Bicycle or no bicycle - that is the question

[Anthony1]

We are off to Portugal, via the Tunnel, France and Spain in a couple of days. Do we take our two bicycles for our five week trip? On and off the carrier every night and morning.

Last year we drove to Gibraltar and used the bikes five times in four weeks. Four times in France, once in Spain.

I appreciate its a personal preference but a general concensus might help a little.?

 

[soulstyledevon]

Get a towbar rack, no more off/on/on/off/off/on

 

[Wildcamper]

I am not sure there is a "general consensus". If you think you will use them effectively then take them, if not then don't.

 

[Anthony1]

I am not sure there is a "general consensus". If you think you will use them effectively then take them, if not then don't.

True. Its a bit of could be useful could be a pain. We will probably have small regrets either way.

 

[Amarillo]

True. Its a bit of could be useful could be a pain. We will probably have small regrets either way.

Take them.

If you need to pop off for a local visit, such as to an off-site supermarket or restaurant, you won’t have the hassle of packing up the van.

For a simple overnight stop arrange luggage so you won’t need to unload the bikes to access the boot. We can do this with four of us (and a dog) in the van.

With the bike rack set up correctly loading and unloading bikes is only a matter of minutes anyway.

And one final thought. What would be the bigger regret: having bikes and not using them or not having bikes and wanting them?

 

[The Tall Luthier]

Couldn’t do it without our bikes we love touring and seeing a country.
If you’re not using them leave them at home and hire ones if you fancy a pootle.

It works out about the same cost once you factor in the petrol costs for carrying the drag of the bikes.

 

[Azteccamper]

We are off to Portugal, via the Tunnel, France and Spain in a couple of days. Do we take our two bicycles for our five week trip? On and off the carrier every night and morning.

Last year we drove to Gibraltar and used the bikes five times in four weeks. Four times in France, once in Spain.

I appreciate its a personal preference but a general concensus might help a little.?

Did a 5 week road trip around Portugal / Spain in May and June taking both bikes - wife used hers once (just lost confidence since coming off and breaking her arm) but I enjoyed a couple of solo rides. 2 x bikes was a pain in the ar5e if not used regularly and I hated it. Just returned from 4 week holiday in France when I only took my bike - had a couple of solo rides but could keep it on tailgate throughout trip as we could lift it easily and it stayed up!
Seeing the number of men and women using bikes of all ages, we’ve decided to get some lessons for my wife so that bikes can be taken in future - it opens up so many more adventures and potential days out.

 

[Anthony1]

Get a towbar rack, no more off/on/on/off/off/o

Take them.

If you need to pop off for a local visit, such as to an off-site supermarket or restaurant, you won’t have the hassle of packing up the van.

For a simple overnight stop arrange luggage so you won’t need to unload the bikes to access the boot. We can do this with four of us (and a dog) in the van.

With the bike rack set up correctly loading and unloading bikes is only a matter of minutes anyway.

And one final thought. What would be the bigger regret: having bikes and not using them or not having bikes and wanting them?

Your last sentence is a bit like, 'don't regret what you did, but regret what you didn't do'. Makes a lot of sense.

 

[WelshGas]

Your last sentence is a bit like, 'don't regret what you did, but regret what you didn't do'. Makes a lot of sense.

Your options as I see it are:
1. Towbar bike rack so tailgate can open with bikes on. Expensive.
2. Folding bikes . Expensive
3. Turn handlebar of bike nearest van 180o, so it doesn't foul roof when open, lift tailgate with bikes on rack and use an Adjustable Decorators Pole to hold tailgate open as required. Close tailgate by manually lowering it.

 

[Anthony1]

Your options as I see it are:
1. Towbar bike rack so tailgate can open with bikes on. Expensive.
2. Folding bikes . Expensive
3. Turn handlebar of bike nearest van 180o, so it doesn't foul roof when open, lift tailgate with bikes on rack and use an Adjustable Decorators Pole to hold tailgate open as required. Close tailgate by manually lowering it.

Excellent. Although last year I hit (gently) a height barrier at a car park near Calais.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Your last sentence is a bit like, 'don't regret what you did, but regret what you didn't do'. Makes a lot of sense.

If you don’t take them, at some point you wished you had. I’ve been stuck at a campsite 2 miles from town with no food. It’s along walk when you’re hungry and tired.

I remember my first trip in the Cali Beach 2012 with the bikes on the tailgate. Switzerland, drove me mad having the bikes in the way.
Got home, got a towbar fitted and a Sliding Bike Rack, never looked back…

 

[WelshGas]

Excellent. Although last year I hit (gently) a height barrier at a car park near Calais.

Aah, different problem. Only 1 & 2 would overcome that.

 

[ThomasHJ]

I completely understand your question. We make this decision every single time we head out for a longer trip. We are never sure what is right. We never stay in one place much longer then 1 or 2, max 3 nights. Not being able to open the tailgate is a pain. Our latest 3.5 week holiday in the Pyrenees (Spain and France) we decided to leave the bikes at home. Never had regrets. We sometimes take just one light weight mountainbike to be able to bike to the reception or camping shop when it's a long walk.

A tailgate bikerack would be a good solution. I'd keep the default bike rack on the van, because it's so easy and because I wouldnt want to take the tailgate bike rack off all the time. But for longer trips a tail gate rack would be great. Just need a place to store it and... well... quite some money.

 

[Anthony1]

Thank you everyone. My question is a bit like, "what shoes should I take, or how many jackets" It all comes down to personal preference. When we haven't had the bikes we have never wished we had them, but when we have taken them, we have used them, but infrequently.

Last we year cycled along the prom at Benidorm, but walked the prom a Marbella. We tend to stay on campsites and many do hire out bikes. And we do like walking.

Next question, do we take the inflatable kyak or SUP board? ONLY JOKING!

 

[Corradobrit]

Folding bikes stored in the cali (space permitting) make perfect sense. There when you need them and tucked away when you don't.

 

[Anthony1]

Folding bikes stored in the cali (space permitting) make perfect sense. There when you need them and tucked away when you don't.

Yes and no. We already have excellent 'traditional' mountain bikes and no space in the van.

 

[aileron346]

Bike plus camper van is such a good combination and hugely adds to mobility from sites. I really dont like using the van itself to move on and off site during stay. The towbar rack issue is raised frequently here and there are two schools of thought. I've used the OEM tailgate rack for many years and have used an Atera towbar rack in the past too. For me the OEM rack is unbeatable for simplicity ... you still have access to the rear to get stuff out if you are really careful - I've never had handlebars that impinge on the open roof. The critical thing is to close the tailgate very carefully like a feather - never ever slam it (I think applies even when the rack is empty).

I wonder if the answer just really depends on the trip - if the local town/sights/amenities are not walkable and public transport is not an option, I'd always take bikes.

We have Bromptons too, but I agree that generally they take up too much van space if you are full of stuff.

 

[ejmoore]

We have the standard VW bike rack with two bikes on it, and can lift the tailgate no problem as long as the roof isn't up. We're currently in the Netherlands, where it's a joy to cycle - we're used to cycling in London, no problem, but here the cyclist rules the road. Actually that makes driving in towns a bit tricky - need to take extra care.

 

[sbmcd]

We would not be without our bikes on holiday, you can see so much more exploring on the bikes and they are very useful for trips to the shops or out for meals without moving the van.

We have a tow ball mounted rack, perfect for us.

 

[soulstyledevon]

We have the standard VW bike rack with two bikes on it, and can lift the tailgate no problem as long as the roof isn't up. We're currently in the Netherlands, where it's a joy to cycle - we're used to cycling in London, no problem, but here the cyclist rules the road. Actually that makes driving in towns a bit tricky - need to take extra care.

We love Holland because of the cycle infrastructure. Plan to head back again next year.

@Anthony1 have you thought about one of those little e-scooters…?

 

[westfalia]

He posted on Monday saying he was off in a couple
of days.

Do you think he's still waiting for replies before he sets off.

 

[trailtrotters]

Folding bikes stored in the cali (space permitting) make perfect sense. There when you need them and tucked away when you don't.

We take 2 Bromptons on all our trips and love the flexibility they provide. We are never disappointed if we didn’t actually use them.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

We took our bikes on our recent holiday to France and Spain and although we didn’t use them every day we were glad we took them.
Just make sure they are insured and well locked with a cover over them. Pretty safe on a campsite but not when on Ayres and wild camping.

 

[GrannyJen]

He posted on Monday saying he was off in a couple
of days.

Do you think he's still waiting for replies before he sets off.

Why wouldn't he?

 

[Geoff York]

Get a towbar rack, no more off/on/on/off/off/on

Use Thule towbar rack
It folds down to allow opening of tear door
No more taking bikes on and off