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There is something undeniably special about cycling the full length of a country. More than just a cycling holiday, these epic journeys allow you to experience a destination in a way few travellers ever do, watching landscapes and cultures change day by day from the saddle. For Skedaddle Travel Consultant Kerry Ashberry, our Iconic Journeys ...
Meet Ruth – lifelong outdoor enthusiast and one of our incredible cycling guides. With a background in climbing and mountaineering and a competitive streak on two wheels, she can be found guiding our tours in the UK. To help you get to know our guide team a little bit better, we caught up with Ruth for a Q&A…
Tell us a little bit about yourself and where you’re from…
I’m from the edge of the Peak District in Derbyshire. I grew up here, but then moved away spending time in Bristol, Heidelberg, North Wales and Scotland before finally coming home.
I come from an outdoor family, and my big passion for 20 years was rock climbing – my hobby, job and everything in-between, I travelled all over the world seeking out beautiful places to climb. I worked as a climbing and mountaineering instructor from when I was a student, starting as an assistant instructor at the outdoor centre I went to as a kid and eventually working at Plas y Brenin, the National Mountain Centre in Eryri/Snowdonia. Unfortunately, some issues with my spine didn’t allow me to continue working full time in the industry and that’s when I ended up back in the Peak District with a more patchwork work life.
What got you passionate about cycling?
My first memory of cycling was learning to ride a bike and my older brother saying he’d give me a £1 if I could ride around the corner at the bottom of our road…it did not go well! I rode straight across the corner, into a wall, performed a perfect handstand on my handlebars before flying over the wall and landing in the field, with my bike. I never got my £1!
I got a road bike when my partner Andy got back into cycling (he’d been a very good racing cyclist until his early 20’s, but we met through working at the same outdoor centre as climbers) and I remember getting up one day, the sun was shining, Andy and some friends were going climbing and I decided I was going out on my bike – and I’ve never looked back! I quickly realised that I’m horribly competitive and got into road racing soon after, I continue to race although mostly off road now in cyclocross, gravel and mountain bike.
What’s your history with Skedaddle?
I was introduced to Skedaddle by a couple of friends who guide for Skedaddle and who I knew from racing and riding over the years. They knew my background as a climbing and mountaineering instructor and suggested that those skills and experience would be easily transferrable. I had a bit of a face palm moment and realised they were 100% correct, and taking people out on bikes would align more with what I’d been doing personally – so I decided to give it a go!
My first trip right at the end of the 2023 was the Coast to Coast, and it was a little bit eventful with quite a lot of mechanical issues and a trailer problem (nothing a good guide team can’t handle!) – but I still enjoyed the week and came back for more trips the following year.
I’ve guided trips all over the UK now, plus a sneaky visit to Corsica in 2024. I really like a variety of trips and try to have a bit of everything in my season – road, gravel, mountain bike and leisure.
What is your favourite trip?
It’s really hard to have a favourite trip, as so many have great things about them, but maybe the Tour d’Ecosse road trip – stunning scenery, and lovely roads. But all the trips I’ve done in Scotland have been amazing – be it a big adventure going to the Outer Hebrides, or off the beaten track gravelling on Wild about Argyll.
What’s your favourite power snack and why?
Now this is a tricky question, as it depends on the day/ride! But my go-to morale boosting snack is a Belgian Waffle – delicious, full of energy and something to look forward to in a pocket full of gels!
What’s your favourite Skedaddle memory?
King Alfred’s Way in 2025 – glorious sunshine, perfect dry trails and a great group who kept me laughing the whole week – it almost felt like a holiday!
What’s your top packing essentials for a cycling holiday?
My most useful item of clothing is a gilet – I use one ALL the time, great for keeping warm, but small and easy to stow away if you get hot. Also, decent sunglasses with changeable lenses – I can’t ride without them.
Tell us something about you we might not know…
One of my other jobs is running my own small business Scruffy Dog Creations. I handknit/crochet hats, headbands etc and run crochet workshops.
Want to know more about our amazing guides? Check out our meet the team section on the blog to get to know our team a little bit better and for more expert advice on all things cycling!
