FAQs

Here is a selection of our most Frequently Asked Questions.  (Click on the question to hop to read our answer).

 

 

And some questions we are often asked - specific to our African trips.  (Click on the question to hop to read our answer).

 

 

What is the terrain/riding like?
With the exception of our New Zealand ‘Road Bike Spectacular' and ‘Select Single Track' trips, the best way to describe the type of riding we do is ‘off road touring' with the most of our riding on dirt and 4-wheel drive roads and a small amount of non-technical single track.  Our trips are all about getting out amongst it with the wildlife, nature and the locals in some pretty cool places - and by bike just happens to be the perfect way to immerse ourselves.  There are sometimes some chances along the way to ride a bit of single track if you are keen for that.  Just ask us to see the detailed trip itinerary for the trip you are interested in for more information about daily distances and terrain.
All our biking is vehicle supported which means all your gear is carried for you, and lunch and water is always at hand. If you need a break from the saddle you can ride in the vehicle at any time.

 

How far will we bike each day?
This depends on which of our trips you join us on - please just ask us to see the detailed trip itinerary for the trip you are interested in for more information about daily distances and terrain.  Throughout your trip - the distance you will travel each day will vary a great deal.  Some days include other activities, game viewing, rest days, and some days we plan longer, more challenging rides.  Remember that all of our biking is vehicle supported which means you can bike as much or as little as you want in the best possible areas (if you get tired - you can just catch a ride for a while).  We also have plenty of stops for food and refreshments and to make the most of the environment that we are in.  Back to the top.

 

How fit do I need to be?
Being an active holiday it will certainly help to have a reasonable level of fitness and will add to the enjoyment of your adventure. However you don't need to be a fitness fanatic.  Depending on which trip you join us on - as long as you are comfortable spending a few hours in the saddle and do a bit of pedaling you will be able to join one of our trips.  Our Uganda trip is probably one of our easier trips with shorter distances and mellow terrain, and our China & Tibet trip more suitable for those who enjoy a challenge with some big days and good climbs.

 

Who will be leading the trip?
We are a small personal company and all of our trips are lead by at least one but normally two of our own Escape leaders who will bike along with you.  Click here to Meet our Team. On all of our trips we also always have a local team member/guide driving support and giving you some essential local insight.  Back to the top.

 

Who are the typical people who join your trips?
In general (but not exclusively) we get people in their 30's, 40's and 50's, most are pretty adventurous and well travelled, and many professionals.  Our bikers range from avid mountain bikers and cycle tourists to some who just use their bike to commute to work or joy-ride in the weekends. Our trips appeal equally to individuals, couples, groups or friends.

 

Here are some brief statistics of our bikers over the past six years (2004 - 2009):

 

Female Bikers

Male Bikers

52%

48%

 

Age Range of our bikers:

< 25

26-35

36-45

46-55

56-65

>66

9%

23%

21%

25%

16%

5%

 

Where have our bikers come from?

Britain

New Zealand

Australia

Canada

USA

Europe

Other

34%

15%

15%

15%

11%

9%

3%

 

 

What will the accommodation be like?
In Africa - we always start the trip in a local hotel and then camp in spacious dome tents for the rest of the trip.  These tents are twin/double for those travelling together and single for everyone else.  We stay in campsites with facilities ranging from very established to very basic when we bush camp under the care of local families.  Showers are available at all of our camping sites. At some campsites there is an option to upgrade to rooms at your own cost.  Back to the top.

 

In Chile - we stay in a range of local cabanas, guesthouses and lodges on a twin share basis just over half of the time, and we camp just under half of the time which gives us the opportunity to stay in some special and remote locations.  Our tents are spacious dome tents - twin/double for those travelling together and single for everyone else. 

 

In New Zealand - we use a combination of local hotels, guest houses, and lodges (with a good amount of New Zealand ‘quirk') on a share twin basis.

 

In China - we stay in a range of local hotels and guesthouses on a twin share basis.  Practice using chopsticks is advised.

 

Do you cater for vegetarians/special diets?
Absolutely.  Please just let us know any special dietary requirements prior to your trip so that we can plan accordingly.

 

Questions Specific to our African Trips:

 

What about wild animals?  Is biking in Africa safe?
Threat from wild animals is minimal.  While we see plenty of plains game, we seldom see any dangerous animals outside games parks - they are generally more afraid of us than we are of them and give us plenty of space.  There are certain animals that need to be avoided but by ‘playing by some simple rules' we can eliminate any risks. Here is a gallery of animals we commonly see during a our Kenya & Tanzania trip.  Back to the top.

 

In Africa, as with any developing nation being a traveller can attract some unwanted attention.  We have minimised this as much as possible by camping in areas that we know well and providing good security for your belongings in our support vehicle.  Even though you may think that you do not have a lot of things, you will have a lot more than many people who live there.  The best security is simply to keep cash and valuable items out of public view, and avoid waving a lot of money about when paying for things such as souvenirs etc; and take care of your possessions.  Basically, don't flaunt it!

 

What is local payment all about?
Local payment is a part of your trip cost.  The reason for it is that we have various expenses throughout our trip that we can only pay in USD$ cash.  They are things like National Park fees, permits for taking the vehicle into parks and across borders, crew visas... just to name a few.  By getting you to bring part of your trip cost in USD$ cash is a convenient way for us to get hold of USD$ which we can not otherwise draw out of our operating account in Africa. Back to the top.

 

What vaccinations will I need?
We are generally pretty cautious about giving any advice about vaccinations or anti malaria prophylactics (because we are not doctors!).  The best thing you can do is contact your local travel clinic or doctor for advice.  There is also a website http://www.vaccinations.com.au/ which you might find useful.  Yellow Fever is the only one you are required to have to enter East Africa (although they hardly ever check).  With malaria the surest way to avoid it is to not get bitten!  So covering up and a good insect repellent are a good idea.  When choosing an anti-malaria drug DO take into consideration that larium can have psychological side effects, and doxycycline can make you very sun sensitive.

 

Why do you only lead your African trips from June through until October?
June through until October is generally the cooler dry season in East Africa and the best time travel by bike.  Typically the ‘short rains' arrive in November for 6 weeks or so; and then the ‘long rains' during the months of February to May.  We have in the past led trips over the ‘hot dry season' during Christmas and January period and found that the conditions were too hot, humid and potentially rainy for most people to enjoy.  Back to the top.

 

What will the temperature be like?
In Kenya and Tanzania temperatures depend on the part of the trip.  At higher altitude (closer to Nairobi and in the Usambara Mountains) around 15-25 degrees celsius; and closer to the coast more like 20-30 degrees celsius.  Nights can be cool.  Also temperatures tend to be cooler during June and July and hotter at the end of September and October.

 

In Uganda the temperature can range anywhere between 15-30 degrees celsius.  Nights can also be cool.

 

What are general toilet and showering "facilities"? 
Every night of your biking holiday you will have the opportunity to bathe or shower.  The ‘established' campsites that we use have varying degrees of hot or cold showering facilities and flush toilets.  On the couple of nights when we ‘bush camp' we have a very flash fandangle system that we set up to have showers off the side of the bus and ‘bush style toilet facilities'. 

 

What are the meals like?  Who prepares them?
Escape trips are active. It's what we do and what we like - and it creates a mean appetite. Your trip leaders understand this and with the benefit of fresh locally produced foods provide healthy and sustaining meals with plenty of tropical fruits and crisp vegetables. You are welcome to assist with the meals and to add your own touch if desired.

An example of typical meals during a trip:

Breakfast - Fresh fruit, cereal, toast, cooked breakfast on occasions, hot drinks.
Lunch - Picnic style lunch, fresh salads, cold meats, cheese, fruit, nuts, bread etc.
Evening - Good wholesome camp-cooked meals using as much local fresh produce as possible.
Back to the top.

 

If you have any further questions you would like to ask please contact us.