Even more so than for road routes, riding reccies of gravel routes is essential. Despite having run gravel events in South Africa, the Atlas Mountains and the UK, 2022 is the first time that Hotchillee have put on a London to Paris gravel edition to run alongside their flagship road event. A few of my fellow Hotchillee Ride Captains had already ridden these two stages so this was all about fine tuning the routes and finding out how a relative gravel novice, me, would cope!

Friday was a day of travelling but, no matter how tiring we found it, I kept on reminding myself that on the event, by the time we arrived in Dieppe, I’d already have 125km of UK gravel from Stage 1 in my legs. 

Snow/sleet shower greeted us as we rolled out from Dieppe but within no time the skies cleared, we were off road and heading deep into rural France. From then on it was just one sleepy village after another as the trail constantly undulated its way almost due south. Snow/sleet shower greeted us as we rolled out from Dieppe but within no time the skies cleared, we were off road and heading deep into rural France. From then on it was just one sleepy village after another as the trail constantly undulated its way almost due south. 

For the first 100km of the route, you’re pretty much either climbing or descending but the constantly changing scenery definitely made the pain worthwhile. Sometimes when riding gravel in the UK, routes can feel slightly contrived but, with so many trails, tracks and farm roads to choose from, it felt really organic and flowing. There always seemed to be a stretch of tarmac just when you needed a break from the pummeling, but even these road sections were quiet and wonderfully pretty. 

I’ll admit there were a few sections which were on the limit of my technical ability but we’ll be tweaking those and, just like when I rode the King Alfred’s Way last summer, there’s no shame in a bit of “hike a bike” and none of the trickier sections were very long. 

Route finding was pretty easy following a GPX file but, for the event, the lead Ride Captains will carry bio-degradable spray paint [to mark key junctions] just to ensure no-one gets lost in the woods. Considering the time of year, conditions under tyre were good and, by July, it should be really fast rolling. 

Having skirted Rouen, we dropped down to the Seine for a blissfully (mostly) flat final 40km to our overnight stop in Saint-Marcel. I definitely felt I’d earned my dinner and, with 139km/1687m and over eight hours of rolling time in my legs, was relieved that tomorrow wasn’t going to be quite so epic. 

You couldn’t ask for a more pleasant roll-out with about 13km of flat riverside riding to wake your legs up. Mine were definitely feeling on the heavy side but, by the time the climbing started, they were just about playing ball. The next 45km to Menucourt - where you’ll rendezvous with the London to Paris by Tour de France road riders for the 40km celebratory roll-in to Paris, was constant series of leg stinging climbs. It wasn’t as technically challenging as the previous day, but you’ll definitely be grateful of some smooth tarmac and some wheels to follow by the end of the 57km/882m!

It’d been a challenging but extremely rewarding two days of riding and by far the best route I’ve ridden on my gravel bike - the variety of scenery, terrain and trails was mind-blowing. It’ll be a completely different experience to riding London to Paris on the road and there’s a big part of me that’s gutted that I’m going to be on road duty for the event. I know I’ll be wondering all the time where the gravel group is and how they’re getting along and I’ll be getting all the details as we roll into Paris together. 

Fancy becoming a London to Paris by Tour de France Gravel Pioneer?

The 2022 London to Paris by Tour de France road ride is going to be an amazing event but, if you fancy something a bit different, you like a bit of fat tyre fun and want the kudos of being able to say that you did it first, Hotchillee have an irresistible off-road offering for you. You’ll roll-out of Imber Court in Surrey with the road ride, so won’t miss out on the buzz and excitement of the big day but you’ll quickly leave the tarmac behind. You won’t then see the roadies again until Stage 3 when you’ll meet-up with them for the final 40km rolling closed roads run-in to Paris. In between you’ll have had a unique and amazing gravel adventure. Just because it’s gravel, it doesn’t mean that you won’t get the pro-level support Hotchillee experience. You’ll be accompanied by Hotchillee Ride Captains, have roving mechanical support, plenty of opportunities for bidon refills and snacks and, of course, great trail-side lunch-stops and overnight stays. All you’ll have to focus on is enjoying the trails. 

The Route

Over the three stages, you’ll be covering approximately 350km with 2250m of ascent. Unlike other “gravel” London to Paris rides, you won’t just be riding the Avenue Verte. Our route is unique, genuine gravel and 80% off-road. Places are limited so sign-up today.