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Looking for the perfect base camp for hitting the trails? Here are our top three campervans for cyclists.
Why trade four wheels for two, when you can have both? Campervans provide far more than just a home on wheels: with ample storage, accessories, and overlanding capabilities, they can be the ultimate mobile activity base camp.
And with the weather shifting gears towards a sunny summer (wishful thinking?) and some of the world’s largest cycling events set to grace the roads, there’s no better time to take your bicycle on a camping adventure.
Ready to get in on the action? Here are our top three campervans for cyclists.
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First up, Ford’s bite-sized Nugget. Don’t be fooled by this camper’s compact size; the Nugget can more than hold its own as a base for cycling activities.
Combine the tailgate bike carrier option — capable of transporting a cycle for each of the four adults the campervan can sleep — with the recently released ‘Active’ trim, and you’re looking at a true biker’s hub.
Now, while it lacks the spaciousness of the other vans on this list, the Ford’s mid-sized camper makes up for this in manoeuvrability. Using an all-wheel drive system and eight-speed transmission — which can be combined with
Continental Van Contact 4Season tyres for extra grip — any rough or slippery surfaces can be conquered on route to hard-to-access trails. And, if heading a little further off-grid, there’s even a plug-in hybrid Nugget to offer extra range, letting you comfortably reach those rural cycling spots.
After a day of pedalling around, the Nugget’s outdoor shower can be used to rinse off any mud or dust — preparing both cycle and cyclist for the next adventure. And should any of this activity grime make its way into the interior, that won’t be an issue with the Active trim’s durable, water-resistant seat fabric.
Next up, something a little larger: the
VW Grand California.
‘Why not the
much-hyped new California?’ we hear you ask. Well, although its three-zone concept does boast the flexibility to create space for a bike in the rear, and it can tow around two tonnes worth of cycling equipment, the series-staple VW bike rack has not yet hit the market for the latest Multivan California. But, in addition to its custom-built rack — which allows for secure storage of two bicycles without limiting the use of the rear doors — the Grand California is an ideal camper’s cycling hub in its own right.
As with the Nugget, you’ll be able to rinse off your gear outside, but now you’ll have the option to refresh yourself indoors with the Grand’s full bathroom setup, complete with toilet and shower. And that’s when we think the
big Crafter-based camper comes into its own: during the recovery phase after a long day on the trails. There is simply more room to relax and recuperate, with a spacious kitchen in which to re-energise, a roomy chill out zone to catch your breath in, and a comfortable bed to stretch out in between cycles.
Thanks to this additional space, you can also rest easy knowing your precious bikes are safe with the option to store them inside, which in the correct configuration there is room to do so — although it may be a bit of a squeeze.
And, if you are looking for even more peace of mind, Continental’s Van Contact Camper tyres will have you covered here. As a robust CP (Camping Pneus) tyre, you can rely on the stability and strength to safely handle the additional load of both the weighty campervan, and any equipment stored within, allowing for stress-free adventures.
Looking for something even bigger? The Hymer Grand Canyon S 700 might just be the cyclists’ campervan for you. Using a
Mercedes Sprinter base no less than seven meters long, the S 700 steps well towards luxury activity motorhome territory — and having seen it firsthand at
CMT Stuttgart this year, alongside
Rocket’s ultimate watersports camper and the
Forster Livin’ Up, it had to make our list.
Now, Hymer do make several rear-mounted racks for bike storage, but with so much room inside, why not put it to use? The rear bed in the Grand Canyon S 700 can be configured high enough to create a substantial storage area underneath, creating a bicycle garage, although some variants may require the bikes to be laid down or front wheels removed. This keeps any precious cycles clean, dry, and protected from theft between activities. There are even fastening points back here to ensure no unwanted bumps during travel, and for the e-bike user, charging sockets to keep your rides nice and leisurely.
With all this space comes convenience too, as the large rear barn doors provide easy access to the garage area. This is backed up by some very solid build quality, with scuff-resistant and easy-to-clean flooring, and a durable lip along the bottom so you can manoeuvre bikes in and out with ease.
As with the Grand California, there is an indoor bathroom for you, an outdoor shower for your bike, a full kitchen setup, and plenty of space to recover between cycling sessions. What more could a cyclist ask for?
With all the weight that the Grand Canyon S 700 brings, having the right tyres becomes even more vital to keep adventures on track. But fear not, if you want to find out how to keep your camping trips safe year-round in any camper, check out our exclusive
‘Everything you need to know about campervan tyres’ Q&A with Continental’s specialist, Steve Howat.
And that’s a wrap for our top three campervans for cyclists. From small and manoeuvrable, all the way up to huge and convenient, there should be a base camp for every bike enthusiast. But which would you choose?
Hero image generated using AI by Nexus at Blackcircles
We love to hear from our customers. Connect with us today and let’s start a conversation.