Discovery Bicycle Tours - 1.800.257.2226
Final Day Details
Our inns provide ample parking for all our tours. On all Vermont, Maryland, and Cape Cod multi-inn tours, your cycling route will bring you back to the starting inn at the end of your tour. In Maine we end at the Manor House Inn in Bar Harbor and the leaders will provide you an opportunity to get your car from Southwest Harbor on either Wednesday or Friday of your tour. Most tours end between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. on the final day (depending on the pace you ride).
In Ireland and Scotland we provide transportation from the final inn to Shannon Airport and Glasgow Airport, respectively, in time for flights leaving after 1 p.m. In Tuscany we provide transportation to Chiusi on our biking tours. We will assist you in taking the appropriate train from these locations to Rome, Florence, Milan, Venice or your next destination.
Pets
Some of our inns have family pets. Let us know if you have any relevant allergies.
Children
Children are very welcome if they are at least 10 years old, are physically capable of participating in the tour, and are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
OUR BICYCLES
We will be happy to help you select the best bike for your tour. Our expertly maintained bikes come equipped with a front handlebar bag, rear carrier, water bottle and mirror. Pedal cages and soft gel seat covers are available (at no charge) on request. We are also happy to put your own clipless pedals and seat on your rental bike if you wish.
Trek Hybrid Bike - Diamond Frame (Men's Frame) - Upright Handlebars: Available on all tours.
Trek Hybrid Bike - Mixte Frame (Women's Frame) - Upright Handlebars: Available on all tours.
Trek Hybrid Bike - Dropped Handlebars: Available in Scotland
Jamis Road Bike - Diamond Frame - Dropped Handlebars: Available in Vermont, Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Quebec and Maryland.
Giant Road Bike - Diamond Frame - Dropped Handlebars: Available in Italy.
Bringing Your Own Bike
Your bicycle should have a minimum of 21 gears. Please have your bike thoroughly checked by a professional bike mechanic before you arrive. It is time and money well spent to ensure a pleasant and safe trip. Bikes are stored under cover at the inns each evening.
Helmets
Helmets are required. Quality helmets are made available to you at no charge, although we encourage you to bring your own.
Referrals
We would be pleased to provide you with names of people in your area who have been on a Discovery Bicycle Tour.
Confirmation Packet
We will email you a confirmation with information about your trip as soon as we receive your deposit. Included in this packet are:
- Travel Insurance application form
- Directions for traveling to your starting inn and public transportation suggestions
- Literature about the inns at which you will be staying
- Recommended clothing and bicycling equipment
- Suggestions for preparing yourself and your bike for the riding
- Bicycle safety sheet
- Special Dietary Requirements form
Tour Cancellations by DISCOVERY BICYCLE TOURS
Although it rarely happens, should we have to cancel your tour, your options are to take a different tour with us, or receive a 100% refund of all your tour payments.
Overview of Bike Tours
Reservations
To reserve a place on a Discovery Bicycle Tour, call us at 800-257-2226 or look for the button on each tour's page. Your reservation will be confirmed upon our receipt of your deposit (subject to availability).
Deposits
Tour deposits (per person) are as follows:
- 3-Day/2-Night tours: $150.00
- 4-Day/3-Night tours: $200.00
- All other tours: $300.00
Method of Payment
All deposits and final payments can be made in cash, by check, or Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express.
Final Payments, Cancellation & Refund Policies
Final payment is due 60 days prior to the starting day of your tour. All payments can be made by check, VISA, MasterCard, Discover or American Express and can be made online at www.discoverybicycletours.com/payments or by calling us at 800-257-2226. If your final payment is not received at that time, we will automatically consider your reservation cancelled and your deposit will be non-refundable.
If you must cancel your reservation, your cancellation fee will be determined according to the following:
Vermont Tours:
Number of days prior to trip starting day cancellation fee per person:- 61 or more days- no fee
- 31-60 days- your deposit
- 0-30 days- all tour payments
Maine, Maryland, Ireland, Italy, and Scotland Tours:
Number of days prior to trip starting day cancellation fee per person:- 61 or more days- no fee
- 0-60 days- all tour payments
Changing Your Choice of Tours
You may switch your choice of tour, or 2013 tour date, without charge (subject to availability) at any time up to 60 days prior to your tour.
Travel Insurance
Please purchase Trip Cancellation Insurance since we are unable to make any exceptions to our cancellation policy even for personal emergencies. Trip Cancellation Insurance covers the cost of your Discovery Bicycle tour and other travel expenses in case you cancel for any number of reasons. Compare prices and policies at www.insuremytrip.com or apply directly with CSA Travel at 800-348-9505 or at www.csatravelprotection.com. Canadian citizens will find Trip Cancellation Insurance at www.travelguard.ca
Single Traveler? We are the most affordable tour company for single travelers, and our policies and rates are the very best.
A limited number of private rooms are available on most tours for those single travelers who want to guarantee a private room at an additional single supplement rate. This cost is indicated on each tour page. Please note we never charge you more for your private room than we are charged by the inns on your tour.
Single travelers willing to share a room will be charged an amount no greater than 50% of the guaranteed private room rate and this will be fully refunded if we can find you a roommate (same gender, two beds). This cost is also indicated on each tour page.
Why the added charge? As you know, hotels and inns almost always charge by the room. Therefore, a private room costs the same as a room occupied by two people. Since Discovery Bicycle Tours' per person rates are based on double occupancy, it is always more expensive for us to have a single traveler on tour. Be assured that we never charge you more for your private room than what we are being charged by the inns. Moreover, if you are willing to share a room but end up in a private room because we have not found you a roommate, it is our policy to absorb 50 percent of the private room cost, and you will not find a more generous approach anywhere.
The First Day
Except where noted, the first day of each tour is an arrival day only. Cycling begins on the following morning. In Ireland and Scotland we provide transportation to your starting inn from Shannon and Glasgow airports, respectively. In Italy we provide you with a private coach from Florence's Santa Maria Novella Train Station to Siena.