COVID-19
1. Frequently Asked Questions
Is my deposit refundable?
If we have not confirmed the tour to yourself then you are free to ask for your deposit back at any point, or we can move your deposit to a future tour. If you have received a tour confirmed e-mail from us, then your deposit is needed to safeguard the tour and pay any accommodation cancellation fees we may incur.
Can I leave it nearer to the time to pay my deposit?
Without a deposit payment, we are unable to secure any accommodation for you. Accommodation in the UK is set to be extremely busy this year and is already extremely limited on some routes. The later you leave payment, the higher the chance we can’t find suitable room allocation (particularly for groups).
If we go into national lockdown what will happen to my booking
If the UK is in lockdown while your tour is due to take place then we can move your booking to a future date, credit note your payments or refund you in full within 14 days of the tour cancellation.
If my area is in local lockdown and I am unable to attend the tour what happens to my booking
We will not be able to refund or move you to safeguard the tours running for the other riders. We recommend being sure you are ok with any associated risks before booking.
If I become ill or must self-isolate prior to my tour meaning I cannot attend, can I move to another date?
No. We highly recommend taking out travel insurance which covers Covid-19 protection to cover any loses encountered.
If there are lots of cancellations will this affect my confirmed tour?
If the rider number drops below the minimum number needed to make a tour viable, we may need to un-confirm the tour. Hopefully, this will not happen, but we recommend buying an open ticket if travelling by train.
If I choose to not attend a confirmed tour due to the risk of COVID-19 can I get a refund?
All our tours will adhere to the latest government guidelines, but if you choose not to join us then, unfortunately, we will not be able to refund or move you to safeguard the tours running for the other riders. We recommend being sure you are ok with any associated risks before booking.
What is needed for a tour to be confirmed?
We can only confirm a tour if all the following applies; the minimum number has been met with deposits taken, tour logistics booked e.g., accommodation/transfers and the area of the tour is in a suitable COVID-19 Tier at that moment in time.
When will my final balance be due?
On confirmed tours we will take final balances as follows:
a. 60 days prior - All Cycling Holidays outside of the UK. All bespoke UK holidays
b. 30 days prior - Cycling Holidays in the UK. (Excluding bespoke UK holidays, see point a.)
c. On booking - Cycling Courses in the UK
Do I need to hold a valid Travel Insurance policy with COVID-19 cover to attend?
Only if you are leaving your country of residence. But we highly recommend taking out COVID-19 travel insurance protection even in your own country of residency.
Something else
Call: 01768 840400
Email: [email protected]
2. Travel Insurance with extensive COVID-19 cover
In addition to covering medical emergency treatment overseas due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), the cancellation cover will reimburse any irrecoverable payments and charges made for travel and accommodation if you have to cancel your trip due to a doctor diagnosing either you, a close relative or your insured travelling companion with Coronavirus (COVID-19) and as a result being advised not to travel.
UK Cover
5 days - £19.00
14 days - £26.50
14 days - £26.50
European Cover
8 days - £37.49
15 days - £48.00
15 days - £48.00
Worldwide Cover
8 days - £80.49
15 days - £91.00
15 days - £91.00
Cycle Active Ltd is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Campbell Irvine Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the financial Conduct Authority.
Travel insurance policies need to be taken out directly with Campbell Irvine to ensure the correct level of cover.
3. Guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The safety of our clients and our staff is always our top priority.
We want to reassure you that we are taking every precaution to ensure your safety and wellbeing during your holiday or course.
As a tour operator, we bring together external services to provide our package holidays. These external services include accommodation and transport. Which in turn have their own Coronavirus (COVID-19) risk assessment/guidelines and can be obtained directly from them in written or verbal format depending on the size of their business (number of employees).
While our CycleActive "in house services" always have very high standards of hygiene, our directors are now overseeing increased levels of cleaning, employee training and additional protocols, so you can be completely confident of your safety throughout your holiday/course.
Please familiarise yourself with the following service and safety procedures that are now in place.
Social distancing
You should implement the 1m+ Government guidelines in circumstances were 2m is not possible.
GOV.UK Social distancing guidance - website
Accommodation
Clients and employees must adhere to each individual accommodation providers guidelines as each property will have slight differences due to size and layout. For example, you may be asked to eat breakfast in your room or choose what you would like for breakfast the night before and given a time slot to eat in the dining room.
Guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
GOV guidance applies to Tier 1 (Medium alert), Tier 2 (High alert) and Tier 3 (Very High alert). If you’re in an area in Tier 4 (Stay at Home)
It's up to you as the client to book the correct accommodation requirements which fall in line with the law and your own household/support bubble (ie. twin/double or single room)
GOV.UK Hotels and other guest accommodation guidance - website
Transport agents
Clients and employees must adhere to each individual transport agents guidelines as each company will have slight differences due to the type and size of private hire taxi/minibus/coach. For example, you may be asked to wear a mask and use hand sanitiser before entering the vehicle along with minimum touching of surfaces in the vehicle.
GOV.UK Taxis and private hire vehicles guidance - website
CycleActive luggage vehicles
Clients will not touch, lean bikes or enter any CycleActive vehicle. All bikes and luggage will be loaded by the CycleActive member of staff. Disinfectant products that are proven to be effective against Covid-19 will be used on floors, door handles and key touchpoints.
Meeting points and welcome briefings
These will be conducted outside where possible, abiding by social distancing rules at all time. (99% of CycleActive welcome briefings were already outside before COVID-19.)
Repair tools and course equipment
Clients will not use any of CycleActive tools unless wiped down with disinfectant first. Course equipment like cones will not be handled by the clients.
Rental hire bikes
Hire bikes will be washed in hot soapy water before being given to the client. Disinfectant products will be available for the client if they so wish to clean the key touchpoints of the bike for a second time, directly before use. On returning a hire bike the CycleActive member of staff will wash and service the bike before it's next hire.
Lunch and evening meals
We recommend using small local businesses which adhere to COVID-19 guidelines. Alternatively, bring a packed lunch.
Training rooms / office space
There will be frequently cleaning and disinfecting of objects and surfaces that are touched regularly particularly in areas of high use such as door handles, light switches, kettles using appropriate cleaning products.
Bike trailers
Clients will not touch the bike trailers or equipment to tie the bikes on. Clients bikes will be handle by CycleActive staff in the process of tying on and off the bikes. Disinfectant products will be available for clients to clean the key touchpoints of the bike, upon return (Just ask).
Luggage
Clients are recommended to bring disinfectant products to enable effective cleaning of luggage handles.
Track and trace
CycleActive complies with data protection laws. Clients names and contact details will be kept on file of track and trace proposes.
Advice to clients and CycleActive members of staff
If you've become ill on one of our holidays/course or feel you may have been in close contact with someone with confirmed Coronavirus (COVID-19):
- Call CycleActive immediately on 01768840401, leave a message if there is no answer and we'll call you back. Our member of staff will contact the Local Health Authorities on your behalf. If you call the Local Health Authorities yourself, please advise our CycleActive member of staff immediately.
- Stop and stay where you are, whether it be outside on a ride during the day or in your room during the evening.
- Avoid contact with other clients, employees or members of the public.
The main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are:
- A high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
- A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
Most people with coronavirus have at least 1 of these symptoms.
World Health Organization definition of a close contact:
Any individual who has had greater than 15 minutes face-to-face (<1 metres Distance) with a confirmed case of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Household contacts defined as living or sleeping in the same home, individuals in shared accommodation sharing kitchen or bathroom facilities.
Local Health Authorities:
England, Northern Ireland, Scotland & Wales - please visit the NHS website for the latest information and contact details in relation to Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Republic of Ireland - Please visit the HSE website for the latest information and contact details in relation to Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Unsure about what Social Distancing is? - Here are the NHS Guidelines
- Try to stay at least 2 metres (3 steps) away from anyone you do not live with (or anyone not in your support bubble)
- Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- Wash your hands as soon as you get home
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
- Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
- Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
Face coverings
If you can, wear something that covers your nose and mouth in places where it's hard to stay away from other people. There are some places where you must wear a face covering, such as:
- On public transport
- in shops
- When you go to hospital appointments or visit someone in hospital
Face coverings should not be worn by children under 3 and people who would find wearing them difficult (such as people with breathing difficulties).
NHS - website