The teen eu tour

For riders based in Ilford, the day can begin with an optional short 5-mile roll to Stratford International — a calm start on familiar roads before the real journey begins.
From Stratford, we take the train to Dover, followed by a gentle ride to the port. After boarding the ferry to Dunkirk, riders will have space to rest, explore and grab lunch while crossing the Channel.

We land in France mid-afternoon, ready for our first European ride: 22 miles on flat coastal roads, crossing into Belgium and finishing in De Panne. It’s a relaxed seaside town with wide promenades, calm cycle paths and halal food options for dinner. Once checked into the hotel, riders can wind down, reset and get their first taste of riding abroad done and dusted.

After breakfast from the local supermarket, we set off for a 35-mile loop through Northern Belgium’s quiet lanes and postcard towns. Places like Veurne, Nieuwpoort and Diksmuide offer historic squares, cobbled streets, striking architecture and café stops that make riding here feel both safe and special.

This is Europe at its best for young riders: flat, scenic, segregated cycle paths and a pace that allows riders to explore without pressure.

We return to De Panne by early afternoon, leaving plenty of time to unwind on the beach, grab an ice cream or simply stretch out and enjoy the coast.

Lunch will typically be at a local café, with dinner at one of De Panne’s halal spots.

We roll west towards France, back to Dunkirk, with familiar roads now under confident legs. After boarding the ferry, riders can relax, eat and enjoy the crossing before returning to Dover. From the port, we ride to the station, catch the train back to Stratford — and for those local — finish with an easy ride home. 

Meals are not included in the tour, giving riders the freedom to choose what they enjoy across the trip. Breakfast each morning will be a simple stop at the local supermarket in De Panne, where riders can pick up fresh pastries, fruit, yoghurt and drinks before we roll out. Lunch will usually be taken at cafés along the route, with plenty of time to refuel, sit down and enjoy the slower pace of continental riding.

Dinner each evening will be at halal-friendly spots in De Panne, giving riders a reassuring end to the day with familiar options after new surroundings and new miles. Food is also available on the ferry both ways, ensuring riders are never without the chance to top up energy levels as we travel.