The Best Motorhomes for Sports & Cyclists

The rise of the staycation

To some people, the rise of the staycation in the last few years may have seemed like a bit of a negative – no foreign beach, no fun. But those of us who already knew and appreciated how wonderful the British Isles is, had no such qualms about staying closer to home for our breaks and holidays.

Drive your vehicle to a favourite spot, take out your bike and ride to your heart’s content, enjoying the scenic surroundings. There are compact campervans available, as well as larger models, which will suit adventure-oriented cyclists. At Auto-Trail, our specifically designed sports model is the Auto-Trail Expedition 68, which. This luxury adventurer’s camper can transport four people and four bikes – so that impressive capacity means cycling holidays with friends or family have never been more easily accessible.

Slide-Out Trays for Storing Bikes

It’s possible to get bikes into most leisure vehicles – whether it’s putting them in the living area during travel (which may be effective but isn’t really convenient or desirable), or into the boot area. In the latter case you’d lift or roll them in, but the Auto-Trail Expedition 68 is a game-changer, as you slide bikes in and out on a pair of gear trays (optional). These innovative trays offer more convenience and ease of use than other methods, and mean that a pair of bikes are really neatly and efficiently packed into the rear of the campervan. It’s possible, with a little bit of careful planning, to store four bikes – so that’s everyone on your trip taken care of!

Inside the Auto-Trail Expedition 68

The Auto-Trail Expedition 68 features a convenient interior floorplan which, despite a few tweaks to elevate it above the norm, will seem instantly familiar to every campervan lover who steps inside. It will act as the perfect hub for your adventure operations, whether it’s as base camp from which to plan the day’s activities in the morning over a coffee, or a comfortable crash pad for landing at the end of a long day out in the saddle.

Living in the Auto-Trail Expedition 68

For maximum convenience the front driver and passenger seats rotate to face into the body of the campervan (though not while driving, of course!) and, positioned just behind the driver’s seat is the passenger lounge featuring dual bench seat and table. Comfortably seating four for social moments, then, is straightforward in the Auto-Trail Expedition 68. USB points, upper lockers and thermal pleated blinds and fly-screens to all opening windows add convenience to the comfort.

Living needs are amply catered for too, with a kitchen on the passenger side featuring an oven/grill combo alongside a dual-burner stove, sink and 12v fridge/freezer – plus plenty of storage for provisions as well as cutlery and pots and pans etc. On the driver’s side behind the lounge is the Expedition’s washroom, which features a shower and electric flush toilet. Chrome taps and a large mirror add a nice aesthetic.

Heating and hot water are standard, with an all-in-one from Whale. Mounted under the chassis for space-saving efficiency, the system can be run on electricity when on electric hook up (EHU), or on gas (provided by a 6kg propane bottle in the locker provided, with space for two).

Sleeping in the Auto-Trail Expedition 68

The Auto-Trail Expedition 68 can be converted into a four-berth campervan by going for the optional ‘pop top’ – a pop-up roof which accommodates a 79” x 51” double bed. The main bed – the rear double bed – lies over the garage area, and stretches the width of the campervan’s body. At the rear of the vehicle, the dual doors make up ‘the back wall’. The doors can, of course, be left open at night and a zip-up mesh panel used to create a notional physical/privacy barrier – albeit one which will allow you to enjoy the very best of weather conditions. The bedroom area also features overhead cabinets and a wardrobe so users will have plenty of storage options for clothing and bits and pieces of personal equipment.

In full this back bed measures 74” x 55” and, because it is lower than in many other campervans, sleepers will get a bit more headroom and general bedroom space. There is, however, a minor side-effect of being this generous with space. Bikes stored below will need to have a wheel taken off before storage (and put back on before riding). Although for some this is not ideal, these days most bikes have very easy wheel release mechanisms, and taking a wheel off or refitting is a regular part of being a cyclist – certainly not the huge engineering deal it was years ago!

Power and Performance of the Auto-Trail Expedition 68

The 2023 season Expedition 68 features a smart, modern exterior look, finished in matt Expedition Grey, rather than standard white. Based on a Fiat Ducato chassis, the Expedition features a 140bhp engine (though a 180bph engine upgrade is available with automatic gearbox only). This power improvement means hauling your extra gear is no problem at all for this capable campervan.

Motorhomes for Sports

As one of modern life’s great pleasures – great for the body, great for the mind – cycling is only ever going to get more and more popular. It’s increasingly important to make sure you have a vehicle which can take you, your friends and your bikes out to the right environments so you can follow this passion for wheels, pedals and saddles. Auto-Trail’s Expedition 68 is that vehicle.

Whether you are interested in motorhomes for sports or campervans for quick getaways, Auto-Trail provides options. From motorhomes with garages to small motorhomes under 3,500kg as well as campervans converted to incredible specifications, we have something to suit you. You can browse our website to see what we have to offer – or, if you prefer, contact us to discuss your particular needs and a member of our team will be more than happy to help you hone in on a vehicle which meets your needs.