Pedal with purpose in 2027 and join us for a three-day cycling experience through Ypres
Ride across the historic landscapes of the Western Front, visiting iconic memorials and battlefields while raising vital funds to support our Armed Forces community.
Pedal Ypres brings people together to honour the past and share something truly meaningful. Covering almost 290km across Northern France and Belgium, this unique event combines camaraderie and remembrance. You’ll cycle through peaceful countryside and world-famous sites, experiencing these historic locations in a way you simply can’t from afar.
More than just a ride, each day offers time to pause, reflect and connect, from quiet rural roads to powerful memorials and the moving atmosphere of Ypres itself. By the end, it’s not just the miles you’ll remember, but the people you’ve met and the stories you’ve shared.
Whether you’re new to cycling events or returning to the saddle, you’ll be fully supported every step of the way. With expert support on and off the bike, and a powerful sense of purpose, Pedal Ypres offers an unforgettable experience that stays with you long after the final day.
Every mile you cycle, and every pound you raise, supports the Royal British Legion’s vital work for veterans, serving personnel and their families, from mental health support to emergency assistance and community care.
Itinerary
Day 1: Dunkirk to Arras
Saturday 3rd July 2027: 119.5km, 817m elevation
Your journey begins with a bright and early start, catching an early ferry from Dover to Dunkirk (exact timings tbc).
We’ll roll out into quiet rural Flanders, with scenic countryside, open roads and gentle rolling terrain. With a steady and sociable pace, we’ll ride together for most of this stage. Along the way, we will pass through Béthune, a charming French town and Tour de France route location, which provides a welcome and lively feed stop.
Stops include:
- Wormhout Massacre Memorial
- A scenic viewpoint overlooking the Flemish plains
- Mont Cassel – our lunch stop with panoramic views
- Notre Dame de Lorette
The day concludes in Arras, where you’ll stay in the heart of the town, a stunning and historic setting. The evening offers time to relax, enjoy dinner together in the square, and reflect on a rewarding first day.
Day 2: Arras to Ypres
Sunday 4th July 2027: 101.4km, 549m elevation
Day 2 begins in France, with rolling countryside that only improves as the ride progresses, before crossing into Belgium around the halfway point. With memorials and landmarks appearing frequently, day two makes for a deeply moving day that combines smooth riding with powerful moments of reflection.
Stops include:
- Neuville Saint Vaast
- Vimy Ridge and Canadian Memorial
- Loos Memorial
- Neuve Chapelle
- Fromelles Museum – our lunch stop for the day
- Ploegsteert Memorial and Irish Peace Park
- Hill 60 and Caterpillar Crater
- Tyne Cot Cemetery
The ride finishes in the stunning centre of Ypres, where we’ll gather in front of the impressive town hall for a celebration ceremony, including a medal presentation and well-earned drinks in the main square.
There is then time to explore, with the option to attend the Menin Gate Last Post ceremony at 8pm - a daily act of remembrance that has taken place every evening since 1928.
Day 3: Ypres to Dunkirk
Monday 5th July 2027: 66.5km, 220m elevation
The final day offers a shorter, more relaxed ride back to the coast. The morning begins with time to explore Ypres, with the option to visit local museums before setting off.
The route then heads west through the Belgian countryside, which remains scenic and cycle-friendly, making for an enjoyable and steady ride. As you ride you’ll cross back into France, enjoying peaceful rural roads all the way to the coast.
Stops include:
- Poperinge – one of the few Belgian towns not occupied during the WW1
- Bergues – a historic, picturesque, walled town with a historic bell tower
The ride concludes in Dunkirk with a ferry departure (exact timings tbc) and an early evening arrival back in Dover, marking the end of an unforgettable three-day experience.
Pricing options
| Pedal to Paris | Full-Fund | Part-Fund | Fundraise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Payment | £1,600 | £150 | £150 |
| Balance due 01/06/27 | - | £600 | - |
| Fundraise | - | £850 | £1,400 |
| Total Amount | £1,600 | £1,600 | £1,600 |
*Please note that for both the Fundraise and Part-Fund options 70% of fundraising is due by 30th April 2027.
If you choose the Fundraise option, a proportion of your fundraising will go towards covering the cost of your place. Please ensure this is clearly communicated to anyone who donates towards your page.
What's included
- Three unforgettable days of guided cycling through historic landscapes
- An expert historian as your personal tour guide, bringing each site and battlefield to life
- Full ride support throughout including experienced ride captains, mechanics and medics to ensure a safe and enjoyable cycling experience
- 3* hotel accommodation, with meals included from Saturday to Monday
- Luggage transfers between each overnight stop, so you can focus on the ride
- An exclusive Pedal Ypres finishers medal
- An official RBL cycling jersey to wear on the ride with pride
- Comprehensive pre-ride support, including a dedicated supporter care team, training guidance and fundraising advice
- Access to a dedicated cycling community, including our Facebook group for support, tips and camaraderie
Royal British Legion Cycling Group
Testimonials
"If you want a challenge, if you want to spend time with extraordinary people, if you want to be part of an iconic event, if you want an unmatched sense of achievement, then Pedal to Paris is for you."
- Malcolm
Previous Pedal to Paris participant
Find out more about the event
Any further questions?
If you have any further questions or would like more details please visit our FAQs, and don’t forget you can always contact us at [email protected] or call us on 0345 845 1945.
