Tour Policies
Payment, cancellation and refund terms for every Cycle of Life Adventures tour.
We offer the following cancellation policy for our shorter, domestic tours that require a $500 deposit and our Epic tours which require a non-refundable deposit to sign up. In the rare case that Cycle of Life Adventures (COLA) must cancel a trip due to low enrollment, we will do so at least 45 days prior to departure. If we cancel fewer than 45 days prior to departure, we will issue you a full refund plus a $400 credit toward any of our other tours within a calendar year.
Exceptions to our cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather, civil unrest, terrorism, natural disasters or personal, family and medical emergencies. In all cases, we will not be responsible for any personal expenses incurred such as airline tickets, hotels or car rentals. COLA reserves the right to make route and lodging modifications, as needed.
No refunds will be made for meals, services or lodging paid for but not used. Travel insurance is recommended for Epic Adventures.
Classic Tours & Four Day Tours
All cancellations must be in writing and are effective upon receipt in our office. Full payment is due 60 days prior to tour departure.
- 91+ days before departure — 100% refund
- 61–90 days before departure — 65% refund
- 31–60 days before departure — 35% refund
- 0–30 days before departure — no refund
EPIC Tours
All cancellations must be in writing and are effective upon receipt in our office. Full payment is due 120 days prior to tour departure.
- 151+ days before departure — 60% refund
- 121–150 days before departure — 50% refund
- 91–120 days before departure — 25% refund
- 0–90 days before departure — no refund
Custom & Private Tours
Full payment is due 90 days prior to tour departure. Custom and Private Tours are non-refundable. If a guest has to cancel, they are responsible for the full tour price or may find a replacement rider.
International & National Park Tours
The following tours will incur a $250 cancellation fee in addition to the policies above: Maine – Coastal Maine "Bold Coast" Bike Tour, Blue Ridge Parkway Bike Tour, EPIC Appalachians Bike Tour, EPIC Cross Country – Northern Tier Bike Tour.
No refunds are possible after the tour begins. No refunds will be made for meals, lodging or services paid for but not used.
I agree to follow the safety policies and procedures of Cycle of Life Adventures (COLA) and its guides. I understand that I will be required to sign a Participant Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims, Assumption of Risks and Indemnity Agreement in favor of COLA upon my arrival to the tour.
As a cyclist, be aware that there are risks, hazards and dangers inherent in cycling. It is your responsibility to operate your bicycle and conduct yourself in an alert, cautious and prudent manner at all times. Your assumption of this responsibility is imperative as Cycle of Life Adventures strives to ensure your safety and the safety of others in the group.
Your personal responsibility includes, but is not limited to, the following cycling practices and principles:
- Always wear a helmet.
- Ride with traffic (on the right side of the road).
- Ride single file — never ride two or three abreast.
- Call out your intentions.
- Control your speed on the downhill. Know that there may be sand, gravel or other debris commonly on the road. Never take your hands off the handlebars during the descent.
- Be alert for changing road conditions, potholes, gravel, sand, standing water, and even ice.
- Beware of the hazards of riding in a paceline and other forms of drafting. It is safer to keep at least two bike lengths between you and the cyclist in front.
- Walk over railroad tracks and cattle guards if you are not experienced, particularly if you cannot cross these hazards perpendicularly.
- Obey all traffic signs and signals.
- Use hand signals when turning and stopping to alert cyclists and motorists alike.
- If you stop cycling for whatever reason, pull completely off the road.
- Dogs — try to outrun them if you feel reasonably confident that you will win the race. If you lose, or decide to dismount and walk through the dog's territory, keep your bike between you and the dog. Dogs usually won't chase you past their territorial boundaries. Do not veer out into the center of the roadway to avoid the dog.
A full Participant Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims, Assumption of Risks and Indemnity Agreement will be required upon arrival to the tour.
I acknowledge I am aware that I am participating in a program in which there are certain inherent risks and dangers, including, but not limited to: physical exertion for which I am not prepared; vehicular traffic; road and trail hazard; weather conditions and other forces of nature; illness or accident caused by stress, fatigue, high altitude or consumption of food and beverage; accident or illness without access to means of rapid evacuation or availability of medical supplies, any or all of which can lead to serious injury or death.
I further acknowledge that the enjoyment of adventure travel involves assumption of inherent risks and dangers and, as lawful consideration for being accepted for participation in this program, I hereby release and discharge Cycle of Life Adventures and it's agents and employees from and against any and all liability arising from my participation in this program. I agree this Release shall be legally binding upon me personally, all members of my family, and all minors traveling with me, my heirs, successors, assignees, and legal representatives; it being my intention to assume fully the risks of travel and to release Cycle of Life Adventures from any and all liabilities to the maximum extent permitted by law.
I understand that my participation is subject to acceptance and approval by Cycle of Life Adventures, and that upon acceptance and approval, shall be deemed to have occurred and been performed at Denver, Colorado. In the event that a legal dispute should arise involving any subject matter whatsoever, I agree that the dispute will be governed by Colorado law.
KNOWING AND VOLUNTARY EXECUTION
I have carefully read and fully understand the content and legal ramifications of this document. I understand that this is a legally binding and enforceable agreement and I sign it of my own free will.