There are few healthy pursuits as enjoyable as cycling. Whether you’re a fan of leisurely river-bank meandering or racy downhill slalom riding, biking can make for a brilliant holiday. What better base for your biking holiday that your caravan, parked up in a scenic spot?
Biking holidays and caravan holidays are, in fact, perfect partners. Many sites are actually specifically set up to cater for those wishing to park up, hop on a bike and ride out.
Firstly, you’ll need to get your bikes to your chosen spot. There are a number of options for doing this. If you and your family are regular bikers, you may well already own a rack which fits on to your car. Roof racks for bicycles are ideal for caravan-biking holidays; you won’t even notice the difference when you’re driving. If you’re thinking of getting one of these fitted, make sure it’s done securely, and ensure that all bikes are properly tied down before you hit the road. The great advantage of this fixture is that you can still drive away from the site with your bikes when you arrive, giving you greater flexibility about location.
Unfortunately, if your existing bike rack attaches to the back of your car, you may experience problems when towing your caravan. Users often report problems when attempting to connect everything up for travel, even if – technically – the two should fit together.
Thankfully, there’s an excellent solution – and probably the ideal option if you don’t already own a bike rack; purchase a purpose-made caravan bike rack. These fit directly to the back of your caravan and are adjustable to fit the specific design of your vehicle. Best of all, you won’t be able to notice the addition at all when you’re on the road.
Of course, another option is to pack the interior of the caravan with your bikes. Whilst this is entirely possible, you should always take great care to tie the bikes down so that they do not move about and cause damage on route. Consider, too, that after a trip out on the hills your bikes might end up a fair bit dirtier than at the start of your holiday, which might end up spreading throughout the caravan on the way home.
Once you’ve arrived, look out for cycle maps, routes and paths around the site. It can be great fun to follow the suggested routes, but if you’re feeling adventurous then ask the locals where to head for their personal tips on the best routes and spots. Be sure to take parts, spares and first aid equipment, and keep a good extended stock back at your caravan in case you need to make any repairs at the end of the day.
Even on friendly and secure campsites, theft is always a risk. If you transported your bikes on a rack, make sure to lock them back up and to lock the rack itself down. If not, ensure that you lock everything down carefully to another secure anchor point.
For those who don’t fancy taking bikes with them, many campsites even hire out bikes by the hour or the day, or will be able to recommend local bike hire shops. This removes the hassle of taking bikes with you, and ensures that you’ll find good routes nearby.
Whatever the style of caravan holiday you decide to take, it’s always advisable to purchase good quality Caravan Insurance before you leave. You’ll be ensured the peace of mind you need to enjoy your holiday fully.
