1. When does my California Wine Country and Coast Cycling Vacation begin?

We will meet all guests on the first day of the trip at the Hotel Vitale ( 8 Mission Street) with scheduled departure at 8:30 am for the Wine Country. Guests will need to be dressed in their cycling clothes and ready to ride. If you would like to make a reservation at the Hotel Vitale for the night prior (highly recommended), please let us know as we have a group block of rooms with a discounted rate.

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2. What gears should I plan on using and can I ship my bike?
The rides on this vacation range from 35 - 70 miles and the terrain varies from hilly to mountainous climbs. Thus, unless you are a Category I or II racer or live in the mountains and can climb like a billy goat, you should have a triple /compact crank on the front and, at the minimum, a 26 or 27-tooth cog on the rear for your largest gear. Please follow these gear ratios 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, 2 picnic lunches, 3 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 California Wine Country is wonderful throughout both the spring and the fall! Temperatures range from the mid-60's in the mornings to the mid-70's in the afternoons. The evenings are quite pleasant and a bit cooler in the mountains 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 riders maximum. We are keeping the group level small to insure that everyone gets the needed attention during their vacation.

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

• 4 nights of accommodations at Velo Echappe' selected luxury properties.
• All breakfasts, 2 picnic lunches, 3 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 35 - 70 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.
• Wine Tasting with wine experts.
• Professional Velo Echappe Cycling Jersey.
• 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 San Francisco International Airport, extra lunches, lodging before and after the vacation, one dinner, 2 lunches, any gratuities for Velo Echappe' staff, and any incidentals.

9. When does my California Wine Country and Coast Cycling Vacation end?
Our trip ends at the Hotel Vitale ( 8 Mission Street) between 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm on the final day. Guests can choose to remain for an extra night with a discounted rate in our room block. We will shuttle guests to the San Francisco International Airport at 5:00 pm. Please note that if you'll be flying out of San Francisco International Airport on the last day of your trip, you should schedule your flight arrangements for after 7:30 pm. Thanks!

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, rain jacket, cycling gloves, enclosed gloves in case it rains, 1 long sleeve cycling jersey, poly-pro under garments for layering, waterproof booties in case it rains, cool weather jacket, fleece pullover, 3-4 bike tubes, sunglasses, waterbottles, drink mix, preferred gels and energy bars, and sunscreen.