What time does the tour start?
All training tours start at 8.00am, from Hobart (4 or 10 day) or Launceston (6 day).

What time does the tour finish:
All tours finish on their final day in either Hobart (6 or 10 day) or Launceston (4 day) at approximately 4pm.

What does the price include?
The tour package is all inclusive except for dinners. All accommodation, luggage transfers, meals and plenty of snacks throughout the day are included. All you need to do is bring your bike and ride! Leave the rest to us, for the true Pro-Team experience.

What sort of food should I expect?
All meals and snacks are provided throughout your tour. Emphasis is placed on healthy food, suitable for the long hours you will spend in the saddle. As cyclists ourselves, we realise how important nutrition is on a training ride such as this. Lunch each day will be a picnic at a scenic spot along the road, with rolls, fruit, and hot and cold drinks. There will also be a selection of snack and energy food (muesli bars, fruit bars, fruit, sweets and drinks) available for you to take on the ride, to avoid the dreaded hunger knock.
Fuel up each morning with a hearty breakfast of cereal, toast, eggs, fruit, juice and tea or coffee.

Sample Menu
Breakfast buffet: three types of cereal, skim and full cream milk (soy available - ask in advance; white, multigrain and wholemeal bread for toast, butter and margarine, spreads such as peanut butter, vegemite, jams, nutella; fruit juices, tea and coffee, fresh fruit. Every second day you'll get a hot selection with eggs, bacon, tomatoes and mushrooms.

Lunch: make your own salad roll with fillings such as three types of meat, tuna, lettuce, tomato, mushroom, cheese, capsicum, coleslaw, beetroot; with bread rolls, mountain bread, rice and corn thins; fresh fruit, sweet things such as chocolate, lamingtons, cake, lollies; tea and coffee; variety of soups; occasional hot dish.

Dinner: Choice of three dishes - pasta with soup and bread, meat and vegetables; fish with chips and salad etc.

What sort of places do we stay?
Accommodation is in shared 3.5 star motels/hotels with private facilities in each room. A list of these accommodation places will be available in the trip notes information kit you receive a few weeks prior to departure. We usually get a row of rooms together, on the bottom floor if possible, or at least with a lift, and each room has a private bathroom, tv, and tea and coffee making facilities. Some places we stay will have internet connections for those that need to keep up to speed with business or current affairs.

I will fly in the day before the tour starts and out the day after it finishes, where should I stay?:
We can assist with your travel plans by booking your accommodation in either Hobart or Launceston and add it to the tour price at the time of booking. This way, all participants will end up in the same hotel, you can take advantage of a good price using our purchasing power, and you don't have to go far to start the tour the following morning. However, it's totally up to you where you stay before and after the tour.

How does my luggage get from place to place:
On the morning of departure, you'll be riding right from the start, so you'll need to be dressed for cycling, with your bags packed. 1 suitcase or backpack will travel in the trailer and is generally not accessible throughout the day. So bring a day bag with stuff you'll need throughout the day and it will travel in the support van which is easily accessible.

The tour will start on day 1 at 8.30am from The Cenotaph in Hobart. If you're staying elsewhere you'll need to make your own way to the Cenotaph (4 and 10 day tour starters) and from our hotel in Launceston (6 day tour starters) with your bike and luggage. During the tour, luggage will be loaded from 8.00am until everyone has left, and will be delivered to the next hotel in time for your arrival.

What sort of support is provided for the cyclists?
Your cycling group will be followed by a support vehicle, carrying personal effects (jackets, arm warmers etc), snack food and water, tools and spares, and will always be available as an option to jump in if your body needs a break. You'll also be accompanied by a riding guide who can help you with tackling the terrain, give you a motivational push, or simply draft behind him to get up the hills!

How fit do I have to be really?
These trips are designed to be both challenging and achieveable. Most days are around 130km in length, but be aware that 130km on the hilly West Coast is very different to 130km along the flatter East Coast! To cater for different levels of fitness, the trip will naturally split into smaller groups, and will tend to continue along at the pace that suits the group.

What usually happens is we split into smaller groups. The slower group will leave earlier and may even take a slightly different/shorter route, so that everyone can reach the end of the day at approximately the same time, without feeling like anyone has to ride faster or slower than they want. The pace you ride at is completely up to you. If you choose a group and feel that the pace is too fast or slow, then feel free to change groups at the first available opportunity.

Is there a training program I can follow in the lead up to the ride?
Yes, we have prepared a 6 weeks training program that is designed to give you a good idea what sort of riding and distances we think you would benefit from to really get the most out of the ride. Download the training program here.

Do we ride separately or as a group?
Part of the training experience is riding in a large group (or peloton). If you are nervous about riding in a group such as this, don't worry, the more experienced riders can help you with tips on the finer points of bunch training. It's important that you pace yourself on this ride, so if you can't keep up with the group, or feel like some personal space, then feel free to take it at your own pace. Just let the riding guide know that you're ok on your own and he'll leave you be to get on with it.

Can my wife/husband/partner come along even if they don't ride?
Partners are more than welcome to join the tour and stay in the same accommodation at night. The price for non-riding partners is based on twin/double share accommodation and all meals. Partners may choose to bring their own car, hire a car and drive themselves, or travel with one of the support vehicles.

I'm sold, how do I book my place on the next tour?
A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required upon reserving your place, along with a completed booking form. Booking can be made online. As there is a limited number of spaces and with respect to accommodation houses, the balance of the trip is due 6 weeks prior to departure.

Do you operate tours elsewhere?
Actually yes, we do, or at least we plan to be. We have plans to run EPIC cycling trips in 9 locations during 2009. We're currently working on the details of each place right at the moment. Come back to this site soon for more. To let us know that you're interested in other tours, send us a quick email so we can put you on the mailing list when information is available. Places will be limited so put your name down now to avoid missing out.

What happens if I have to cancel?
As you can appreciate a lot of work goes in to making these tours run, and it can be really disruptive to have people pull out at the last minute. For this reason, we have to enfore the following cancellation policy: Prior to 60 days of departure date, your deposit will not be returned. For cancellations between 59 and 22 days, a 50% cancellation fee will be charged; for cancellations within 21 days of departure date there will be no refund. Due to the nature of these tours and weather conditions, Island Cycle Tours reserves the right to alter arrangements as required.

We hope this FAQ section has been helpful, we take great pride in showcasing the very best Tasmania has to offer, in the most rewarding way - with spectacular scenery and clean open air on excellent quality roads.

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