The first thing that Melanie noted was that getting it set up was almost effortless. Already accustomed to travelling with cycling gear, she found plenty of room for it in the Kodiaq. “The car basically gave me everything I needed from the beginning,” she says. For everyday training, the details made the difference. An extra storage compartment beneath the boot became home to water, towels, and cereal bars, while spare clothes were always ready for unexpected changes of plan. The generous luggage space even meant she could leave her bike rack in the car rather than fetching it from the garage before every ride.
The practical touches continued outside the car. “With one movement, the tow bar was ready, the bike rack was on, and then I could put the bike on,” Melanie explains. A rear-view camera offered another welcome benefit: she could check that her bike was safely secured when driving. “That was honestly one of my biggest worries,” she admits. Long drives between training sessions also became less demanding thanks to Travel Assist, which Melanie particularly enjoyed. For her children, meanwhile, the panoramic roof was the star of each trip.
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The Kodiaq also proved useful beyond training days. One of Melanie’s favourite experiences was taking it camping with the family, packing bikes, downhill protection, and other equipment – and still having enough room to sleep inside the car. “That really showed me that you don’t necessarily need a van for this kind of lifestyle,” she says.
The biggest surprise and one of the highlights came on the roads closest to home. Living in the mountains means regularly navigating narrow, winding routes, and Melanie initially wondered how such a sizeable car would cope. Instead, she found it unexpectedly easy to handle. “It was so smooth to steer, even through tight corners,” she says. “With the 4×4, it always felt very stable and secure.”
Ultimately, the Kodiaq fitted into Melanie’s life because it did more than carry a bicycle. It got along naturally with the rhythm of an active routine: family, equipment, camping, and the occasional spontaneous adventure. After weeks of training and travelling, Melanie admitted it made a lasting impact.“I’ve become a real Škoda fan throughout this experience, and the funniest part is that I’ve now even bought a Škoda myself,” she smiles.
You can still follow the wrap-up of Melanie’s L’Étape journey or cheer for the last Challenger, George, at The Unseen Stage website. By voting on his success, you can enter a draw for a high-end Superior bike or a one-year TrainingPeaks subscription!