There are dozens of electric-assist cycles on the market, but selecting the right one for a ride of this length required a good deal of research. In the end, I opted for a machine called 'The Torq', a top-of-the-range machine from manufacturer 'eZeebike'. I largely picked it because of its lightweight ruggedness - that, and the fact that someone has already pedalled one from London to Paris and back, heaping praise on its many qualities. If you are interested in all the technical specifics, please click on to any one of the four icons below (UK viewers should click on to www.50cycles.com).