Practicalities

Transport

All transport listed in the tour itinerary is included in the trip price. You will only need to pay for any transport taken during free time.

Bikes

Euro Cycling Tours rents good quality hybrid and race bikes for all our trips. The bikes are well-maintained and upgraded regularly to ensure your cycling comfort at all times. The tour leader will take care of any bike issues you have and is capable of any necessary repairs or adjustments. We use bikes in different sizes S, M or L. Please specify your body length in the booking form. You may wish to bring your own pedals, cleats, (single rail type) saddle or handlebar extensions, as we can easily fit them to our bikes. The bikes come with 2 x 20 liter Ortlieb waterproof bike panniers.

We supply bikes on our trips to make it easier for you, i.e. you don’t have to worry about the expense and hassle of bringing your bike to and from the region… and if you want to travel before or after one of our trips you don’t have to try to squeeze your bike into your backpack. This doesn’t mean you can’t bring your own bike, we know how attached cyclists can be to their equipment ! If you decide to bring you own bike then you will also need to bring all the spares and equipment necessary to keep your bike running. If you are unsure we recommend that you speak to your local bike shop about what parts to bring.

Food

Food is a very important part of any travel experience and Europe is no exception. Vegetarians and vegans are well catered for and should you have any other dietary restrictions, just inform us in the booking form. Many of our meals will be local food and at local eateries: croissants, toast and fruit for breakfast, pasta or a sandwich for lunch, a pancake or Belgian waffle for a snack and the local delicacies for dinner. There is always a market on our path and we carry some bars, bananas & candies if you need a sugar fix.

Electricity

The voltage in Europe is 220 Volt, which is different from North America (110V) and most other regions of the world. European electrical plugs have two, non-polarized pins, as shown above.

Money

You will need to bring money on the trip to pay for the following: drinks, activities in the free time, and of course shopping. We suggest you utilise a variety of methods for payment. There are:

• ATMs where you can access money using your Maestro, Cirrus, Visa and Mastercard.
• Designated banks to exchange all foreign currencies and Traveller’s Cheques.

The amount you bring is going to depend on how much you plan to spend. To give you an indication of prices

Beer 2 to 5 EUR

Small bottle of water or soft drink 1 EUR

We also recommend that you bring a US $100 equivalent in emergency funds, to be used when circumstances beyond the control of Euro Cycling Tours necessitate a change in itinerary.

Tipping

Tipping is not compulsory in Europe. You tip when you are happy with the service.

Insurance

Obtaining your own travel insurance is required in order to participate on a Euro Cycling Tours tour. It will need to include a minimum coverage of medical expenses with emergency evacuation, personal liability and accident insurance. Your tour leader will need to see a copy of your insurance at the group meeting on the first day.

Joining Point Instructions

You will need to arrive at the start point hotel in time for the group meeting, which will be held on the evening of day 1. A map and directions to the hotel will be sent to you in the travel pack. Take the phone number with you to call and ask the helpful English speaking staff if you become lost or print out the map to show someone.

Riding Levels

LEVEL 1
Riding distances of 40-60 km on flat or rolling terrain. Suited to beginner or intermediate riders.
LEVEL 2
Riding distances averaging 70 km on rolling terrain with some climbs. Suited to intermediate riders.
LEVEL 3
Riding distances of 70 km or more with steep climbs. We recommend that you are a strong rider or are in good physical condition.

Cycling Conditions

The cycling terrain is 99% sealed surfaces, with some sections on cycling paths ! On the roads we will encounter few cars, but you still need to be constantly alert for vehicles.

Fitness

The better your level of fitness, the more you will enjoy your cycling tour. Check the riding levels to know more.

Health

For a list of vaccinations we recommend that you seek advice at a travel clinic at least six weeks prior to departure. Our group leader received first aid training and travels with a first-aid kit, however it is also recommended that individual travellers have a basic first aid kit with any personal medical requirements. Our group leader is not authorised, for legal reasons, to administer any kind of drugs, including pain relief tablets, antibiotics etc so be sure to pack a supply of your favourite pain-killers. Pharmacy products vary in different countries and you may not be able to buy products that are widely available at home. Include the following in your kit: plasters, dressings, bandage, calamine lotion (a must for soothing sunburn), oral re-hydration treatment (in case of bouts of diarrhea), insect repellent, insect sting relief, antiseptic cream and antiseptic wipes.

For more information on travel health, you can click on the links below:

Australia – United States – United Kingdom

Safety

Our cycling tour leader has the authority to change or cancel all or part of the trip if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. This decision would not be taken lightly. Your leader will be present on all included activities, staying at all the same hotels, guesthouses and of course cycling with you. During free time, should you choose to participate in any optional activities that are not part of our itinerary, please note that we cannot give any representations or guarantees about the safety of the activity, the standard of the operators running them or the equipment that they use.

In the group meeting on day 1, your tour leader will run a session on cycling safety. Whilst some travellers will have had years of touring experience, for others this might be their first cycling trip. We need to cater for a range of abilities and experience and it is in everyone’s interest to learn about the particulars of cycling in this region from someone who has already done it. It goes without saying that by running and participating in a cycling trip, you accept an inherent level of risk. However, we take the safety of our guests very seriously and we ask that you cycle in a safe and responsible manner and that you look out for the well-being of your fellow travellers. Cycling helmets must be worn by all cyclists at all times whilst cycling.

Although Europe is generally safe, it is always good to be careful, of course. We recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling in the cities, for the safe keeping of your passport, money, credit cards and traveller’s cheques. Utilise the hotel’s safety boxes or safe where these are available.

It is also a good idea to keep photocopies of vital documents separate from the originals – if anything goes missing, a photocopy is much easier to replace. A further precaution is to leave copies of documents with someone at home. Documents you should consider photocopying include your passport (the data pages), air tickets and insurance documents.

Most national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government’s advice for their latest information before departure. The links for some major travel advisories and updates are listed below

Australia – United Kingdom – Canada – New Zealand – United States

Visas

Most participants will need to obtain a European Schengen visa, either through a travel agent or directly from the embassy/consulate. For the latest information, see your travel agent.

Luggage / Packing List

At the start point hotel you pack your luggage in the 2 x 20 liter bike panniers. Your suitcase or backpack will be stored in the cloakroom of the start point hotel in case of a loop tour or shipped to the end point hotel.

Please check this climate chart to assess your clothing requirements, or contact us if you are unsure.

Cycling

• Padded bike shorts
• Cycling shirts
• Light wind-proof jacket for cycling
• Cycling shoes (with cleat attachment if you use them)
• Cycling gloves
• Helmet
• Sunglasses (for sun & flies)
• Water bottle/bag
• Fanny pack or handlebar bag.
• Your own saddle, pedals, cleats, handlebar extensions (optional)
• Spares and equipment (when bringing your own bike)

Keep in mind 2x20l bike bags is limited space. On the other hand you will be carrying every kilo yourself. It is not necessary to bring a lot of clothing as we are able to do laundry almost every night.

Personally, I wear a cycling shirt with back pockets for carrying some money, sunscreen, camera, mobile phone, snacks,…

Pre/post trip accommodation

If you would like us to organise some extra nights accommodation either before or after the trip at our start or end point hotel, just let us know when you book the trip.

Language

A highly memorable part of your travels will be the local people you meet. Most people in Europe, certainly the young people, speak some survival English. But it is good fun to learn a few words of the local language. We will teach you some of the basics but if you want to really interact we recommend bringing a phrase book or Point It picture book.

Communication

Internet, phone, mail, video conferencing, wifi – communication is not going to be an issue. You should leave your family or friends the Euro Cycling Tours contact details to get in touch with us in an emergency.

Euro Cycling Tours Tour Leader

Our tour leader is passionate about Europe and cycling… phew! He loves what he does and takes his job seriously. He will make every effort to ensure you have a safe, enjoyable trip with as much fun as possible. He is happy to share with you his knowledge about the culture, language and customs of Europe.

Euro Cycling Tours