What is your cycle touring Great Escape?

Perhaps the idea of cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats was too run-of-the-mill for Aaron Rolph. Instead he embarked on a 2700km bikepacking trip up the British Isles, taking anything but the shortest route. His self-propelled journey from the Scilly Isles to the Shetlands involved a variety of activities along the way and things didn't always go to plan.

His adventures are documented in the 30-minute documentary The Great Escape - an inspiration to cyclists of every kind.

The Great Escape from British Adventure Collective on Vimeo.

Cycle touring on a budget

Whether you plan to ride 2,700km or 270, touring by bicycle need not be expensive. Two cyclists who between them have ridden their bicycles over 30,000 miles through 31 countries are offering to share their hard-earned knowledge of cycle touring for free in a 60-page e-book.

Other advice offered by Friedel and Andrew on their excellent blog includes tips on how to turn a modest £70 bicycle into a touring bike ready for adventure.

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance, breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK's most ethical provider.

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