These Are Relaxed Tours
Senior Cycling is more about the journey than the destination. We travel and tour in scenic, culturally and historically interesting places and we want you to have time to enjoy them. And we want your tour to work for you; If you need a lift, the sag wagon is available each day. If you have special food needs, we’ll do our best to meet them. If you like extra or fewer cycling miles than we’ve planned, we’ll try our best to accommodate you.
We begin our day at the hotel or B&B, typically by enjoying the included breakfast, followed by an 8:30-9:00 departure for the day’s ride. (When breakfast is not included at our accommodations, we'll work it into our plan.) While there aren’t always planned breaks in the morning, there’s always a break for lunch, and our van will be there. If we encounter bad weather we might revise the day’s activities. But unless there are thunderstorms or other dangerous weather situations, we plan to ride, even in the rain -- so bring rain gear! (Remember, you can always ride in the van.) Your tour leaders share the duties of driving the van and riding "sweep" and normally alternate those responsibilities each day, and they don’t mind getting wet.
When the day’s ride is complete, if we don't ride our straight to the hotel/B&B, we will load bikes into the trailer, then drive to our night's lodging. There's usually plenty of time to rest and refresh yourself before our evening gathering, which typically occurs at 5 or 5:30pm. We’ll provide light snacks, non-alcoholic beverages and share stories from the day’s adventure as well as provide any remaining details or modifications about the next day’s ride.
At all included dinners, Senior Cycling pays for food and soft beverages; any alcoholic beverages are at your own expense. For our included lunches and picnics, we strive to choose locally owned sandwich/sub shops or restaurants that offer a variety of healthy options that you can customize to suit your tastes and dietary goals.
Trip Insurance
If you haven't already, please purchase insurance for your trip! Nobody wants or expects health problems or accidents, but -- especially at our age -- they happen. Our tours are in popular destinations, often during peak season; especially within 60 days of the Tour date, we're financially committed to all of the accommodations and we've usually turned other possible registrants away. So a health issue or accident that prevents you from coming on the tour will also mean the loss of your money. At Travelinsurance.com you can get quotes for coverage from several different providers and get all your questions answered about different levels of coverage, such as "Cancel For Any Reason (COFR)" polices and Pre-Existing Condition waivers. Allianz Travel Insurance is also a reliable company with reasonable rates. Please check it out and protect your travel investment.
Cycling Safety
When riding your bike, you are required to follow the rules of the road. That means stopping at signals, dismounting to use crosswalks on busy streets, and using directional hand signals. When we are on trails, pedestrians always have the right of way, and it’s up to you to alert pedestrians or other cyclists when you pass, preferably with a cheery ring of your bell, or at least with your voice calling out "On your left!"
At the beginning of the tour, we'll ask you to share with us all information about medical conditions you may be dealing with -- i.e. if you're diabetic, carry an epi-pen, are allergic to bee stings, ANYTHING. Our Tour leaders are all Red Cross First Aid trained, but it's very important that we're aware of any conditions that may affect you during the tour. We carry first aid Kits on the bike as well as in the trailer for minor injuries. It is your responsibility to alert your tour leader if you are feeling unwell or have been involved in a crash/mishap on the bike while on tour. We will seek professional medical care for you if we deem it necessary.
Our Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be written (email).
- All cancellations must be made in writing (either via email or online; you can use this form)
- A non-refundable 5% admin fee must be charged for all cancellations (the credit card processor takes 3.5% of your deposit)
- Cancellations made more than 90 days prior to the tour starting date will be refunded all payments made, minus the 5% admin fee.
- If you cancel in writing 61-90 days prior to the tour starting date, we will refund 90% of your received payment.
- No refund will be given for cancellations received 60 days or less before the tour starting date.
- If a tour must be cancelled due to failure to meet the minimum rider count (6-7), we will refund 100% of the tour price. We will notify you more than 30 days prior to the tour starting date.
- We highly recommend that all riders purchase their own trip insurance (not included with tour price) to protect against unexpected emergencies. Please see previous section and the resources provided therein.
Now Get Ready!
You’ve signed up and made your plans, now you need to know what to bring and how to prepare, right? If you're not a regular cyclist already, please make a plan with a friend or your partner to start going riding a few times a week (at least 15-20 miles), or go to the gym and spend some time in the saddle, even if it’s a stationary bike; it’ll make a big difference for you.
Dress Code
We choose restaurants for their good food and relaxed atmosphere; the dress code is always casual. Our trips are more about fun than fashion, so don’t fret about wearing something different each night.
Luggage Size & Bag Limits
Our luggage size limit is 25” tall (longest dimension) with a combined linear measure including length, width, and depth of 54”. We cannot accommodate bags larger than the dimensions given. Luggage larger than measurements provided exceed our trailer capacity (Remember, on a full tour we're carrying luggage for 15). Please measure your bags to be sure that you stay within these requirements. Maximum number of bags per rider is 2. (Plus a personal item such as a purse, camera case, or fanny pack). Failure to follow these rules could result in your baggage being left at the hotel at your expense.
Be Mindful When Packing
Your luggage will be loaded and unloaded at each stop along our tour. This means you’ll be taking it to/from your room to our vehicle every evening/morning. You’ll likely want a main bag, and a smaller bag. Keeping immediate necessities in the smaller bag will allow you to carry less throughout the course of the trip. Packing this way is also to your advantage for those situations where you may encounter stairways to second floor guest rooms.
Packing Checklist
Required:
- Helmet (included with rental bike)
- Bike in good condition
- Spare tube (included with rental bike)
- Rack bag (included with rental bike)
- Water bottle(s)
We suggest you bring:
- Bicycle shorts but bring whatever you like to bike in. If there’s a chance that you will have chilly weather, include tights or long pants or leg warmers.
- Bicycle jerseys. We like them because they tend to be more comfortable and wick the moisture away from your skin better than regular shirts. They also take up less room in your luggage than heavier t-shirts. You might want to bring 2 or 3. But anything you are comfortable riding in is fine.
- Cycle gloves – without the fingertips if it’s warm, full gloves if it will be chilly.
- A windbreaker and rain gear. We recommend some form of rain gear. It may not keep you entirely dry but it will keep you warm. Your rain jacket may also be your windbreaker. Temperatures are often unpredictable, even in Florida. Layers of clothing are best!
- Long sleeve shirt
- Short sleeve shirt
- Tights (for cool weather)
- Long pants
- Socks (at least 3 pairs)
- Base layers (especially in cold climates)
Don't Forget:
- Prescriptions
- Allergy medicine if you're sensitive
- Bug repellent -- always good to have if needed!
- Chargers
- Extra batteries
Nice to have:
- Camera
- Sunglasses
- Bike lock (included with bike rental)
