Frequently Asked Questions
Questions that relate to my well-being
- Am I fit enough?
- How do I get in shape for the tour?
- What will I wear when not cycling?
- How big are your groups of riders?
- What type of people go on your tours?
- Is a Transalp trip a good vacation choice for me?
- I have special dietary needs, can you accommodate me?
- What if my companion and I have different ideas on how to enjoy a cycling holiday?
Questions that relate to my tour package
- What is and what's not included in the trip price?
- What kind of trails will we be riding?
- What kind of weather can I expect?
- What kind of gear do I need to bring?
- Should I get some kind of trip insurance?
- Can I give a Transalp Riders trip as a gift?
- Do you accommodate non-riders on your tours?
- Do I have to pay a single surcharge if I come on my
Questions that relate to my travel logistics
- Do I need a Passport, a visa or any kind of vaccination?
- Can I book my flight, pre- & post-trip accommodation through Transalp Riders?
- Do you rent bikes?
- How do I get my bike there?
- How much luggage can I bring and how it get transferred to each day's destination?
- Where do I leave travel bags that I'll need to bring for my extended visit to Europe?
- Do you supply a support van?
- How will I be able to access money for personal purchases while I'm on the tour?
- How do I keep in touch with family, friends, and the office during the tour?
Questions that relate to TRANSALP RIDERS
- What does the suffix 'ek' after the company name mean: e.g. Transalp Riders eK?
- How far in advance do I need to reserve my vacation with Transalp Riders?
- I'm ready to join one of your tours, how can I book a Transalp Riders trip?
- How long has Transalp Riders been in business?
- What can I expect from Transalp Riders before my tour departure?
- Can you help me with filing my application for the Transalp Challenge race?
Am I fit enough?
Transalp tours require an above average level of fitness but are designed for mortals who lead active, healthy lifestyles. We cover distances of 28 - 50 miles (45 - 85 km) each day of your tour. Remember that every morning you can choose whether to spin along a short, relatively easy route or to challenge yourself on a long, strenuous day. 'Easy' days involve 300 - 1,100 m (1,000 - 3,500 ft) of climbing, whereas 'epic' days entail 1,200 - 2,500 m (4,000 - 8,000 ft) of climbing and fun descents.
Our guides will provide you at breakfast with an overview of what each option entails in terms of difficulty, sights and opportunities to explore on your own. Expect 3 - 5 hours of actual riding time on 'easy' trails, but 6 - 8 hours of pedaling if you opt for an 'epic' experience. Regardless, we take several breaks throughout the day to kick back, indulge in local delicacies, explore local history, visit significant sights, and, of course, to share the joi de vivre.
In any case, you should have a look at our trip difficulty rating to see if the tour of your choice would meet your expectations.
How do I get in shape for the tour?
Only you can honestly assess your fitness level, but you're ready for most of our tours if you can comfortably ride what we would consider an easy day (28-45 miles with 1,000-3,500 ft of climbing). Obviously, the better shape you're in, the more you will enjoy the trip and the various options for exploration off the saddle.
If you need to improve your conditioning before joining us, and you're sure that there are no medical objections to increasing your training regime, divide your time in the saddle equally between climbing, spinning and technical riding.
But be reasonable about it and keep in mind that even very fit riders typically opt for an 'easy' day after several days of challenging, 'epic' rides.
What will I wear when not cycling?
You can't go wrong when doing as the locals do - Europeans dress casual but neat. You'll likely get the most use out of one (1) set of a long-sleeve shirt, a plain T-shirt, a mid-weight fleece jacket, nylon trekking pants with removable, zippered pant legs, sandals and light-weight sleep wear. Most guests are surprised to find out when finding out how pleasant it is to travel light without any essential gear missing.
How big are your groups of riders?
We pride ourselves on offering some of the smallest group sizes in the business. A maximum of 14 guests can join each tour, which really allows us to travel off the beaten path, stay at charming inns and develop meaningful travel friendships. Each morning, the group splits into two even smaller groups, each with their own guide. These teams ride independently but meet again when we reach our mutual evening destination.
What type of people go on your tours?
Our trips appeal to enthusiastic male and female travelers between 25 and 65 years of age who share a passion for recreational mountain biking, active lifestyles, authentic foreign travel, informal learning and fun-filled adventure. The majority of them are from the USA and Canada, but we also host guests from Australia and New Zealand. They come from many different walks of life across a fascinatingly broad spectrum of professional careers.
Is a Transalp trip a good vacation choice for me?
Transalp Riders tours are best enjoyed by fit, enthusiastic, recreational mountain bikers, but not casual cyclists who ride only irregularly or race-oriented strategists who are constantly out to break away.
Ask yourself the following questions?
- Do I enjoy breath-taking climbs and exhilarating descents in the mountains?
- Can I enjoy the company of like-minded individuals while traveling?
- Am I looking forward to riding my mountain bike for 8-12 days?
- Do I enjoy experiencing foreign cultures and their lifestyles choices?
- Am I comfortable with minor changes in the travel itinerary during the trip?
- Do I want a vacation experience of prolonged physical activity?
- Am I willing to accept lodgings and food that differ from what I am used to?
- Can I bear the odd temperature extreme or unpleasant weather conditions and still enjoy myself?
If you answered "Yes" to these questions, you have the stuff to make a Transalp Rider and we would be thrilled if you joined us.
I have special dietary needs, can those be accommodated?
We'll do our utmost to try to accommodate your dietary needs. Make sure to inform us already at the time of your reservation of your specific requirements, so we can check immediately if your dietary expectations can be met on your trip of choice. Please note that availaibility of certain food items may be limited at various locations on our tours due to remoteness or local custom.
As such, it may be impossible to accommodate a strictly kosher or vegan food diet on our trips. While this limitation may spell an inconvenience to some, it does provide for 'off-the-beaten path' authenticity that other guests specifically come to experience with us.
What if my companion and I have different ideas on how best to enjoy a cycling vacation?
It is more common than not that travel companions have different expectations of a tour they joined. Shouldn't be a problem though, given our 'Easy or Epic' option on most of our tours.
Even if you choose to ride different routes on any given day, you will still share the accommodation, breakfast and evenings with one another. Please make sure that the tour of your choice offers the 'Easy or Epic' option.
What is and what's not included in the tour price?
The prices quoted on this web site and in the brochure already include all applicable taxes. Please refer to What's Included? In the menu for a detailed list of services and goods that are included in our trips.
What kind of trails will we be riding?
Our tours are meticulously researched and carefully designed to make the most of roads, single-track paths and trails that are closed to all motorized vehicles. Many times we end up riding spectacular hiking trails that, in Canada or the USA, would most likely be off-limits to mountain bikers. We often ride on double-track and dirt roads that are gated off and, as such, closed to regular traffic and in excellent shape to make the miles to cross the Alps.
The easy routes typically make use of designated bike paths (not to be confused with bike lanes in N. America) through vineyards, meadows and forests. Very little of our actual riding time is spent in built-up areas and rarely do we have to cross any main roads or highways. Europe is a mountain biker's paradise and we'll prove it to you.
What kind of weather can I expect?
Mountain weather can be unpredictable and, as such, it is difficult to foresee what kind of conditions you will experience on your specific trip. However, expect temperatures in valley bottoms to range between 5 - 20oC (40 - 68 F) in the mornings / evenings and 15o-35o C (60o - 95o F) during the day. Nighttime temperatures below freezing are unusual with the exception of elevations above 2,500 m (8,000 ft). At elevations above 3,000 m (10,000 ft), a skiff of snow may be possible throughout the summer.
We have included links to weather offices at various points along our routes, which inform you of current conditions and short-term forecasts. Our equipment list (included in the pre-trip information package) will advise you as to the appropriate clothing for the specific trip you have in mind.
What kind of gear do I need to bring?
You'll be amazed that all of your gear for the trip will fit into a small daypack of 13 to l7 lbs (6-8 kg). (If in doubt, remind yourself that thousands of others before you have managed too). This 1,650 - 2,150 cu i (27 - 35 l) pack should have a proven, comfortable fit as it will likely be your most important piece of equipment, besides your bike.
If you wonder how to reduce your gear needs to fit into this size pack, please refer to our Equipment Needs section in the main menu for a detailed checklist of travel items to bring along on your trip. (We do not recommend the use of panniers or larger size packs since they negatively affect the handling of your bike).
Should I get some kind of trip insurance?
Please play it safe and purchase trip cancellation insurance through any reputable travel agent of your choice. It is also customary in the bike touring industry for trip participants to purchase a medical insurance policy that includes evacuation and rescue insurance. These relatively inexpensive insurances buy you the peace of mind that you will come to appreciate as an important component of your stress-free vacation.
Can I give a Transalp Riders trip as a gift?
Yes! You can purchase a specific trip or you can purchase a Transalp Riders gift certificate, which can be applied to any of our tours. Our trips make awesome gifts for many occasions - graduations, birthdays or anniversaries or as a business incentive.
Please be sure to carefully read the Terms and Conditions in our main menu since there are certain legal responsibilities you automatically take on if you purchase a tour for someone else.
Do you accommodate non-riders on your tours?
The routing of our tours does not lend itself to tour participants who do not want to ride. In fact, it is unlikely that non-riders would enjoy themselves among trip participants' if they didn't share at least some of the day's cycling highlights over dinner at night.
Do I have to pay a single surcharge if I come on my own?
You will only be charged if you insist on having a single room to yourself. If you are willing to be paired up with a single traveler of the same gender and we find a match among our trip participants, we'll gladly accommodate you without applying any single surcharge. By the way, about 40% of our guests are single travelers.
Do I need a Passport, any kind of visa or vaccinations?
A passport is required for travel to all our destination countries in the European Union. Currently, a visa is not required for citizens of Canada, the U.S., Australia or New Zealand, provided you're staying for less than 90 days. Neither are any inoculations or vaccinations necessary for the length of tours we offer (even though a current tetanus / diphtheria immunization would seem advisable given the nature of our activities). We also recommend that you check with the Consulary Services of your country before your departure.
We also recommend that you make photocopies of your airline ticket and the page of your passport that displays your picture, name and passport number. Leave one copy at home with a friend or relative and one with us in case your original documents get lost.
Can I book my flights, pre- & post-trip accommodation through Transalp Riders?
No, we only hold a tour operator's license and corresponding insurances. Travel agency services are not our core business, however, we'll be happy to share our local expertise on an informal basis to help you plan a comprehensive vacation.
Do you rent bikes?
Yes, you can rent a front-suspension or full-suspension mountain bike via TRANSALP RIDERS through one of our reputable business partners in Garmisch, who service most major MTB brands. We have negotiated a flat-rate of US € 200.- irrespective of which tour you're on (additional charges may apply in case of undue damage).
However, you chould consider bringing your own, simply because you will likely be best served riding the bike you have trained on for your tour and which you have already adjusted to suit your individual needs.
How do I get my bike there?
Most airlines consider your bike one of your two allowable pieces of luggage, which is checked on an international flight as part of your free baggage allowance. Some airlines impose a fee of US$50-75 on domestic flight legs and you should check the policy of different airlines before booking your flight.
Many of our guests choose to use a regular cardboard bike box from their friendly bicycle dealer (usually for free) to package their bikes for the flight. (Ask them also for a 'hub spacer' and a front fork 'spacer' for extra protection of your bike's sensitive parts). Alternatively, you can save yourself the effort of padding and boxing your bike if you purchase a (relatively expensive) hard-shell bike case through your bike dealer or reputable Internet sources.
How much luggage can I bring and how will it get transferred each day?
Transalp mountain bike trips definitely keep you honest in terms of having to keep your equipment to a bare minimum. Our guests frequently express their amazement over how little gear they comfortably manage to get by on and the independence gained by traveling in such a light manner.
The nature and spirit of Transalp riding (under one's own power) pretty much rules out the use of support vehicles. In turn, whatever gear you may need during your 1-2 week trip, ultimately has to be carried by you in a single, small backpack. We strongly advise against panniers since these tend to negatively affect bike handling.
If you follow our suggested equipment list, your backpack will be small (27-35 liters or 1,700 to 2,200 cubic inches) and light (6-8 kg or 13-17 lbs). Don't be turned away by the mental image of havingto carry a backpack while riding. Thousands have done so before and it's the direction XC biking is developing these days.
Where do I leave travel bags that I'll need to bring for my extended visit to Europe?
It is quite common that our guests extend their vacation and visit other areas in Europe either prior to or after the Transalp trip. We will gladly arrange secure storage of your extra baggage (tagged with your name, address and phone number) for the length of the bike trip in the airport hotel where we meet at the beginning of our tour (Munich or Geneva). Hotel storage fees are typically around € 10/ bag/day.
Do you supply a support van?
The logistics of genuine 'Transalp' riding rule out support by a vehicle. Further, our commitment to environmentally friendly travel in the Alps prevents us from buying into the van-support culture. Lastly, our guests highly value the feeling of accomplishment that comes with crossing one of the world's great mountain ranges entirely under one's own power.
How will I be able to access money for personal purchases while I'm on the tour?
The easiest and cheapest way to get cash in Europe is by using your ATM card or your credit card. Prepare to pay cash for all smaller items (snacks, beverages, crafts) because many of the rural restaurants and shops are not set up for credit card purchases. We will have access to basic banking facilities on most days of our trips. All countries we visit in 2004 use the Euro as their currency.
How do I keep in touch with family, friends, and the office during the tour?
Cell phone coverage in Europe is matchless, even in the mountains, but your cell phone is unlikely going to work unless it is a GSM phone that works at either 900/1,800 MHz frequency. You should be able to rent such a phone; otherwise country-specific phone cards for pay phones may suit your needs.
E-mail facilities are sometimes difficult to access in some of the rural mountains areas we visit, but periodically we'll have access to Internet cafés.
What does the suffix 'ek' after the company name mean: TRANSALP RIDERS eK?
The 'eK' signifies that our business is officially registered in the 'Commercial Merchant Registry' with the Municipal Court of Munich, Germany (Business Number: HRA 83636). With this distinction come greater legal and fiscal obligations but it distinguishes us ad a legitimate tour operator rather than a 'fly-by-night' outfit.
You may choose to verify our existence in the 'Commercial Merchant Registry' using an online search at http://handelsregister.sueddeutsche.de. Please refer to our Contact section for address information and enter the aforementioned business number.
How far in advance do I need to reserve my vacation with Transalp Riders?
The farther in advance that you book, the greater the availability of dates and trips you'll find. We recommend reserving at least three to six months out, but check in with us for late cancellations that occasionally provide some unexpected last-minute openings. A deposit of € 250.- secures your space on any of our trips (please refer to our Terms and Conditions).
I'm ready to join one of your tours, how can I book a Transalp Riders trip?
You may either book online via our secure reservation form, by calling us toll-free at (800)-920-ALPS (2577), or by faxing or sending us a filled-out printout of the web application.
Payments are accepted by traveler's cheque(s), international money order, or credit card up to 21 days prior to your tour departure.
How long has Transalp Riders been in business?
Our company was first conceived and started in British Columbia, Canada, in 2003. We moved full-time to Garmisch, Germany, early in 2004 to affords us the proximity necessary to run impeccable tours. After 'dry-runs' of our tours in 2003, we're offering four trips commercially for the first time in the summer of 2004.
What can I expect from Transalp Riders before my tour departure?
Within 10 days of receipt of your reservation, you will receive, by E-mail, a confirmation of your booking, an insolvency insurance certificate and priority customer email access for any future correspondence.
Two weeks prior to the tour, we'll provide you with an E-mail update on group size and participants, relevant info on any expected deviations from seasonal weather normals for your tour destinations and, if necessary, suggestions for adjusting your clothing list. We'll always respond to your inquiries at our earliest convenience.
Several days prior to your tour departure, we'll call you to address any last minute questions you may have.
Can you help me with filing my application for the Transalp Challenge race?
We'll certainly provide you with information on how to qualify for and prepare an application package for this prestigious annual XC race. The deadline has already passed for the 2004 event but it's certianly never too early to get primed and prepared for 2005.