Waterside between Long and L'Étoile

The ride

Roll out of Airaines and follow the L'Airaines river before the route opens into the Parc naturel régional Baie de Somme Picardie Maritime, a nature reserve that anchors the middle of the ride. From there you pick up the L'Eauette and La Somme Canalisée, with the Château de Long and Château de Flixecourt marking the way back. It's 79.8 km with 483 m of climbing, and the surface is fully paved from start to finish. You leave from Airaines and return to it, castles and rivers strung along the way.