Joining a cycling tour on your own? Let’s talk about it.

You’d love to go. You’ve found a country you want to explore, the bike is a good way to see it, and there’s just one small problem. Nobody you know can come with you.

You can join a Social Cycles ride on your own. You don’t need to find a cycling partner first. What we do need to work out is which ride suits you, how you’d like to travel and what will help you feel comfortable before you arrive.

So let’s start there.

Coming on your own doesn’t mean organising it all yourself

There’s a difference between joining a group on your own and setting off with a map and everything strapped to the bike. With Social Cycles you’re joining a planned trip, with local guides, mechanical support and a support van carrying the water, the fruit and your bags.

You’ll have people to share the riding with. The itinerary gives the days a shape, from the cycling to the stops and visits. You can find out how it works before you commit, instead of trying to piece together a country’s worth of arrangements yourself.

We ride in Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Mongolia, and each has its own appeal. Start with the place you’d like to get to know, then have a look at what the journey actually involves. All eight rides are here, with the day-by-day for each.

What if I’m worried about the cycling?

Tell me. There’s no need to make your weekend riding sound more impressive than it is.

A description of what you normally do is useful: the roads or tracks you ride, how often you get out, and how you feel afterwards. If you’re comfortable on one day but unsure about several days in a row, that’s worth talking about too.

The distance is one part of it. Hills, surfaces and consecutive days on the bike all make a difference. We can look at the route together and discuss how the support works on the sections you’re concerned about.

The aim is to choose a holiday you’ll enjoy. You’re allowed to ask plenty of questions before deciding which one that is.

And the room?

If you’d like your own room, say so. It’s your holiday, and having some space to yourself at the end of the day might be part of what makes it work for you.

Our prices are per person on a twin-share basis, and a single room costs extra. Where a ride page publishes the single-room price, you’ll find it under “Extras”; otherwise just ask. We’ll check the room options for the departure you’re looking at, including availability.

If you’re happy to share, we’ll pair you with another solo rider of the same sex. And if we can’t match you, perhaps because the group has an odd number of riders, you won’t be made to pay the single supplement. That’s how it works on our rides in Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. Either way, it’s best to have that conversation early, rather than assume a room or a room-mate will be available.

The same goes for arriving early or staying on afterwards. Bring those questions into the conversation before you organise the rest of your travel.

There’s a whole trip around the riding

Have a look beyond the line that tells you how far you’ll cycle. What do you stop to see? Where do you spend time off the bike? What meals are included, and what opportunities are there to try something different?

The community visits are part of that picture too. We meet grassroots organisations to learn about their work, and at the end of the ride you choose the one we donate to on your behalf (how that works). Ask which visits are planned for the ride you’re considering. Going in with questions and a willingness to listen is a good start.

You don’t have to arrive knowing everybody, or knowing exactly what you’ll make of it all. The shared trip gives you something to talk about. The rest can happen in its own time.

Start With a Conversation

Send me the country or trip that has caught your eye, roughly when you can travel (the dates are here) and a little about your usual cycling. Add whatever is on your mind, whether it’s the room, the riding or simply what joining the group is like.

If you have health or dietary requirements, bring them up privately so we can discuss the practical arrangements properly.

I’ve personally cycled all of our rides, so I can give you a first-hand account of what to expect. If it sounds like a ride isn’t right for you, I’ll tell you. I’d rather advise against a trip that doesn’t suit you than have you go and come home disappointed. There’s nothing for us to gain by letting you join a ride you won’t enjoy.

I’m happy to talk it through. You don’t need a polished plan, and you certainly don’t need to find someone else to come before getting in touch.

Brett Seychell
Founder and Host, Social Cycles

Talk to Me About Joining a Ride

Related reading: Why solo travellers love Cambodian cycling tours · Independent cycle travel vs small group cycling tours