When Scott Thomas watched a YouTuber cyclist breeze a ride from London to Paris on a free bike that was left out for rubbish – it sparked an idea.
Months later, with research complete, the route planned and bikes prepped, Scott is in training for his own epic adventure which will see him tackle the same 300km ride this July.
He has roped in work colleague Jordan Beard and his brother Zac to join the ride; and experienced cyclist David Seiferth whom he met when buying equipment in the Broken Spoke shop in Oxford
Avid cyclist Scott has bought and refurbished four second-hand bikes for the trip.
The team will be raising money for Oxfordshire based cancer support centre, The Hummingbird Centre, in memory of two members of his family who died from cancer.
They are due to set off from the London Eye on Thursday, July 24, and plan to arrive in Paris at the Eiffel Tower by the evening of Saturday, July 26. The trip will cover:
- Day 1 – they will cycle 108Km from London eye via Croydon, Caterham, Haywards Heath finishing at Newhaven Dock where they will catch the 5pm ferry for Dieppe
- Day 2 – is 80km from Dieppe, France, to Gisors
- Day 3 – is 80Km from Gisors to Paris and the Eiffel Tower
Keeping in theme with the YouTuber’s trip, the group plan to give their bikes away at the end of the ride as soon as the “victory pictures” have been taken.
Scott said: “The thought of Bikepacking across the UK or Europe has lingered in my mind for quite some time, and I previously looked into cycling around the Sierra Nevada Mountain range in Spain. Unfortunately, that plan fell through due to logistical issues. Taking that YouTuber’s journey as inspiration, I settled on London to Paris. He made it look so easy that I felt even an amateur like myself could do it.
“I don’t see this as a challenge but more of an adventure of a lifetime, something I could tell a story about someday. I can’t wait to take part.”
In order to get in shape for the challenge, Scott cycles to work and takes part in longer rides at the weekend of between 30km and 80km.
Both Jordan and Scott, work for Ridge Consulting, in the Birmingham and Oxford offices respectively, which has designated The Hummingbird Centre as it’s charity of the year. Scott was inspired to raise money for the centre after learning about the support it provides to people with cancer and their families across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.
Hummingbird founder Mechelle Harris said: “We are really excited for the guys making this trip – we are sure they will make fantastic memories that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. We are delighted they have chosen to raise money for The Hummingbird Centre and we look forward to hearing all about their adventure when they get back.”
Article written by Sam McGregor