Tips and tricks for bike campervaning

 Tomáš Zejda - bike team rider

1. How long have you been traveling with a camper van? And why this type of travel?

It's been roughly five to six years. Because of the comfort and space for both the bikes and myself. The whole lifestyle around campervaning suits me because when I go somewhere, I want to take more bikes with me, sleep in a comfortable bed, and be part of the community that forms in parking lots and campsites near bike parks.

2. What is your favorite place for bike campervaning?

For example, Saalbach or Leogang in Austria, where there are stunning mountain views and people go there specifically to be part of the communities in the parking lots near the bike parks. A definite benefit is also that you save on accommodation costs.

3. Where do you get tips for these parking spots?

Mostly from friends and local riders, and I also use the "Park4night" app.

4. What do you consider the most important when choosing a camper van for bike trips?

As for the camper van, it definitely needs to have a proper and comfortable bed, especially if it's for a longer trip. Of course, there should also be a small kitchen where you can cook. I recently bought a travel shower - a great thing. It's compact, cheap, and I use it for washing both the bikes and the car. An awning, a clothesline, and a portable fridge are also must-haves. I currently use a roof tent quite a bit, which I really enjoy because it's quick, easy, and I sleep well there. Plus, it leaves a lot of space in the van, so I can keep bikes and more valuable items inside.

5. Where do you store your bikes during the trip? And what security measures do you consider important to prevent bike theft?

If we go by car, the bikes are on a rack or the roof, and if we go by van, I keep them inside. The bikes are tied to the seats, I have external locks, tinted windows, and I plan to get GPS air tags for the bikes. A good tip could also be a sticker on the bike saying it's secured - as a placebo effect, haha.

6. How do you handle meals on the road and what is your favorite camping recipe?

We usually make breakfast and dinner ourselves and go to local restaurants for lunch. My favorite recipe is Indian red lentil dhal and similar one-pot meals, which don’t leave a lot of dishes to wash afterward, haha. My friends and I wrote a travel cookbook, so you can find inspiration for simple and quick recipes there as well.

7. Do you have any tips on how to practice sustainable and eco-friendly camping?

What I bring with me, I also take back. I carry trash bags and shovels with me, and I don’t just throw food scraps into nature, so that we don’t leave a mess and attract wildlife.

8. What other activities do you and your family enjoy on your campervan trips besides biking?

Lately, we’ve been enjoying paddleboarding; it’s become a family activity for us. We also like taking walks in the mountains and nature. We try to spend our time together meaningfully and in the fresh air.

 Jakub Říha - bike team rider

1. How long have you been traveling with a campervan?

You could say since I was a kid. We traveled like that with my parents; we always had either a campervan or a caravan. And when I bought my first car, I also chose a van. So, I've been using campervans throughout my entire biking career.

2. What is your favorite place for bike campervaning?

Between Switzerland and Austria, there's a place called Reschen am See. It has good parking spots, a lake, and plenty of biking opportunities in the surrounding area.

3. What do you think is the most important when choosing a campervan?

For me, the biggest game changer was getting a van big enough to stand up in. Since we have a child, it's important for us to have bathroom facilities in the van – a shower, toilet, water, and a fridge. We can't do without these.

4. Where do you store your bike on such trips?

Our van is customized, and we have a fairly large garage. We have a sleeping area above the garage, so all the bikes, clothing, stroller, and other items are stored in the garage under the bed.

5. How do you choose locations for bike campervan trips?

It varies; often Instagram helps, sometimes recommendations. But I quite enjoy wandering and spontaneously choosing places to stay. Occasionally, we also use the "Park4Night" app.

6. How do you secure your campervan against theft?

I have added locks on the outside of the van. But I think it's very important to assess the situation in the area where you plan to stay overnight. Determine if it's safe or if it's better to go to a campsite or a guarded parking lot.

7. Do you stay more in campsites, or do you mostly "wild camp"?

In the last year, we've spent more time in campsites because of the facilities for our child, but we're slowly returning to wild camping.

8. How do you handle food on the road? Do you cook?

We cook quite often. We have a gas stove, and since we also have a fridge, we buy food in advance and live off that for a few days. Most of the time, though, it ends up being pasta with sauce from a jar, haha. That's probably the quickest camping meal.

9. Do you have any tips on how to be as eco-friendly as possible while camping?

What you bring in, you take out – that’s the unwritten rule for any outdoor activity. We dispose of dirty water in designated areas, sort our waste, and take it to places where it can be properly disposed of.

10. What activities do you enjoy while traveling with your family?

We always bring board games in the van for when the weather is bad. We also take some balls, a hammock, and other items for chilling out by the van.

Martin Kolčaba from Nomádem.cz - An e-shop focused on everything you need for building and modifying campervans, caravans, and for comfortable camping

1. Could you please introduce yourself and tell us a little about Nomádem.cz?

I’m Martin Kolčaba, and I’ve been traveling with campervans since 2004. I’m the co-founder of Nomádem.cz. In the beginning, I was responsible for basically everything, but now I primarily focus on marketing. Nomádem.cz started as a personal blog and gradually developed into an e-shop. We also have a large group on Facebook called Nomádem.cz - sharing experiences with van conversions. And on YouTube, we have our channel where we record van tours and similar content.

2. What can be found on your e-shop?

Accessories for converting campervans and caravans - from insulation, electrical installation components, plumbing to roof and side windows. So, if you have an empty van and want to build a motorhome, you will find 90% of the things you need with us. Similarly, if you already have a finished van but need to improve or repair something, we have you covered. And of course, we also offer camping equipment - furniture, fridges, and basically everything you need for such travel.

3. What do you think are the biggest advantages of bike campervaning?

You have a place to store your bike and keep it with you at all times, you don’t have to worry about accommodation, you can take more things you need for biking, and you don’t have to find a safe place to store your bike at some lodging. You don’t have to carry your stuff anywhere because everything is ready in the van. And the biggest advantage for me is the freedom of movement and independence that comes with campervaning.

4. What are the most important factors when choosing or converting a campervan if you plan to go on bike trips?

First of all, the bed should be situated higher to create space underneath for storing the bike. There should also be a space for storing bike maintenance items, spare parts, and biking gear, ideally in the form of a sliding system. Additionally, you need to account for storage space for used clothes after biking until you can wash them. This also includes a need for space to dry clothes after washing/cleaning. My tip is to install a heating vent in the bathroom (if you have one in the van) to circulate warm air, so things dry quickly. It's also essential to have a window for ventilation. This way, the items dry in no time, as it works like a drying room. Furthermore, it’s necessary to have a shower for yourself and the bike, so if it's not possible to have a bathroom, at least have an outdoor shower. It’s also good to have a toilet inside.

5. What would you recommend to people who have valuable items in their van - bikes, electronics, and such? How to best secure them against theft?

First of all, they should be careful about where they park. As for anti-theft equipment, anything that makes it harder for thieves to break in is helpful - additional locks on all doors, various alarm systems that can be connected to a phone, traditional alarms that go off in the parking lot and draw attention. If someone steals your whole vehicle, it's good to have a GPS tracker in it. For securing items inside the van, consider a hidden safe or various secret compartments, like a double bottom in a drawer, and similar solutions.

6. Do you have any tips on how to be as eco-friendly as possible while traveling?

Regarding bathroom facilities, having your own toilet in the van is essential. The most eco-friendly option is probably a composting toilet, which doesn’t require any water or chemicals and is covered with sawdust. This makes it possible to dispose of or bury it practically anywhere (if you use biodegradable bags). In the case of a chemical toilet, it should be emptied in designated areas. If you don’t have a toilet in the van, use a shovel and bury the waste deep enough. For washing dishes and showering, I recommend using eco-friendly and biodegradable products, which you can then dispose of almost anywhere. And of course, camp in a way that leaves no trace. Ideally, don't even leave tire marks, which means not parking on meadows with tall grass and similar places.

7. Do you have a favorite destination for campervaning?

Bosnia and Herzegovina - the people are nice, the prices are great, the nature is beautiful, and it's peaceful and relaxing. For me, it's ideal. Of course, it's best to go there outside the peak season (summer holidays). Another example is Greece, where camping with a car is officially prohibited during the season, but it's tolerated off-season.