
London to Paris cycle
Our multi-day cycle event is back! Team Autism will be embarking on an epic challenge, cycling from London to Paris in just three days. Will you join us? Please note, this event was originally due to take place in August 2023 but has now been postponed to May 2024.
About the event:
Led by professional guides, this 297km route will take you south out of London, through East Grinstead and down to the Sussex coast, where you’ll catch the late ferry to the French port of Dieppe. You’ll then pedal through the breath-taking French countryside before arriving in Beauvais for your second night’s stay. Finally, you’ll head into Paris, loosely following the path of the River Seine, before arriving at the iconic Eiffel Tower, followed by photos and a celebratory dinner. You are free to explore the delights of the city on the final morning before returning on the Eurostar to London.
Challenge difficulty: Moderate
Age restrictions apply, please read the full terms and conditions below.

Date and time?
09 May 2024
until 12 May 2024

How much?
registration fee: £135 / Minimum sponsorship: £1,900
Please note: Participants should be confident cyclists with a good base level of fitness. Training plans will be provided and should be followed in preparation for this event. All participants are responsible for ensuring they have the relevant travel documents, VISA’s and insurance, to travel to France.
How do I sign up?
- Click the ‘sign up’ button to purchase your place in the event.
- Complete your registration form (this will be emailed to you after purchase).
- Set up your fundraising page.
- Start cycling!
- Closer to the event date, you will need to provide further details, including medical information to Adventure Café (our challenge provider). Their privacy notice can be found here.
For more information on the event, please email fundraising@nas.org.uk or call us on 0808 800 1050.
-
- three nights’ hotel accommodation (based on a twin share. If you require a single room, this can be arranged for an additional cost from around £165 per person.)
- breakfast, lunch and dinner whilst on the trip
- ferry ticket from Newhaven to Dieppe
- Eurostar ticket from Paris to London
- bicycle return to London
- support vehicle and professional ride leaders who are all first aid trained
- fundraising and training guides
- support from our Events team
- a National Autistic Society branded cycling jersey
- a well-deserved medal and certificate on completion of event.
-
- Travel insurance (medical and equipment) – this is required to take part in the event
- Hotel in London before or after the event
- Bike and helmet – these are compulsory for the trip. Bike hire can be arranged from £120 per person.
-
You will cycle for three days but this is a four-day trip in total.
Thursday 9th May
- Rendezvous with Adventure Café Support team
- Depart London at 8am
- Late afternoon ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe
- Short cycle from port to hotel on Dieppe promenade
- Accommodation in Dieppe
Friday 10th May
- Cycle from Dieppe to Beauvais via the Avenue Verte
- Accommodation in Beauvais
Saturday 11th May
- Cycle from Beauvais to Paris
- Photographs at the Trocadéro overlooking the Eiffel Tower
- Cycle to hotel accommodation
- Accommodation in Paris
Sunday 12th May
- Morning to explore Paris
- Lunchtime Eurostar to London St Pancras International
- Rendezvous with the Adventure Café team at St Pancras for bicycle return
London to Paris cycle 2023

We’d love for you to join Team Autism and raise vital funds to help transform lives, change attitudes and create a society that works for autistic people. We hope to welcome you to the team soon.
For more detail on the route and itinerary, including a suggested route map, please visit our challenge provider’s website by clicking below.
-
What time does the ride start?We would aim to start between 8-8.30am, but you may need to arrive around one hour before the start time in order to get prepared and be briefed.
What is the start location?
We plan to meet at the London Eye, but the exact location will be confirmed closer to the event.
Can I get accommodation on the Wednesday evening?
Of course, however this will not be covered by the National Autistic Society, but we are able to recommend accommodation to you.
What accommodation is included?
Three nights’ accommodation (Thursday to Sunday) is included in the cost. Please note, this is based on a twin share. If you require a single room, this can be arranged but for an additional cost. Please note this requirement on your registration form.
Are there any specific requirements to take part in the event?
You must have your own bike, equipment and cycling helmet. Bike hire can be arranged at an additional cost. You must have experience of cycling on a road with traffic, and you should be a confident cyclist with good base levels of fitness. You should be able to average over 24kmph for a 100km ride. You should be capable of completing large climbs and gradients up to 12%. You may not be a regular cyclist, but should be an active individual able to complete the training plans provided.
What meals are included?
Your evening meals for the Thursday, Friday and Saturday night are included in the cost. Breakfast and snacks/picnic style lunches are also included. You are encouraged to bring any additional snacks/energy drinks/supplements that you require.
Can the route change?
The route can be subject to change dependent upon viability, course members' fitness, weather conditions or for any other reason.
How will I get back my bike back to London?
Our challenge provider, Adventure Café, will transport all bikes back to London whilst you head back on the Eurostar. Bikes will be available for collection from London only.
Are the roads closed?
The roads are not closed; however, they are mostly scenic and quiet roads.
Can my friend do it with me?
Your friends, family or colleagues are more than welcome to do the challenge with you, but they will still need to register as an individual, pay the registration fee and raise the minimum fundraising amount.
-
1. Registration and sponsorship
a) I agree to pay a non-refundable registration fee of £135 to the National Autistic Society to secure my place in the London to Paris multi-day cycling event and that this registration fee will be in addition to the fundraising target of £1,900. Around £950 of this will cover the costs associated with participation in this event, and all additional funds raised will go directly towards the work of the National Autistic Society, and cannot be restricted to any particular programme, service or branch of the National Autistic Society.
b) I understand that I must ensure that my sponsors are aware that part of my minimum sponsorship will cover my challenge costs.
c) I understand that I must be at least 18 years old on the date of the event, or over 16 and be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times during the event. The parent or guardian must sign a declaration confirming they understand this requirement and their duty of care to the child. This also applies if the adult has to unfortunately drop out of the event for any reason. We cannot have under-18s on their own at any time.
d) I agree to represent and raise money exclusively for the National Autistic Society in this event and am aware that at least 80% (£1,520) of my fundraising target must be met six weeks before the event date, and all remaining funds within six weeks of event completion.
e) I understand that alongside registering with the National Autistic Society, I must complete the registration form provided by Adventure Café to take part in this trip. This form includes requesting medical information to ensure my safety on the trip. I understand that this data is handled by Adventure Café and not the National Autistic Society. A copy of Adventure Café’s privacy notice can be found here.
f) I understand that I am responsible for ensuring all travel documents, VISA’s and insurance are valid for the duration of the trip to and from France.2. Health and Safety
a) I understand that all participants take part in the event at their own risk and agree that, as far as they are aware, are suitably fit and physically able to compete in the event. Participants who have any doubt about their health or have a medical condition that could be affected by exercise must obtain their doctor’s approval before participating in this event. I understand that the participant is solely responsible for acting on doctor’s advice and the National Autistic Society shall not be held responsible for any injury or illness that may be caused as a result of the event.
b) I understand that each participant is responsible for their own actions whilst attending and/or participating in the event. The National Autistic Society accepts no responsibility for the actions of the participant nor the consequences of such actions. This continues to the participants’ personal belongings, which are brought and stored at their own risk. The National Autistic Society accepts no responsibility for any items that are damaged, lost or stolen at the event.
c) No illegal substance, performance-enhancing substances or intoxicants of any kind are permitted to be brought to this or any National Autistic Society events, or used by participants prior or during the event. The National Autistic Society reserves the right to refuse attendance at or participation in the event to anyone who has consumed and/or has in their possession any illegal substance, performance-enhancing substances or intoxicants of any kind.
d) The organiser, Adventure Café, specialises in challenges of this nature and is solely responsible for organising and running the event, including the safety of participants. Neither the National Autistic Society nor Adventure Café will accept liability for any injury, loss or damage, unless it arises from the negligence of the National Autistic Society or Adventure Café, as the case may be.3. Images and footage
a) I hereby agree that all images or footage taken of me at the event may be used by the National Autistic Society in future promotional material, including our websites, social media and charity magazines and reports, unless stated otherwise. (If you are under the age of 18 a parent or guardian can contact the National Autistic Society on your behalf: fundraising@nas.org.uk)
4. Cancellations and withdrawals
a) Except in exceptional circumstances as determined by the National Autistic Society, I understand that all registration fees are non-refundable. Participants who wish to withdraw from the event should inform the National Autistic Society in writing and all sponsorship forms and money collected needs to be sent directly to the National Autistic Society, and sponsors must be notified. All sponsorship monies will be retained by the National Autistic Society unless sponsors request in writing that the National Autistic Society return it to them within one month of the cancellation (not applicable for online donations).
b) I agree that through signing up to this event I am representing the National Autistic Society and abide by the charity’s values. The National Autistic Society reserves the right to reject at any time any applicants/participants who are poorly representing the charity’s values or who are believed to be fraudulent. The National Autistic Society will not be liable in any way to costs associated with the event that may be lost due to the rejection.
c) I understand in the event that the National Autistic Society is forced to cancel the event or change the date for any reason, the National Autistic Society will inform each participant as soon as possible. If the event start time or other details are altered, the National Autistic Society will inform participants and update the National Autistic Society website. As stated above, registration fees are non-refundable in all but exceptional circumstances.
d) All registration fees for a cancelled event that are not refunded will be retained by the National Autistic Society to cover costs already incurred by the charity in the planning process for the event.

Arran's story
“I have ridden from John O' Groats to Land’s End in seven days; and I have cycled in the Himalayas twice”
Read more