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Please take some time to read through the following frequently asked questions to see if your query has already been answered. Feel free to call us if your question isn’t listed.
What's included in the price?
Gusto Cycling offers a variety of bespoke services depending on whether it is cycle hire, luggage service, accommodation or a travel guide. For cycle events such as Gran Fondo, Maratona dles Dolomites or L'Eroica entrance fees to individual events and accommodation is offered. Trip specific itineraries can provide more detail on inclusions.
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Which package should I choose?
Gusto Cycling offers an introduction to a variety of unique cycling experiences in Tuscany, be it a cycle event; Gran Fondo, L'Eroica or a Tuscan Biking tour enjoy a healthy break combined with culture, food, wine & amazing historical sights. The Gran Fondo events chosen offer a combination of testing yourself and your friends in a fantastic cycling environment and give you a sense of what it must be like to ride in a professional race. For L'Eroica you will experience the golden age of Italian cycling on the white roads of Tuscany this event takes place in October (see details of the event). On all Gusto Cycling events/tours you can do as much or as little cycling as you wish but our tours do require a minimum level of fitness to really get the most out of your tour.
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Why Tuscany?
Tuscany has a great cycling tradition, why is it that so many top amateur and professional cycling teams are either based or have training camps in the region? The terrain in Tuscany is varied offering mountainous challenging routes, hill top medieval towns, plenty of flat runs to the rolling hills of the Chianti region. Combined with it's strong regional cooking, historical sights and culture, It's simply fantastic!
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How fit or experienced should you be?
You can ride as much or as little as you like. In order to get the most out of your trip to, it is important to assess you personal level of fitness when choosing a trip. Gusto Cycling would be happy to offer you advice on the region.
A certain level of fitness is required to fully enjoy the cycling experience, if you’re competing in a Gran Fondo or Mountain Biking event I would expect that you are a regular commuter or weekend cyclist used to the rigours of bike riding and challenging distance such as the one your are intending to enter. You’re not expected to win but to enjoy the atmosphere and competitive nature among the many cyclists taking part, which I strongly believe will enhance your experience.
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Non-Cycling partner
If you are thinking of travelling with a non-cycling partner on one of our tours, we recommend that you contact Gusto Cycling to discuss your requirements. Some tours offer more interest to a non-cycling partner than others. Armed with intimate local knowledge of all destinations, we are sure to have the information and insight to assist in planning your tour of a lifetime. If need be we can possibly obtain an electric bike to help with your cycle experience with the group.
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How do I reserve a place?
To reserve your place on most cycling packages offered, a minimum of 4 persons are required in order for the package to go ahead, please complete the booking form online or if you have any questions about any aspect of our programme please do not hesitate to contact Marco e-mail
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. If you make a reservation before 120 days prior to the trip, a deposit is due at the time of booking. If you reserve your trip less than 120 days prior to the departure, the full balance is due at the time of booking. Please see below for information on when to book and what to do if you need to cancel
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How far in advance do I need to book?
It is best to book as early as possible to secure your place plus to ensure that you are able to book the air transportation of your choice at the most favourable rate. Equally it's also important to reserve bikes early because the main cycling dates of May/June/September/October are the key touring months to cycle and bike shops generally run out of stock.
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At the time of Booking
Gusto Cycling will detail the booking you wish to confirm, make sure it is clear and matches your enquiry. Please check the details and arrange the appropriate payment, an e –mail confirmation will be sent advising whether a deposit or full payment has been taken (full payment is required 120 days before travel).
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What if I have to change or cancel my trip?
Should you or any member of your party be forced to cancel your booking (except Maratona Dles Dolomite) we must receive notice in writing or by email from the person making the original booking. The cancellation will take effect from the date that such written notice is received. The following cancellation charges will apply. The charges are expressed as a percentage of the total holiday price.
121 days or more prior to departure loss of Deposit
60 - 120 days prior to departure: 50%
59 - 15 days prior to departure 75%
14 days prior to departure: 100%
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Do I need travel insurance?
Gusto Cycling highly recommends travel insurance in the event of a medical emergency, lost baggage, or if you need to cancel your trip. In addition it is recommended that EU Nationals hold an EHIC card for reciprocal health care provision within the EU. Online application is available from www.ehic.org.uk
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Are transfers included?
It depends on the tour..this can be arranged bespoke.
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Is my holiday safe if things go wrong?
In the current financial climate it is re-assuring to know that all Gusto Cycling tours are covered in the event that we cease trading. Gusto Cycling hold a Tour Operator Failure Insurance Scheme taken out with Status Insurance in compliance with the Package Holiday Regulations 1992. In the unlikely event that we cease trading or go into administration, the full value of your holiday will be refunded. Should you be abroad at this time, the policy provides support for repatriation home. Please note, this is not a substitute for adequate personal travel insurance.
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What kind of travel documentation do I need?
A valid Passport is required to gain entry to Italy. If you need to apply for a new passport or for its renewal, make such application at least eight weeks before departure. Foreign nationals are advised to contact their local embassy to check their visa requirements. The Department of Health provides health advice for travellers and online application for an EHIC card, giving citizens of member states reciprocal health benefits within the EU. Available from www.ehic.org.uk
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If I book a tour, can I be guaranteed that it will run?
All tours are booked independently for you so all arrangements will be confirmed at the time the deposit is booked.
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Can you supply Hybrid or Carbon Racing bikes
We have excellent contacts with bike shops and can arrange to have a racing, hybrid or mountain bike at what ever level you require subject to a supplement. Please contact Gusto Cycling for more information.
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Bespoke trips for Groups
Gusto Cycling prides itself in offering tailor made Tuscan breaks for groups. Perhaps you would like a cycling training week combined with culture, a gourmet food and wine tour or just something a little more unusual. With our contacts throughout the region I am sure we can come up with an idea to inspire you, that will suit both your taste and your budget.
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What kind of accommodation is included in the tour price?
A range of good quality, carefully selected, family run (in most cases) 3/4 star hotels, farmhouse or agritourismo are chosen which have many amenities including areas to set up the bike on arrival, secure location of the bicycles during your stay, some have swimming pools & excellent local Tuscan cuisine. The rooms are clean, comfortable and offer a good standard of accommodation where I would be happy to send my mother! You get all of this, without the overall tour price becoming prohibitively expensive.
Event Participation
Unless you have a racing licence you will require a doctors note to confirm you are fit and healthy to take part in a cycling event,(This is not required for L'Eroica event) therefore please make sure you have one in person before you leave. Also for some events a racing licence may be required please check details with Gusto Cycling.
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