“General Tour Information”
- Leadership
Simply stated, we believe our tour leaders are the heart and soul of Timberline. These very special men and women are chosen by Timberline, not only for their obvious love of cycling and hiking and the outdoors, but also because of their caring manner, competence and enthusiasm, and their desire to share some extraordinary experiences with a wide variety of people and personalities over the course of a season. Approximately 60 percent of our staff are returnees from prior seasons and several have been a part of the Timberline family since our earliest days.
Two leaders will be assigned to each group. In addition to extensivecyclotouring and hiking experience, each leader will have completed a leadership training course and will have received certification in first aid and CPR. Our bicycle tour leaders are competent bicycle mechanics and will be equipped to assist with repairs and maintenance.
- Tour Assembly / Van Shuttles
All tour assembly locations are clearly indicated in each tour description and all are served by commercial airlines and other forms of publictransportation.
Timberline will provide transfers to and from transportation facilities at all tour assembly locations during the day prior to, and immediately following the conclusion of each tour. Certain locations may not be as economically attractive as other nearby locations. For example, airfares to Denver, Calgary and Las Vegas are far more attractive without additional connections beyond those points to Aspen, Banff and St. George. In these instances, shuttle service will be available between those major terminals and tour assemblysites. Cost increments for this service are indicated in tour descriptions where applicable.
All cycling tours will depart early-morning on the day of departure and returnby late-afternoon of the tour's final day. Participants are urged to planter arrival at tour assembly locations for cycling tours not later than the day prior to tour departure. All tours will be preceded by an orientation dinner that evening. Although lodging that night is not included in the tour package cost, we can arrange accommodations upon request.
Hiking programs assemble early-afternoon of the departure date and conclude by late-afternoon of the tour's final day. Participants can schedule arrival at assembly locations for hikes by noon of the departure date, or, of course, anytime during the day prior to departure.
We suggest contact with our office prior to finalizing travel plans, particularly if a van shuttle will be needed between a transportation terminal and tour assembly location.
- Support Van/Support on Tour
All cycle tours will be supported by a motor vehicle (sag wagon), specially equipped to carry as many as 16 bicycles, 15 passengers and a trailer for luggage. The vehicle will transport cyclists' luggage to each overnight destination and will accompany the group on the road each day to provide assistance and support, including a ride for any weary traveler.
We encourage everyone to cycle at his or her own pace and we anticipate that our groups will spread out along the route during the course of the day. Each cyclist can rely upon contact by our van at approximate 1-1/2 hour intervals. Another leader is on the road near the rear of the group. Both road and van leaders are equipped with tools and first aid equipment to deal with most situations that potentially may arise in the course of a day's ride. The van, particularly, is equipped with a wide range of tools and spare parts, sufficient to ensure that most mechanical problems are nothing more than a minor annoyance and not a traumatic catastrophe.
The van will be utilized for trail head shuttles and transport of luggage for hiking programs, but obviously will not accompany the group on the trail during each day's hike. Two Timberline leaders will hike with the group, not only to provide any assistance that may be needed along the way, but also to offer interpretive substance that hopefully will enhance each hiker's enjoyment and appreciation of the experience.
- Group Size and Composition
Tour groups will range in size between 8 and 20 participants, although Mountain Bikers and Hikes will be limited to a maximum of 12. Participants should be 15 years of age or older, unless traveling with a parent or other responsible adult.
The majority of tour participants fall within the 25-55 age range, although we’ve had many both older and younger. Our groups generally are comprised of a reasonably even mix of singles and couples, males and females.
- Orientation Dinner
Tour departure dates are as listed for each tour. The Timberline cycling experience, however, actually begins the evening prior to departure with a pre-tour orientation dinner. In addition to energizing you with ample calories for the trip ahead, we'll use this time to check out equipment, fill you in on what's planned, answer any questions and just have a good time. Theseorientation gatherings will precede all tours in the location in which thattour assembles. Complete details will be included among the packet of materialssent to participants following registration.
Our initial dinner on the departure date for all hiking programs will includean orientation session for these groups.
- Accommodations
Our cycling and hiking days are exciting and exhilarating, but we believethat your evenings on tour will be equally memorable. We have arranged lodgingalong the way that will enhance your appreciation and enjoyment of the regionthrough which we tour.
We'll overnight in several of the historic inns that we encounter alongour many routes and spend other evenings in the excellent accommodationsoffered by a variety of inns and mountain lodges that are marked by thecharacteristic warmth and hospitality of the West. Most of these lodgesoffer swimming pools, hot tubs, saunas and other amenities necessary to sootheany lingering memories of that day's mountain ascent.
A special word is in order concerning the lodging that has come to characterizea Timberline tour through our national parks. We believe that an essentialfeature of a visit to a national park is the experience of spending overnightsin the magnificent hotels and lodges that constitute an integral elementin the lore and fascination of these regions. For example, in Yellowstoneand Grand Teton, we'll overnight in the Old Faithful Inn, Mammoth Springsand Lake Yellowstone Hotels and the Jackson Lake Lodge. In Glacier, ourovernights include the Lake McDonald and Glacier Park Lodges and Many Glacierand Prince of Wales Hotels. In Mesa Verde, it's the beautiful Far View Lodgeand in Rainier, the Paradise Inn.
Standard lodging accommodations are included in the cost of all tours forevery night on tour. Not included in the cost of the tour package is lodgingfor the nights prior to, and following the conclusion of the tour. We canarrange lodging for you for those evenings upon request. Standard accommodationsconsist of two persons per room with your choice of one double bed (generallyqueen or king-sized), or two single beds. For participants traveling solo,we'll pair singles of the same sex as roommates. If we are unable to do so, there is no single surcharge. Single occupany rooms, though, areavailable at an additional cost.
- Meals
In our many years of cycling and hiking throughout the West, we've discoveredthe secret that motivates our guests to commit their vacations to the wondersof human-powered travel. Few pursuits in life offer the opportunity, andthe need to consume enormous quantities of food with impunity as do cyclingand hiking. We at Timberline are not about to squander such a fantasticopportunity.
We consider our meals on tour to be an integral and essential aspect of ouroverall touring experience. We may joke about quantity-we're often thankfulfor the next day's climb to burn away some of the previous evening'scalories. But we never joke about quality and our meals will always rankhighly among your fondest recollections of a Timberline tour.
The tour package cost includes all breakfasts and dinners (all meals forMountain Bikers and Hikes) while on tour. A varied menu is available at allmeals to accommodate virtually every dietary preference and need.
Although we provide lunches on Mountain Bikers and Hikes, (cafes and groceriesare few and far between in the backcountry), we do not do so on road tours.Our touring philosophy encourages cyclists to ride at their own pace,without the need to be at a certain place at a certain time for lunch.Instead, at our morning meetings, we'll point out the various lunch alternatives,which may include restaurants, groceries and some thoughts on special sitesfor a secluded picnic along that particular day's route.
Tour Departure and Termination
All cycling tours, both road and mountain bike, depart from assembly locations early morning of Day 1. Guests should plan arrivals at assembly locations not later than the evening prior to tour departure. Note that pre-tour orientation dinners will be held on the evening prior to tour departure.
Hiking programs assemble late-afternoon of Day 1 and orientation dinners are planned for that first evening. Guests for hiking programs should plan their arrival at assembly locations not later than 1:00 p.m. of Day 1
All tours will conclude by late afternoon of the final day, although times vary according to tour. If you plan to travel on the day the tour concludes, we recommend that you contact Timberline to determine whether a particular travel connection is workable.
In the event of cancellation by a participant, all monies paid toward a trip registration will be refunded with the exception of a $50 cancellation fee, provided that written notification of such cancellation is received by Timberline not later than 45 days prior to tour departure. In the event of cancellation less than 45 days, but more than 21 days prior to tour departure, only those funds in excess of the initial deposit will be refunded. No refunds will be granted for cancellations received less than 21 days prior to tour departure.
Timberline reserves the right to cancel any tour for which less than eight persons have registered, provided that registrants are notified of such cancellation not less than 30 days prior to that tour's departure. In the event of such cancellation, participants may transfer to another tour or receive a full refund at their option.
Refunds constitute full settlement in the event of cancellation of a tour; Timberline is not responsible for non-refundable airfares.
Lodging for the nights prior to departure and following the tour's conclusion is not included in the tour package cost. Upon request (see Brochure), Timberline can reserve pre-tour and post-tour lodging at an lodge near our points of departure and return.
Reservations/Deposits/Payments
Reservations can be made by completing the Registration Form in the brochure and mailing it to the address indicated on the form. Reservations must be accompanied by a deposit of $300 per person; full payment of the remaining balance must follow not later than 30 days prior to the tour's departure. Call the office and a registration form can be faxed to you immediately.
A bicycle that is properly conditioned is essential. Bring your own bicycle or rent one of our Trek 21-speed touring or hybrid (upright handlebars) road bikes, or off-road mountain bikes. All rental bicycles are equipped with touring saddles, water bottles, toe clips, rear pannier rack and rack-top pack, and handlebar bag at a cost of $100 per tour. We urge all cyclists to wear helmets, which are available for use at no charge. Rental bicycles and helmets will be available at all tour locations, but must be reserved in advance.
The following discounts apply to groups registering for the same tour: 4-7 persons-5%; 8 or more persons-10%. Persons registering for more than one tour during the course of a season qualify for 5% discounts applicable to each tour. "Returning vets" (i.e. those who have cycled with Timberline in prior seasons) qualify for the following discounts: 1 prior tour-5%; 2 or more tours-10%. Total applicable discounts may not exceed 10%.
Trip cancellation insurance provides reimbursement for non-refundable airfares and tour deposits should you have to cancel a tour due to personal or family illness or accident. That insurance also can provide reimbursement for non-refundable airfares should we cancel a tour. Insurance information will be included in your post-registration packet.
Upon receipt of your registration, we will send a full packet of information, including suggestions concerning recommended clothing and other gear, comments about the weather you might expect on tour, some tips on physical conditioning, along with additional information about the tour, airport transfers, van shuttles, pre- and post-tour lodging confirmations, and our pre-tour orientation dinner.