Tour de South

What is Tour de South

Tour de South is what happens when a slightly ridiculous cycling idea refuses to go away.

Back in 2019, I put together a route for a couple of American friends who were touring Europe before Paris-Brest-Paris.

Rather than sending them up busy A-roads between tourist hotspots, I wanted to show them the best bits of Dorset.

To make sure it worked, I rode the whole thing myself in a day. Three hundred and twenty kilometres later, I rolled home tired, slightly broken, and convinced it was a route worth sharing.

The only problem was convincing other people that riding 320km in a single day sounded like fun.

So the route was split into two days with a campout in the middle. Then, as often happens, life got busy and the idea sat quietly in the background for a few years.

Now it’s finally happened.

The first Tour de South took place at the end of May 2026. It is a two-day social cycling adventure through Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire. It’s not a race, not a sportive, and not an organised event with support vehicles and feed stations every twenty miles. It’s simply a group of capable riders setting off together to explore some brilliant roads, tackle some challenging climbs, and spend a night under canvas before doing it all again the next day.

The route takes in dramatic coastlines, rolling countryside, quiet lanes, punchy hills and plenty of the scenery that makes riding in the South West so special. The days are long enough to feel like an adventure, but the atmosphere is firmly about enjoying the journey rather than chasing a result.

In many ways, it sits somewhere between an Audax and a bikepacking trip. Long miles, self-sufficiency and a bit of hardship are all part of the experience, but so are the café stops, campsite conversations and the shared satisfaction of getting it done together.

More than anything, Tour de South is about bringing good people together for a weekend of riding bikes, seeing beautiful places and creating the sort of stories that only seem to happen when you spend all day turning pedals.

The Route?

The route is roughly 320km spread across two days, taking in some of the best riding Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire have to offer.

When I first planned this ride, the goal was simple: avoid busy roads and show visiting friends the places that make this part of the world special. That philosophy hasn’t changed. Wherever possible, the route sticks to quiet lanes, rolling countryside and roads that make you glad you brought a bike rather than a car.

You’ll ride through dramatic coastal scenery, hidden valleys, ancient landscapes, picturesque villages and more than a few places with names that sound completely made up. There are sections where you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere, followed shortly afterwards by a village bakery or café that somehow appears exactly when it’s needed.

Of course, this is the South West, so there is one thing you can’t avoid: climbing.

The route isn’t designed to find the easiest way between two points. Quite the opposite. If there’s a hill with a great view at the top, there’s a fair chance we’re going over it. Expect a steady diet of punchy Dorset ramps, long drags across open countryside and the occasional climb that has you questioning your life choices.

The reward is that you’ll see parts of the region most people drive straight past. Quiet roads, spectacular views and stretches of riding that remind you exactly why you fell in love with cycling in the first place.

It’s a challenging route, but it’s also one that’s meant to be enjoyed. Stop for coffee. Take photos. Chat to the people you’re riding with. The finish line will still be there when you arrive.

How Much Does It Cost?

Tour de South isn’t designed to make money.

Cycling is expensive enough already. Between bikes, kit, tyres, entry fees, subscriptions and the endless list of things we’re apparently supposed to buy, it can sometimes feel like the sport is becoming more about what you’re riding than where you’re riding it.

I’ve always preferred the grassroots side of cycling. The sort of rides where nobody cares what logo is on your jersey or how much your bike cost. The route, the adventure and the people are what matter.

The entry fee simply covers the things that cost money to put on. Your campsite is included, gear transport is included, and there’ll be a few goodies along the way as well. Beyond that, the aim is simply to make the event happen without it costing Louisa and me a fortune to organise.

Nobody is getting rich from this. In fact, if you’ve ever organised anything involving cyclists, you’ll know that’s a fairly ridiculous idea.

The goal has always been to create something accessible, memorable and genuinely good value. A weekend of big miles, beautiful roads, camping, stories and new friendships, without the inflated price tag that often seems to come attached to cycling events these days.

If you leave with tired legs, a few new riding buddies and plans for your next adventure, then that’s a success as far as I’m concerned.

Final pricing for upcoming event TBC but it will certainly always be far less thna even the most basic of sportives.

When is it?

The plan is to run Tour de South again next May (2027).

The format will stay much the same: a small group of riders, two big days on the bike, a campsite in the middle, and plenty of miles, hills and questionable life decisions along the way.

I want to keep this event relatively small. Part of what makes it special is the atmosphere that comes from riding with a manageable group of people rather than disappearing into a crowd of hundreds. Because of that, places will be limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis when entries open.

If you’d like to hear about the next edition before everyone else, add your details below and I’ll get in touch when entries go live.

I’m also exploring the possibility of a gravel version later in the year, potentially taking place in September. It would follow the same spirit as Tour de South—good people, great routes and a shared adventure—but with a slightly different format and a healthy amount of dirt mixed in.

No promises just yet, but if that sounds like your kind of thing, it’s worth joining the list.