Day 1 – Hartley Wintney to Portsmouth (Thursday 2nd September 2010)
45.5 miles

Thursday morning will be spent packing and making sure  we have had a good breakfast. Aim to meet at the St John's churchyard from 11.00. Time for photos/PR ready for a Noon departure. Hartley Wintney resident George Band (member of original team which ascended Mt Everest in 1953) will officially start the tour. We will set off in pre-determined groups of  up to six of a similar cycling ability. The cycling is predominantly along country roads, passing through pretty Hampshire villages, stopping at West Meon for lunch after 24 miles (14.00). After lunch is a 20 mile leg to Portsmouth. Bikes go in the lorry (Penny Street carpark). Fish & chips at the Still & West then head to the ferry. Cabins have been assigned to all participants on board the overnight boat. We arrive at Ouistreham (port of Caen) at 0645 the following morning. (For interest this is near the British D-Day landing beaches, Pegasus Bridge and Mulberry Harbour, but I'm not sure who''l be up for a history lesson at this hour!).

Day 2 – Ouistreham to Bernay (Friday 3rd September 2010)
54 miles

After breakfasting on the ferry, we'll be in good shape to arrive in Ouistreham, where we'll have a short briefing in a local cafe. We'll synchronise watches before a cycle up the river towards the historical city of Caen, then head off into the French countryside. After 32 miles, (approx 11.30) we'll stop at Lisieux for a picnic lunch. At 13.30, we set off for the afternoon stint of 18 miles to the mediaeval town of Bernay, which hosts a Benedictine Abbey. We will arrive around 3pm, and pitch tents or check in to the hotel (if pre-booked).

Day 3 – Bernay to Versailles (Saturday 4th September 2010)
85.7 miles

Our third day involves the furthest distance to complete! We will set off from Bernay Market Square (09.00) and cycle past miles of scenic fields, stopping for refreshments after 29 miles at Evreux Cathedral. The second stretch is 28 miles before we meet for lunch under the Roman arch at Montchauvet. After the final leg of 27 miles, we arrive at our destination town, Versailles, for the evening. This town includes the stunning Palace of Versailles, a historical home of the French monarchy. We will be ready for a good celebratory meal together in the town as we start to realise that Paris is just round the corner and the end is in sight.

Day 4 – Versailles to Paris (Sunday 5th September 2010)
13.2 miles

After a good rest and a hearty breakfast, we'll have a relatively short last leg to take us into Paris. The end is at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. On arrival, there'll be a chance for photographs and a glass of bubbly, and a couple of hours for some optional sight-seeing including the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame and Eiffel Tower. The main group will take the Eurostar (14.13 departure from Gare du Nord) arriving at London, St Pancras at 15.39. Bus transport has been arranged for return travel to Hartley Wintney. The lorry with the bikes will arrive approximately 19.00.

The event is fully supported with medically trained personnel and four support vehicles and a lorry accompanying our progress in England and France. This itinerary is subject to change.