Frequently Asked Questions

Included here are some of the more common questions and answers about the cycle tours we offer at Escape Adventures

Browse through our list of Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about what to expect from our multi-day supported/ guided cycle tours. There are also specific FAQ’s on each tour page. 

How does your cycle your grading work?

We have graded our cycle tours with a fitness level from one to three. To help you work out which tour will suit you best.

If you’re not sure where you fit or have questions about a particular tour, get in touch! We love to chat and answer your questions plus our detailed itineraries have information regarding the terrains surface as well as the distances.

Level 1: 

Basic fitness from exercise once or twice a week. Can ride flat or gently rolling terrain, mostly smooth surfaces at a steady pace. An enjoyable ride is usually 2-4 hours long with breaks. 

Level 2: 

Moderate Fitness from exercising two or three times per week. Can ride hilly terrain at a steady pace with more variable surfaces. An enjoyable ride is 2-4 hours with breaks. 

Level 3: 

Good fitness from regular exercise sessions. Can ride full days in any terrain on variable surfaces at a steady pace.  

Please remember that our tours are fully supported, and the support vehicle is available if you would like to take a break from the saddle. The cycling distances listed on the itineraries are the maximum that we ride each day and can be shortened to suit you. To help with your pre tour training we can also provide a basic plan to get you out and about on your bike.

What Is A Supported Cycle Tour, And How Do Your Tours Differ?

Our tours are fully supported cycle tours.

This means there will be a small crew arranging your luggage transport, liaising with our prebooked accommodation and helping arrange/ prepare your meals and snacks as per the tour itinerary. Your crew have mechanical skills to look after your bikes and first aid skills to look after you.

On some of our fully supported tours you will use a GPS to navigate yourself along the route, one crew will ‘hop’ ahead with the support vehicle to meet you along the way set up lunch and snacks and give you access to your gear in case you need anything, and the other crew will ride at the back of the group in case of a mechanical or first aid issue. These tours are:

  • Tour Aotearoa Full Length of New Zealand (and North/ South Island)
  • Cape to Cape
  • Marlborough Molesworth Epic
  • Canterbury Peaks to Plains
  • Japan E-bike Tour

On our other international tours there will two crew riding with the group, one will ride ahead and do all the navigating, and one will ride at the back to provide any mechanical and first aid support.  There will also be a local interpreter, support vehicle and driver who will follow behind the group. We meet with the support vehicle often for snacks and water or in case you need to grab anything.  These tours are:

  • Kenya and Tanzania
  • Cambodia
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Colombia
  • Madagascar

How Many Cyclists In Each Tour?

Cycle Group sizes on each cycle tour will vary, but generally, you can expect somewhere between 8 and 12 cyclists. 

Maximum numbers on each tour are: 

10 bikers: Japan Cycle Tours, Canterbury Peaks to Plains Cycle Tours 

12 Bikers: Tour Aotearoa, Cape to Cape, Marlborough Molesworth Epic, Kyrgyzstan, Colombia, Madagascar

14 Bikers: Kenya and Tanzania, Cambodia 

What Is The Accomodation Like, Can I book A Single Room?

Our accommodation ranges from guesthouses, safari tents, cabins, and lodges depending on the bike tour.  We aim to support small locally owned accommodation business wherever possible; it is sure to be comfortable and we hope you always have a wonderful night’s sleep.

Accommodation is typically based on double, or twin-share basis. Individual travellers will be paired with another biker of the same gender to twin share with.

..OR Single rooms can be booked for a supplement on all of our cycle tours, single supplement equals your own bedroom and does not always equal an ensuite bathroom. Single rooms are always subject to availability. If you have concerns we recommend discussing the accommodation and any single bookings further prior to your booking, as each cycle tour is slightly different.

What Is Included?

For general inclusions see below:

  • Professional tour leaders, one or two NZ based Escape Adventures leaders per tour
  • Transfers from the airport to your first nights’ accommodation (overseas tours)
  • Accommodation
  • Meals as per tour itinerary (this will be listed for you)
  • Activities mentioned in the itinerary
  • Local entry fees
  • Additional Local interpreter/driver in non-English speaking countries
  • Support vehicle

For specifics, please go to the tour page which you are interested in.

 

What Is Not Included?

For general exclusions see below:

  • Bike Hire: If required, hire fee will change depending on the country and availability
  • Single Supplement: If required, fee will change depending on the country and facilities
  • Airfares, visas, or airport taxes
  • Travel Insurance
  • Optional activities and excursions
  • Some meals as per the detailed itinerary
  • Personal vaccinations or personal equipment

For specifics, please go to the tour page which you are interested in. 

How Many Tour Leaders Will We Have On Our Cycle Tour?

Escape Adventures runs two different styles of tour: 

On our international tours there will be two tour leaders plus a local support crew, one tour leader will always ride at or near the front, navigating, and one will always be at the back. The local support crew, drive our vehicles and stay a safe distance behind the group ready for whenever we want to re-group and take breaks for snacks and water.  Each location has a different set up which dictates the number of local crew needed. 

In Aotearoa New Zealand, and on our Japan tour, our bike tours are run with just two tour leaders. There will always be one riding sweep (at the back) and the other will drive the van ahead to our designated snack and lunch spots along the route. Riders navigate for themselves on our New Zealand and Japan tours using the Ride with GPS platform. 

How Do I Book A Cycle Tour?

Online: You can book directly from the cycle tour pages on our website. Head over to the page of the tour you want to book and use the booking form in the top right corner.

  • Choose the date in the booking form box and the number of people you are booking, then click “Book Now”
  • You can choose to checkout as a guest or create an account. Follow the prompts and fill out the information required.
  • When you get to the payment page you can pay the deposit directly online, or to avoid the merchant fee you can click ‘book now and pay later’ then we can invoice you for the 20% booking deposit with our bank details so you can make a direct transfer

Email or phone call: Contact Alice on info@escapeadventures.co.nz or call  +64 3 545 1789 and make your booking directly

In person: If you happen to be passing through Staveley then we would love for you to call by and have a chat about our tours. You’ll find Clare our operations manager at the office here; she can answer any questions you have and help to make your booking.

Can I Book Escape Adventure Cycle Tours As A Private Group?

Yes, you can book an Escape Adventure Cycle Tour as a private group, with most of the Cycle Tours requiring 8 – 12 cyclists per departure. There are options for custom group bike tours for larger groups on some of the cycle trails, but they are each so unique… contact our expert team so we can explain the best options for your group size and abilities. Sometimes a few families who know each other, get together and use this option.

How Far In Advance Should I Book?

Get on to it now! We recommend booking at least 6-12 months prior to your tour departure. Our most loved cycle tours sell out quicker, so it’s best to book as soon as possible to avoid missing out. If you have a full group it’s still important to book ahead to ensure our top-notch biking guides are available for you. 

Small Groups

Twelve people per tour

When we say small, we mean up to 12 people per cycle tour.  That lets us focus on you and your unique holiday, and not on a big unwieldy group of cyclists.

Expert Leaders

Experienced cycle guides

All our cycle tours are led by two of our own wonderful New Zealand based Escape Adventures leaders.  We pride ourselves on the calibre and resourcefulness of these great people who you will be spending your holiday with.

Really Local

Our extended family

We know that our most precious memories are of real people. We’ve been going to the same villages for many years. You’ll meet locals on their terms, and make friends that will seem like family when you leave.

Making a difference

We Support Local

By supporting local people, restaurants, accommodations, and small businesses we make a direct and real contribution to the economies of the areas we visit.

We cycle with Commitment