It’s okay, we love questions!
Do you have questions about our tours? We have answered some of our most common questions below. If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, contact us and we will be happy to answer any other questions you might have!
How much should I tip?admin2021-01-09T20:37:38+00:00
If you’ve read our reviews, I’m sure you will quickly realize that our guides are the best in Colorado – maybe even the world. They take pride in your happiness yet more importantly ensure your safety. Our guides are seasonal employees and typically work other service jobs in our off season. Tips are an important part of their annual income.
How much should you tip? How much do you tip your waitstaff? Did our guide exceed your expectations?
Tipping is of course optional, yet it is common for customers to tip between 15 and 20% of the tour price. Yet if your experience did not meet your expectations, please let us know and we will try to remedy the situation.
What does the price include?admin2020-05-05T00:03:13+00:00
Bike Gold Camp:
Bike, Helmet, Souvenir Water Bottle, Permit Fee, Mountain Transportation, Route Map, Tool Kit.
Saddle Up-Pedal Down:
Incredibly friendly horse for 1 hour ride, Bike, Helmet, Souvenir Water Bottle, Permit Fee, Mountain Transportation, Route Map, Tool Kit.
Bike Pikes Peak:
Continental breakfast, Bike, Helmet, Souvenir Water Bottle, Permit Fee, Mountain Transportation, Amazing lunch, Knowledgeable Guides, Van Support.
Bike Garden of the Gods:
Electric Bike, helmet, and Pikes Peak Bike Tour Souvenir water bottle.
Can we arrange to be picked up from our accommodations?admin2020-05-05T00:00:10+00:00
Coming in June! We can pick up your group and return them to the accommodations. There will be a service charge for this of $35 or more depending on the location. We may not be able to provide this service at all locations. This transportation service must be PRE-coordinated on a case-by-case basis.
What do we bring/wear?admin2020-06-02T01:41:31+00:00
We recommend that you bring cool weather clothing (including warm gloves) as well as shorts, T-shirts, sunglasses, sunscreen and fully enclosed shoes or boots. Do not expect to wear sandals on any of the tours. The weather patterns on most tour routes can vary in temperature as much as 30 degrees from the top to the bottom. The Bike Pikes Peak tour is usually cold and windy at the summit, and the temperature will increase as we make our way down the mountain.
For our Saddle up-Pedal Down tour please arrive in jeans or whatever you’d like to ride horseback in. Feel free to bring a change of clothes for your bike ride as there will be a place to change at the Stables prior to your bike ride! You can leave your horseback clothes in the van and collect them when you return back to the shop from your bike ride.
Our Garden of the Gods Tour does not have any significant altitude gain, so the weather for Colorado Springs is helpful for deciding what to wear if you check it beforehand.
Regardless of tour, layers are always a good idea!
What if we forget something?admin2020-05-05T00:05:44+00:00
If you need extra warm clothes, there are many shopping options available within minutes of the shop.
What type of bikes will we be on?admin2020-02-24T23:02:32+00:00
New Cannondale Trail 5 bikes! All adult-sized bikes are equipped with disc brakes and front suspension. For the kiddos, we have state-of-the-art Kona Hula mountain bikes which also have a cushy front suspension!
For our electric bike tour, we have Haro Subvert i/O 5 pedal assist premium electric bikes.
How do we make a reservation?admin2020-02-24T23:02:42+00:00
Reservations can be made anytime by calling or texting 719-337-5311, or booking through our website.
How much advance reservation time do you recommend?admin2020-02-24T23:02:49+00:00
The further in advance you book your tour, the more likely you are to be able to secure the day you would like. We do accept last minute reservations; however, we cannot guarantee there will be space available for your group.
We accept reservations all year round, so book now!
Is there an age limit?admin2020-06-02T01:43:27+00:00
For Bike Pikes Peak:
Our insurance requires all riders to be at least 6 years of age. Every individual regardless of age is very different in what makes them confident in their ability to control the bicycle. The ride is such that it does not require any advanced level of riding. It is a paved road the entire way and is 95% downhill.
The two factors that are most important are:
1. Our smallest size bikes are 24″ wheel kids bikes. They fit down to approximately 4’5″ in height.
2. Can you or your children control a bike going downhill with handbrakes? On the Bike Pikes Peak Tour the van will be behind the group as the support vehicle the entire way. So if at any point in time anyone is uncomfortable it is there as an option to skip a section or three. Typically this happens more often above timberline. Since you are able to see greater distances, this sometimes makes beginner riders nervous.
We have had plenty of folks in their 80’s do this tour. If you are trying to decide if it is a fit for you please feel free to stop in and try out some bikes and chat with us about it. We are here to help!
For Gold Camp (Gold Camp or Saddle Up Tours):
Our insurance requires all riders to be at least 6 years of age. Every individual regardless of age is very different in what makes them confident in their ability to control the bicycle. This ride, like Pikes Peak Tours, is such that it does not require any advanced level of riding. It is a gravel, wide path most of the way, with the bottom portion being paved. The route is 99% downhill.
The two factors that are most important are:
1. Our smallest size bikes are 24″ wheel kids bikes. They fit down to approximately 4’5″ in height.
2. Can you or your children control a bike going downhill with handbrakes on gravel?
Although this is typically an un-guided tour, our guide will check in on you about halfway to provide water and see if you need any other support. At this time if anyone is uncomfortable, he or she can go back down in the van with the guide.
The Bike Gold Camp tour is only an average 3% downhill grade as opposed to the 7% grade on Pikes Peak (so it is less steep). This tour is mostly gravel, which is different from the Pikes Peak Tours. There are areas on this tour where the gravel can be a little loose, which provides a slight additional challenge and might be considered if determining how comfortable your child would be. (On a side note, Fatbike Upgrades are perfect for those conditions by providing an extra wide base of support for gravel riding.)
Despite the gravel path, this tour is still considered an “easy” trail by any biking standards.
How would you describe a typical tour?admin2020-06-02T01:45:05+00:00
Bike Gold Camp: We meet at our shop at your assigned time to fit you with helmets. We then load into our 15 passenger vans and head off for the tour. When we reach the drop off point we get the bikes unloaded as you take in the amazing view of Colorado Springs from the Front Range. We then get everyone fitted with bikes and go over a detailed safety briefing. During this safety briefing we will explain how to change a flat if you end up being one of the unfortunate few! We also talk about the route, braking, shifting and encourage “leave no trace” ethics. Once the safety briefing is done you are free to head out for your incredible experience! Since this is typically a self guided tour the “guide” will be waiting for you at the shop when you return!
Bike Pikes Peak: We meet at our shop at your assigned time to eat breakfast and fit you with helmets. We then load into our 15 passenger vans and we head off to the summit of beautiful Pikes Peak! When we reach the summit, the guides will unload bikes as you take about 15 minutes to experience the awe of the beauty surrounding you. Feel free to visit the gift shop at the summit and try their donuts as they are claimed to be the lightest in the world! Save your money to buy shirts and hoodies from us though so you can brag about biking down Pikes Peak to your friends! 🙂 This time is also a great time to get photo’s of your group and we are happy to help with this! Once we all gather back at the vans and fitted with bikes we will go over a detailed safety briefing. We will be outlining the rules to help keep everyone safe as well as how to best operate the bikes. From here we start our trip! Either a guide on a bike or in a van will be in front and will set the pace based on conditions and guidelines we must follow. We will take many stops along the way for pictures and a mid-day snack as we traverse our way down this majestic mountain. When we finish up we will take your lunch orders and head on down to Jake and Telly’s to fill your belly with some amazing food!
Garden of The Gods:Our tours start at the main parking lot of Garden of the Gods. Once you enter the park off 30th Street (1805 N 30th Colorado Springs), take your first left and look for the Pikes Peak Bike Tours van. Find a parking spot nearby and head over to the van where you will meet your guide for today’s adventure.
Once fitted with your Haro eBike, your guide will begin your journey. You will power up hills with little effort, cruising past all those other visitors trapped in bumper to bumper traffic in your own designated bike lane for much of the park tour. Enjoy the fresh air and sunshine as you glide past incredible vistas, easily stopping at all the best lookouts for a better view and a picture or two. You will end your ride right where you started, in the main Garden of the Gods parking lot.
Can we hire a guide for the self-guided tours?admin2020-02-24T23:03:13+00:00
Yes. You can hire a guide for a tour that is normally self-guided for $60.00. Guides must be requested at time of reservation so they may be scheduled.
What if we get a flat on a self-guided tour?admin2020-02-24T23:03:44+00:00
We provide bike pumps and tire tubes for each group. During the tour’s safety briefing, we explain step-by-step how to change a bike tube as well as go over all relevant bike mechanics. If something beyond your ability to fix goes wrong, you can call us and we will send someone to help you.
What is your cancellation policy?admin2020-02-24T23:03:52+00:00
We require a 48 hour notice of cancellation policy for groups in size from 1-10 people.
For large groups, we have the following cancellation notice requirements:
Groups of 11-20 people require 1 week cancellation notice.
Groups of more than 21 people require a 2 week cancellation notice.
If we do not receive this notice, you will be charged 100% of the reservation cost.
Be sure to reserve the correct number of spots prior to your trip as refunds will not be issued for any “extra spots” that were reserved in advance.
What is the refund policy?admin2020-02-24T23:03:57+00:00
The only refunds that will be issued are for the following:
1. Cancellations made within the required cancellation time period listed above^^
2. If we decided to cancel the tour due to unsafe conditions: If this happens, you will have the choice between a full refund, or rebooking your tour on a different day.
What about bad weather?admin2020-02-24T23:04:04+00:00
Sunshine mornings are common here in Co Springs! This means, even if it looks like there is rain being forecasted on your tour day, odds are good that is referring to a light afternoon shower (our “monsoons”).
The decision to cancel a tour comes only after careful consideration of local weather conditions. Lightning strikes or unsafe/closed roads and trails due to heavy rainfall or snow are our most common reasons for a tour cancellation. Generally, tour cancellations are rare.
What tour discounts do you offer?admin2020-02-24T23:04:10+00:00
We discount all of our tours for teachers and military! $10 off any tour*.
Call for your discount code to be entered when booking. Bring ID to shop day of tour.
* Not valid if combining with family fun package.
Do you offer helmet cameras to rent?admin2020-02-24T23:04:16+00:00
Yes we do!! You have the option to rent a GoPro Camera from us that you can either mount to your helmet, bike, or chest! This incredible option provides you with the opportunity to take your adventure home and share with everyone. We have thumb drives that we will burn your video on for you upon your return to the shop! Rental price, including thumb drive and video, is only $55.
How long is your season?admin2020-02-24T23:04:22+00:00
We offer some tours year round!
Pikes Peak is seasonal as the mountain does close with snow, but often we have Gold Camp Tours most of the year, and ALL year we have Garden of the Gods tours!
What are the times for your tours?admin2020-02-24T23:04:29+00:00
For specific start times, please click on the “Make a Reservation” button for your chosen tour and it will tell you the start times available for the date you want to book your tour. Start times vary depending on time of year.
The time is listed for your tour is the time you should arrive at the shop. Your tour will depart after you are loaded up and ready to go.
What are the methods of payment?admin2020-02-25T15:54:46+00:00
We accept cash, traveler’s checks, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express cards.