I do like the spring and early summer. Springwatch on the TV, then Wimbledon and shortly thereafter the end of the academic year beckons. It’s the season-stradelling period when life gets exciting once again, mainly because you can start looking forward to things that will be happenning over the course of the next few months. If you are a working cycle tourist (and by that I mean a cycle tourist who is still working rather than one who earns their living from cycle touring – I’m certainly still the former, not the latter!) that usually means going off somewhere on your bike. It may be a trip that has been many months – years even – in the planning but by late-spring/early summer, you can start to count the days. There are now just 35 before I set sail for France and embark upon a journey along the Vélo Francette from Caen to La Rochelle.
Did you listen to episode 090 of The Cycling Europe Podcast? (It was published on Sunday – what are you waiting for??!!) In the new episode, I talk to the journalist Steve Silk about his new book that is based upon a journey he made along the A40 from London to the west coast of Wales. In England he was travelling alone, in Wales, he was joined by some friends and I made the following observation:
It is thus interesting to note that when I set off along the Vélo Francette in August, I won’t be travelling alone but with a friend. His name is Tim Sanders, he lives with his family in Somerset and is a keen cycle tourist. He has appeared quite a few times on the podcast, talking about trips over the Alps, in South America, along the Hebridian Way and most recently discussing his trip to Shetland in 2024. I first met him at the Cycle Touring Festival in Clitheroe in 2016. In fact I think I’m correct in saying that, aside from the organisers of the festival, he is the only person to have attended all of the in-person festivals. I like him. He is about the same age as me, he’s intelligent, doesn’t take things too seriously and has a deep curiosity for the wider world.
Tim has set off on some of his previous cycle tours with others, but I haven’t. As I note on the audio clip, I have ocasionally cycled with people over the course of a few hours or an entire day, but I have never come remotely close to spending consecutive days cycling beside someone. What has Tim let himself in for?
Well, I’ve just asked AI. I’ve started using AI at work for creating texts and exericses to use when teaching French and I have always been very impressed with the results. I wouldn’t ask Chat GPT to manage my current account, but I’m happy to let it make up a paragraph of text about someone called Pierre who lives in Paris with his mum and step-dad and who likes playing football (but hates rugby). Etc…
What advice would you give to an experienced cycle tourist who has only ever cycled by themselves but who has committed to cycling with a friend for their next tour?
That’s the question I have just asked Chat GPT. Here’s what it has responded:
That’s a great and meaningful shift — touring with a friend can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it also introduces new dynamics. Here’s some focused advice for a solo-experienced cycle tourist transitioning to a tandem-style adventure:
🧭 Before the Tour: Communicate Everything
- Expectations: Talk through what each of you wants from the trip — pace, daily distances, rest days, type of accommodation, meals, scenery vs. performance, etc.
- Touring Styles: Compare your riding habits — early starts vs. leisurely mornings, how often you stop, how long you like to ride, etc.
- Conflict Plan: Acknowledge that disagreements may happen. Decide how you’ll handle tension or if someone wants to go solo for a while.
🧳 Packing & Planning: Share, But Don’t Assume
- Gear Coordination: Avoid duplication (e.g. one stove, shared repair kit), but ensure you each carry essentials in case you get separated.
- Route Planning: Plan collaboratively. Even if one of you is more experienced, the other should still have a voice.
- Emergency Protocols: Make sure both of you have maps, tools, and knowledge to deal with breakdowns, navigation issues, or injuries.
🚴♂️ On the Road: Ride as a Team, Not Two Individuals
- Ride Position: Decide whether you’ll ride side-by-side, alternate leads, or ride separately. Drafting habits and pacing need to be discussed.
- Pacing: The stronger rider (often the solo-experienced one) should match the other’s pace — not push them.
- Patience Over Performance: Accept that the journey might be slower or structured differently than you’re used to.
🧠 Mental Shift: From Autonomy to Cooperation
- Decision-Making: Compromise is key. What you used to decide alone now takes a conversation.
- Downtime: Respect each other’s need for space. Being together 24/7 can get intense — it’s okay to take solo walks or breaks.
- Celebrate Differences: Your friend may notice things you’d ride past. Let that broaden your experience.
🔁 Reflect & Adjust as You Go
- Daily Check-ins: A quick “how’s this pace/route/food feeling for you?” can catch issues early before resentment builds.
- Be Flexible: Don’t let the “plan” override your dynamic as a team. Adapt often.
Touring together can be a highlight of your cycling life — just remember: you’re not giving up freedom, you’re gaining a shared story. A strong friendship can carry a tour, but so can laughter, humility, and snacks. Lots of snacks.
Would you like a checklist to help prep for the trip with your friend?
Why not? Back to you Chat GPT:
Great! Here’s a Cycle Touring with a Friend: Prep & Planning Checklist designed specifically for someone with solo experience now touring as a duo:
✅ Pre-Tour Communication
- Discuss travel goals and expectations
- Agree on daily distance targets
- Talk about accommodation preferences (camping, hotels, Warmshowers, etc.)
- Set pace expectations (who rides faster, how to balance it)
- Decide how you’ll handle disagreements or needing space
- Talk about early starts vs. late mornings
- Share past experiences: what each of you loves/hates on tour
🧳 Packing & Equipment
- Split shared gear:
- Tent
- Cooking gear
- Tools/spares (tubes, pump, multitool, etc.)
- First aid kit
- Ensure both have:
- Navigation tools (maps, GPS, app, compass)
- Phone and charger/power bank
- Water capacity
- Basic repair knowledge
- Check bike compatibility (tyres, gears, pace suitability)
- Agree on clothing expectations (e.g., minimalist or comfort-oriented)
🗺 Route Planning
- Plan rough route together (including alternatives)
- Identify known food resupply points
- Save emergency contacts and exit points (towns, train stations, etc.)
- Choose a route style (e.g., scenic, off-road, fast & flat, cultural)
- Decide how to navigate: one leader, alternating, or shared?
🔄 On the Road Habits
- Agree on who leads and when to swap
- Decide signals or communication while riding
- Talk about how often to stop (snacks, photos, rests)
- Set check-in times (e.g. morning plan, evening recap)
- Respect different energy levels
- Take turns making decisions to stay balanced
⚠️ Contingency & Safety
- Share medical details (allergies, medications, ICE contacts)
- Discuss money handling (shared expenses? apps? split bills?)
- Have a backup plan if someone needs to stop early
- Set expectations for solo riding if needed
🤝 Social & Mental Wellbeing
- Respect personal downtime needs
- Encourage open feedback (daily or as-needed)
- Bring conversation starters or games for evenings
- Celebrate wins together (big climbs, rainy days conquered, etc.)
Want this as a printable PDF or editable Google Doc format? I can generate that too.
Of course! Here it is if you want it too:
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Le Grand Tour on a Bike Called Wanda, was published in May 2024 and recounts Andrew P. Sykes’ journey around France, into the Alps and down the Rhine in the summer of 2022. It is available as a paperback and as and eBook from Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com (and other international Amazon sites). The paperback is also available from Waterstones or Foyles and the eBook from Apple iBooks.
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