A solo cycle around the UK

Posted:

22 Oct 2025

Written by:

Flo Studdert-Kennedy

Hi, I’m Flo and I’m a third-year Natural Sciences student at Trinity Hall.

I’ve been into cycling for a long time – I love the freedom it brings me. Cycling for me is mainly a mental reset, with the release of serotonin, how it reduces stress and anxiety, and aids my long-term memory – it is a perfect break from revision.

So after 3 years of studying natural sciences and realising this summer may be my last long summer break, I challenged myself to do a solo cycle around the entire coast of the UK.

I carried my tiny 1-man tent, camping equipment, clothes, stove and other essentials on my bike, and over 68 days, I cycled 6000km solo around the UK coastline.

Flo Studdert-Kennedy's cycling route around the UK

Flo Studdert-Kennedy's campsite in Wales

I had done a bit of research about the routes previous people had taken and decided to start from my home in Southampton, heading anticlockwise so that I could tackle the relentless and steep hills of Devon and Cornwall first. I went around Wales, the north west coast, around Scotland and then back down the east coast (pictured first) to finish the cycle at home – very full circle! I camped in my tent (pictured fourth), stayed in hostels when I wanted a roof over my head, and managed to stay with multiple friends on the route too.

There were lots of amazing parts to the ride and I think the best stretch of cycling was on the west coast of Scotland. The single track roads, with very few cars, winding for miles between lochs, through forests, and along mountainous valleys – it was just stunning. On the flip side, there were some challenges to the ride. The remoteness of the Scotland area meant I had to ensure I was carrying enough food and water to last – and what with burning 4000 to 5000kcal per day, that’s a lot of food to carry! I also suffered with Storm Floris, which brought 60mph winds and led to many cancelled ferries and route changes. It wasn’t warm either! About 15 degrees max in the highlands, so I had to ride in a base layer in August! Being out braving the elements each day definitely takes a toll on you, but it was a fantastic experience and brilliant adventure.

If I could recommend anything for anyone who might be on the lookout to do something similar, I would consider what sort of challenge you want to do. Define what you want to get out of it, how far you think you want to go, and where you want to do it.

Last summer, I cycled home from France over 5 days, and this trip helped me understand what areas I like cycling in the most (for me, it’s coastal), what kit is appropriate to bring, and how many miles I can repeatedly cover. I’d also highly recommend reading Coasting by Ellie Downing and One Man and His Bike by Mike Carter. These books give great insight into the kinds of problems you can run into (weather, mechanicals, mental resilience, injury) and how to tackle them, or even better, avoid them!

Upon returning to University this year, I hope to continue my cycling adventures, although my main sport at University has actually been rowing for Trinity Hall Boat Club (THBC). There’s a social side of sport, especially at University, with meeting new people and forming shared memories. I’ve done a few races with Cambridge University Cycling Club (CUCC), such as mountain bike Varsity, British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) 25-mile time trail, and BUCS TTT. I plan to continue with more races this year, as well as planning a new adventure of cycling the west coast of Ireland next summer – so stay tuned!

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