled descents. After 57km of the rough stuff, the route joins up with the road riders for a spine tingling final 45km processionary ride to the Eiffel Tower complete with traffic police escort, motorbike outrides and rolling closed roads.
Sunday 24 July – Tour de France finish
After an epic 3 days, the icing on the cake for any Tour de France junkies is the option to stay in Paris and ride the start of Tour de France Femmes course from the Eiffel Tower to the Champs-Elysees, followed by access to grandstand seating to watch the men’s and women’s iconic laps and accommodation in one the official Tour de France team hotels.
The event is aimed at new-to-gravel roadies and seasoned gravelistas, but the challenging route has ensured the Tour de France’s first LONDON-PARIS Gravel will be one of the toughest events on the schedule. Event organizers Hotchillee have 17 years experience and with a world class Events Team, the Hotchillee Ride Captains en route and support vehicles with roving mechanics this is a highly supported event.
A.S.O._Aurelien
Roll into Paris on closed roads
Sven Thiele, Hotchillee Founder: “After 17 years orgainsing the LONDON-PARIS and arriving in central Paris as the roads are closed around us, I still get goosebumps to this day. So arriving in Paris, then riding on the same course as the women’s Tour de France the following day will be a memory I cherish forever.”
Tickets for the LONDON-PARIS on Gravel are still available in limited quantities
Book your slot now on this once in a lifetime adventure through the French countryside and into Paris on the trails!
Stay tuned for more information on the route, how you can best prepare for this epic adventure and more coming soon via all of our channels.
