Starting Your Journey To Paris.
Is This Event for Me?
So, you’ve heard about our ride to Paris. Three days. Big miles. Paris at the end of it. And now you’re wondering whether it’s actually something you could do. If you’re asking the question, there’s a good chance the answer is yes.
This isn’t a professional race. It’s a well-supported, properly paced challenge designed for committed riders who are willing to prepare. It will stretch you, but it won’t break you.
Over three days you’ll ride around 100 miles (160km) each day. That’s a serious distance, and it deserves respect. The climbing sits at roughly 1,300 metres per day. It rolls rather than bites — no savage alpine walls — just steady terrain that rewards rhythm and patience.
You won’t be thrown into chaos. The roads are managed, especially once across into France. You’ll choose a speed group that suits you, and the peloton rides together with experienced Ride Captains keeping things safe and cohesive. Nobody is quietly abandoned off the back. If you puncture or your gears start misbehaving, mechanics are there to sort it. You focus on riding; the rest is handled.
It’s point to point, so there’s a bit of daily organisation involved, but that becomes part of the experience. Pack, ride, recover, repeat. And alongside the miles, there’s the fundraising effort — something that gives the whole journey more weight than just the physical challenge.
You will need to train. There’s no getting around that.
The fitter you are, the more you’ll enjoy it. Aim to build towards riding consistently at 20km/h or above. That comes from steady work over time, not one huge weekend. Ride indoors if you need to, but make sure your longer sessions happen outside. Real roads matter.
Follow a plan. Build gradually. Stay consistent. That’s the difference.
Commute by bike. Meet friends on two wheels. Join a local group. Make riding normal, not occasional. Add in a couple of strength sessions each week and keep on top of mobility. It all adds up.
As for the bike, you’ll need a road bike in good working order. It doesn’t have to be the lightest thing in the café line-up, but it does need to fit you properly and run smoothly. If it’s been sitting in the shed, dust it off, pump the tyres, oil the chain and get it checked over. A professional bike fit is money well spent — comfort over three long days is not negotiable.
Clothing doesn’t need to be complicated. You can start in whatever you have. But good bib shorts are worth it. They’ll save you a lot of discomfort. Make sure they fit properly, and don’t wear underwear with them. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference.
So, is it for you?
If you’re willing to train consistently.
If you’re prepared to respect the distance.
If the thought of rolling into Paris under your own steam excites you just a little.
Then yes. It probably is
Over the next few months, I will be guiding you through a series of posts like these to prepare you for this amazing challenge. Just follow The Buffalo Foundation via their social channels or sign up to thier newsletter so you don’t miss when the drop. Thanks for reading.