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You can view essential info on each individual cycling tour, to do so, please select a tour from the menu on the left...
What is a cycling holiday?
Fast, strenuous and only for fitness fanatics, or a relaxed ride in the country?
With Red Spokes you can ride as much or as little as you want and go as fast or as slow as you like. All of our trips have the back-up of a fully serviced and equipped support vehicle. Your guides are sensitive to the needs of both the group and of the individuals who make up the group. This is a holiday, not a race!
Who comes on our trips?
Outdoor people who want to see the world as it realy is. The types of people on any trip will vary but you will need to have a sense of adventure and an openness to experience the unknown. We appeal to like-minded, independent travellers who might not have the time to research, plan and organise their own tour, and would like to share the experiences and rewards of the trip of a lifetime with others.
Am I fit Enough?
Anyone who is thinking of taking a mountain cycling holiday will understand that it is going to be hard and tiring in places. We advise anyone joining a trip to be in as good a physical shape as possible, although levels of ability and experience will always vary. Our guides will encourage people to cycle at their own pace, allowing for the needs of the group. All members of the group are encouraged to make the most of the support vehicle for rest when needed.
What distances are involved?
Distances will vary according to the terrain, altitude, types of road, uphill or downhill. Average distance 50-100km a day.
The Bike Debate
It is best to bring your own bike (providing it is up to the terrain) as people usually feel happier with what they know. If you don't have a suitable bike, however, or simply feel happier leaving it at home, then we can arrange bike hire here in the UK. Contrary to popular belief, travelling with your bike is not that much hassle. Details on how to do this will be posted to you on booking. Bikes are usually transported free as part of your luggage allowance.
Safety and Comfort
The ideal equipment to bring would include a good, BS-standard helmet, cycling gloves and appropriate footwear. All guides are trained first-aiders and carry a comprehensive first-aid kit on their bikes. The back-up vehicle also has a more extensive medical kit and all the relevant spares and equipment needed for a safe and enjoyable trip.
Your legal and financial protection
To protect your holiday payments, monies paid to Red Spokes for the tour are held in a Client's Trust Account. A Trustee acting on your behalf administers the account. Monies are not released to Red Spokes until the satisfactory completion of your holiday. This protection fully satisfies the requirements of EC and UK law.
What's Included... What's Not Included...
Our holidays offer incredible value for money; we manage this by keeping our overheads as low as possible. Unlike most other companies our advertising budget is tiny and our profits minimal. Most of our bookings come through word of mouth from satisfied customers.
On our customer evaluation questionnaire, 96% of our clients say they would travel with us again. The rest of our bookings come from the Internet, press write ups and a handful of adverts. Our reputation has been built on excellent service, value for money and our contribution to responsible tourism.
What's included?
Accommodation
In all our trips accommodation is provided, this will be in hotels or guesthouses, apart from Peru and Tibet where some camping will be involved (see itineraries for details). We choose accommodation on the basis of comfort rather than luxury. Our prices are based on sharing a twin room, single rooms are sometimes available at extra cost. In the central highlands of Peru we will be travelling in very remote areas with limited accommodation, often without private toilets or electricity. Having said this they are clean safe, friendly and owned and operated by local families. When camping we provide 2 person tents and all the necessary communal camping and cooking equipment. All you need to bring is your own sleeping bag.
Food
All meals and clean drinking water are provided apart from rest days (see individual trip notes). We can cater for vegetarians provided you give us notice.
Transportation
All transportation is included. This includes all airport transfers, two internal flights in Peru, one internal flight in Thailand, India and Pakistan and one international flight from Kathmandu to Tibet.
Sightseeing and Permits
Entrance to Khunjerab national park in Pakistan and trekking and entry to Machu Picchu in Peru are included in the overall price.
Vehicle Support
At all times you will have the security of a back-up vehicle, either jeep or bus. The vehicle will carry all our equipment and yourself if you desire.
What's not included?
Insurance
It is a condition of joining our trips that you must be adequately insured. All persons are expected to arrange their own insurance. Polices should cover any potential risks involved in a mountain cycling holiday. We ask for a copy of your policy to be sent in with your completed booking form. At this point in time Red Spokes do not act as an agent for any insurance companies but we can offer impartial advice.
Visas
For U.K residents visas are required for China, Laos/Thailand and Pakistan. Visas are available on arrival. No visa is required for Peru, Nepal or Thailand. While Red Spokes are happy to advise you on all passport, visa and vaccination requirements, the cost along with foreign airport taxes, bike hire and tips will be left to you.
Flights
Our holiday price does not include international flights (internal flights are included). We do offer a free travel service to help find and book flights through our designated travel agent who are ATOL holders, they will send you the confirmation and tickets. Flight bookings are subject to their booking conditions. |
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