A lockdown guide to cycle-touring

#GetOutside Champions Debs Butler All of Great Britain

By Debs Butler

The sun’s out and it’s time to start adventuring! Here’s how to recreate the excitement of a bike tour whilst sticking to the government social distancing guidelines.

For Spring bank holidays, we would usually be off on a walking or bicycle trip and crossing our fingers for sunshine. This year though, life is a bit different. For those wondering how to have a holiday adventure, here’s a quick guide to how you can complete your very own cycle tour from home.

1. Bike ride

One afternoon go out on a local bike ride for your daily exercise session. To plan your route, think about the enjoyment of the least confident rider – will this be a good route for them? Is there something to look out for on the way?

Top tip: Check the wind direction and ride into the wind on the outward leg if you can. Then you’ll get a push home.

Authenticity bonus: Try a new route, or that hill that’s usually a bit too hard.

You can find National Cycle Network routes near you in OS Maps

Search for cycling routes

2. Dine outside

Cook your dinner that evening outside on a camp stove if you have one, or have a one-pan special on the hob indoors.

Top tip: Sit on the floor to have your meal – it’ll feel more like camping.

Authenticity bonus: Four ingredient limit! You could even carry them with you on your afternoon ride in a pannier or small backpack.

3. Add the outdoor fun factor

For your evening entertainment read stories, play a card game, or other no-tech games. Write a short diary entry about your ride (and your dinner).

Top tip: Small games that you could fit on a bike definitely work well – we usually carry scrabble letters and play speed scrabble.

Authenticity bonus: Torchlight only!

4. Sleep under the stars

Have a sleep out – tent or homemade den in the garden, sofa cushions on the living floor or whatever suits.

Top Tip: Go to bed when it gets dark – you might wake earlier than usual with the sun.

Authenticity bonus: Use a sleeping bag, and roll up some clothes for your pillow.

5. Breakfast with the birds

Breakfast should be another one pot wonder – porridge maybe, or a no-cook banana sandwich. Pack up your bed and get ready for your morning ride.

Top tip: Plan for a bigger breakfast than usual if you’ve been sleeping outside.

Authenticity bonus: Eating outside always seems to taste better, so have your breakfast outside – even if it is just sitting on your doorstep.

6. Get back on your bike

Head out for your day two ride, staying close to home again. Plan a different route to yesterday, see if you can try riding somewhere new in your local area.

Top tip: Imagine you are riding to a UK or world landmark that is available for ‘virtual’ visits – check it out online when you get back. If it is overseas, you could theme your meals too.

Authenticity bonus: If you can do so safely, pack everything you have used in the past 12 hours into a pannier or rucksack and carry it with you! (Please don’t take your duvet on a bike ride…!)