Just seen this on Trackleaders while looking at the WCR.

http://trackleaders.com/calaisnice

Nicholas rode the 2010 Tour Divide in ~25 days. Close enough for some of us to have a go at. Only had a quick look but not sure how much is off-road.

Good find! I wonder if he's documented the trip anywhere. As you say, close enough to be tempting...

Oh hang on, he's still riding it

Interesting, wonder if this recce ride is an idea for an event.
Did the TransProvence a few years ago and rode from Nice to Monaco, which is where is gets really interesting. Would be interesting to catch some other areas of France.

He only started yesterday and the first day looks quite flat.

Jack - I wondered that as well, could be interesting. Ride to the sun!

That looks like quite some ride ... *actually how far is it?
*apologies if it says somewhere and I've missed it

About 1400km I think (scroll down the Trackleaders page to the elevation graph)