Cycling Chester to Chamonix

As part of my Everest training, in August 2014 I decided to cycle 880 miles from Chester to Chamonix, France, in just 7 days self-supported. A few days after arriving I then climbed the Dom – the highest peak entirely in Switzerland.

I lost time and finished in 8 days overall. My eventual itinerary was:

Day 1 – Depart Chester Town hall to YHA Stratford-upon-Avon, 123 miles

Day 2 – YHA Stratford-upon-Avon to Rowlands Castle, Hampshire, 136 miles

Day 3 – Rowlands Castle to Newhaven, sail to Dieppe at 23:00, 80 miles

Day 4 – Arrive Dieppe 04:00, to Compiegne, 103 miles

Day 5 – Compiegne to Auxerre, 137.5 miles

Day 6 – Auxerre to Avallon, 44 miles (disaster!)

Day 7 – Avallon to Lons-le-Saunier, 118 miles

Day 8 – Lons-le-Saunier to Chamonix

• Miles travelled: 878.41 miles
• Average pace: 12.4mph
• Vertical ascent in feet: 27,678ft (Everest is 29,035ft)
• Hours in the saddle: 68.35 hours
• Maximum calories in one day: 6,600kcal
• Weight of panniers: Approx 10kg (bike 8.71kg)
• Biggest ascent in one day: 9,744ft
• Countries travelled through: 3
• Crashes: 2
• Flat tyres: 0 (!)