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Taking Bikes on Your Motorhome Holiday!

Bikes just add more

Explore beyond the campsite

discover lakes, castles, gardens, and hidden trails.

Gentle exercise

Great for gentle exercise without driving everywhere.

Perfect for dog owners

Take your pup along in a bike trailer and enjoy walks/cycle rides together.

Bike Options & Why It Matters

Non-Electric

Non-Electric Bike Pros:
  • Lightweight: Much easier to lift onto racks (huge advantage)
  • Lower cost: Cheaper to buy and maintain
  • No charging needed: Just jump on and go
  • Simpler: Less to go wrong mechanically
  • Great for short/flat rides: Ideal around campsites and towns
Non-Electric Bike Cons:
  • More effort: Hills and longer rides can be tiring
  • Limited range: You may not go as far from your base
  • Towing harder: Pulling a dog or shopping trailer takes effort
  • Can limit exploration: Especially in hilly areas

Electric

Electric Bike Pros:
  • Effortless riding: Hills and long distances become easy
  • Great for towing: Ideal if you’re pulling a dog trailer
  • Go further: Perfect for exploring larger areas from your campsite
  • Less fatigue: You arrive fresh instead of worn out
  • Adjustable assist: You can still get exercise if you want it
Electric Bike Cons:
  • Heavier: Harder to lift onto bike racks (big one for motorhomes)
  • More expensive: Higher upfront cost + batteries
  • Charging needed: You’ll need to plan charging at campsites
  • Weight limits: Can push your bike rack to its max quickly
  • Theft appeal: More attractive to thieves → better security needed

Choosing an Electric Bike – Key Considerations

  • Electric bikes are quickly becoming the preferred choice for motorhome travel, especially if you want to explore further with less effort.

  • However, choosing the right one isn’t as simple as picking what looks good—there are a few important things to think about:

Weight is critical

Heavier bikes can be difficult to lift onto a motorhome bike rack. Always check what you can comfortably manage.

Bike rack limits

Consider both per-bike weight and total rack capacity—especially if carrying two bikes or adding trailers.

Battery & range

Think about how far you realistically want to travel and whether a single battery is enough.

Motor type & power

More powerful motors are great for hills and towing (e.g. dog trailers), but can add weight and cost.

Folding vs standard bikes

Folding bikes can be easier to store and handle, particularly on smaller racks.

Cost

E-bikes are a bigger investment than standard bikes.

Security

Because of their value, e-bikes are more attractive to thieves—good locks and security measures are essential.

Overall:

E-bikes offer huge benefits for motorhome travel, but the best choice comes down to what works for your setup, weight limits, and how you plan to use them.

Our Personal Setup & Why It Works for Us

After trying different options, we’ve found a setup that works really well for our style of travel.

Lightweight E-Bikes (Our Preference)

We use MiRider One (or similar lightweight folding e-bikes), and for us this has been a game changer:

    • Around 17.5kg per bike – much easier to lift onto the rack
    • Two bikes usually sit comfortably within most motorhome rack limits
    • Folding design makes them easier to handle and store

The lightweight design makes a huge difference when loading and unloading—especially after a long day out.

Trailers for Flexibility

    • Dog trailer: We use a DoggyRide trailer so our dog can come along comfortably
    • Utility trailer: The second bike tows a small trailer for shopping or bits and pieces

This setup gives us the freedom to explore and be practical without needing the motorhome.

Complete Setup (Bikes + Trailer)

This shows our full motorhome bike setup ready for travel.

We’re carrying two lightweight folding electric bikes (MiRider One) along with our DoggyRide trailer, including the wheels, all securely mounted on the rear bike rack.

Because the bikes are only around 17.5kg each, the total weight stays within the limits of most motorhome racks, making it both practical and safe. The compact folding design also helps everything fit neatly without overloading the space.

This setup gives us maximum flexibility—bikes for exploring, plus the trailer so our dog can come along comfortably wherever we go.

Bikes Only (MiRider Setup)

Here you can see our two MiRider One electric bikes mounted on the rack.

We chose these mainly for their lightweight design, which makes a huge difference when lifting them on and off the motorhome. Unlike many heavier e-bikes, these are much easier to handle day-to-day.

They’re also compact and foldable, which helps with storage and transport. Despite their size, they still provide plenty of power for longer rides, hills, and towing when needed.

For us, they strike the perfect balance between performance and practicality for motorhome travel.

Trailer Setup (DoggyRide Trailer)

This image shows our DoggyRide trailer, which we bring along so our dog can join us on rides.

The trailer is lightweight, easy to attach, and provides a safe and comfortable space for our dog while we’re out exploring. We also bring the wheels along on the rack, so it’s ready to use whenever we need it.

In addition to the dog trailer, we sometimes use a small utility trailer on the second bike—ideal for carrying shopping or extra gear.

Having trailer options adds a whole new level of flexibility, making it easy to explore further without leaving anything (or anyone!) behind.

The Extras That Made the Biggest Difference

Honestly, this is where everything came together for us—these small additions made a big impact:

Second Battery for Each Bike

For us purchasing an extra battery was a game changer

  • Nearly doubles our range
  • Allows us to use more power when needed (hills, towing)
  • Reduces range anxiety completely
Bluetooth Headsets

So amazing to be able to have this simple device, chat about things to see, warn your partner of dangers or just let each other know when you want to stop.

  • Lets us stay in constant communication while riding
  • Especially useful in towns where it’s easy to get separated
  • Great for safety and coordination
Phone Holder + Google Maps

Your in a stange country, but you now know your way around, finding those short cuts like a local.

  • Makes navigation simple and stress-free
  • Helps find the best cycle routes and destinations
  • No need to stop constantly to check directions

Final Thoughts

For us, the winning combination is:
Lightweight e-bikes + trailers + a few smart extras
It’s transformed how we explore—giving us:
  • More freedom
  • Greater range
  • Less effort
  • And a much more enjoyable experience overall
Get the right setup, and your bikes become one of the best parts of your motorhome trips.