
A selection of common questions.
For questions related to travel in 2022 during COVID-19 please visit our COVID-19 FAQ Page
What’s included in my tour price?
Please see a full list of what’s included in your tour price here.
What kinds of cyclists take your tours?
Our travelers tend to be recreational cyclists who pedal during the summer and on weekends during good weather. These folks might make up 50-60% of your group. The remaining cyclists might be split between complete novices (who have never pedaled more that 10 miles in their life) and avid cyclists (who will ask for more mileage every day).
If I come alone, will I have anyone to cycle with?
You'll naturally find others in the group who pedal your speed. Most of our groups include 2 - 4 solo travelers. Because we simplify navigation by marking the road with chalk arrows, couples can easily split up and ride at their own pace. We're happy to tell you about the group composition before you sign up. Just give us a call.
How many people will there be on my bicycle tour?
Our typical minimum is 6-8 people and the typical maximum is 18, however we do occasionally go as low as 4 people and as many as 19. ExpeditionPlus! and Bike and Boat tours have higher maximums, usually between 20 to 25 people. Some tours also have higher minimums such as our Bike and Boat Tours. Call us and ask about the departure you are interested in as we normally have a good idea of how tours fill during certain times of the year.
What differences should I expect on a Bike and Barge tour?
Find out everything you need to know about our Bike and Barge tours here.
Do you offer private or custom tours?
We sure do! Check out our private and custom tour information here.
Do you offer any discounts?
We sure do! Take a look at our discount page here.
What are our accommodations on tour like?
We use comfortable hotels and local-style inns. In Europe, this means they are primarily 3-4 star hotels. We might occasionally use a 2 star hotel when there are no other choices. Getting a good night’s sleep is essential, so we choose comfortable, well-managed hotels. All rooms have a private bathroom.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions/preferences?
We do our best to accommodate all dietary preferences and restrictions although in some locations access to various food supplies can be more limited than others. Read more on meals and drinks on tour here.
Where will I find arrival and departure information for my tour?
On your online itinerary! Read more here.
Can you help with flight arrangements?
Flights are not included in our tour prices. ExperiencePlus! does work with a flight consolidator named Exito and we are happy to request a quote for you. Read more here.
Can you help me with travel arrangements?
ExperiencePlus! offers help with travel logistics! We are here to help you coordinate your transportation to and from the tour, as well as reserving extra night’s stay at your tour starting and/or ending hotels. Read more on ExperiencePlus! Traveler Services here.
What about travel insurance?
ExperiencePlus! recommends taking out travel insurance. Read more here.
I have more travel questions!
Please take a look at our Travel Planning resources for additional travel information, including specifics to the countries you plan on visiting.
What will the weather be like on tour?
We plan our tours around the best cycling season. For more detailed weather information about the area you are going to travel in, including historic averages, there are plenty of resources online. You might like Accuweather.com.
If you're up for more reading, check out Rick Price's insightful piece on weather here.
What are the Terms & Conditions?
View our Terms & Conditions, as well as the Traveler Code here.
What kind of clothing or other gear should I pack for a bike tour?
We provide a detailed packing list that includes all you need but not too much. Many of our customers wear lycra bike shorts and cycling jerseys for the rides. We also recommend gloves, sunglasses and a helmet (mandatory).
Can I do laundry on tour?
Please refer to the information here.
Will there be van support on tour?
You bet! All our tours have full van support including: luggage shuttle, water and snack resupply, mechanical assistance, and rides for tired cyclists!
What kinds of roads are we riding on?
The road surface depends on the tour style you select. Read more about what type of surface to expect on our Tour Styles page.
How do I navigate on tour?
Find the answer here!
Should I select a road bike or hybrid?
Quick answer: whichever bike you are most familiar with and comfortable riding.
For more insightful look at the difference between these two bike types read our article with information that will help you select the right bike for you.
I usually ride a road bike but a friend suggested I use a bike with upright handlebars to see the countryside better. What do you think?
You should ride whichever bike you are most comfortable on and which you normally ride. We find that a trip like this is no time to try out a completely new bike. If you ride both styles at home the choice is up to you. Unless otherwise noted in the itinerary all of our routes are suitable for road bikes.
Do you offer E-bikes? And is an E-bike a good option for me?
Yes, we offer E-bikes on our tours in Europe as well as on our tours in Argentina and Chile!
E-bikes handle much like a regular bike and can be a great alternative for cyclist needing an extra boost. E-bikes provide greater access to bicycle touring for cyclists that are recovering from injuries (and have not fully regained previous fitness levels), less-experienced riders, and those desiring the opportunity to conquer more challenging tours.
We encourage you try an e-bike for a full day over a variety of terrain. Many bike shops have e-bikes available for rent. Because these bikes are heavier (50+ pounds) they require both strength and balance particularly when mounting and dismounting the bike and traveling at slow speeds. If you have trouble with stability, handling or balance these bikes are not recommended for you.
Read our full information on e-bikes here.
I like a mirror on my handlebar. Are they compatible with your bikes?
All of our bikes, including e-bikes, in South America and Europe accommodate bar-end mirrors.
Do I need to bring my own helmet?
We require everyone to wear a helmet on tour. We recommend you bring your own for best fit and comfort. If you prefer not to travel with your own helmet we can provide a lightly-used helmet upon request. Please be sure to provide you helmet size.
Should I bring my own bike saddle?
While we have a variety of saddles for you to choose from, saddle preference can be a very individualized choice. Because the bike saddle plays such a prominent role in your comfort we encourage you to bring your own saddle if you feel it would be best for you. If you do bring your own saddle do not bring the seat post and make sure that the saddle has rails for mounting in order to fit our bikes. Our tour leaders will mount and adjust the saddle at the bike fitting and remove it at tour end for you.
May I bring my own pedals?
Yes, we encourage those who want to have ‘clipless’ pedals to bring their own - and don’t forget your shoes! We recommend you bring cycling shoes with a recessed cleat (e.g. Mountain Bike style shoes), or a light back-up pair to carry in the rear pack so you can walk around comfortably when taking a sightseeing break.
Should I bring my own bike?
We find that if you are very tall, very short, or just hard to fit in general, it may make sense for you to bring your bike. But 99% of our customers find that the bikes we provide are perfectly adequate. Take a look at the detailed description on Our Bikes page and let us know if you have any questions.
If you decide to bring your own bike, you will be responsible for transporting or shipping the bike to and from the tour and will cover any costs I incur in so doing. You must be able to assemble and disassemble your bike and have the tools and any spare parts necessary to maintain its operation.
Do I get a discount if I bring my own bike?
We don't give any discounts if you bring your own bike. But if there is space in the van we will happily transport your bike box to the end of the tour.
Do you offer self-guided tours?
No. However, our sister company, CycleEurope, offers self-guided tours and bike rentals in Europe!