Cycling in South Africa

The one and only Rob Graham (director of LBTC!) recently visited South Africa over the festive period, which inspired this blog post. He was looking forward to shark cave diving when he arrived in Gansbaai, but alas, there were no sharks... I guess bikes will do though!

Rob took a 3-hour Fat Bike Tour in the wilderness of the sand dunes, a thrilling experience to really get the adrenalin pumping. Check out the picture attached!

Cycling is all the rage in South Africa, with more people incorporating cycling into their lifestyle than ever. Cape Town is leading the way with cycling infrastructure, with a record number of cycle lanes. It probably helps that South Africa is a great destination for cycling races - in March, 35,000 cyclists head to Cape Town to participate in the biggest individually timed race in the world, Cape Town Cycle Tour. The race is usually a whopping 109km long. They even host a kids tour, the Cape Town Cycle Tour Junior Tour, so all age ranges can get involved. And we can't forget them keen mountain bikers who participate in the ABSA Cape Epic Mountain Bike Race. Rob would definitely recommend South Africa for all the cycling enthusiasts out there. ;-)

London's Rental Bike Options

Cycling is a great way to explore the vast city of London, and it definitely beats being stuck on the tube! However, it can be difficult to know where to rent a bike when it seems like there’s new options popping up everyday. This post will guide you through the most popular rental bicycles in London and give you an idea of the pros and cons:

Santander Cycles

Santander Cycles are Transport for London’s official bicycle rental scheme. You’ll probably see these the most during your stay in London. These bicycles cost £2 per 30 minutes, unless you dock them in every 30 minutes at a docking station and choose a new bicycle, then the price remains at £2 for the day. In theory, this price is great, but the constant docking of your bicycle can be very inconvenient and means your route is dictated by this. They are also only available in Central London, so if you want to explore other parts this can be annoying. The bikes have also been criticised for being very heavy and not so well maintained.

Jump Bikes

Jump is the latest offering from Uber, an electric bike rental service. These are pretty convenient if you have the Uber app. The price is £1 to unlock the bike, and £0.12 per minute. They go up to 15MPH - a decent speed if you’re not in too much of a rush. The biggest downside of these bikes seems to be the docking system, which can incur hefty extra charges depending on where you park the bike.

London Bicycle Tour Company

We offer bicycle rental at a fixed price of £4.5 per hour - after 5 hours, this caps at £22.5 for the whole day (24 hours!) Our bicycles are the best option if you want to keep the bicycle for longer than a few hours, as we have a fixed price per day which reduces the longer you keep the bicycle. A massive advantage of our bicycles is that they are maintained on-site by two full-time mechanics who truly know their stuff, so you can trust you’re in safe hands. A common criticism of other rental bikes is that they are heavy which makes them hard to navigate - our bicycles are lightweight, and probably most similar to what you ride at home so there’s no nasty surprises. We also have a variety of bicycles, so whether you want to go mountain biking or racing, we’ve got you covered.

There are no restrictions when renting with us - you can even take them abroad!

Check out our rental bicycles here.

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Sotheby’s

Blog 2

By sjsaurabh , 22 December 2025

Test Blog 1

Test blog 1

Guest Tour Guide from Sotheby’s

One of our recent Love London Tours enjoyed a chat with a representative of Sotheby’s who spotted us stopped and came over to tell the story of Sekhmet, the sculpture that adorns the entrance to the auction house. You can see it in the photos just below the flag there. It seems he (the guy from Sotheby’s, not Sekhmet!) was happy to see that our tours were coming regularly through New Bond Street again after the long lockdowns and travel restrictions. And we were happy to be exploring Mayfair, cycling by the fashionable boutiques where Sotheby’s, the fourth oldest auction house in continuous operation, has had their premises since 1917. When they moved from Wellington Street to this location, they painstakingly moved Sekhmet with them; now he is part of their protected fascade and can no longer be removed! Sekhmet was a warrior goddess and goddess of healing, depicted as a lioness who dates from the 18th Dynasty during the reign of Amenhotep III from about 1390-1352BC. Usually these valuable, ancient artefacts are found in museums behind glass, so how did it end up outside above the entrance instead? I should be noted that it is an original piece and not a replica! Well, it seems that Sekhmet sold at an auction in the 1880s for £40 and never picked up by the buyer, after which it became Sotheby’s unofficial mascot. Today it is the oldest, privately owned monument in London and it vies with the Obelisk (on the Victoria Embankment, it can also be seen on some of our tours!) to be the oldest outdoor monument as well! It is also a very valuable object, which benefits from 24-hour video and other security measures. Many sources cite its value as £3.5m but a similar statue from the same century sold at auction in December 2013 for £4.2m, so that may be a better indication of what it is really worth! The things we discover on our tours!

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Sotheby’s

Hire Title

Bicycle with Child Seat

Description

This kind of child seat is a rear-mounted attachment suitable for riders with younger children between one and three years old. It has a maximum weight limit of 20kg.

It is a classic 'sit up and beg bike', perfect for pottering around town with your child. It's not recommended for long journeys, and is only for use inside the London area. Great for day trips and discovering London with your little one.

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What You Get

Professional Helmet
Bar lock Security System
All Local Taxes Included
Puncture Resistant Tires

Starting From

£30.00 / day

HOW IT WORKS

Seamless integration into your journey. From booking to the first pedal stroke in minutes.

Reserve Online

Select your bike type and duration. Instant confirmation ensures your ride is waiting at our central hub.

Quick Pickup

Show your digital booking. Our technicians will adjust the saddle and frame to your ergonomic needs.

Ride Free

Don’t forget that your booking includes a sturdy bar lock and a cycle helmet. Plus, our team is on hand to offer expert advice on cycling anywhere in London.

READY TO CYCLE THE STREETS OF LONDON

GET YOUR INSTANT QUOTE TODAY →

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I have to wear a helmet when I hire a bicycle?

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No. It is your choice if you wish to use a helmet, we highly recommend wearing a helmet when you are riding a bicycle. We have plenty available and there is no extra charge.

Do I need to book in advance?

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We strongly recommend booking in advance, especially during weekends and peak tourist seasons. It’s the best way to guarantee your bike and size availability—so you don’t miss out!

That said, we do often welcome walk-in customers. Booking in advance will secure your bike and booking making the process faster.

What payment methods do you accept?

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We accept major debit/credit cards and online payments.

What types of bikes are available for hire?

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We offer comfortable city bikes and e bikes suitable for everyday riding around London. For travelling further we hire hybrid bike and road bikes. Availability may vary depending on demand.

How long can I rent a bike for?

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Hire durations are flexible, ranging from a few hours to full-day rentals (up to 3 weeks) depending on your needs.

Can I cancel or reschedule my booking?

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Yes, cancellations or changes are possible within our policy timeframe. Please check your booking confirmation for details. If you’ve already booked but your plans have changed, please let us know as soon as possible.

What happens if I return a hired bike late?

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We kindly ask that all bikes are returned on time. Late returns may incur additional charges depending on the length of delay. If you think you will be late, please contact us as soon as possible so we can assist.

If you expect to return after closing, discuss this with one of the team members when you are collecting the bike.

Can I extend my bike hire while out on the ride?

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Extensions may be possible depending on availability. Please contact us before your return time so we can advise on additional charges and availability.

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Children's Bikes

Description

Bring the family for a great day out cycling. Our children's bikes come in a range of colours and styles. Check the BOOK NOW button to view all shapes and sizes.

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