Classic Challenge Paris-Dourdan on June 19, 2021

This Saturday, June 19, a new Classic Challenge will take place between Paris and Dourdan.

Once again, it will be neither a race nor a traditional randonnée, but an “à la carte” format.

By Olivier Dulaurent – Photos: Sophie Gateau/Classic Challenge

Indeed, as the organizers like to remind us, the route (“the map”) is available in GPX format, allowing you to complete the course designed by Romain Bauvillard whenever you wish, even outside of D-day (June 19, as a reminder).

According to the principle of the formula, the route is not marked, so it is necessary to ride with a GPS… or to follow your friends. But only if you are sure not to lose them. Thus, a GPS bike computer is highly recommended.

While it’s not a race, those who want to push harder on the pedals will be pleased to know that a “+ 35 km/h” pace group is planned. This group will also be the earliest, starting at 7:15 am. Other pace groups, staggered every 15 minutes, are also planned, and those with less strong legs (20/23 km/h) will also have a group at their level, with a start at 8:15 am.

In all cases, for group rides, the meeting point is at the KMO store, 20 rue des Acacias, 75017 Paris.

Discover the #CC

Almost everyone can enjoy the #CC, without necessarily having the full distance in their legs. As usual, the route offers several possibilities to return by train without necessarily reaching the finish.

Your #CC desires?

– a little, 25 km, Saint Nom la Bretèche-Forêt de Marly station

– a lot, 50 km, Maule station

– passionately, 90 km, Rambouillet station

– madly, 138 km, Dourdan station

Practical information

As is customary on the #CC, everyone is self-sufficient and will support local businesses, cafes, and bakeries.

Cafes and bakeries will be available in Maule at km 50 or Rambouillet at km 90, among others.

For the finisher’s beer, everyone will have to organize themselves to avoid gatherings in accordance with the health protocol.

Return trains to Paris Gare d’Austerlitz (Transilien), departures every 30 minutes.

Registration: http://classics-challenge.cc/site/connection

Health Protocol

List of main measures to respect:

– Mask mandatory, to be worn before departure, during stops, and at the finish.

– Personal bottle of hand sanitizer in jersey pocket.

– Implementation of barrier gestures: hand washing, respecting a one-meter distance when stationary between people.

– Departures and riding in groups of maximum 10 cyclists.

– Two-meter distance between people when moving.

– When overtaking, maintain a one-meter offset as much as possible.

– Spitting and expectorating prohibited. If necessary, signal, let yourself be overtaken to relieve yourself in the last position.

Safety

This is the absolute priority for the organizers, who issue the following message:

As organizers, we are responsible and we commit to the prefectures that each of us will respect traffic lights, stop signs, and all traffic laws. Extreme caution in urban areas, but also throughout the rest of the route. We insist and count on each of you to spread the word.

– Ride in a compact peloton: this prevents overtaking cars from having to pull back every 10 meters.

– Ride a maximum of two abreast and much better to ride in single file.

– Hold your line. Hold your line. And hold your line!

– Signal obstacles by voice and hand.

– Signal cars by voice “car ahead” and “car behind”.

– Stop at traffic lights and stop signs and be extra vigilant when the route crosses busy roads.

– Do not hesitate to correct anyone not respecting these rules.

Ecology

Another crucial point for the organizers:

Zero point, zero waste in nature on the Classics Challenge! Please do not throw anything on the route. Absolutely nothing. Energy bar wrappers. Gels. Used inner tubes. Keep everything in your jersey pocket until the first trash can or until the finish. This is the image of the Classics Challenge that we are committed to, the image of cycling and our vision of the planet.