Before getting in touch to ask a question, please read our list of recently asked questions, as your query may have already been answered. Thank you!
GENERAL TRIP QUESTIONS
Can you help with travel arrangements?
We will make suggestions on where to fly in/out of for your trip and then you are responsible for making these plans. Be sure to know the locations of our courtesy transfers for your trip before booking your flights. inGamba will not be responsible for private transfers to/from other airports/cities than the ones we specify for your particular trip.
Where and when will you pick me up when I arrive?
Our team will ensure you have the details for your pick up information. In general, this is done around 10/11am in the specified city of your pickup on the first day of your trip.
How many guests are on a trip and on rides?
We limit most trips to 14 guests and frequently have 8-12 per trip.
What does Randonnée mean?
A Randonée is a trip that moves throughout the week. On these trips you will see a variety of terrain and get a broad overview of an area.
Should I tip your staff?
Many of our guests ask if gratuities for the staff are appropriate. We suggest that if you feel like the staff has gone above and beyond to give you the best experience possible then that work should be recognized. Generally most of our guests find that 10-20% of the cost of the trip is an appropriate amount. All gratuities are split evenly between the staff like a professional race team splits a winning prize purse. It is frequently the people who are never in the spotlight who make each week a success.
BOOKING YOUR TRIP
What if I have to cancel my trip?
Should you need to cancel your trip, please call us and we will be as accommodating as possible, but our official cancellation policy is outlined below in order to cover inGamba for the costs we incur before trips depart, such as third-party bookings and staffing.
Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. Balances are collected 120 days from the departure date, and are subject to the following cancellation policy:
- For cancellations made between 105 and 90 days from the departure date, a full credit of your balance (not including the initial deposit) will be carried forward for a future trip, to be used within two years.
- For cancellations made between 90 and 75 days prior to the departure date, a credit of 50% of your balance (not including the initial deposit) will be issued towards a future trip within two years.
- For cancellations made within fewer than 75 days of departure, no credit can be applied. For this reason, we highly recommend travel insurance.
Please note, credits can be used towards a new balance only and not a deposit. A new deposit will be required for each new booking. Credits related to cancellations expire 2 years after the initial travel date and may be applied only once.
Do I need travel insurance?
Although we cannot insist on it to travel with us, we do highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance for your own peace of mind. We work with Allianz and our partner number is F204167. This is the best way to protect your investment and to make sure that if life gets in the way of your inGamba adventure, you’ll be covered.
It is important to note that events such as family emergencies, illness, injuries, or work conflicts cannot be covered by inGamba as we are unable to recover costs on late cancellations.
What is included in the trip cost?
We include all lodging, meals and a selection of beverages* at meals and aperitivos. You will also ride a Pinarello Dogma F Disk equipped with SRAM RED eTAP AXS, daily massage, daily laundry for cycling gear, hydration/nutrition support during each ride and clients receive a complete Castelli cycling kit upon arrival at the trip.
We also include one courtesy transfer from a fixed location for the start and end of each trip. Private transfers are also available if you’d prefer to travel at your own convenience.**
*Beverages ordered by guests beyond normal amounts and away from group activities will incur additional charges.
**Private transfers will also incur an additional charge.
What is the deposit, and when is the balance due?
The deposit for most trips is $2,500 per person and is non-refundable and non-transferable. The balance for all trip fees is automatically charged to your card 120 days before the start of your trip.
What currency are the trip prices in?
All prices are quoted in US dollars.
How do I choose the right trip?
All of our trips are amazing in different ways. We offer trips in Italy, Portugal, France, Switzerland, Argentina, and the US, and they all have their own unique charms.
That said, if you’re new to inGamba, we think that Tuscany is the ideal place to join the #MangiaBeveBici family because Lecchi in Chianti is where it all began.
If you have specific questions about our destinations, feel free to reach out to hello@ingamba.pro, or better yet, schedule a call with us and we can walk you through all the options.
How far in advance should I book?
We launch our calendar to our previous clients before we make them public and some of our trips get close to selling out out early. We recommend you book early. Having said this, if you find yourself with a small window of opportunity, feel free to hit us up and we will try and find a spot for you.
How do I contact you to ask questions about a trip?
We have a few options:
- Email us hello@ingamba.pro
- Chat with us now!
- Schedule a call with us here
If I book a trip, is there a guarantee that it will run?
We have never canceled a trip due to low numbers. However, there is no guarantee of this in the future. If a trip is canceled by us we will give you a full credit which can be applied to any other trip within 2 years, plus an additional $500 to help you with changing any flights you may have already booked.
What does double occupancy mean?
All trips are priced at the double occupancy rate which means that the base price assumes two people are in each room. If you’d like your own room, see below on our single supplement policy.
Do you offer a single room supplement?
We do and if you would like the privacy of a private room throughout your trip please select this upgrade option at checkout. This upgrade is 15% of the base package of the trip.
Do you offer add-on packages before or after the trip?
Our concierge can make recommendations to you for hotels to use in the city where your pick up will be at the start of the trip. We recommend people arrive in the city the night before the pick-up to ensure a cushion of time before the trip starts and to help adjust to the time difference.
If you’d like to know more about this, reach out to hello@ingamba.pro and he can propose some options.
Do you do private or custom trips?
Yes we do. Learn more about our private trip program here.
What about Visas?
We advise you to make sure you have the necessary visa/s for the country / countries that you are visiting.
Please do be aware of new visa regulations which are coming into place.
Starting from 2025, many people will need an ETIAS to visit the following 30 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gree
You can find more information here.
ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of these 30 European countries. It is linked to a traveller’s passport. It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorisation.
Preparing For Your Trip
What do I need to bring to ride?
You will receive a full Castelli kit, including bibs, jersey, socks, cap, and gloves. And while we will launder your kit each day, we recommend that you also bring at least one spare kit. We also advise you to bring your own shoes and pedals. Many guests also bring their own helmet, but we will always have an excellent Giro Synthe MIPS to lend you if you’d like to use one of those.
All people need to bring their own pedals and shoes on the trip as a minimum. We do offer Speedplay pedals so you can skip pedals if you ride Speedplay at home. We do provide helmets and pre-loaded Garmins. Some people prefer bringing their own saddle so that is optional.
What do I need to pack?
Casual clothing including jeans, khakis, T-shirts and a scarf are appropriate for all restaurants. There is usually one evening we recommend a collared shirt and jacket for men; and for women a skirt, dress or dress pants. Casual shoes and sneakers or trail-shoes for walks in vineyards or around town are recommended. A sweater or light jacket is recommended for evenings. A swimsuit for swimming should the occasion arise.
Are there non-riding activities?
Non-riding activities vary for each trip depending primarily on the location. Please check with our team for this information on trips you are interested in.
ABOUT THE RIDE
How fit do I need to be for the trip?
Our trips are a celebration of cycling, so some fitness is required, but there is no need to feel intimidated. Once you are comfortable riding with other people and get out on your bike on a regular basis at home, you’ll do fine. We are not here to race, we’re here to have fun and enjoy our beautiful destinations. With our full team of support cars and guides, there will always be someone with you along the way, whether you want to chase a KOM or chat and laugh your way to the top of the climb.
How do you handle guests with varying levels of fitness?
We have the highest ratio of staff to guests of any cycling travel company. We frequently break into smaller groups led by a guide cycling with you, or a mechanic in a follow car with spare wheels, cold bidons, and tasty homemade riding snacks.
What ride support do you offer?
We have a minimum of two guides riding with you on the bike. We also have at least one (but frequently two) follow cars driven by professional mechanics who will swap your wheel if you get a flat. You will also be supported by our team of soigneurs on the trip for fueling and hydration needs.
EQUIPMENT
Can I bring my own bike?
Yes, you can bring your own bike. However, our guests are always impressed by the Pinarello Dogma F, so much so that many of them purchase the bike to take home at the end of the trip!
Please note that we cannot offer any discount should you decide to bring your own bike, as it will get the same level of professional care as our own fleet, and will frequently require us to purchase additional spare parts to support it.
How do you make sure the bike fits?
We will set up your bike according to the measurements you give us in our custom bike fit form. If you would like to provide additional information regarding your fit we encourage you to email additional details.
Watch our explainer video below, which should tell you all that you need to know.
Watch Video
Do you have different kinds of pedals?
We have Speedplay pedals available on our trips, and a range of other pedals from Shimano and Look, in case of emergencies. We strongly advise all guests to travel with their own pedals, however, to avoid any unwanted fit or compatibility issues.
What saddle should I choose? Should I bring my own?
We provide a range of Prologo saddles to accommodate different needs. You can find more information about their different models, and how to choose the right one for you, here. Having a comfortable saddle is one of the most important things that can make your experience great, or not so awesome. If you are concerned about being as comfortable on the bike as possible we encourage you to bring your own saddle from home.
Do you have riding shoes?
No. We do not provide or have shoes available. Proper shoe fit, cleat setup and correct cleat for the pedals being used are critical. Please bring your riding shoes with you.
How does the Castelli clothing fit?
Castelli’s clothing is considered “race-cut.” It contours to the shape of your body. If you are unsure about your sizing, don’t worry, we always have extras to swap in case something doesn’t fit on the first try. You can also see the measurements here.