Embarking on a Skedaddle road cycling tour is an exhilarating way to explore new horizons, challenge yourself physically, and foster unforgettable friendships. But, like any adventure worth undertaking, the more prepared you are, the richer your experience will be. Here, we delve into what it’s like to join a Skedaddle road cycling tour, alongside essential training tips, what to pack, and how to maximise your enjoyment on the group tour.
Getting the most out of your trip starts even before you book. One of the most important factors in enjoying a trip is making sure you have chosen the right grade for you. This will ensure that the riding meets your abilities and expectations. Once you have chosen your trip and have your departure confirmed its time to start preparing!
Before the Trip
Take a look at your trip itinerary for an idea of how many miles you will pedal a day and the type of terrain you will cycle through. Remember each day will be broken up by rest stops so don’t be daunted by the day’s total mileage, it will be in manageable chunks.
Start by gradually increasing your mileage before your tour. A good rule of thumb is to add around 10% to your longest ride each week until you meet your goal distance. On a Skedaddle tour you will ride most days. Get used to this by riding 2-3 days back to back before you take a day off. This will help condition your body, especially your legs, back, and buttocks, for the distances ahead.
Part of your conditioning is getting your body used to the food and fluid you need to take on during longer than usual days in the saddle. Fuelling your ride correctly ensures that you have the energy to pedal and recover day after day. Start with a good breakfast before you ride and make sure you are topping up your body’s carbohydrate stores every 30- 60 minutes throughout the ride. You will find it easier to manage your energy levels eating little and often. An easy rule to remember is 1g of carbohydrate for every kg of body weight, up to about 70g per hour. Take some ideas from what the professional cyclists eat.
Even in cool weather you will need to drink 500ml – 1 litre every hour, possibly more in hot weather, when you are sweating a lot. Adding powdered electrolytes or a carbohydrate mix to your bottle will make drinking more palatable, provide energy and help prevent cramps or dehydration. If you find a brand you like make sure to bring it with you on your trip!
Hills are a great way to build fitness. Incorporate hill climbs into your regular rides to build stamina and leg strength, mimicking the terrain you might encounter on your tour. There are plenty of ways to practice tackling cheeky climbs. The more hills you climb in training the more relaxed you will feel when faced with one on a tour. If you are on a grade 4 or 5 trip, the climbs that you will encounter are likely to be longer than those close to home in the UK. One way to prepare is to do hill repeats – ride the same climb several times using the descent to recover until you have accumulated 20-minutes of hill effort.
Beyond physical training, familiarise yourself with your bike and basic mechanic skills such as fixing a puncture or checking your brakes and gears are working correctly. Though Skedaddle tours come with expert support, possessing these skills can make you feel more confident and self-reliant. Or, instead of bringing your own bike, you can hire one of our lovely hire bikes and forget the worries of packing or preparing your own bike. You can make it feel like your own bike by bringing your pedals and saddle, which our team will be very happy to fit for you.
Packing Essentials
Packing wisely can make a considerable difference to your road cycling tour experience. Check the expected seasonal weather for the area that you are visiting whilst remembering that in mountainous areas the weather can be very unpredictable! Pack well but don’t over pack. You can wash your shorts while on the road so most people don’t bring a fresh pair for every day.
Alongside your basic cycling gear, consider the following essentials:
Layered Clothing: Layers give versatility so you can adjust your outfit as needed. Pack breathable, moisture-wicking base layers, thin short sleeved jerseys for hot days and a thermal jersey for chilly mornings or evenings. A lightweight waterproof jacket is essential. Windproof gilets or jackets are useful to keep in a bag or pocket. Check out these tips from Endura about layering for cooler weather.
Cycling Gloves: To protect your hands from blisters and improve grip.
Sunglasses: For UV protection and to keep bugs and debris out of your eyes.
Sunscreen: A must-have, regardless of the weather forecast as you will be outside for most of the day.
Tool Kit & Spares: Include a multi-tool, spare tubes, and a hand pump for your own bike (these are provided with Skedaddle hire bikes).
Hydration System & Nutrition: Water bottles or a hydration pack, and your preferred energy bars or gels if you use them.
Personal Hygiene Kit: The best way to beat any saddle soreness is with great personal hygiene – getting out of your sweaty kit as soon as you finish and wearing fresh kit each day. Look after your skin where you sit. Pack chamois cream, even if you don’t normally use it, and some simple Sudocrem or nappy-rash cream to apply at the end of the day.
Off-the-bike Outfits: Bring easy to wear comfy clothes to relax in immediately post-ride, you can always scrub-up into your best for dinner! Don’t forget something to swim in, many of our hotels have pools and there might be opportunities for wild swims too.
Check out our 7 kit bag essentials for more ideas!
During the Group Tour
Joining a Skedaddle road cycling tour means becoming part of a moving community, where every member has a shared passion for cycling. You will find you quickly ease into the rhythm of daily life on a cycle tour and bond with your group.
Here are a few tips on how to get the most out of this experience:
Stay Group-Focused: Embrace the collective spirit of the tour. Wait at the top of climbs and support slower riders. Learn from everyone’s different experiences. Think how your actions will affect everyone else.
Be Open to Learning: Each tour is guided by experienced leaders. They are there to enhance your journey, offering tips on technique, sharing stories, and pointing out hidden gems along the route.
Photograph and Journal: Capture moments and jot down experiences. These will be your treasures in years to come. We also love to see them! Tag us in your social media and let us know if you would be happy to see your pics on our website.
Embrace the Skedaddle Experience
Skedaddle stands out by making each tour an adventure that pushes your limits while ensuring you’re enveloped in stunning landscapes, rich cultures and riding in a fun, supportive group. Expect meticulously planned routes that balance challenge with enjoyment, rest stops in picturesque locations, and accommodations that offer a warm, comfortable respite at the end of each day.
Skedaddle tours are not solely about the cycling; it’s about the stories created along the way, the landscapes that take your breath away, and the camaraderie forged on the road. Be prepared to immerse yourself fully, engage with your surroundings, and respect the cultures you encounter.
By following these tips, training diligently, and packing thoughtfully, you’re setting the stage for a road cycling tour that will expand your horizons, challenge your limits, and leave you with memories that last a lifetime. Whether you’re scaling daunting inclines or coasting through serene valleys, remember, it’s not just about the destination but the journey itself. Welcome to your Skedaddle road cycling tour – an adventure awaits!
