Here's the skinny on our camps. (If you have other questions, please don't hesitate to contact us!)
Why Camp (versus tour)?
Above all, it's your vacation!
Enjoy life!
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Camp evokes an image of a youthful carefree adventurous time away from daily life - the perfect image for your vacation. 'Camp' implies that we stay in one place (see location). We think your lives are busy enough without packing and unpacking every other day.
We like to settle into one place and unpack once. Isn't that what you prefer, too?
Are our camps for you?
- Are you seriously 'into' or passionate about cycling?
- Do you try to ride as much as you can?
- Are you 'reasonably' fit?
- Do you prefer to ride your own bike - rather than a rental?*
- Do you want to improve your bike handling and group riding skills?
- Do you read Velo-News, cyclingnews.com other cycling publications?
- Do you utilize step-in type pedals and shoes?
- Are you looking for an active, cycling vacation?
- Have you been to a camp or group tour before?
- Do you choose to enjoy life?
A 'yes' to at least 6 out of 10 questions probably means you will love what we do. Of course, your questions and concerns can be answered individually (info@bikecamp.com 303.442.2371). We have a very high 'return' rate - because we pay attention to details and to you!
* A limited number of bike rentals are available at Camp.
Connie & Davis: Dolomites 2008
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Connie Carpenter & Davis Phinney.
We try to be with the group at all Camps because we enjoy Bike Camp almost as much as you do!
Read more information on Connie or Davis. Please know that we try to be at each camp, however it is not always possible. Connie is usually at almost every day of every camp.
Client Profile
Who comes to bike camp?
Our clients are serious enthusiastic recreational cyclists. About one-third of our clients have raced; most are simply 'into' cycling. Cycling is a hobby, a passion, and a way of life.
Who comes to bike camp?
Vlad specializes in the Dolomites
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Our clients try to ride at least 100 miles per week during the summer, many ride much more, and some ride much less. Some clients have ridden seriously for years, or are just returning to cycling after a long hiatus. True neophytes are rewarded the most (the learning curve is steep).
Our clients range in age from 18 to 80, however the average age of our clients is between 35 and 55. Our return rate (clients who have attended before) is 10-25% of any given camp.
Group Size
The optimal group size varies per Camp, but in general expect 12-24 cyclists plus the staff. We have run large, raucous and fun camps of fifty.
We enjoy bringing like-minded cyclists together for a successful vacation experience. Many of our clients bond, becoming long-time friends and cycling compatriots.
Want to bring your family?
Contact us to determine if the Camp that interests you is 'kid-friendly' and to explore pricing options. In Italy, children are revered. We do not, however, recommend that you bring children under the age of 4 years. Independent, well-behaved children are generally quite welcome - especially since we often bring our two children (now 13 & 17).
Our Camp Goals
Our primary goal is your enjoyment (We respect the fact that you are on vacation!) and safety (our professional staff is dedicated to your success on and off the bike enabling you to hammer or relax - it's up to you). We provide you with the opportunity to be who you want to be in a friendly, fun and adventurous environment. We encourage you to reach your cycling goals while achieving balance in your life.
Location
Bike Camp turns you into a kid again...
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We choose cycling meccas for our camps and we typically 'unpack once,' which makes us a camp and not a tour. Locations are selected for cycling safety, diversity, enjoyment, and yes, also 'upon request.' Tuscany is the 'center of the world' for road cycling because of her roadways (scenic, relatively safe) and because road cyclists are respected and revered. If Tuscany is the center of the world, then the Dolomites represent heaven. No place on earth is more challenging or more fun for road cyclists, so it must be heaven. We love Italy for so many reasons: the food (!), the relaxed attitude, their devotion to cycling, and their genuine love of Americans.
We organize 'niche' camps for small groups (on demand) as well as for bike industry leaders like master framebuilder Ben Serotta and Velo-News technical writer Lennard Zinn.
Our recent foray in to Spain was a success, we – like you – enjoy expanding our range.
Who comes to Bike Camp?
Dale - 79 years old
celebrates 120 km with Dayna
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Daily Schedule
Great daily rides are the focus of each day. All camps begin late afternoon of the first day with a short ride if possible. Camp ends after breakfast on the last day, which generally gives us six days of solid riding. We ride 2-5 hours per day plus stops for refreshments or lunch.
Pricing
Our camps provide you with value. First of all, we tend to have more staff (guides, mechanics, soigneurs, medical support) than we need. This enhances the success of each camp. Hotels and Inns are selected for location and ambience above pricing and star-ratings. Family-run smaller Inns (usually less than 30 rooms) are preferred. We provide you with two meals per day in most cases (sometimes three). All camps are suitable for vegetarians (vegans are more difficult to accommodate). Food is plentiful, generally healthy and always 'authentic' to the region. Please let us know in advance if you have any food restrictions or food allergies.
3 amigos
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Currency Valuation Surcharge
We have kept our pricing very steady throughout the volatile introduction of the Euro. The Euro unfortunately has been relentlessly strong, and we have increased prices for 2008 significantly. In 2004, we added a surcharge due to the extraordinary value of the Euro as compared to the US dollar at our discretion and yes, after you have booked. We expect a rate of 1.40 euro to the dollar, if it's markedly higher - you can expect a surcharge of up to $250 added to your final payment. All of our pricing is in US dollars.
Bike Transportation
We recommend flying with your bike. Davis and Connie use soft padded cases, like the Pika or Bike Pro, because they are compressible on-site. Please take care when booking transfers to camp to insure that your connecting flight is on a big enough plane to manage your bike (ask at time of booking). Some flights, especially out of Munich, use smaller planes with small cargo holds.
We never recommend that you ship your bike to Italy. Not only is it very expensive, it is also extremely unreliable. Their customs and delivery systems are notoriously unreliable. Your bike will most assuredly be delayed & perhaps, indefinitely. The same is true for shipping home, many clients have been hit with tariffs (duty) on their own used equipment after paying a hefty fee for transport.
Most international air carriers do not charge for the bike (this is changing, for example Lufthansa now charges but United does not) if you check the bike plus one additional piece of luggage. Weight limits vary from 50-70 pounds, do check before you book & fly. Utilize your resources to find a good case: either a sturdy box from your local shop, a rented or borrowed case, or purchase a case. Contact Ron Kiefel at Wheatridge Cyclery (ron@ridewrc.com) for ideas or to order a case. Or buy directly from Pika Pack Works (mark@pikapackworks.com).
For Europe, you must bring a 'single' case (sorry, but oversized hard cases are too large to accommodate and will be assessed a surcharge). Call us if you are unsure about this.
Staff
Our professional staff varies from Camp to Camp but includes former racers, avid cyclists, physicians who ride, local experts, mechanics, and local shop owners. Everyone on our staff is committed to your success and possessed with not only great cycling and people skills but with a good sense of humor! YES!
Booking
 Mary Rachel Shomaker is the voice of Bike camp. She knows Bike Camp, she's worked with us for several years and continues to handle the day to day booking details of the bike camp. She has traveled with bike camp and knows and understands our clients as well as our locations.
Mary Rachel handles all camp booking requests and signups (including deposit and final payment). 303.442.2371 is the Bike camp line.
Sign Up
Once you sign up, a followup email correspondence begins that will help prepare you for bike camp. The bulk of our correspondence is via Email.
Release of Liability is granted by you on sign up (upon reading waiver on the registration page). However, we may also request you sign a release of liability prior to camp.
Cancellation/Refunds
Our cancellation policy is stringent and unwavering: Your $500.00 deposit (Domestic) or $1000 (International) is nonrefundable. Full payment is due 90 days prior to trip start. No refunds granted within 45 days of trip start. From 45-90 days, 50% of total paid less deposit will be refunded. New in 2008, we are including TravelGuard trip insurance should you be forced to cancel due to illness, injury or other covered reason (see brochure for full coverage). This does not cover your airfare, only the Camp portion of the trip.
We reserve the right to cancel any camp if fewer than 10 participants are signed up within 60 days of trip start, in which case, all tuition funds will be returned including the deposit. We are however not responsible for your booked flights.
Trip Insurance
Your TravelGuard policy will include some medical evacuation insurance. However, another option worth considering is to purchase an annual air evacuation insurance policy, which is not trip cancellation insurance - visit airambulancecard.com to review this product. We carry this for our family.
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