Your bicycle: the top holiday essential for 2013

When it comes to planning your summer holiday - don't forget to pack your bike

Sun lotion? Check. Shorts? Check. Passport? Check.

Bicycle?

CHECK.

Britain is currently in the midst of a cycling frenzy after last summer’s Olympic Games and home-grown success at the Tour de France heightened the profile of the only perfect mechanical invention in man’s history.

The powers that be have responded by arranging further high-profile cycle race events for summer 2013 which should see the likes of Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish back on the Olympic cycle race route.

Figures from Sport England suggest there has a surge in the number of British people, to the tune of 200,000, regularly getting into the saddle and enjoying the health benefits and transport savings afforded by cycling.

If you were inspired by the pedal action last year and have been on your bike more as a result, why not take the next natural step and take your bike abroad with you on your summer holiday this year? The ETA spoke to three people who have taken their bikes abroad about their unforgettable experiences travelling in this way.

"I felt part of a small community cycling in the middle of nowhere"

Sean Conway got into endurance cycling after completing the Land’s End to John O’Groats route solo in 2008. Just five years on, he has just completed an epic 16,000 mile tour through every continent – 25 countries in total – and did it all on his trusty Thorn Mercury touring bike. “Technically, I’ve only taken my bike abroad once, but for quite a long ride!” he says.

For 32-year-old Sean, aside from the physical and mental challenge of such a long ride abroad, and the reward of raising money for Solaraid in doing so, it was the sense of camaraderie and community afforded by bike travel that provided the greatest enjoyment.

“By cycling you become more approachable. When I was crossing the Australian outback, I would regularly get drivers stopping and offering me food and water. I felt part of a small community cycling in the middle of nowhere.”

For passionate cyclists, a bike is a trusty companion. Why leave the cycle you know and love so well at home, only to rent a heavy, poorly maintained bike that has no guarantee of reliability? Sean - who loves his own bike, which he named ‘Maid Marian’ - also points out that for those wanting to cycle more, the commitment to taking your bike abroad is likely to see you using it more as the cost of hire can be off-putting.

For less confident or experienced cyclists, Sean recommends a trip to a European city as the high levels of cyclists in these countries means that drivers are more naturally aware on the roads. “For a first holiday with your bike I absolutely recommend France and Italy. You literally don’t need to plan anything – just get on the bike and go! I cycled from London to the Alps between last Christmas and New Year and the whole trip cost considerably less than a flight to Geneva.”

You can read more about Sean’s experiences on his blog or find him on Twitter.

"The joy of cycling is the journey itself and being able to traverse a country, meeting lots of like-minded people"

You don’t have to be a professional cyclist to benefit from taking your bike with you on holiday, as 33 year-old web developer Mat Attlee knows well. He first took the plunge into bringing his own wheels with him last year on a trip to Holland, greatly boosting his confidence and wellbeing just five months after a serious injury separated him from his cycle.

For Mat, taking one’s own bicycle allows freedom to explore off the beaten trail in comfort, with foreign bike rental only really suitable for short city tours in his view. He was able to cycle at his own pace, making up to 35 miles a day and experience the thrill of truly free travel.

“At first I found myself a little overwhelmed by how fast and confidently everyone cycles there, combined with getting used to cycling on the right hand side of the road – yet I would highly recommend it. I had barely prepared for my trip but due to the well posted cycle routes and friendly nature of the Dutch I was never lost”

Being competitive by nature, Mat usually prefers solitary cycling – though he says having a companion can make the trip more enjoyable, especially for a holiday. “If there are just two of you then I would highly recommend getting a tandem – its quite hard to cycle alongside anyone and chat otherwise”.

"You don't need a high level of experience to cycle abroad"

Tom Bourlet is a travel blogger who takes his bicycle with him abroad every year or two, and who often does so with a small group of companions.

“I much prefer cycling with friends. You will always be exceptionally grateful for having friends with you if your bike breaks down, plus it means someone is there to take a number of shots of your adventure. Whilst you might not care about taking photos whilst cycling, you will forever glad of them when you get home.”
Having cycled in the USA and North Africa (where he had particularly hairy experiences on his bicycle), Tom also recommends European trips as an ideal first foray into biking abroad. “France is a great place for beginners, with beautiful countryside, calm roads and a temperature that is normally just right”

How do I take my bicycle abroad?

Tom, Sean and Mat all agreed that ferries and trains provide the simplest way of taking your bike overseas – especially if you have a folding model (The ETA offers a reduced rate for folding cycles).

When air travel is a necessary part of your trip abroad, taking a bicycle can be easier than you might think - though its not without its challenges.

“Taking a bicycle abroad is straightforward enough if you have the tools and know how to remove your seat, wheels and store it all in a bicycle bag”, says Mat. He recommends choosing a carrier with a good sporting goods policy. “For my recent trip to Holland I was hit with an extra £40 each way for my bicycle bag. Next time I will take a ferry instead because the hassle of taking the bike on the plane”

But following his round-the-world trip, Sean says air travel with a bike is easy, as long as you get a bike box.
“Some people say that you can take your bike in a clear plastic bag and the baggage handlers will look after it more because they know it’s a bike. I don’t agree. They may look after it but your bike will take a beating on the series of conveyor belts between the handler and you.

If you are flying in and out of the same airport then all you need to do is go to any bike shop and get a bike box. Most shops are happy to get rid of them as it saves them having to take them to the recycling.“

Have you taken your bike abroad? Was air travel a doddle? How does it compare to bike rental? We'd love to hear your experiences in the comments below!

ETA cyclist insurance holders can enjoy 90 days in Europe and 60 days Worldwide travel covered as standard. We are the only British insurer to offer this fantastic cover as an included service. Get a quote today.