What is included in the price of my holiday?
USA, Moab Rocks:
14 nights accommodation in shared hotel rooms;
All transfers to and from the airport and between riding locations;
Fully guided rides and vehicle support/trailhead drop offs when applicable;
First and last day's breakfast
USA, Descend the Rockies :
14 nights accommodation in shared hotel rooms or chalet accommodation depending on the size of the group;
All transfers to and from the airport and between riding locations;
First and last day's breakfast;
10 day lift pass with bike haulage.
USA, Cream of the Rockies :
14 nights accommodation in shared hotel rooms/appartments;
All transfers to and from the airport and between riding locations;
Fully guided rides and vehicle support/trailhead drop offs when applicable;
First and last day's breakfast.
USA, Rockies Road Tour :
14 nights accommodation in shared hotel rooms/appartments;
All transfers to and from the airport and between riding locations;
Vehicle support for all ride routes;
All National Park entrance fees necessary to complete the planned route;
Route descriptions, directions and maps when applicable;
First and last day's breakfast.
Austria, Tirol Trails:
7 nights accommodation in shared guesthouse rooms or appartments;
4/5 fully guided rides;
6 day lift pass for all Zillertal lifts;
6 day local public transport pass;
6 day water park pass;
Airport transfers from Salzberg Airport (£399 holiday only)
New Zealand, 3 Week Tour :
19 nights in share hotel/Bed and Breakfast/lodges;
Airport transfers and all transfers between riding locations;
Fully guided rides and vehicle support/trailhead drop offs when applicable;
All breakfasts;
A welcome dinner and a farewell dinner in local restaurants;
4 BBQ/Pasta meals prepared by your guides.
New Zealand, 2 Week Tour :
12 nights in share hotel/Bed and Breakfast/lodges;
Airport transfers and all transfers between riding locations;
Fully guided rides and vehicle support/trailhead drop offs when applicable;
All breakfasts;
A welcome dinner and a farewell dinner in local restaurants;
2 BBQ/Pasta meals prepared by your guides.
All Ride the World holidays are inclusive of VAT. Flights are not included.
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How fit do I have to be to go on a Ride the World holiday?
That depends on the holiday so we recommend you look at the holiday itineraries before making your mind up. Some holidays are designed as a relaxing two week break, others are designed as a 'once in a life time' experience and will push you to your limits of physical endurance and technical skills! We will never leave anyone behind but please be aware that these are group holidays, so please call us if you unsure what you'll be letting yourself in for!
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What do I need to take with me on a Ride the World holiday?
You will need a bike suited to the cycling discipline of your chosen holiday (you may be able to hire a bike froma shop local to each holiday, see below for more details); Riding gear for all weather conditions (mountain weather quickly changes and you may get rained, hailed or even snowed on, at some point); Cycling helmet; Personal clothing; Small first aid kit; Suncream; Insect repellent; Camelback or water bottles (As a rough guide, you should be able to carry at least 3 litres of water for rides in Colorado due to the altitude; For Moab we recommend 3 - 5 litres per ride due to the intense heat); Tools and spare bike parts as you feel necessary - see the next question.
Due to the nature of the terrain you will be riding RTW recommend that you wear or carry with you protective riding equipment such as knee pads and elbow guards. This is especially true for USA, Moab Rocks and Austria, Tirol Trails where the trails are technically demanding and extremely rocky. You have been warned!
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Do I need to take tools and spare bike parts with me?
Tools and replacements needed will vary between the type of holiday you've chosen, but as a general guide we would recommend taking: Replacement gear hanger specific to your bike, spare brake pads, two or three spare tubes and pump, puncture repair kit, replacement gear/brake cables, zip-ties and tape, set of hex keys, chain tool, shock pump (if required), any bike specific tools. You may want to consider bringing spare parts such as tyres and derailleurs, although most bike parts are available from local bike shops. If you are bringing brand new parts or a brand new bike with you we recommend also bringing the receipts to avoid problems passing back through UK customs.
The guides have a range of tools and are generally happy to lend a hand where they can, but they should in no way be relied upon for trail-side fixes.
USA: Most of the towns we visit whilst on the USA holidays have local bike shops which we can recommend and are up to date with current equipment. In general they are good for repairs and for purchasing spare parts, though we cannot guarantee what you need will be available. In particular if you have Hope or Pace parts on your bike, chances are the US shops wont have them in stock, so getting replacements will be quite a challenge.
Austria: Mountain biking isn't a huge past time for locals in the Tirol Valley so the bike shops local to Mayrhofen do not generally stock specialist mountain bike parts or bikes. Basic cycle parts are available such as cables, tubes and the more common shimano bits and pieces but it is worth bringing spare disc brake pads and favourite tyres just incase.
New Zealand: Most of the towns we visit whilst on the New Zealand holidays have local bike shops which we can recommend and are up to date with current equipment. In general they are good for repairs and for purchasing spare parts, though we cannot guarantee what you need will be available.
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Can I hire a bike instead of taking my own?
USA: Yes you can, most bike shops have a good choice of hire bikes which are generally mid-range bikes from drop-bar roadies to full on free-ride rigs. Rates are typically $30 - $60 per day.
Austria: Yes you can but you may be dissapointed with the choice and we would recommend bringing your own. Generally, hire bikes are semi-slicked hardtails of good quality but on the trails that we will be riding we feel they would be out of their depth with only V-brakes and semi-slick tyres.
New Zealand: Yes you can and will cost you around NZ$50 a day. We encourage you to bring your own bike however as the logistics of finding a bike to hire in each day's location and then returning it may be tricky due to the touring nature of these holidays.
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My current bike isn't feeling too well, can i pick up a bargain when i get there?
USA: You can often find bike bargains if you look around and depending on the time of season most bike shops will sell off their hire bikes cheap. New bikes generally sell in dollars for what they would in pounds so exchange rate allowing, you should be able to save yourself a bit of pocket money. Remember, however, that UK customs will not be best pleased if you abuse this fact and do not declare the item(s) when arriving back on UK soil, so Ride the World in no way endorses this method of obtaining goods.
Austria: We wouldn't advice you to. You may be lucky and come across a one off but generally, bikes and parts are a similar price to the UK but there is little choice and almost nothing mid-high range which is kept in stock locally.
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Are bike parts generally cheaper than in the UK?
USA: Generally they are cheaper, but some things are no different or possibly more expensive. It also depends on the time of season, peak season in Colorado is July/August with bargains going in the fall, Moab's peak season is May/June and Sept/Oct so bargains are easier to find just after these periods. Tyres and derailleurs are often more expensive than the UK, but bigger items such as frames and forks can be picked up very cheap if you look around. Most places will also knock 10% off or do free fitting if you ask nicely. Note as with any purchase, the listed price does not include local sales tax (typically 8%).
Austria: Generally, bikes and parts are the same prices as in the UK but availability is a problem as most local shops don't carry anything very fancy at any time of year.
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How much does food cost where I'm going?
USA: Food generally costs a similar amount of dollars as it would in pounds, so a restaurant main course will cost on average between $8 and $15, a Burgerking 'meal' costs around $5, Beer in bars is on average $3.50/pint, supermarket food is slightly cheaper than in the UK. You will probably spend between $15 and $30 a day on food and drink, although this depends entirely on your eating and drinking habits! Note that local tax and gratuity are not included in the listed price, gratuity should be added at 10-15% or 18% for exceptional service. Some restaurants automatically add 18% for a party of 6 or more.
Austria: Cafes and Restaurants in the Tirol Valley are often traditional with a good variety of European types of food and usually cover a wide price range from 4Euros for a bowl of soup to 30Euros for a lavish meal. Drinks such as beer, wines, hot drinks and mainstream softdrinks are availble from around 3-4Euros a glass in restaurants and cheaper from supermarkets.
New Zealand:
Meals in New Zealand range between NZ$10 for a burger at a bar, and NZ$70 for a slap-up affair at a classy restaurant. In general though, a good healthy meal (and desert, of course) fit for a hungry mountain biker costs about NZ$25. A hearty sandwich or roll suitable for taking for lunch on a ride costs about NZ$5-$7. A sit-down panini or pasta lunch costs about NZ$10. A beer or wine will cost you about NZ$5. Of course it depends on how much you eat, but as a guide, if like most mountain bikers you eat like a horse, and allowing for an occasional drink, you could expect to spend in the order of NZ$40 a day on food and incidentals on those days we don't provide your evening meal, and about NZ$15 a day on those days we do provide your evening meal
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What will the weather be like when I get there?
Colorado: Summer in Colorado is generally fine weather and can reach 35°C on the nicest days. You will however be high in the Rockies, so thunderstorms are a regular occurrence and there's a chance it could even snow as early as September.
Moab: Moab is situated next door to Canyonlands National Park in the middle of the Utah desert, temperatures can reach well into 'the hundreds' often 45°C at the height of summer, with occasional thunderstorms. The sun is extremely strong and the air is very dry. Temperatures start cooling off in September/October, but still hotter than the hottest English summers.
Austria: Temperatures during August and September can range from around 15°C up to 30+. Being in the heart of the Alps means that the weather is extremely changeable. Showers and storms don't often last too long howver and the trails are soon dry again.
New Zealand: As a guide, the average temperature for November, December, January, February is around 16-24°C - perfect biking temperatures. For more detail, see this website with some useful weather information http://www.tourism.net.nz/new-zealand. Many of our rides are in the mountains, which means the weather can be very changeable. It might be as hot as 30°C some days, however, it might rain or turn very cold in the middle of a ride.
Click here to find out the current weather conditions for your preferred destination
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Are the holidays guided?
Our holidays are fully guided where necessary* by friendly, experienced guides. We aim to provide appropriate numbers of guides depending on the group size, but never more than 12 people per guide. The guides are first aid trained and know the local trails like the backs of their hands. The guides also work in the UK office, so when you call you are speaking to staff who will actually be on the holiday with you and know exactly what they're talking about. Certain holidays do not require guides, but have full vehicle support.
*The following holidays are guided with vehicle support where necessary: The Cream of the Rockies, Colorado USA; Moab Rocks, Utah USA
The Following holidays are not guided, but have full vehicle support: Rockies Road Tour, Colorado USA; Descend the Rockies, Colorado USA
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How many people will be on the same holiday as me?
We personally think riding is much more fun in relatively small groups, but not too small! Our holidays are based on groups of between 8 and 14 people at a time. It is possible there may be holidays running in parallel, but we try to keep groups of riders to 8 or less per guide.
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Do I have to ride with the group every day?
There is no obligation for anyone to do any of the rides, although we will let you know if you're missing a classic! You are free to do whatever you wish, be it having a day off, a day riding by yourself or a day white water rafting!
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Should I be concerned about the altitude?
USA: Altitude affects some people more than others as the body tries to adapt. Due to the relative lack of oxygen, you will probably feel unusually tired and de-hydrated for the first few days at altitude. As long as you drink plenty of water and don't over exert yourself you'll feel fine within a couple of days.
Austria: Mayrhofen is around 600m above sea level. At this height, most people will not feel any ill efects due to he altitude. Our heighest ride gets up to around 2000m above sea level. At this height you may feel a slight shortness of breath and perhaps a headache but as long as you keep hydrated there shouldn't be any problems and you'll be able to carry on riding as normal.
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Can I create my own holiday with Ride the World?
Yes you can! If you have a group of eight or more people all wanting to do the same holiday, but none of our pre arranged holidays meets your needs, we might be able to help you out. Give us a call.
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Why should I choose a Ride the World holiday over other operators?
At Ride the World we believe we offer fantastic holidays at unbeatable prices. Ride the World is a cycling holiday company conceived, owned and operated by dedicated cyclists who aim to share the best cycling atmospheres, terrain and locations all over the Globe with fellow addicts. We don't compromise on anything but do promise you will have the best cycling experience of your life.
All our holidays are exclusive and so you won't find the same holidays anywhere else. If you can find the same holiday for a lower price anywhere else, we'll eat our words and beat their price. Give us a call and prove us wrong!
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I think I can organise my own cycling holidays for half the price, why should i pay someone to do it for me?
At Ride the World we research each holiday down to the minute details to ensure that by the time it reaches our itinerary, the holiday is unbeatable value. If it's possible to do it cheaper yourself, we simply don't sell the holiday.
In addition to this, some of our holidays are impossible to do yourself unless you can convince a mate to follow you around the country in a car, booking you into hotels as you go. Think about paying for all your accommodation, car hire for two weeks with fuel and a tour guide, add up the prices and see if it's still cheaper than paying us to do it for you! If you are unsure exactly what's included in holidays and what's not, please don't hesitate to contact us!
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