Raid Parisienne

[hatler]

Thought you might enjoy this.

mini-hatler has arranged a weekend away, and this is at the extreme end of the hatlers' logistical planning capabilities.

Roughly : -

*  mini cycles with friend#1 from SW London to Newhaven.
*  Mr & Mrs hatler + friends #2 and #3 (+4 bikes) set off in the car from SW London to Newhaven
*  11pm ferry to Dieppe
*  4am disembark and offload 3 bikes, assemble mrs hatler's bike (stashed in the boot)
*  mini, me and 3 friends cycle to Paris
*  mrs hatler (actually the DS) shadows us on the ride to Paris
*  watch the men's road race (including mrs hatler who dumps car close to Paris and joins us)
*  stay with friends in NW Paris
*  Sunday morning head into Paris to see the sights
*  Cycle back to Dieppe for the midnight ferry
*  Monday 5am, mini cycles home, everyone else gets a lift back to SW London

What could possibly go wrong?

[LittleWheelsandBig]

Don't be too surprised if the ferry is a little late. Make sure there is some slack in your schedule.

[Lightning Phil]

You have an extra bike in car. Is that in case one bike being ridden completely disintegrates?

[mmmmartin]

Back in The Day, His Legness arranged a similar thing for the FNRttC to catch the end of the Tour de France. Seemed to be successful every time.

[mzjo]

Don't forget to leave loads of time before departure, both ways. They open the gates and start controlling early. Nice thing is (at least IME) all the officials, customs, police etc at both ports are really polite and sympathetic; that's why I like that crossing.
Parking anywhere in IdF is likely to be hideous but then you've got friends so I presume you've got that sussed!
You've got kids. Be aware that there are no convenient toilet facilities between passing the gate and boarding the ferry. Make use of port terminal facilities before passing the control!

[Canardly]

Take an inflatable mattress/mat for the ferry allowing snooze opportunity, those seats turn into concrete half way across.

[PaulF]

Take an inflatable mattress/mat for the ferry allowing snooze opportunity, those seats turn into concrete half way across.

I believe a pit stop was planned at a convenient Decathlon to get one for the return journey

[hatler]

What an insightful bunch you all are. You've touched on many of the "Things to take note for next time" list we assembled as the journey unfolded.

I'll provide a proper update shortly over in Ride Reports.

Headline - Resounding Success, we all got home safely and we all got to see some of the road race.