Frequently Asked Questions

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We have different levels of guided tours each day, so we do our best to offer you a ride that is similar to the level that you ride at home. However, we think that you will get maximum joy out of riding here if you come prepared before arriving. While we have varied terrain in our area, we also have lots of hills. There is no one way to prepare to ride in Italy, but we suggest that you have some base miles and to the extent available in your area, ride some hills!

Depending upon where you are used to riding we may have some different traffic rules, and perhaps a different riding style as well. For instance, many of our roads make use of roundabouts to keep traffic flowing, and cyclists must remain in the flow of traffic with cars in a roundabout.

We also ride on some narrow roads, so it is important to keep to the right, and be aware. Our guides know the proper and safe way to ride on our roads, so you should follow their lead. Before the ride, they will review hand signals and any things about the route that you should know. In Italy, cyclists are common on the roads, and cars are used to sharing the road with cyclists, but also expect cyclists to ride responsibly and with the flow of traffic. Always pay attention, follow your guide’s lead, and use caution as you would on any public road.

From 2021 the front and back lights on the bike have become compulsory.

Consider that one of the things that makes Garda Bike hotel one of the best bike hotels in Italy is our guided tours. People from all over the world enjoy the experience and time with our guides. We highly recommend our special guided tours to all cycling guests because we think that if you ride unguided you may miss 80% of the beauty that the area around Lake Garda has to offer.

If you are not familiar with our cycling area you may unknowingly encounter:

• very busy roads;
• potentially dangerous main roads;
• secondary roads in a poor state of repair;
• very steep, challenging climbs;
• some very dangerous descents;
• find yourself lost in the middle of nowhere;
• THE HOTEL DOES NOT PROVIDE GUEST AND BIKE PICK-UP SERVICE.

If you cannot ride the bike back to the hotel, and don’t have other means of transportation, you will have to call a taxi.

No. A medical certificate is only required for people participating in a Granfondo.

During our peak cycling season (May, June, July, September) when we have many cycling guests, we offer 3 levels of rides. During quieter periods, we may offer 1 or 2 ride options, but will do our best to ensure that each cycling guest rides in an appropriate paced group. On any given day you may join a slower paced group, if you choose.

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Groups are formed dependent upon the number of cycling guests and their fitness level, but usually not more than 10 per group.

It depends upon the route and the riding level of the guests. Sometimes there are 2 guides even for a small group.

This is an exclusive package with a private guide who can design rides for you at your level and based upon how you want to spend your time riding. You may be a leisurely rider who wants to incorporate sightseeing or gourmet experiences into the ride, or you may be a very fast rider who does not want to make too many stops along the route as part of a group. You can tell us your style and we can design the trip for you.

With the all-inclusive package you will ride in a group made up of other hotel guests from anywhere in the world.  This is not a private ride.  It’s important to select the right level group to join (we offer up to 3 levels) so that you are riding with people somewhat equal to your own ability.  We try to keep the group together as much as possible during the ride.  Your cycling holiday will be more enjoyable when you feel comfortable with the pace and handling skills (climbing, descending, merging with traffic, etc.) of the group you are with.  There are usually 2-3 breaks during the ride,n and you’ll be back around mid-afternoon.

The Private package offers individuals the chance to ride at their selected pace, and duration. It is a great option for leisurely paced guests who find it difficult to keep up in the group rides, or for serious cyclists who like to ride long and hard, and may want to do more than the group ride. Private rides are great for small groups (max 4-5 people). The guide can tailor each day’s ride to your preferences for ride length, amount of climbing, etc.  Because you are in a smaller, private group, you’ll have more flexibility to stop along the way for some sightseeing, picture taking, etc. or not stop at all if that is what you prefer.

A van will follow on the more difficult rides, more than 100 km and with significant climbing (ex. Monte Baldo, Tremosine). Private tours can request a support van as part of their customized package.

Usually not. On occasion we might do a special ride to a wine cellar or an alpine hut where we can have lunch, and you’ll know this in advance. However, we always provide sandwiches/bananas to take with you, and you’ll have one or two stops on the ride to buy food and beverages.

In case of a serious breakdown, we have a service to come and get you (there is a charge if it is your own bike, but free if the bike is one of our rentals). Your guide will arrange for you to be picked up.

You can join the group rides any day of the week.

Each day a different ride is planned. Some routes will take you over rolling hills, others will have you climbing a bit, and some days you will conquer the mountains in our area. One day we might take a ferry across the lake, another day you will ride through Verona, and another day you may stop at a wine cellar for a tour and tasting. Each day you ride will offer you different terrain, different sights, and a different experience. While we have a general plan for each day, we publish the actual route the night before, in order to give consideration to the weather, special events in the area, and to the needs of our cyclists.

The Bike Manager or the guides may decide to cancel or change a ride because of poor riding conditions caused by the weather. They will base their decision on safety concerns. If there is “light” rain, we may decide to ride, but will change the route to ride along our cycle path to either Borghetto (50km) or to Mantova (90km).

These are flatter rides, with low traffic and no real climbs or descents. Sometimes we postpone the ride until later in the day, if it appears that there will be improvement in the weather conditions. If this occurs, we will alter the scheduled route, and modify the length of the ride along with the amount of climbing that was planned. If the weather is bad and the forecast does not call for improvement later in the day, the guides or the bike manager will cancel the ride. 

As an alternate activity, we can provide a transfer service with our van, to a destination selected by the bike manager, after consulting with the majority of cyclists. Departure and return times will be determined in advance and will be fixed. Public transportation is available for anyone that wants to depart late or leave early.

In the event that we have to cancel a ride, no refunds will be provided for the tour.  However, we will provide a credit for the bike rental for the day of the cancelled ride.

We have carefully planned our routes, which are meant to be ridden with a local guide. Our guides will take you on secondary and lesser known, lightly traveled roads to avoid traffic and busy areas. However, traffic may be encountered on our roads leading in and out of the hotel, on the way to our route. As you would at home, pay attention, use caution and follow all safety rules when riding on roads with traffic.