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The Greenwich Meridian

The Greenwich Meridian

May 2026

A unique ride south from Greenwich in London following as closely as possible the Greenwich Meridian to the Spanish coast between Barcelona and Valencia.

For centuries there were various Prime Meridians in use but eventually the Greenwich one was chosen for universal worldwide adoption. The Royal Observatory in Greenwich describes a meridian as 'an imaginary line running north to south that is used as a reference line for astronomical observations. By noting the exact time each star crosses the meridian, it's possible to build up an accurate map of the sky. Meridian lines also help to measure distances and plot locations here on Earth by offering a way to determine longitude.' (Source: Royal Museums Greenwich). 

Obviously very few roads were built exactly on the line but we are generally no more than 5km from it and often within 1km. The major exceptions are the two natural barriers between Greenwich and Castellon - the English Channel and Pyrenees - where we have to go off course before rejoining as soon as possible after. This will be a challenging tour with the Channel crossed by ferry but the Pyrenees by bike over the Soulor / Aubisque and Portalet, leading to the large open spaces of Spain. Generally the days are in France are shorter before Spain which has further gaps between hotels so the last four days are unavoidably longer distances, but some really fantastic countryside to enjoy.

The hilliness of each day is measured by the CQ figure (an explanation of how this works is on our FAQ page).

Highlights include:

  • The Royal Observatory in Greenwich
  • Pretty Sussex countryside as you head across the South Downs for the ferry
  • Ferry crossing with cabin included (Portsmouth - Caen for a slightly longer night's sleep)
  • Rejoin the line in Normandy with its beautiful countryside and quiet roads
  • Crossing the Loire and riding through vineyards
  • The world famous St Emilion vineyards
  • Rest day (with a non-rest optional Tourmalet excursion!)
  • Crossing the Pyrenees over the classic cols Soulor, Aubisque, and Col du Portalet
  • Spain and all its history and unspoilt countryside
  • Route following as closely as possible the Greenwich Meridian south with allowances for traffic conditions and accommodation opportunities
  • A wonderful sense of achievement and having done something different and memorable
  • 15 days' cycling plus 1 rest day
  • 16 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfasts included (except the ferry breakfast to France where breakfast is not included)
  • 10 dinners included
  • Optional transport back to Santander / Bilbao for ferry home (not included, charges apply)

Your Next Adventure Awaits

What you need to know...


Start Location
Greenwich, London


Finish Location
Castellon de la Plana, Spain


Country/Region
End to End (UK and European rides)


Grading
Expert


Shortest Day
66 miles


Longest Day
88 miles


Total Days
17 (15 days riding)


Total Miles
1140 miles

Departure Dates & Prices

MonthDatesTour PriceSingle Supplement*Bike Hire FromEnquireBook
May 202621st May to 6th June 202621/5/26 to 6/6/26£3,395£995Check AvailabilityBook Now

*A single supplement is only payable if you would like a guaranteed room to yourself. If you are happy to share with another traveller of the same gender, no supplement is payable.

Itinerary

Day 1

We meet mid-morning at Greenwich for the statutory photograph on the Meridian Line before heading south towards the coast. It takes a while to get free of London but once out of the city there is some fine riding as we cross the south downs to charming Lewes, our overnight stop. (Dinner included)

Day 2

From Lewes we leave the Meridian to take the ferry across the Channel from Portsmouth as this allows a slightly better night's sleep and gets us closer to where the line enters France east of Ouistreham. It's another fine ride today and there's plenty of time prior to boarding the ferry so you can enjoy a leisurely ride today. (Breakfast included).

Day 3

After departing the ferry we head back to the beach where the Meridian enters France, before turning inland into wonderful Norman countryside with half timbered houses, stud farms and apple orchards today, as you enjoy quiet well surfacted French roads. It's not a hilly day and there is very little traffic on our way to our hotel close to Argentan. (73 miles / 118 km, 1191m ascent, CQ 10. Dinner included)

Day 4

From our overnight forest hideaway we cross the Normandy Maine Regional Park with some really lovely countryside and then the fantastic Sarthe region, often overlooked and bypassed, but very beautiful and unspoilt. We stop for the night in an unspoilt market town in a nice hotel with a good restaurant to refuel us! (72 miles / 116 km, 1380m ascent, CQ 11.6. Breakfast and Dinner included).

 

Day 5

Perhaps the most straightfoward day brings us across the Loir to the Loire, the first major waypoint on the journey south. It should be a fast ride today and you will have time to wander the streets of this charming town with its famous chateau, or to try the famous wines from vineyards you will ride through tomorrow. 70miles / 111 km, 743m ascent CQ 6.7. Breakfast included).

Day 6

South of the Loire we start leaving behind the areas better known to tourists as we head into more unspoilt countryside. One of the joys of cycling in France is the huge number of well-surfaced roads with very little traffic. After the Saumur Champigny vineyards there are some wonderful old villages and castles. Plenty of photo stops! Our jhotel has a well-rated restaurant. (75 miles / 120 km, 1044m ascent, CQ 8.7. Breakfast and dinner included).

Day 7

Parts of today are quite zig-zaggy as the roads don't run due south, so we make a few turns in some sections of the ride to stay as closely as possible to the Meridian. Of course, such roads are not much used by traffic so we get a really quiet day and pass a Gallo-Roman amphitheatre as we approach our destination and come into the next area of vineyards close to the Charente river, part of the Cognac region. (74 miles / 119km, 975 m ascent, CQ 8.2. Breakfast and dinner included).

Day 8

Another landmark beckons today in the form of the famous Dordogne river, rightfully known as a beautiful region - which it absolutely is. It's slightly hillier today but very rural and a well preserved landscape and environment. The St Emilion vineyards are crossed towards the end of the day before a fine descent to the Dordogne, and our hotel just a handful of miles beyond. It's in a quiet position with a really good restaurant. (73 miles / 117 km, 1272 m ascent, CQ 10.8. Breakfast and dinner included).

Day 9

Today is a day of two halves with a hilly start up to 45 miles then a very flat and fast afternoon as you enter the Landes region. A longer day but once you've got to the lunch point you can relax a little knowing the work is done. (83 miles / 133 km, 1475 m ascent, CQ 11.1. Breakfast and dinner included).

Day 10

Another long day but tomorrow is the rest day, and it doesn't seem as hilly today. It's our last full (cycling) day in France and we end up at the foot of the Pyrenees. Lourdes is the main obstacle to negotiate and is busy getting in but a wonderful bike path then takes you all the way to the finish. (84 miles / 135 km, 1300m ascent, CQ 9.6. Breakfast included)

Day 11

Rest day today with a chance to catch up with washing, feeding and tinkering - or alternatively gird your loins and take on the Tourmalet which is doable from the hotel. (Breakfast included).

Day 12

The main event today! Leaving town you will undoubtedly be in the company of the many cyclists who come here to experience the famous cols of the Pyrenees. The closest route into Spain is via the Cols du Soulor, Aubisque and the Portalet. In reality the Aubisque is a continuation of the Soulor of only a few kilometers, after which there is a fantastic descent before the Col du Portalet to the border. It's long but not especially hard and the lower sections are such that larger traffic cannot get through, so it's relatively quiet. Once at the top you are onto south facing slopes so it's much brighter and you get a second great descent of the day to our bike friendly hotel twenty miles into Spain. (67 miles / 107 km, 2877m acent, CQ 26.8. Breakfast included).

Day 13

Another day with some ascent but spread out over a longer distance than yesterday. It's also incredibly beautiful with only one town on the way, as you cross the Aragon region with its amazing rock formations.  The afternoon section is particulalrly beautiful and the overnight stop is in the most amazing hilltop town. Very photogenic and quite touristy in summer but midweek in early June it won't be too bad. (84 miles / 134 km, 2844m ascent, CQ 20.8. Breakfast included).

Day 14

Today is pretty flat and perhaps not the most interesting day of the ride as you cross wide open spaces but every journey has one of these. You are starting to near the end so enjoy the sunshine and an easier day's pedalling, which despite the distance should ride fast. (88 miles / 141 km, 1041 m ascent, CQ 7.3. Breakfast and dinner included)

Day 15

Much more interesting today with the highlight being a wonderful secret gorge where you wouldn't be surprised to see dinosaurs roaming.The end poijnt is a wonderful hilltop town with the castle built by El Cid and the Roman aquaduct visible on the way it. In the labarynth of streets there are great options of the evening refuel and it's the sort of place you're pleased to have discovered. (70 miles / 112 km, 2137m ascent, CQ 19. Breakfast included).

Day 16

From the hotel it's a downhill start, a short climb and then some lovely roads with hardly any traffic. A couple more climbs and a spectacular coffee viewpoint then all of a sudden you're approaching the coast. As you appraoch and pass through Castello there are good cycle paths so although it's busy you are away from the road and then we are upon the Greenwich Meridian marker beside the Mediterranean! A journey of 1140km is done and what an achievement to celebrate with a glass of bubbles before a 20 minute ride to the hotel and a great meal tonight! (75 miles / 121 km, 1164m ascent, CQ 9.6. breakfast and dinner included).

Some Tour Photos...

Travel Information

Start in London.

Return by air from Barcelona with its superbly connected airport, or Valencia. We can carry bike boxes with advance notice.

Alternatively we have a limited number of places available for a transfer to Santander for the ferry home on the Sunday, giving you a night to explore Santander on the Saturday. The vans will not be returning to the UK so once in Santander you will have to make your own way to the terminal with bike and luggage (charges apply and limited places on a first come first served basis).

Click here for our Travel Information page.