Travel Info
YOUR BIKE
Mountain bikers know that changing from one bike geometry to another takes time for adjustment. Each bicycle handles differently. It is crucial to feel comfortable on a bike while riding on off-road terrain. Thus, we highly recommend that you bring along your own mountain bike. Should you decide to go that route, the following is recommended:
- BUY A BICYCLE CARGO CASE - If you're an avid mountain biker, the chances that you'll use it more than once are quite high. It will save your expensive bike from damages that can ruin your trip. They normally cost about $200-$400. We recommend that you buy cases that come with casters for easy handling around airports. You can buy one from PerformanceBike.com or Nashbar.com.
- TRANSPORTATION - You can decide to either ship your bike or bring it with you in the plane. We recommend you ship it to us 10 days prior to your trip via ground transportation (i.e. FedEx Ground, UPS Ground). For an optional $50.00 fee, we'll assemble the bike for you upon arrival and disassemble it for return shipping (freight charges excluded). If you decide to travel with your bike the day you fly, please be advised that airlines will charge approx. $50-$80. Also, please make sure to check with the airline prior to booking your flight. Some airlines ban oversize cargo during peak times (Summer, Thanksgiving, X-mas). If you're traveling internationally, most airlines will allow you to bring a bicycle cargo case without any penalties.
If you need more information to decide whether renting or bringing your own bicycle is the best option for you, you may want to read the following article: Bicycle Shipping - Easy and Affordable.
RENTALS
If you decide that you don't want to deal with shipping or flying with your own bicycle, we'll be glad to rent you one of our own. When booking your trip, you'll be asked to indicate if a rental bike is needed. You'll then need to specify your height and weight so we can get the proper bike and make suspension adjustments. Please notice that currently we only offer full-suspension bikes. Rates for rentals are as follows:
- 4-day full-suspension: $200 + Tax
- 6-day full-suspension: $250 + Tax
We rent Marin® bikes. The model featured is the 2007 "East Peak." This bike comes with very reliable components and 5" front and rear suspension. Please note that this bike is perfect for "all mountain" applications. So, whether you'd like to ride the easy trails or the more challenging trails, this bike will do the job nicely. See the manufacturer's specs and a picture on our rental bikes.
If you decide to go for one of our rental bikes, you'll only be allowed to switch the following three components as long as you bring them with you: pedals, saddle and grips.
YOUR BIKE GUIDE
We hire mountain bike leaders. Your mountain bike guide is not only familiar with the trails you'll be riding, they're also knowledgeable about life in Arizona. There's so much to learn about the history, plants and wildlife in the places you'll be riding. Furthermore, our guides have gone through outdoors medical training. They will strive to make your trip a uniquely fun experience.
TRIP INSURANCE
We strongly recommend cancellation and travel insurance to prevent any losses in case of illness, accident, or otherwise. Please purchase trip cancellation insurance in case an illness forces you to cancel a trip or to depart early from a trip. Also, we highly recommend that you buy special travelers, hospital, and medical insurance to supplement your existing health insurance. We ask you to review the limited amount of such coverage included with CSA insurance offer, and to confirm with your insurer that you are adequately covered for any eventuality.
Read our Terms and Conditions page for our cancellation policy.
PREPARING FOR YOUR TRIP
We count on our travelers to be healthy and fit; to read our pre-trip materials about clothing, medical requirements; to understand that off-road cycling is highly unpredictable with many uncontrollable hazards that may be found on the trail. AZ Nomad Adventures trips have risks and rewards. Some trips are physically demanding and we visit areas where medical facilities may be virtually non-existent and evacuation difficult.
GROUP TRAVEL
Travel within a group invariably involves a compromise to accommodate diverse desires, travel goals, personalities, and physical abilities of all group members. AZ Nomad Adventures guides may be required to improvise and exercise good faith, use discretion and/or make decisions based upon group consensus. These decisions may not always please each individual, but are intended to satisfy the larger desires of the group.
LODGING BEFORE and AFTER
Depending on your arrival time, we may be able to start your mountain bike tour the same day of your arrival in Phoenix. If your arrival is before 12 PM, we may be able to pick you from the airport so you can start you mountain bike tour the same day. Please let us know if this will be the case. On your departure, we may be able to drop you off at the airport if your return flight is after 7 PM. This will allow you and your group to save money on hotel accommodations. If you're planning on a late arrival (after 12 PM) or would prefer to have a "relax day" before or after your mountain bike tour, we recommend the following hotel: Tempe Inn Suites.
Tempe Inn Suites is quite comfortable and has an excellent location for shopping, food and entertainment. The rates are quite affordable ranging between $69-89/night + tax. They also offer a complimentary shuttle from/to the airport which is only about 5 minutes away. You will need to make your own reservation with them.
