1. When does my Tour of Arizona begin?

Your vacation will begin when we meet you at the Tucson International Airport at 2:00 p.m. on the first day of your trip. If possible, you should plan on arriving one day early (if possible) to get organized, rested up, and have time to wait for any delayed baggage. From here, we will transfer you to the Hacienda del Sol where you will enjoy an afternoon ride or spa session followed by a cocktail and our "Welcome Meeting / Dinner."

AAA Travel Assistance: For all of your travel needs, please contact our AAA Travel Representative, Shelley Lulow, at 1.800.854.5044 ext. 272 or via email at slulow@aaane.com. She has been working with our guests for the past 9 years and she has our complete confidence!

2. What gears should I plan on using and can I ship my bike?
The rides on this vacation range from 30 - 90 miles and the terrain varies from flat to hilly to mountainous climbs. Depending on your fitness level, you will want a 26 to 31-tooth cog on the rear for your largest gear. In addition, you may want to have either a triple crank or a compact crank on the front to give you added gearing options. Please give yourself the greatest amount of gear options so you'll enjoy the rides to a greater degree.

Also, if you would like to ship your bike in advance, please contact us as we have an agreement with the best company in the world for shipping bikes. They have been batting 100% for us and our guests for the past 4 years!

3. How many meals are included?
All breakfasts, two roadside picnics, 5 group dinners and Welcome Cocktail.

4. Do you provide full sag support on the vacation?
Yes, we will provide full sag support during your entire vacation. Our support vehicles will be stationed at various points along the cycling route and stocked with chilled bottled water, ClifBar drinks and gels, pastries, fruit, and cookies. Each day's itinerary and the location of the sag support vans will be discussed each prior evening during a brief group meeting before dinner. It is highly recommended, however, that you please bring your own drink powders with you if you have a flavor you just can't do without. The reason for this is that everyone has different tastes, sensitivities, and responses to various sports drinks. Again, if you have a drink or energy bar that you simply can't do without, please bring it with you. Thanks!

5. What kind of weather should we expect?
Cycling in the southern Arizona desert is wonderful throughout the winter, spring and fall. Temperatures range from the mid-50's in the mornings to the mid-70's in the afternoons and can change quickly. Thus you will want to be prepared for every season. The evenings are quite pleasant and a bit cooler in the desert so you will want to make sure you have a light pullover, sweater or fleece top with you so you don't get a chill.

6. What is the group size for this program?
The group size will be 20 -25 riders maximum.

7. What is included in the price of the vacation?

• 5 nights of accommodations at Velo Echappe' selected properties.
• 6 days of cycling through the heart of southern Arizona.
• All breakfasts, two roadside lunches, 5 dinners, and 1 Welcome Cocktail.
• All gratuities, taxes, and fees for all hotels, meals, and porter services.
• Daily guided challenging cycling on routes of between 30- 90 miles.
• All luggage transfers, and on-road sag support in our support vehicles.
• All daily prepared routes with maps and cue sheets detailing each days route with each turn and its corresponding mileage. This is all outlined for you in advance.
• Professional mechanics and staff with a ratio of 1:6 so everyone gets the needed attention during the tour.
• Professional Velo Echappe Cycling Jersey and bibs/shorts.
• Daily supply of bottled water, Clifbar drinks and gels, fruit, cookies and other goodies to keep you fueled on the road!
• Cell phone communications.
• Pre-Tour Information Packet that will be sent out to you in advance detailing each day's program, hotel info, sponsor info, what to bring, how to pack, etc. so you're fully prepared before you leave home.

8. What is not included in the price of my vacation?
Airfare to and from Tucson International Airport, lodging before and after the vacation, two dinners, three lunches, any gratuities for Velo Echappe' staff, and any incidentals.

9. When does my Tour of Arizona Cycling Vacation end?
Your trip will end when we transfer you to the Tucson International Airport on the final day of your trip. Please make your departing flight later than 6 p.m. Thanks in advance for your cooperation!

10. How do I transport my bike on my flight?
We recommend the Bike Pro Travel Case. You can visit Bike Pro USA online and view their entire selection. After you have found the case that you want, please call us at 402.345.7445 for special discounted pricing.

11. What should I bring on the vacation?
Off the bike, Velo Echappe's programs are casual. Informal polo shirts, one sweater, pullover, jeans, khakis, shorts, and slacks are all very appropriate. In addition, please bring a swimsuit.

For your cycling, you should bring your bike, cycling shoes, plenty of cycling socks, extra cleats, padded cycling shorts or bibs, cycling jerseys, arm and leg warmers, light jacket, cycling gloves, 1 long sleeve cycling jersey, poly-pro under garments for layering,  cool weather jacket, fleece pullover, 3-4 bike tubes, sunglasses, waterbottles, drink mix, preferred gels and energy bars, and sunscreen.