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Want
to get some extra information about our Tours, Guided Rides and
Rental Bikes?
We
hope you will find answers to your questions in this FAQ. For other
inquires, please contact us at info@bikecat.com
Tours
- Guided Rides - Rental
Bikes
Why
BikeCat?
BikeCat
is a local company dedicated to organizing and offering exclusive
and custom cycling tours in Girona, Spain.
Bikecat’s experience, knowledge and enthusiasm for this region
will lead you to discover the insider secrets of this land, spectacular
landscapes, and incredible back roads that you won’t find
with others. The best experience of Girona’s cycling!
How
can I join your tours?
Our
tours are normally organized for a bike shop or a group of friends.
If you want to join one of our tours we will contact the organizer
to make sure there is availability. Bikecat has several tours during
the year, including the Fast Freddie Training Camp, and you can
join the one that fits you better. You may also want to check out
the Guided Rides if you just want to do a ride.
Reserving
your place on a BikeCat trip is easy:
Give
us a call, or email us to make sure that there is space available
on the trip you wish to join.
Carefully read and understand the Terms
and Conditions.
Fill out and sign the Booking
Form, mail/fax it to us, along with your deposit of 500 Euros.
The full and final payment is due no later 21 days prior to departure.
Ready to sign-up for your adventure?
For Credit Card payments we have a secure merchant account with
PayPal. If you choose to pay by credit card, you will be subject
to a 3.5% fee to cover merchant fees charged by the credit card
companies. You will receive an email invoice to make the payment
on PayPal’s secure payment page. You don’t need a PayPal
account to pay.
I
want to organize a tour with my friends
If
you want to organize your own custom tour we will get in touch with
you and help you design and organize everything you will need in
Girona. Every detail is fully customized: rides, road books, promotional
material, reservation forms, etc. Our top priority is always precise
attention for all your trip details and logistics.
Is
the entire tour based from 1 hotel? So, do all the rides start/end
in the same place?
Our
tours are based from the same hotel in Girona. We don’t have
transfers during the camp. Once we are back from the rides you can
relax at the hotel, walk around Girona, go shopping, and enjoy the
night!
The rides also start and finish at our hotel in Girona. We usually
start at 9:30-10:00 and get back by 4pm. (lunch included).
Can
I get assistance at the airport?
We
will meet you on the arrival day (as stated in the itinerary) at
the airport in Barcelona (or Girona) and arrange to transfer you
to the hotel. We normally spend the first part of the day in Barcelona.
Debbie can tour you around, or you can just sit and relax in a Terrace
along Las Ramblas while he rest of the group is arriving.
At
the end of the trip, we transfer everyone to the airport and help
with the bikes, so you can avoid last minute confusion. Other companies
often require you to get yourself to the hotel or departure airport
at your cost. If you plan to arrive earlier or stay on after the
tour we can book your hotel.
How
fit do I need to be?
Custom
group tours are always developed to the fitness level of the clients.
We have organized many tours for cycling enthusiasts who wish good
rides and would like some training advice.
On our performance trips, we provide itineraries for all level of
cycling abilities.
Don't hesitate to give us a call or write us an e-mail and we would
be happy to answer any concerns you may have about the difficulty
of any of our tours.
Could
you explain a little more about the two levels - A and B - of riding?
Our rides are designed for those who ride on a regular basis. There
are 2 ride levels depending on the distance, and both can be divided
in two speed levels, what we call A and B. As a reference we say
group A averages 17.5mph (28km/h) and B 15mph (24km/h). We ride
together during the first day and decide about the groups depending
on abilities and level of fitness. If there are two groups, each
one will have a guide and it will be kept together as much as possible
(regrouping at crossings, top of the climbs, etc.). All groups get
together for lunch before heading back to Girona.
If I were to organize a separate tour
for two people, would the price be different?
If
you would like to organize your own tour, we will make it special
for you. Prices would depend upon what it is included (guides, support
vans, meals, hotels etc.) and number of persons.
Is
it possible for a non-rider to choose to do a ride on one of the
easier riding days?
Yes,
non riders can join the rides, and we also have available bikes
for that. During the tour there are one or two recovery rides (easier)
and it is a good chance to ride and enjoy the scenery!
Do
most of your guests bring their own bikes? Would there be help to
reassemble our bikes when we arrived?
Most
of our riders bring their own bikes. They feel more comfortable
riding their own bike. Being so many hours on the bike during the
week it’s recommended not to change your riding position.
If you can’t bring your bike, bring your mesurments and we
will help you adjusting the rental bike for you.
On your arrival, we will be hands on to help you setting up the
bike.
Want
to bring your family?
We
have activities for them to have a complete vacation and join you
after the rides, enjoying cultural activities, cuisine, and nature.
With the over 2000 year history of the area, modern city of Barcelona,
and such painters as Salvador Dalí and Antoni Miró
being from the area, we have a rich range of activities they are
sure to enjoy. With Debbie as their tour guide, they will enjoy
medieval villages, the Costa Brava along the Mediterranean, museums,
delicious food and wine, and the city of Barcelona.
Do
I need to speak Spanish?
No.
All lectures, training and coaching will be conducted in English.
However if you want to learn and speak Spanish or Catalan while
you are here, all of our staff is fluent in both. This is your chance!
Do
you have a support vehicle to follow your tours and trips?
BikeCat
Tours will have a vehicle to follow and support the cycling itinerary.
Our support vehicle will carry your important personal belongings
for the day, cameras etc. and will pick up any purchases you may
have made at any of our visits.
It will also provide any necessary mechanical support, first aid,
telephone and intra-guide communication, energy drinks, water and
snacks.
If the hill is just a little too steep a well deserved break is
in order, you may jump in for a ride. No pride lost in this maneuver.
What
do your trips include?
Please,
visit the What’s Included section of this website
What kind of clothes should I pack?
Dress
is casual and we can inform you of the local weather conditions
before you come so that you can pack appropriately. Of course, training
rides and runs will be held rain or shine. So be sure to bring along
some bicycling specific all-conditions gear.
GUIDED
RIDES
On
what days are your Guided Tours available?
You can book your guided ride at any time. We have limited availability
and we recommend to contact us in advance.
One
section says the rider will choose the distance, and the price is
by hours. How does that work?
When
you booking a guided ride, we will ask you how much you want to
ride and what sort of terrain you prefer. Prices are set by time
frames and the distance depends on how fast you want to go. There
are many different rides and you will have our help to choose amongst
landscapes, profiles, length, etc. We are very flexible!
At
what time of day do the rides begin?
You
decide when you want to ride!
Is
there a hotel in Girona you recommend for doing a ride?
Our
rides can start from any hotel in Girona.
Hotel Ciutat de Girona is near the river in the city center and
there are no climbs at the end of the ride.
Hotel Historic is a very welknown hotel and combines modernity with
historic escence.
Hotel AC Palau de Bellavista is the 5 star hotel of Girona. Magnificient
views and very new. Both hotels are on top of the hill.
We can help you with reservations and transfers for your trip to
Girona.
What
is required to reserve a guided tour?
Let
us know when you are comming and comfirm availability. If you want
to pay by credit card we will send you an invoice email prior to
your trip.
RENTAL
BIKES
Does
bike rental include helmet? Anything else?
You
will need to bring your own pedals, shoes and helmet (bikes are
equiped with Look Delta pedals).
Bikes have seatpost bag with a multi allen tool, spare tube and
a pump.
Do
you have locks?
Yes,
if you want we can lend you a lock for the bike. However, we strongly
recommend that you don’t leave the bike out of your sight
to avoid any trouble.
Can
we use the bike on the Green Ways?
Our
bikes are road bikes, and are not suitable on dirt paths like the
Green Ways.
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