What are the hotels like ?
Bike Switzerland offers luxury without pretension. Our Standard Tour hotels are all normally 3 or
4 star quality, typically Swiss and located in magnificent settings. We realize that your
accommodations are an extremely important part of your experience and we've gone out of our
way to find some great places to stay. For our independent tours we try to use the same hotels as we do in our guided tours. This is not usually a problem, but when we are unable to do this, we always find you a hotel of the same quality.
The only hotel that is different on our independent tours is on Day 4 of our Lite Tour. We normally put our independent guests in a very nice hotel in the center of Murten to give them time to explore the medievel city. Our guided tour stays in a chateau outside of town, which can be a little desolate if you are not in a group. However, we can put you here if you request it. You will find pictures of hotels with descriptions for each
day of the tour on the website. 
What about the bike ? Two possibilities: use ours or bring your own. Our 21-speed Swiss BMC hybrids have smooth
tires on 26 inch wheels, they weigh ten kilos and are built to handle our route’s terrain. Our bikes
come with a handlebar bag, pump, tube, repair kit, bottle cage, bell, and spd compatible
pedals. We'll also put on a GPS with the complete route and all of its turns . These are beautiful bikes which retail for $2,000.
We also understand that many cyclists are attached to their own bicycles. It is normally possible
to fly your bike from the United States or Canada as a piece of luggage, so long as it is properly
packed. Check with your airline to see if there is an extra charge as policies are always changing.
If you do bring your own bicycle for a standard tour, we’ll assemble it and make adjustments at
no extra charge. Cyclists bringing their own bicycles do not receive a discount on the price of the
tour, however.
Cyclists should also be aware that we encounter around 50 kilometers of gravel. This gravel is
hardpacked and easy to manage, but not suited for road bikes. One piece of advice that guests
often give future riders: "Leave your bike at home. Bike Switzerland's bikes are great for the
itinerary".
Do I need to bring anything for the bike ? Some riders choose to bring their own seat for optional comfort. Otherwise, our bicycles come
with double sided pedals (flat on one side and SPD on the other), so riders not comfortable with
these pedals (or using another system) may bring their own.
What if I have serious mechanical problems ?
If you’re doing an independent bicycle tour, then you’re expected to be able to repair a flat and make the
kind of minor adjustments which may be needed on a week long ride. That said, all of your bikes
are completely cleaned and serviced after each ride, so there shouldn’t be any problems.
In the event of something more serious (for example, a bent rim resulting for a fall), give us a call
and we will direct you to the nearest bike shop and even call a taxi for you. In this unlikely event,
you would assume the costs of repairs, etc..
What if I get lost ? You'll certainly take a wrong turn or two, but you'll be fine. You'll have a bicycle GPS system, a set of maps, a telephone and the route is sign-posted at almost every turn.
But I don't know how to use a GPS.
That's fine. You may not even use it. However, we'll be spending 2 or 3 hours with you the day before the briefing to make sure you feel comfortable with the GPS, maps and itinerary. Can you tell me more about the GPS ?
We have an entire document devote to our GPS which can be found here. What do I need to bring ?
We'll send you a complete packing list 4-5 weeks before your ride. As for your bike gear, we supply handlebar bags, seat-post bags, lock, repair kit, pump and bike tools. If you plan on coming back through Geneva, we can also loan you a helmet. Do the independent bicycle tours include meals ?
No, they do not. A cheap meal in a restaurant will cost around 20 francs. Most of our hotels have a restaurant which offer a ½ board option and this is usually around 30 Chf. We can inform the hotels that you are planning to take ½ board and you would pay the hotel directly before checking out. A more lavish meal outside the hotel with several courses and a bit of wine or beer will cost around 50 francs. I'd like to add a hiking day. Is this possible ?
Yes. If you're doing the Challenge Tour, we can store your bicycle in Interlaken and reserve your hotel in Wengen which is right on the hiking paths of the Jungfrau region. Riders doing the Lite Route can also have a hiking day in Solothurn.
I'd like to add a day or two to the itinerary to explore the region.
No problem. We can make suggestions if you like. We will calculate the cost pro-rata. What do I do with the bicycle at the end of the tour ?
You'll drop it off at the train station and it will be shipped back to Geneva. No worries. Do you have special prices for children ?
Yes, children 16 and under receive the standard independent tour at ½ price.
The following conditions apply:
• Children must share a room with their parents.
• There must be at least one adult for each child on the trip.
• Children must share suitcase with their parents, or two children must share one suitcasefor luggage transfers.
Do you have special prices for groups ?
Yes. We can arrange special discounts/prices beginning with groups of 5 adult riders.
General Questions
What is Bike Switzerland ?
We're small group of educators living in Geneva, Switzerland. Our goal is to help cyclists discover Switzerland. We work in close collaboration with local Swiss authorities and establishments to provide our guests with an authentic Swiss biking experience. How long have you been doing tours ? We did our first tour in 2004. The summer of 2009 will be our sixth year. How long is the ride ? Where do we go ?
Both our trips cross Switzerland. The Swiss Crossing Lite has 8 days of biking while TheChallenge has 7 longer days of biking. Both tours start in Geneva and end in Rorschach. TheChallenge covers approximately 600 kilometers (373 miles) while The Lite covers around 450kilometers with practically no climbing. Both routes cross Switzerland from West to East on national bike routes. The Challenge will take us through lake and alpine regions, while The Litewill stick to the meadows and valleys with the mountains always nearby.
On both routes we spend nights in major cities, small villages and countryside lodgings. You will average 55 kilometers/35 miles on the Swiss Crossing Lite and around 85 kilometers/55 miles onThe Challenge.
Is The Challenge ride too difficult for me ?
While Switzerland is full of mountains, The Challenge sticks primarily to the valleys. Some ofthis riding, however, is quite steep and demands endurance. Riders averaging 1,000 or more miles a year should have no problem, but will enjoy the challenge. Less experienced riders who are “allergic” to moderate climbing should do the Lite Route.
My spouse would love to come, but (s)he doesn't bike.
No problem. Non-riding spouses will have a wonderful trip: riding the train, hiking the hills, shopping in the villages and relaxing at the hotel. We do give non-riding spouses a discount, but we do offer them a special train pass which allows them to buy ½ price tickets for their entire trip. Where does the tour start ? How do I get there ?
All of our tours start in Geneva. We encourage participants to make their own travel arrangements over the internet since this is the cheapest alternative. If you're thinking of travelling before or after the tour, we'd be happy to talk to you about the possibilities and make suggestions. I plan to do some travelling after the tour. Do I need to come back to Geneva.
No. And since the last night in Geneva is included in the price of your tour, we'll refund you $100 per person. Do I need to wear a helmet ?
No, but we recommend it.. In Europe, you will seldom see a cyclist on the road without one. We do have our own helmets that we can loan one if you don't care to pack your own. When is the best time to do a tour ? What is the weather like ?
Some people imagine that Switzerland is as cold as Alaska, but this is far from the truth. In the plain, temperatures can rise to 30ºC (86ºF) in the summer, and even in the mountains the sun is hot. In the winter, temperatures rarely drop below minus 5ºC (41ºF) in the entire country. It seldom snows in Swiss cities.
The mountains, of course, are another story. It is very common to move from a cold, cloudy and rainy landscape to a beautiful clear blue sky with hot sun in just a few minutes.
Still, if you want to shoot for the best weather without being the high tourist season, then you should try for June, September and May (in that order). October can be lovely with Indian summers, but it is a risk. That said, there is always the risk of heavy rain and in the mountains (challenge tour) temperatures could get quite cold even in July. Can I put my bike on a train if I get tired ? How does that work ?
Our tour goes by various train stations 2-4 times each day. Riders would therefore be able to take the train should they want to shorten the day's mileage. During the orientation, guests will be shown how to put their bikes on the train and how to purchase tickets. How do I sign up? Tell me about the deposit.
Go to the "Sign up" page (under "Join Us") to begin the process. You'll choose the tour, fill-out an on-line application, and pay a $500 deposit to reserve a space on our ride. If you are going through your bike shop or bike club, your deposit should be paid through the individual in charge. Otherwise you can reserve your trip with a check payable to
John Klemme /
Bike Switzerland
19948 C12
Hawarden, Iowa
51023, USA
Credit cards are accepted through our site.
You will be notified by email or telephone when your payment is received. When is the balance due ?
The balance for your trip is due three months before Day One of your trip. Again, the balance can be paid by check, credit card or bank transfer. Your balance should include any extras that you'll be needing (insurance, extra night in Geneva, etc.)
Once we receive your final balance, we will send a packing list and general information about our tour. What if I change my mind ?
If you change your mind three months before Day One of your trip, you will receive a full refund on your deposit minus $200. For example, if your tour begins on August 3rd, you would need to cancel your tour on or before May 3rd. What if I change my mind later ?
Should you decide to cancel, and if there is a waiting list, Bike Switzerland will simply transfer your tour to a different person(s) of our choice and there will be an administrative charge of $100. If there is not a waiting list for your ride, we will apply the following refunds.
1. Each person cancelling more than 90 days before Day One of the tour will forfeit $200 of their deposit.
2. Each person cancelling 61-90 days before Day One of the tour will forfeit their deposit.
3. Persons cancelling 31-60 days before Day One of the tour will receive a refund minus 50% of the trip price.
4. Persons cancelling 30 days or less before Day One will receive no refund.
5. In order to avoid loss of funds, riders may choose to transfer their ride to another person of their choice for an administrative fee of $200 dollars. Such a transfer must be made at least 30 days before the tour unless special permission is granted. Bike Switzerland reserves the right to refuse any such transfer if the participant substituted is deemed unacceptable for any reason.
Do you offer insurance ?
Yes. We offer Swiss-based emergency medical insurance. This insurance costs $100 and will give you 10,000 Swiss Francs of coverage over a 14-day period. This is ACCIDENT insurance and it covers evacuation and medical costs that would be directly related to the trip (bikeaccident, pulled-muscles, sprains, heat stroke). Pre-existing medical conditions are not covered.Medical expenses resulting from strenous activity (heart attack, would therefore not be covered. General sickness: cold, flu, etc. are not covered.
There are lots of different kinds of insurance available (trip cancellation, lost luggage, flight delay, etc). If you're interested we suggest that you check out Travel Guard International. Do you have a liability policy ?
Yes. Bike Switzerland is not liable for bodily injury or property damage as a result of (but not limited to) participants' physical exertion. Bike Switzerland is also not liable for property damage or bodily damage as a result of forces of nature; travel by plane, train, auto, bike, boat or other transportation. Bike Switzerland is not liable for accidents caused by consumption of alcoholic beverages; civil unrest; terrorism; breakdown of equipment; high altitude; lack of or limited access to medical attention in remote locations; and the adequacy of medical attention once provided. Bike Switzerland is also not liable for expenses not specified as included in the trip, but which may be required to get to or from a trip start or end. Bike Switzerland reserves the right to make route and hotel modifications as necessary for the comfort and safety of participants. Bike Switzerland may take photographs or make film records of its trips for promotional and commercial use, as well as approving such use by third parties without financial remuneration.
Is there anything else that I should know ?
Again, Bike Switzerland believes in being very clear about policy so that there are no eventual misunderstandings. For this reason, please note the following:
• Participants arriving late or leaving early receive no refunds or rebates unless agreed uponbeforehand.
• Single supplements are considered as part of the trip price and are therefore subject tocancellation fees.
• Bike Switzerland reserves the right to make route and hotel changes if necessary.
• In the very exceptional case of Bike Switzerland cancelling a trip due to low enrolment,participants will receive a full refund of all payments received to date.
• If Bike Switzerland cancels a trip because of natural disaster, terrorism or civil unrest,participants will receive a full refund.
Participants must sign the Release of Liability form and the Assumption of All risks and Arbitration Agreement.
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