guided cycling expeditions for schools & colleges
Lakota-Expeditions was born out of a deep rooted, relentless desire to explore wild places.
With over a decade of working in schools and colleges, we know how to support teachers and staff to create, organise and lead exceptional cycling adventures.
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1 staff member travels free of charge
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We'll support you with any in-house paperwork
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Flexible payment plans available
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We're on call 24 hrs a day once you're on board
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We offer 3 very different Bikepacking / Adventure Cycling Expeditions, all aimed at exposing students to the benefits of exploration and self-discovery in beautiful and inspiring locations. Scroll down for information related to each expedition.
our school / college Expeditions
#1 - the lake district cycle tour
3
Days Riding
2
Nights Accommodation
105km
Total Distance
2410m
Elevation Gain
5/10
Overall Difficulty
£325
Cost PP
A fully supported three-day biking route through the heart of the Lake District National Park. This immersive journey winds through intricate forests and high fells, between tarns and lakes on quiet gravel bridleways and flowing singletrack. Along the route, you'll revel in the beauty of this unspoilt landscape, encountering vibrant flora and local wildlife.
Every detail is meticulously planned to ensure a safe and enjoyable adventure and you'll relish the convenience and peace of mind of our support vehicle, equipped to aid with any unexpected mechanical issues and to provide refreshments, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in an unforgettable adventure without worrying about logistical challenges. This unique journey promises a fusion of adrenaline, tranquility and fun, set in a must-visit destination for adventure cycling enthusiasts.
#1 - Expedition Highlights
Riding between tarns and fells on beautiful trails and secluded singletrack.
Visiting the Little Ice Cream Shop in Hawkshead and sampling a scoop, or two.
Parkamoor and the views across to The Old Man of Coniston.
Cycling through ancient forests in Great Langdale on compact gravel trails.
Exploring Cathedral Quarry by headtorch.
#2 - The (alternative) Cairnorms Loop
5
Days Riding
6
Nights Accommodation
230km
Total Distance
3781m
Elevation Gain
6/10
Overall Difficulty
£665
Cost pp
Prepare yourself for an epic 5-day guided adventure through the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, taking in all of the best bits of the established Cairngorms Loop with added sections and creative detours, not covered by the original route. Our support vehicle will meet with us during the day, so that we can travel light and more efficiently. Towards the end of each day, we’ll load bikes with all of the necessary equipment to venture into remote valleys to wild camp and be self-sufficient. This style of expedition not only adds convenience and peace of mind, it allows us to travel further and get the most out of the five days together.
Our route travels through ancient Caledonian pine forests, along secluded lochs and into remote glens. You'll enjoy one of the UK’s true wilderness experiences with big skies and sublime vistas. With ever changing landscapes, this expedition will provide you with a physical challenge but also a profound connection with the untamed beauty of the Scottish wilderness.
#2 - Expedition Highlights
Cycling past An Loch Uaine (the green loch) within the first hour of starting the expedition.
The remote and wild Glen Builg and the sounds of birds of prey circling overhead.
The intricate network of singletrack through ancient Caledonian forest.
Reaching the source of the river Dee and then descending Glen Tilt and passing the Falls of Tarf.
Wild camping beside Loch Muick and exploring the Glas-allt-Shiel bothy.
#3 - The high
Alpine Gravel expedition
8
Days Riding
9
Nights Accommodation
403km
Total Distance
12,201m
Elevation Gain
8/10
Overall Difficulty
£1450
Cost pp
The High Alpine Gravel Expedition snakes its way through dramatic scenery, following the border between France and Italy using iconic high altitude passes and centuries old military gravel stradas, offering a unique adventure-cycling experience.
Our 8 day expedition is a fully guided adventure that follows the first half of the well-established Turin to Nice Rally itinerary. We'll travel along the route choosing the very best sections and pausing at the countless landmarks to refuel and take in the enormity of the journey. Our support vehicle will meet with us frequently during the day and we’ll stop at designated hotels, hostels, mountain refuges and campsites at the end of each day to relax, refuel, share stories and prepare for the day ahead.
#3 - Expedition Highlights
The inspiring high alpine terrain between the Col de Finestre and the Strada dell Assietta.
Reaching Col de Agnel (2744m) - the third highest col in the Alps.
Passing Napoleon's Refuge on route to the mythical Col d'Izoard then descending through the Casse Deserte into the Queyras Regional Park.
Overnighting in the Gardetta Refuge and watching the magical alpine sunset.
The warm hospitality of the local hotels and remote campsites.
Sampling local produce - nothing beats fresh croissants in France and delicious gelato in Italy.
we solve problems
Organising your own school or college expedition can be more challenging than the trip itself. There are so many logistics involved: finding the right route, booking accommodation, transferring kit if you’re not carrying it, getting back to the start, not to mention all of the important documentation required. That’s where Lakota-Expeditions come in. We help you solve problems so that you can focus on enjoying the build up (stress free) and then your planned adventure with complete peace of mind. We've picked three outstanding expeditions and we'll guide you through every aspect of your trip from start to finish. We’ll help you decide which expedition is right for you and once you commit, we’ll be with you every step of the way. And the lead staff member joins free of charge, making the expedition affordable for everyone.
guided & supported
All of our expeditions are guided. This means that each group, of 8 cyclists, will have a fully qualified and experienced leader who will (literally) guide you along the route and do all of the things that you’d expect from someone taking on this role. Your expedition guide will be responsible for all aspects of your trip and whilst their primary role is closely linked to safety, of course, their remit extends to making sure everyone has a truly magical experience, in line with the aims of the particular expedition that you’re on.
All of our expeditions are supported too, so in addition to your expedition guide being super helpful and empathetic, allowing each member of the group to get the most out of the experience, your expedition will benefit from having a dedicated and well equipped support vehicle and driver. This means that we have real flexibility and peace of mind, should we encounter a mechanical or if someone is struggling.
OUR WHY
We believe that remarkable things happen when we find the courage (and time) to depart from the ordinary and commit to an adventure. Our experience has shown us that regardless of our backgrounds, an adventure sparks in each of us, inspiration, innovative thinking and fresh perspectives. It creates deeper connections with nature, those around us and of course ourselves. We believe that the benefits of exploring the unknown, risking uncertainty and pushing ourselves extend far beyond the immediate experience.
OUR WHAT
Lakota-Expeditions was born out of a deep rooted desire to explore wild places and a relentless obsession to create exceptional cycling adventures. We're dedicated to inspiring and helping those who want to explore further. We draw from over 20 years of cross discipline expedition experience, in some of the most remote and hostile environments in the world, to offer a range of exceptional guided cycling expeditions in the UK and abroad.
Our How
We achieve our mission by focusing on 5 Core Elements.
We...
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Craft beautiful journeys, through inspiring landscapes, showcasing the very best cycling terrain possible.
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Plan meticulously and use over 20 years of multi-disciplinary expedition experience to create safe but challenging and inspiring adventurous expeditions.
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Share knowledge, experiences and ideas and we work hard to create environments where everyone can learn, grow and develop.
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Blend adventure and exploration with guidance and support so that almost anyone can join us for an adventure.
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Create a network of like-minded people who love to explore, share stories and support each other along the way.
Book an adventure in 3 Easy Steps
Start the simple booking process by clicking and we’ll arrange a convenient time to call you. We just need to make sure you’ve picked the perfect expedition for you. If you’re keen to chat before deciding whether to commit to an expedition, no problem, contact us via 'Ask Us Anything' below and we’ll get back in touch as quickly as we can to answer any questions you have.
Once we're both happy that you've picked a suitable expedition, we'll ask you for a deposit (50% of the total cost of the expedition), then we'll confirm your place, via email, and take you through the rest of the booking process. We’ll need to get some more information from you and we'll send you some more details about your expedition.
We’re happy to field any questions you have leading up to your expedition but roughly 14 days before your expedition is due to start, we’ll contact you to make sure you’re ready to join us. We’ll share the final GPX file of your route and update you on any relevant information to include details about other expedition members.