A Traveler's Guide Without Air Travel
Quebec Voyages Cycling Package
Travel documents
Two to three weeksbefore your departure, you will receive the following documents by email:
- The starting website address;
- The contact information for the hotels where you will be staying, including instructions for bike storage and luggage storage.
24 to 48 hoursbefore your departure, you will receive the following documents by email:
- The GPX data for your route, the detailed route, and the download instructions;
- Your guide's name and phone number, in case of an emergency.
On the day of departure, your guide will provide you with the following documents:
- The cards;
- The VQV luggage tag.
Please note that upon your return, a survey will be emailed to you to complete.
Travel insurance
The information in this section is provided for informational purposes only. It is the responsibility of each traveler to obtain adequate travel insurance based on their place of residence and the country they are visiting. To better assist you during your trip, we ask that you complete the “Traveler Registration” form.
Please note that we offer you the option to purchase coverage through our travel insurance partner, Blue Cross. Contact us for more information.
Travel Cancellation or Interruption Insurance and Medical Coverage
To travel with peace of mind, every traveler should always carry travel insurance. It’s important to review your existing insurance policies and, if necessary, purchase supplemental coverage to ensure you’re adequately protected.
Coverage provided by a credit card or personal insurance
If your trip is covered by your credit card or other personal insurance, check to see if it meets your needs. Does it include coverage for medical care and hospitalization abroad? Does it include trip cancellation insurance covering all prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses, as well as trip interruption insurance? Does it include coverage for lost or stolen luggage? After assessing the situation, you’ll be able to determine whether or not you need to purchase supplemental insurance.
Coverage provided by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)
Visitramq.gouv.qc.cato learn more about the health coverage available to all Quebecers when traveling within or outside Quebec.
Since healthcare costs outside of Quebec are generally higher, it is essential to have private travel insurance that covers, in full or in part, the expenses not reimbursed by the Régie.
Insurance covering unforeseeable and unforeseeable events
Vélo Québec Voyages reminds you of the importance of checking whether your trip cancellation/interruption insurance covers unforeseeable and unforeseeable events.
Insurance covering damage, theft, or loss of luggage and bicycles
Vélo Québec Voyages assumes no liability for any loss, theft, or damage to your luggage and personal belongings (including your bicycle) during your trip. It is your responsibility to have adequate insurance coverage for your luggage and bicycle.Please note that many home insurance companies, certain group insurance plans, and some credit cards cover property damaged or stolen outside the home. Check with the relevant providers.
In addition, if you have purchased Blue Cross insurance through us, you can review the terms of the baggage coverage by reading the “Policyholder Guide.”
Packing Checklist
Once you arrive at your destination, Vélo Québec Voyages will transport your luggage from one hotel to the next throughout the trip. Please remember to clearly label your luggage to ensure it is transferred correctly.We allow only one piece of luggage per person, and it must weigh no more than 15 kilograms.
We reserve the right to refuse to transport any luggage that exceeds the 15-kilogram weight limit, both at the start of the trip and during the trip.
Itinerary
Departure point and parking
Three weeks before your trip, we will provide you with the full details of the departure location, parking areas, and meeting time. You may leave your vehicle in a designated area at the departure site. However, Vélo Québec Voyages assumes no liability for theft or vandalism.
If you’ve chosen a destination that includes a bus shuttle at the start of the trip, your bike will be transported by truck. When loading your bike, it must be stripped of all equipment (panniers, helmet, lock, etc.). Bikes will be protected with blankets, but you’re welcome to provide additional protection by wrapping the frame, for example, with Styrofoam tubes used to insulate water heater pipes.
A typical day with Vélo Québec Voyages
- You’ll have breakfast at your hotel (between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m.).
- Please check out of the hotel by 10 a.m. and leave your luggage with the luggage truck.
- You can set out whenever and at whatever pace suits you. You’ll have detailed maps and an itinerary for the route, including the towns and villages you’ll be visiting.
- You can have lunch wherever and whenever you like.
- When you arrive at your stopover city, your luggage will be waiting for you at the hotel, where rooms are generally available between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
- The dinners included in the package are served at the hotel or at a nearby restaurant. They include an appetizer, a main course, and dessert. Beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, are not included.
Overview of the hotel stay
You will share a room with your travel companion. If you are traveling alone, we will pair you with someone of the same gender. Depending on the city and the number of participants, the group may stay at one or two hotels. A list of the hotels where you will be staying will be emailed to you three weeks before your departure.
When checking out of the hotel, please return your key to the front desk and settle any charges for items and services purchased at the hotel (e.g., phone calls, minibar).
If you plan to skip staying at the hotel on certain nights during your trip, please be sure to let the guide know so that no one gets worried.
What about your bike? It will spend the night in your room or in a secure area designated for that purpose. We recommend that you keep it locked at all times.
In the event of a mechanical problem on the course
We recommend that you have your bike thoroughly serviced before you set off. A bike in good condition is the first step toward a successful trip.
For minor issues (adjustments, flat tires, etc.), the guide will be able to help you out and get you back on the road when they pass by. You can reach them by phone at any time so they can assist you or, in the event of a major breakdown, take you to the nearest bike shop.
That said, nothing beats having everything you need on hand if you want to get back on the road in just a few minutes! For a list of essential parts and tools to bring along, see the“Packing Checklist ↑” section.
If you feel tired or unwell while on the course
If you are unable to complete the day’s stage due to fatigue, illness, or a major mechanical issue, the support vehicle will transport you and your bike to the next stage town.
The guide's role during the trip
Your Vélo Québec Voyages professional guide is your point of contact throughout your trip. Whether you have questions or need advice about the suggested itineraries, accommodations, meal planning, luggage transport, mechanical assistance, on-the-road support, and more, your guide is Vélo Québec Voyages’ representative on the ground. They are attentive to your needs and expectations.
Using GPX data
When you made your reservation, you received instructions on how to download GPS data via Ride With GPS, along with two days’ worth of data so you can test the system. Please note that the complete GPX data for your trip will be emailed to you along with your travel documents.
Requirements for the United States
The content of this section is provided for informational purposes only.
It is each traveler’s responsibility to obtain all required documents and to familiarize themselves with the entry requirements for the United States.
Passport
Traveling to the United States by land or sea:
A passport or another authorized security document, such as a Nexus card, is required for all Canadian citizens entering the United States by land or sea.
If you are not a Canadian citizen, it is your responsibility to contact the U.S. Consulate General to find out about entry requirements and related fees.
For more information on the various documents required to enter the United States or for the latest updates on border issues, visitU.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Phone in the United States
If you plan to make several phone calls during your stay in the United States, it would be a good idea to purchase a calling card. If you plan to bring your cell phone with you, check with your service provider to find out about the different plans available.
Tips
Restaurants, bars, and taxis
On all our tours, gratuities are included in the group meals covered by your package; however, wine service is at your discretion.
In restaurants, bars, and taxis, each destination has its own customs and practices regarding tipping. Ask your guide for advice once you arrive.
Guides and Driver
Tips for the guides and, if applicable, the driver are not included in the package price. Although the amount of the tip is left to the traveler’s discretion, it is customary to leave one. Generally, $5 to $10 per day, per person, is given to the Vélo Québec Voyages guide, who handles all aspects of the trip: transporting luggage from one hotel to another, providing support (mechanical and medical), managing the itinerary, arranging accommodations, planning meals, etc.
For trips that also include a local guide and a driver for bus transfers along the route, it is recommended that you divide the tip among the various staff members.
Other useful links
Practical tips before you go
Vélo Québec Voyages has compiled various resources related to travel in light of the current situation.