Sunday southern loop at gruppetto pace (72 km at 20 kph)

• When -- 8h30 Sunday, Aug. 31
• Where -- La Grande Cascade, Bois de Boulogne
• Length -- 72 km
• Average speed -- 20 km/h
• Strava route link -- Jeff's version #CC12 2023 Paris-Paris

This ride is with the "gruppetto group," which is the Italian name for the group of cyclists that often forms on mountain stages behind the peloton and is typically occupied by sprinters and domestiques just trying to survive and ride another day.

FYI -- If there is a forecast with a 50% or higher chance of rain at 7h30 Sunday, I will cancel the ride. If that happens, I will send an email by 7h30 alerting everyone who has registered.

The route today is a slight variation -- only the start and finish have been changed -- of a Classics Challenge ride from December 2023. We will head south to Chevreuse before some climbs and then a coffee stop at about kilometre 48 in Cressely at Boulangerie Vieux Cressely, 33 Rte de Versailles, 78114 Magny-les-Hameaux.

By the end we will have averaged about 20 kph, with higher speeds on flat stretches of the route and much slower up the aforementioned climbs.

If you're looking for a longer and faster ride, check out Saturday's PCB ride at the peloton pace (25 kph) led by Jean Murata.

We do not charge for memberships or individual rides. However, if you enjoy a ride with Paris Cycling B-group, please consider the option to make a donation to help defray the annual fees of €200 for MeetUp group organizers. Any amount will be very much appreciated.

• Donate here via PayPal

As always, please check the following before you arrive Sunday:

• do you have the cycling fitness and experience for this ride? no half-wheeling, try to stay around 30cm away from the wheel in front of you.
• safety comes first: no helmet, no PCB ride.
• this ride is for road bikes/velos de route, not for VTT etc.
• bring spare tube, bidons, energy bars, gels, etc.
• bring money/card in case you need it.
• let the ride leader know if you do not have GPS

REMINDER*: PCB rides are no-drop with a focus on staying together. Our rides fill a niche and are designed for people who want to ride in a group, together, at a medium pace with others who are more interested in the experience than in riding as fast as possible. We regroup at the tops of significant climbs and key turns, so no one gets left behind.

If you are looking for something different, perhaps a weekend training ride with a fast group of cyclists who compete in races and triathlons, then this is not the group for you. I recommend checking out Paris Cycling Group, which typically feature rides at an average speed of 25-30 kph. There are other groups, as well, which are organized by several bike shops in Paris.

For more information about Paris Cycling B-group, please check out our What We Are About section on our MeetUp landing page.