CROSSROADS BIKE TOURS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS and REFUND POLICY
GEAR AND EQUIPMENT
GETTING THERE AND AWAY
RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENTS
OUT ON TOUR
SELF-GUIDED BIKING
Payments
If you give notice of cancellation:
Please consider trip insurance (recommended) Check for possible coverage with your home-owners policy and or their advice.
Cancellation by Crossroads Bike Tours
If certain unforeseen events beyond our control could occur making it impossible to fulfill your reserved tour, we will provide a full refund of all amounts paid by to Crossroads Bike Tours, including the deposit less fees. Crossroads Bike Tours shall not be liable for any other costs incurred by you, such as airline, hotel or travel costs required to reach your tour starting point.
Crossroads is your local Katy expert and we KNOW the Katy trail. We utilize our quantity discounts for selected dates at our quality accommodations and pass our savings on to you. We only charge for what you need and do not have added charges like blueprints to raise your costs. At Crossroads Bike Tours, our planning saves you time and money so you have the confidence to just go out and ride.
A Fully-Supported Bike tour is our “5-Star Service” including three trip leaders—two ride bikes with the group (one in front and one in the rear) and one that supports the group in a van. We will provide minor bike repair while on the trail and give you the flexibility to ride in the van at any time on the route. In addition, lunches are included in the pricing as well as full luggage handling to each accommodation, dinner transportation to restaurants and your bikes are cleaned and serviced each day.
A Self-Guided Biking tour does not include a trip leader nor support van during your ride. You are responsible for navigating the trail using our guide maps which are provided, handling bike repairs, and completing the entire ride that is scheduled for the day. We book your rooms, provide transportation to the start of the trail and guide books which show any detours. You can also purchase luggage shuttle, bike rentals and hotel before or after the tour.
Travel Protection
We strongly recommend purchasing travel protection as Crossroads Bike Tours is unable to make exceptions to refund for costs incurred due to the impacts of illness before or on tour. Crossroads’ recommended travel protection plan includes coverage of Covid illness. Click here for more information https://www.allianzworldwidepartners.com/usa/terms-and-conditions/001004369.
Policies are subject to change, with short notice, as the global situation evolves.
Should a guest be directed to quarantine for 14 days due to COVID-19 exposure, then they should not travel. This direction typically comes from the local health department or the health provider’s office of the person who is ill. The incubation period for COVID-19 is 2-14 days after exposure, so if exposure occurred within 14 days of the start of the trip, the guest will not have completed quarantine in time and should not commence travel. See Refund Policy for amount of refund available.
Yes, please do! We encourage it! If you’re needing a rental, we have Hybrid and E-bikes for your to rent. You can bring your seat as that will help with your comfort level on the trail. If you bring your pedals and shoes, be sure to bring a wrench to take off the pedals after your ride as there is no one available to make the switch.
We do ask that before your trip, you take your bike to get a routine tune-up and double check that it’s ready for riding.
Sure! If that’s the kind of bike you’d like to experience your tour on, then by all means bring it along. We recommend our guests maintain a speed of 10 miles per hour, so consider your bike of choice’s capabilities before making your final decision. Luke rides a three-wheel recumbent bike on the KATY trail with ease so feel free to bring yours along. Please let us know if you are bringing a bike other than a standard bicycle so we can ensure room in our trailer.
If you have your own personal electric bicycle and would like to bring it to ride on the tour, please bring it along! If you need to rent an e-bike, please call us and we will set you up. E-bikes are more expensive to rent per day.
Our tour does pass through tunnels but none are of length that require lighting. Please bring lights along if you plan on using your bike in the evenings after the tour.
Your choice. At each hotel in the evening there is a secure place to store your bike. At lunch your bikes are usually right outside the door with the other bikers and we haven't had any issues with bikes gone missing.
Yes and No. Guides are only available on fully-supported rides. They can handle light maintenance and routine mechanics. Of course we’ll fix your flat, adjust your seat and put air in your tires should you need it. Each trailer is equipped with a tool kit, as well as spare tires and tubes. If a replacement is needed on a rental bike, we’ll switch out the tube or tire. If your personal bike needs a replacement, the price of the part will be added to your tour cost.
On Self-guided and fully-supported tours you will leave your vehicle in St. Charles and be driven to the starting destination and ride back to your vehicle. Parking is free in St. Charles.
If you want to drive your car to the starting city, we can provide a shuttle back to your car on the following day. You will need to stay over in St. Charles the last night of your tour as our shuttle leaves at 8:00am each day.
KATY starts in St. Charles, MO near the St. Louis International Airport (STL). Please see the tour specifics for times to fly out after the tour. If you want an extended stay outside of the hotel dates for the tour, please let our tour agent know to plan your extra night’s stay.
We offer custom tours to groups of at least four people who may want to tailor their tour a little bit. Give the office a call and we’ll work with your group to build the vacation you’re looking for.
The single supplement fee is only incurred if you are traveling alone or desire the guarantee of your own bed. The rates you pay for our overnight accommodations are priced based on double occupancy, or having two people in each room. If you are traveling solo, or with another person but know you want separate beds, paying the Single Supplement fee guarantees that you have a private room, and a bed, to yourself when you pull into each night’s lodging.
If you cancel your tour 45+ days before start you will receive your money back minus $200 per person. If you cancel 45-11 days you will receive 50% of your full tour price back and 10 days or less, there is no refund.
Emergencies happen, you never know when a medical or family crisis may occur that will force you to change your vacation plans. Crossroads Bike Tours does not offer Trip Insurance however below are a few great travel insurance suggestions:
Sports Cover Direct https://www.sportscoverdirect.com/insurance/cycling-insurance/
Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection https://www.bhtp.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiI6X45D74gIVCL3sCh3HoAX-EAAYBCAAEgLh5_D_BwE
We offer 3 rooming options, Queen with 2 people, Queen with 1 person and 2 beds in one room. In some cases where people want 2 beds in one room they might actually receive 2 rooms due to a location only offering one bed per room.
Yes! The Katy trail does have water available at most Trailheads from April - October. We recommend 2 water bottles for the trail. On Fully supported rides, at every support stop, there will be a cooler with ice water and energy drinks for you to refill. We will also have energy bars and other items to keep you fueled during your ride. For Self-guided rides, the trailheads do have water during months of April – October. There are also drinks available in some of the towns you pass through.
Possibly. We make every effort to stop at restaurants with a varied menu that includes vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan items but we can’t always guarantee that we’ll be at a restaurant with a gluten-free vegetarian or vegan menu.
You will enjoy your ride more if you have been riding your bike on a regular basis for the past 30 – 60 days. Getting your rear end accustomed to long rides is almost as important as preparing the rest of your body. You aren’t training for the Olympics however you do want to ensure your body can handle the 30-40 miles a day with occasional breaks. We are not into speed on these tours but you should be able to maintain a 10 mph pace at the minimum. The Katy Trail has crushed limestone so there is a constant drag on your bike. You will see a 2-3 mph reduction in speed from other smooth surface rides.
All gratuities are built into the included features of your vacation with the exception of those for your Trip Leaders and drivers. Tipping for your Trip Leaders and drivers is optional and not included in the price of your vacation - but is very appreciated.
For self-guided tours, you are expected to ride each day to the next destination. If you want to be shuttled to your next location you will need to call the shuttle company or taxi to see if they have a driver available and pay the cost of the transfer.
For Fully-supported rides, we have our support vehicle along the route when we are on the trail. If you feel like taking a break, our guides will be waiting for you with the van and trailer, as well as some much-deserved food and drink. It’s at these times that you can make the decision to continue riding for another leg, or hop in the van for a break. The guide driving the van will appreciate the company!
For the Self-guided tour you are expected to carry your bags unless you have purchased luggage shuttle for your bags. If you purchased luggage shuttle then you will leave your bags in the lobby of your hotel and your bags will be in the lobby of your next hotel by 3pm so bags won't be available during your ride.
For the Fully-Supported ride, during the KATY ride your luggage will be in the SAG trailer. We recommend bringing along a backpack, or a day pack to keep in the van and store your essentials. That way if you’re missing something out on the route, you can just dive into the van at a support stop.
On our Fully-supported tours, yes, they can ride in the van at regular trip cost. We do not offer discounts to guests who choose not to ride a bike, but welcome their company if they would like to join the trip.
Along with your welcoming paperwork, you’ll also receive a packing list. We can never predict the weather, so it’s important to pack clothing for all contingencies. The packing list will include our recommendations for packing for rain and changeable weather.
Only in extreme circumstances do we cancel a tour. Trips depart rain or shine! However, in the unlikely event of a severe weather event, a tour may be cancelled.
You will need to call a shuttle company or taxi to see if you can ride with the luggage transfer or if an additional vehicle can be arranged. You would be responsible for the cost of an additional transfer vehicle should you require it. Please ensure you have a transfer as some days it might not be available.
You should have spare tubes and you or someone in your party should be able to change your own tire.
You or someone in your party should be able to do very minor repairs such as putting your bike chain back on if it falls off and making slight adjustments to your brake pads. For other more serious repairs, you can call our office and we will find the closest bike shop, provide phone assistance.
You should contact the local emergency number that is provided in your guide Book. After contacting emergency services at your destination, please contact our office for any assistance you may need, or to advise if you will continue the tour. We also recommend traveling with a first aid kit for minor injuries.
Yes, we do! Please contact our office to request an E-bike, subject to availability.
We do not guarantee luggage porterage to your hotel rooms, so you must be able to carry your bags. When you leave a hotel or BnB they will instruct you to the designated luggage drop-off area.