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General FAQ   ♦   Bike Rental FAQ  ♦   Bike+Villa FAQ

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Frequently Asked Questions about Self-Guided Tours

Hi there, we are wanting to do some cycling, not really as a tour, but for about five days just around the countryside. What can you suggest?
How difficult are these tours? Do I need to be an athlete to do this tour?
I am very fit, will this tour be challenging enough for me?
What is included in the cost of the trip?
Are support vans available and how is luggage transferred?
What should I pack?
What choice do I have for bicycles on this tour and what is the cost?
What meals are included and what are they like?
What about lunches and dinners?
How do I get to the starting point of the tour?
Who can I contact in case of any change on my stay (early departure, hotel or itinerary change, etc).
Are there any road signs that are different in Europe than in my home country?
Does self-guided mean on my own completely? What if I have a flat tire? What if it rains?
Will there be other people on this trip or will we be entirely alone?
If I am a solo traveler can you find me a roomate?<
When does my tour start and end?

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Q. Hi there, we are wanting to do some cycling, not really as a tour, but for about five days just around the countryside. What can you suggest?

Sounds like you need a 5-day villa rental. Please visit our villas+bikes pages.

Q. How difficult are these tours? Do I need to be an athlete to do this tour?

The tour rating describes difficulty level. Most tours don't do more than 40 miles per day. But you should read the mileage over carefully and send as an email if you have questions. Most of our customers are NOT performance athletes but just normal people who love riding bikes. To best enjoy your tour, however, you should be at least be minimally physically prepared.

Q. I am very fit, will this tour be challenging enough for me?

Our standard routes on each tour are designed for the average recreational cyclist. But almost every tour allows for extra rides for those with extra energy. We'll suggest optional, longer rides each day.

Q. What is included in the cost of the trip?

The individual tour details page before each itinerary specifies what the tour includes. Most tours include bicycles, luggage shuttles, hotels, and all breakfasts. We also provide a detailed "road book" with information about what to see, where to eat, and suggestions for locating bike mechanics along the route.

Q. Are support vans available and how is luggage transferred?

On days when you are changing hotels our staff or local contractors pick up luggage mid-morning and deliver it to the next hotel by mid-afternoon. These vans are not available, most of the time, to shuttle people. On most days you need to plan to make the ride yourself. In cases of emergency our staff are available and hotels will help locate taxis or other means to make this transfer.

Q. What should I pack?

We recommend the following items as a start to a packing list:

A few pairs of bicycling shorts and jerseys
A few pairs of shorts and non bicycling day wear for your time off the bicycle
Helmet (we recommend attaching it to the outside of your carry on if it does not fit in your luggage)
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Toiletries
Spare glasses, contact lenses
Long slacks/skirts and shirts (layering is always encouraged) 1 or 2 of each
Two pairs of shoes (one for bicycling and sandals or something to wear after bicycling)
Any prescription medication you might need with prescriptions in case you need to refill

Q. What choice do I have for bicycles on this tour and what is the cost?

The price of the rental bicycle is included in the price of the self-guided tour. On most tours, you have a choice between a road (racing) bike with drop bars or a hybrid bike with upright handlebars. All our bikes have 24-27 speeds.

Q. What meals are included and what are they like?

Breakfast is included every morning on tour. It normally consists of a continental breakfast with drinks, rolls or pastries, fruit, cereal, and yoghurt. Some hotels provide cold cuts in addition to the continental breakfast.

Q. What about lunches and dinners?

Most people picnic at lunch, though cafes and restaurants abound on your route and are listed in your road book. For dinners we'll suggest restaurants in the area that you can normally walk to.

Q. How do I get to the starting point of the tour?

We will give you detailed travel instructions on how to arrive by train, plane, and taxi to the hotel where your trip begins..

Q. Who can I contact in case of any change on my stay (early departure, hotel or itinerary change, etc).

We will give you all the necessary contact numbers so that you can communicate changes.

Q. Are there any road signs that are different in Europe than in my home country?

We will provide a Bike Safely sheet with information on safety and road signs.

Q. Does self-guided mean on my own completely What if I have a flat tire? What if it rains?

Self-guided tours are not normally “escorted.”  That means there is no guide with you and it is your responsibility to bicycle to the next hotel.  So you should either know how to fix a flat tire or have someone with you who can. If it rains we suggest “Plan B,” – put on your rain gear and follow Plan A.

Q. Will there be other people on this trip or will we be entirely alone?

It could be that there will be others along on your same ride but normally you should plan to do this on your own.  The others may be taking advantage of luggage shuttles but who knows, may be they see this as a romantic get-away and have no interest in interacting with others on the tour.

Q. If I am a solo traveler can you find me a roomate?

We’ll make an effort but it isn’t easy.  Normally people on self-guided tours have their own traveling companions.  If we can’t find you a roommate you’ll have to pay the single supplement.

Q. When does my tour start and end?

Most tours begin late in the afternoon or early evening of the first day on tour.  Bike fitting usually occurs then.  Tours normally end after breakfast on the last day.  Note that you may want to consult with us on the best time to plan to arrive on Day 1 and when to leave on the last day. Normally you should plan to fly out one day after the last day.