Frequently Asked Questions
I have never ridden a gravel bike. Does this matter?
We have different types of trips. Some are for advanced riders, others are for people just starting the journey. With us, you can grow in the adventure, the experience and work step by step toward the ultimate adventures or stay at a certain level you feel comfortable with. You may have to carry or push your bike on some short sections, but that's part of the DirtyDropbars experience.
Do I need insurance?
Yes you will need insurance to cover you during the trip that covers you for personal liability, injury and personal goods. If you are coming from abroad make sure healthcare cover is included on top of the European health insurance card or equivalent. We are happy to help you with insurance recommendations, please just drop us an email to talkdirty@dirtydropbars.com for more information.
How do you choose your guides?
Our guides are carefully chosen based on their experience and local knowledge of each region to guarantee you an unforgettable adventure. We love to include local experts in our trips. They know the region like no other.
What happens if I become ill or I'm struggling one day?
Don't worry it’s not a problem and it happens to everyone, even the best, at some point! Our guides will be there to make sure you hydrate and eat properly each day to help avoid this, as well as manage your effort levels whilst riding.
In case of more serious difficulties:
On our Gastro Gravel trips, our base camp will never be too far and our support vehicle can come and pick you up at any time.
On our Explorer trips point-to-point routes, a support vehicle will be available to collect you as needed to help you recover. There’s also the possibility to shorten the routes in some places or to leapfrog some sections allow you to join the group a little further on.
What happens in the event of a puncture or other mechanicals?
Our guides will be able to repair small problems straight away. Their tips and advice can sometimes be useful when you get home too :) In the event of a more serious mechanical problems, spare parts will be available nearby in the support vehicle.
Is it possible to receive the routes in advance?
Detailed information will be sent to you 2-3 weeks before the start of the expedition.
We are regularly asked if we can share the GPX tracks of our expeditions. Unfortunately we can't for 2 reasons:
our expeditions include sections on private tracks for which we have obtained prior agreements with the local residents.
Furthermore, our tracks are built through partnerships with local experts and regional nature parks, which trust us to supervise our expeditions in a way that best preserves the natural areas.
What happens in case of bad weather?
To our regret we do not control the weather :) We’re able to help you find the proper gear for all weather.
Rain or bad weather can be part of the adventure. The important thing is to ride with the right equipment. Our ideal "packing list" to face any kind of weather will be sent to you one month before the departure of your expedition. We’re able to help you to find the proper gear for all weather.
How is my luggage transported?
For some trips your luggage will remain at the base camp, where you will sleep each evening. All the information is always on the destination page. For the explorer trips we bring your luggage from A to B. Due to remoteness you’ll have to carry it on some trips for some short sections. This is when we’re sleeping on a unique place which isn’t accessible with a car.
What type of accommodation will we stay in on the trips?
Recharging your batteries is essential after a day on the bike. Post ride you can relax at our base camps, hotels and guest houses. We have chosen them carefully for their comfort, tranquility, location and the quality of their food.
Some explorer trips include campspots., A lot of preparation went into this to offer you the most exclusive experience possible.
What about food, are all meals included?
Almost all included! Only lunch on arrival and departure days are not included as often people are still travelling.
During the expedition we guarantee delicious meals based as much as possible on locally sourced products and that have been carefully planned for a day in the saddle. On some explorer expeditions (ex Scotland) we provide freeze-dried meals supplemented with a variety of snacks and fresh foods. Given the remote and in to the wild, we cannot provide a restaurant here.
We have hearty breakfasts to fuel you for a days riding, delicious lunch stops with a mixture of picnics and local restaurants/refuges, and riding snacks as needed along the way
Each destination page explicitly states what is provided with food for that trip.
How many people are on each expedition?
Each expedition will be between 8 and 12 people depending on the destination and level of trip. We have small groups so that you can ride at your own pace more easily and so that it remains intimate for everyone. It also reduces our footprint and impact on the environment and allows you to feel part of the landscape. Bespoke anything is possible. of course the number of participants if under 8 affects the price per person
What if I have dietary requirements?
No problem! Just let us know at the time of booking on the booking form and we will make sure you are catered for.
How can I assess my level?
Each trip page describes the level in detail. If we work bespoke, we can offer any location at almost any level. And if you want even more information, don't hesitate to contact us directly by email at talkdirty@dirtydropbars.com so that we can help you choose the type of expedition or trip that will suit you best.
What happens if I really can't keep up or manage the riding?
We have no doubt that you will be able to ride and enjoy the route that we have carefully planned. However, occasionally it happens to all of us that we feel unwell and can't continue, and if this is the case:
On the Gastro Gravel trips the BaseCamp is never very far away and a support vehicle can come to assist you.
On our Explorer / BikePacking expeditions, which are point-to-point, our support vehicle can allow you to leapfrog the group and rejoin them further ahead, or take you to the destination for the day allowing you the time to rest and recover .
What is the average speed of your expeditions?
Our expeditions are adventures and journeys, not races. We start together and we finish together, it's the DirtyDropbars experience. Speed is overrated.
It is difficult to give a precise average speed as the surfaces make a big difference, as well as admiring the views! It all depends on the technicality and surface of the route.
If we work bespoke and you like to go fast and cover lots of distance each day, everything is possible.
How do I need to train myself before the expedition?
You are about to experience a DirtyDropbars journey. The territories we cross offer an environment that can sometimes be demanding depending on the weather conditions. We evolve in a mountainous landscape where the cumulative difference in altitude can vary depending on the type of expedition. We offer to coach you in the months before your trip as an option. This is not an obligation.
I really want to join a trip but I'm not sure I have the level or experience ...
We have al kind of levels of expeditions. These trips have been designed to enable as many people as possible to join one of our trips. Our expeditions are adventures and journeys, not races. We start together and we finish together, we share our journey and help each other to our destination.
If, however, you are still unsure, you can write to us at talkdirty@dirtydropbars.com and we will contact you to help you assess your level. We can also help you prepare for your adventure, just ask us.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel at any time before the start of the trip subject to payment of a cancellation fee. If the cancellation occurs:
More than 90 days prior to Departure => Receive a Refund of 75% of all payments already made (including deposits) OR a Trip Credit of 100%
Between 61 and 90 days prior to Departure => Receive a Refund of 50% of all payments already made (including deposits) OR a Trip Credit of 75%
Between 31 and 60 days prior to Departure => Receive a Refund of 25% of all payments already made (including deposits) OR a Trip Credit of 75%
30 days or less prior to Departure => No Refund OR Trip Credit of 50%
Please note that a Trip Credit cannot be converted to a refund at a later date.
To protect yourself against last minute cancellation, we advise you to subscribe to our cancellation insurance through our partner INVULLEN insurance, with a guarantee which also covers you in case of contracting the Covid-19. Please note that such insurance can only be subscribed within 48 hours following the order of your trip.
Important: the realisation of the trip is conditional on the registration of a minimum number of participants to guarantee the departure. We commit ourselves to confirm a trip at the latest 30 days before the departure date. In the event that the trip cannot take place because the minimum number of participants is not reached, you will be reimbursed for any sums paid but will not be entitled to any compensation. You will be informed by email whether or not a trip is confirmed.
Can I subscribe a cancellation insurance?
To protect yourself against last minute cancellation, we advise you to subscribe to our cancellation insurance through our partner insurance, with a guarantee which also covers you in case of contracting the Covid-19. Please note that such insurance can only be subscribed within 48 hours following the order of your trip.
We are happy to help you with insurance recommendations, please just drop us an email to talkdirty@dirtydropbars.com for more information.
Are all expeditions guaranteed for departure?
Expeditions are only guaranteed once we have received enough reservations to meet our minimum group size of 7 participants. As soon as we guarantee a destination, we will inform all participants who have already booked.
Bespoke: everything is possible as always.
When should I book my travel for the trip?
We recommend that you wait until the expedition is confirmed before booking your train or flight tickets.
When an expedition is confirmed it means the minimum number of participants have booked. We will let you know so that you can book the necessary tickets.
Until an expedition has been confirmed it isn't covered by our insurance so we highly recommend that you don't book any non refundable or modifiable travel. If we are unable to run an expedition due to a lack of numbers, unfortunately we are unable to refund any other travel costs incurred by you.
We commit to confirm the departure of our expeditions no later than 1 month in advance.
Can you help with travel bookings?
We can advise on the best and easiest travel arrangements for all of our expeditions or we can make the bookings for you.
We ask that you wait for final confirmation that the expedition will run before making any other bookings.
Do I really need a gravel bike?
Yes, our expeditions will go on paths and small roads where neither road bikes nor mountain bikes will be suitable.
You can bring your own gravel bike or hire one from ours. Our well equipped bikes with tubeless tires means a much lower risk of punctures and mechanical problems during your trip.
Each destination page explicitly states the minimum tires and gearing you need
Do I have to bring my own bikepacking kit?
yes you can but no need, we take care of everything!
We provide you with saddlebags, framebags or handlebar bags allowing you to take what you need for the day. And we also take care of transporting your overnight luggage most of the time. You find all the info on the destination page.
What hire bikes do you have?
You have the choice between a standard gravel bike. We work most of the time with 3T which is a reliable partner. You can find more information in each page of the tour you are interested in.
Do you have a packing list for what I will need on an expedition?
The complete list will be sent to you a few weeks before the departure of your expedition. Your always able to ask us to help you with the search for proper outdoor gear.
Do you organise bespoke trips for groups or corporate trips?
Yes, we would love to take you and your friends and/or colleagues on one of our expeditions. Please feel free to email us at talkdirty@dirtydropbars.com or find it on our B2B and Bespoke page for more details.