Tour packages purchased from Diverse Directions include the following items:
Tour Documentation
1. Route Instructions & Route Map
2. Pre-Trip Preparation Guide
Provides in-depth coverage of a variety of topics including:
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Tips for preparing physically, mentally & spiritually for your tour.
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Tips for packing, including a packing checklist.
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Information regarding French language and culture, knowledge of which will help you to maximize the joy of your French experience.
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On the road cycling tips and safety guidelines.
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Details regarding transportation via train from your gateway city to your tour's starting point.
3. On-Road Reference Guide
This handy booklet fits in your handlebar bag for ease of access while on the road, providing
information at a glance on the following topics:
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All Diverse Directions support services
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Emergency instructions
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Security and safety guidelines
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Instructions for changing a flat tire
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Rail tips
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Pre-ride checklist and pre-ride stretches
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Essential French Vocabulary
4. Sights Guide
Brief descriptions of notable sights along your route, complete with hours of operation.
5. Personalized Itinerary.
A single source for referencing the critical details of your tour, including:
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A summary of each day's activities.
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The name and cell phone number of your tour support person.
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Instructions regarding the delivery and pick-up of your rental bikes.
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The names, addresses, and phone numbers of each of your hotels.
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Information related to air and train travel, including blanks for you to fill in the details or your flight and train reservations.
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Note: Your personalized itinerary is also sent electronically so that you can easily
provide a copy to loved ones who made need to contact you while on your tour.
Bicycle Rental
All rental bikes include:
handlebar bag with map carrier
cyclometer
lock
water bottle cage (water bottles not included)
rear rack (not available on racers)
air pump, tire irons, and a spare tube
helmets
choice of pedals (regular or cages) *
Bicycle models and options are different for each tour region. To view the standard and supplemental
rental bike options for each region, click the appropriate link below:
* For those choosing to ride with clipless / automatic pedals, we recommend bringing your own pedals for installation on your rental bike.
Hotel Arrangements
With the exception of
our Partner Tours, Diverse Directions does not
bundle the cost of accommodations into the tour's price. Instead, you may choose any combination of hotel categories, leaving you free to splurge some nights while economizing on others.
You pay each hotel at checkout, as you would had you booked your accommodations independently.
When you book your Diverse Directions tour, we will ask you to rank the hotel
options for each of your overnight destinations in order of preference. Diverse Directions then reserves your accommodations and provides you with copies of
your hotel confirmations. If special rates or offers are available for the time of your stay, we will take advantage of these on your behalf. See Accommodations Options
for additional details.
Baggage Transfer
For tours requiring
a change of hotels, Diverse Directions will transport two pieces of luggage per person from / to the
hotels at which you have confirmed reservations. Additional items may be transported for an additional cost.
Basic SAG Support
Basic SAG Support is
whenever a change of hotels is required, with the exception of our
Loire Valley
Châteaux Circuit Tour. With Basic SAG Support, should you elect not to cycle on one or
more days due to weather, illness, etc. AND you notify your Diverse Directions
support representative in advance so that you and your bikes can be transported
along with your luggage, no additional charges will apply.
For those doing the
Loire Valley circuit tour, there are fast and frequent trains available between
all overnight destinations should you choose not to cycle.
English-Speaking Support Staff
Enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing that help is just a phone call away. Should
you experience a mechanical breakdown, you simply call your English-speaking, local Support Team Manager at Diverse Directions for assistance. Note: Flat tires are not covered under the support
program.
In the event of a mechanical failure in which your bicycle can no longer be ridden, it will be replaced by your local Support Team.
