Homeward Travels

Three riders embrace the challenge of riding back to their family homes and provide us with new summer ride inspiration.

There are tons of bucket list rides to do—ride up Alpe d’Huez, complete a century and see the Tour—but we found inspiration closer to home, as three Condor owners gave us a new must-do.

Here, we share three stories of riders who took on a point-to-point mission, riding from the capital back to their family homes. Ruth, Gem and Kitty brief us on their rides and motivations, and provide the tips and tricks for plotting homeward travels.

London to Sheffield, 254km

London to Sheffield

"I was excited to see the landscape changing from suburban London to rural Yorkshire."

Yorkshire-born Gem Atkinson used her Condor Acciaio on a tribute ride for friend Cindy who was recovering in hospital following an accident.

“I thought this would be a super cool way to let her know I was thinking about her as she recovered in hospital. The idea of riding from London to Sheffield in a day resonated with me, as it wasn’t a loop that ended at the start point, rather it was an A to B journey. I was excited to see the landscape changing from suburban London to rural Yorkshire. I stopped for heaps of photos and to enjoy misty hills and deer frolicking in fields.”

The ride:

“The main choice I had to make was whether to do a significantly longer route heading east then swing back towards Sheffield, avoiding lots of elevation. In the end I decided that a shorter distance during November was probably the most favourable idea.”

Gem's equipment list:

Condor Acciaio

Endurance geometry paired with
performance steel

Ortlieb Seat-Pack

Spacious and waterproof, the Seat-Pack fastens securely to the seatpost, no tools needed

London to Liverpool, 382km

London to Liverpool Ride

"We travelled roads that none of us knew existed. It fills you with love, as you know your family are waiting on the other side (with champagne waiting)"

Kitty Pemberton-Platt coerced two friends into completing the 386km ride back to her family home in Liverpool.
Planning was a three stage process for the trio, first decide the route, find a half way point hotel, and get a checklist. “Finding a cheap hotel that was en route, a room for three, and who would allow bikes, was quite a time-consuming challenge.” The riders set up a WhatsApp group and discussed everything from sharing toiletries to taking flip-flops rather than shoes to save space.
“We discussed logistics more than necessary, but it made us feel as prepared as possible.”

Why plan a ride home?

"This was an adventure that had a purpose and gave more more fulfilment than what a usual ride does. Riding home brings the addition of exploration. We travelled roads that none of us knew existed. It fills you with love, as you know your family are waiting on the other side (with champagne waiting). It’s thought provoking. You’re connecting two different times of your life, together.

That’s a special feeling. It brings you closer to your friends. They met my family and the house I grew up in. It gives you a new appreciation of your hometown. You arrive feeling more energised, fulfilled and nostalgic than any train journey home can provide.

#scousetour has reminded me that I can fill my days as much as I want with work and personal life, but true fulfilment may not come from doing more but instead focusing more. A focus that is so intensely on one thing, that the miles become meditation."

Kitty's equipment list

Apidura Handlebar Bag

Ultra-light bag that won't upset your bike handling or stability

Wahoo Elemnt GPS Computer

Easy to read display and LED direction indicators

London to Cardiff, 287km

"The ride opened my eyes to how cycling can be an adventure, not just for riding the same Essex loop at weekends, and I’m excited to see what this year brings."

Fog, rain and a 5am wakeup call doesn’t sound like the start of a good day for Soho House’s Head of Design, Ruth Costello, but her pilgrimage back to Wales “opened my eyes to how cycling can be an adventure, not just for riding the same Essex loop at weekends.”

“I’d had this ride in mind for about six years. My boyfriend, Pete, has ridden back to his childhood home in York a few times and that gave me the confidence to know that it was attainable.”

The ride

“I put the route together a few months in advance. We paced it well on the day though, ate regularly and planned in stops at petrol stations and cafes.

"It rained all day but that became part of the fun. We arrived at 8pm, soaking wet and freezing, having had 3 punctures, but it was the best ride I’ve ever done.” I found it fun knowing that we were on a secret mission and the day flew by.”

The Tesco baselayer

“Our first two hours riding were through fog. By the first scheduled stop at a 24-hour Tesco in Reading, we were shivering. I bought a £5 Tesco baselayer, and Pete a pair of gloves, which saved us. Garmins and lights were charged en route with USB battery packs strapped to the top tubes while everything else was stashed in jersey pockets.”

Ruth's Equipment List

Condor Leggero

Racing pedigree with tarmac smoothing nano carbon technology

PEdAL Ed Lightweight Baselayer

Stay cool and dry

#AdventureBetter