DofE Silver Cycling Expedition

In the saddle for Silver

Would your students prefer to explore the outdoors on 2 wheels instead of 2 feet? Let's make it happen for their upcoming Silver DofE Expedition.

As self-confessed cycle enthusiasts ourselves, we can appreciate the calling for an epic cycle adventure. Held across 9 days, we can provide Practice/Training and Qualifying programmes for your students or simply choose just 1 element and we can create something bespoke to your needs.

9 days

8 nights

£650pp + VAT (Min. Team Size 7)

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Overview

Choosing a cycling expedition for your DofE Silver Award is an exciting way to gain experience in a sport a student is passion about and learn fundamental skills that will be carried through further cycling adventures.

With expert instructors to hand, your students will be supported through their Award as they grow in confidence and ability along trails and road. With great options in the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales, we love providing this style of Expedition.

Itinerary - Day by Day

Training and Practice 5-day programme includes:

2-days: Intensive training
3-days: Practice Expedition

Qualifying 4-day programme includes:

1-day: Refresher training
3-days: Qualifying Expedition

To view the full itinerary, expand this panel:

Silver Training and Practice

Days 1-2: Pre-Expedition training

Teams will take part in practical training sessions, covering core skills they will need during the Expedition. Planning of their Silver DofE Cycling Expedition will also take place, including marking the routes to be cycled each day.

Training will cover:

Bike handling skills
Bike specific navigation
Bike maintenance
Expedition skills
Food and cooking
Route planning

Days 3-5: Practice Expedition

The Practice Expedition is an important opportunity for students to try out their training. Whilst out on the Practice Expedition, our instructors may offer additional training, with the benefit of learning in a real, outdoor situation.

This could include:

Emergency scenarios - what to do and how to manage
Navigation skills and techniques - putting them into practice
Expedition skills in the outdoors
Bike handling and road safety

Throughout the Practice Expeditions, teams will be remotely supervised. Once they arrive at camp, or their accommodation (camping or wild camps will be included, depending on location) there will be a warm welcome and a cheer, then it’s time to set up and start cooking.

Reflection and feedback are important at the end of the Practice Expedition, as is celebrating achievements and learning, so time will be given for this and any questions.

Our DofE instructors will also produce a full report for each student which can be used as evidence of completion and uploaded to their eDofEaccount.

Qualifying

The Qualifying Expedition is the final assessed section of the programme and, for students, perhaps the most exhilarating stage. Participants complete a 4-day / 3-night cycling journey while being remotely supervised and assessed by accredited DofE assessors.

Day 1: Refresher training

Full kit checks on Expedition morning before leaving
Distribution of group kit and emergency contact cards
Route plan and map check for Expedition route
Navigation refresher
Bike handling techniques refresher
Refresh of emergency procedures
Meet-up points and supervision reminder

Days 2/3/4: Qualifying Expedition

Remote supervision by our qualified DofE assessors
Ongoing assessment
End of Expedition debrief and reporting

Teams will be remotely supervised throughout their expedition as well as meeting up in person with our DofE accredited assessors. As an additional safety measure and means of location, GSM trackers are also given to each group.

As well as a big 'congratulations' from the assessing instructor, there will be a full debrief upon completion of the Expedition. This provides an opportunity for participants to ask questions, highlight any learnings and proud moments and reflect on the Expedition and their achievements.

A full report is produced for each student, which is to be uploaded to their eDofE account as evidence of the Silver Expedition Award completion.

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What's included?

Tents (2 & 3 person)
All Terrain Bike & Panniers/Trailer
Helmets & Repair Kits
Stoves/Pans & Gas
Group 1st Aid Kit
Maps & Map Cases
Group Shelters
Camping Fees
Tracking Device

Our Services

Indoor training facility. Offering a great area for training and preparations, regardless of the weather.
Comprehensive training. Covering all aspects of the DofE syllabus.
Supervision by highly qualified staff. Ensuring your safety throughout the expedition.
DofE Accredited Assessors. For the Qualifying Expedition only - helping you feel relaxed and encourage you towards completing your expedition.
Personalised Report. Highlighting areas of improvement, recommendations and achievements during the expedition process.

You will need to arrange

Our Silver DofE Cycling Expedition packages cover almost everything, however, we do require some input, planning and organising from the school/group.

Recruiting your students to sign up to their Expedition to fulfill their DofE Award. We can assist with information on how to do this.
Complete any in-house administration within your organisation to authorise the Expedition.
Keep in touch with participants to distribute information and ensure they are registered with DofE for the Silver Award.
Transport to/from the Expedition venue. Our expedition locations are chosen for their ease of access via public transport. This may be a coach or minibus. Some groups arrive by train to keep costs low.
We provide 1 free staff place for every 14 participants. They must attend the Expedition to ensure pastoral care for the participants.

Resources

Delve into our library of resources and share our useful blogs, advice and videos with your students as they prepare for their Expedition.

Feel like you need advice on something specific? Get in touch and let us know!

DofE Expeditions for all DofE Expeditions guidance for participants

Did you know?

It is a DofE requirement that the practice expedition must take place in a different area from the qualifying expedition.
It is possible for us to only deliver 1 section of the expedition. i.e just the Training and Practice Expedition. Please contact us to discuss.
Participants wanting to take part in a Qualifying Expedition must complete a Practice Expedition in the appropriate environment and at the correct level. This may have been with a different provider. The Expedition must be signed off on their eDofE record or log book and they must provide us with evidence.