Champagne Bike & Bubbly

Groups can be from 2 to 14.

Yes. Riders must be 18 by the beginning of the tour to participate.

Yes. Hybrid bikes are available to rent, as are E-bikes.

The bikes are brand new high-quality hybrid bikes (24 gears). The hybrid bicycle is a cross type of bicycle that combines certain features of mountain bikes and those of road/racing bikes. Your bike is equipped with multi-speed gearing, with ratios available conducive for the type of riding you will be doing. The hybrid bikes come with upright steering, no drop handlebars. These bicycles are very good for their purpose and are maintained by professional mechanics.

This is a trip for those who have a reasonable level of fitness and are used to cycling daily. To make the best champagnes, the grapes have to be grown on slopes, so be prepared for some hills along the way!

You will mostly cycle on asphalt vineyards roads, countryside roads and cycle patgs. No traffic roads on this tour.

The tour starts and ends in Reims. You can fly to Paris then take the train from Paris-Est to Reims. Paris is approximately 148 km (92 mi) from Reims.

Arrival by Train

• There are two train stations in Reims - one for high-speed trains (TGV), the other one in the city centre (regular trains)
• If arriving from the high-speed train station (Gare TGV Champagne-Ardenne in Bézanne):
  - You can take a train from the TGV’s station to Reims train station (about 15mn – ~3€)
  - You can take the tramway – line B to Reims city centre - Stop at the train station (about 30mn - ~2€)
• Reims train station is about 5 mins away on foot from hotels
• There is a taxi station at the train station if needed

Parking in Reims
None of the hotels have a private carpark. Guarded pay carparks are available in town.

If you are travelling solo or would like your own room then a single supplement is payable.

The accommodation is B&B (bed and breakfast) and so breakfast is included as part of the basic tour price. If you wish to also have dinner included with your accommodation package then you can upgrade to the half board option.

Helmets are provided if you rent a bike with the tour operator. But you can always bring your own helmet if you wish.

The Tour Operator has partnered with Ride with GPS for downloadable GPS route notes. A month before departure, the Tour Operator will email the link containing information needed for the app.

Itineraries mostly start from the centre of town, not from the hotel booked for guests. Available maps in the provided Travel Folder can be used for instructions going to the tour starting point from the hotel and vice versa. At the meeting point, the app can be explained further by a representative.

What is Ride with GPS?
Ride with GPS (RWGPS) is a bike route mapping and navigation tool. The Tour Operator has partnered with Ride with GPS, to bring you custom downloadable GPS route notes!


How does it work?
An e-mail will be sent to you prior to your tour. You will be prompted to download the app, enter a “shortcut code” and your e-mail address (for security, not for marketing), to gain access to your routes. When you’re ready to begin biking, just attach your phone to the provided mount, and let the voice navigation guide you.

Do I have to create an RWGPS account?
No. For simple navigation, an account is not required. Creating a personal Ride with GPS account is a free option if you wish to save your rides.

What if I do not have a smartphone?
Custom paper route notes and maps will continue to be available to guests on tour.

Does it matter what kind of smartphone I have ?
Ride with GPS works on either iPhones or Android phones. The app requires the following operating systems: iPhone operating system version 10.3, 11.x, and 12.x or newer; or Android 5.0 or newer (“Lollipop” through “Pie”). Note: These numbers do not refer to the iPhone version name, but rather to the operating system version.

Do I need to use Data or Wifi while navigating ?
No. Prior to your departure, download the maps and routes which will make them accessible offline. The Ride with GPS app uses no data for navigation and can be used while your phone is in Airplane mode. You do NOT need to purchase a foreign data plan to use RWGPS if you are travelling outside of your country.

Will the application drain my battery ?
The app uses some battery. You can conserve battery by taking the following steps: download the maps for offline use before you arrive, put your phone on Airplane mode while riding, keep the screen off as much as possible when not in use, turn off other apps, reduce screen brightness and charge your phone whenever you have access to an outlet. We recommend bringing a portable cell phone power bank to recharge your phone on the go. We also recommend a local electrical adapter if travelling to a foreign country.

How much phone memory will downloading maps and routes use?
The phone memory used in downloading a map and route will vary depending on the length of a route. A typical 30 mile route will take about 10MB of space.

How will I see the map ?
You should not need to see the map unless you want to stop and turn your screen on to look at it. You will use the turn-by-turn voice navigation. A visual cue for a turn notification will flash over the lock screen to go with the audio alerts.

How will I attach my phone on the bike ?
The Tour Operator will provide a universal mount that fits most standard-sized phones.

What happens if I go off the route ?
Unlike a car GPS, the RWGPS app will not re-route you if you go off-course. The app will give you a notification sound and a written prompt as to the direction and distance to get yourself back to the course from where you left it. You may wish to stop and look at the map on your phone’s screen to visualize getting back to the route.

User Tips
Ideas for phone safety and efficiency:
    • Protect your phone with an external phone cover and a screen protector.
    • Always keep your phone with you when you are not on your bicycle.
    • When removing your phone from the bike mount, always keep one hand on the phone.
    • If you do not need to make or receive calls and messages, then place your phone on airplane mode while riding.
    • Monitor your battery level and consider bringing a portable power bank to recharge your phone mid-day. Keep Active Tours paper route notes with you as a backup.
    • Recharge your phone completely each evening.

PLEASE NOTE:
The Tour Operator will not be responsible for any loss or damage to your personal smartphone, nor for any data charges incurred at any time. It is your sole responsibility to manage your personal property.

Yes, there will be a welcome briefing at the first hotel of the tour. Bikes (if booked) and a Travel Folder will be delivered at the same time containing the following items:

- Vouchers
- Luggage tags
- Hotel list
- Tourist information

During the trip, luggage is transferred between each hotel. The provided luggage tags must be tied to each suitcase. It is important to write the main name of the booking on each tag.

Luggage should be at the reception every morning before 9:30am. They will be delivered before 4:00pm to the next hotel. Most of the time they will be delivered by the early afternoon.

Luggage should not weigh more than 20kg. It's advised to have one bag of about 15kg and a smaller bag of about 5kg.

Please carry all documents, cash, medication and valuables on your person.

Consider bringing drinks or a change of clothes in your backpack. There may be times that you'll arrive at the hotel before your bags or there might be some rain while on the road.

- It's advised to arrive late in the afternoon on the first day of the tour. All your hotels during the tour will have rooms ready from 3:00pm.
- Welcome meetings are often scheduled by 6:00pm at the first hotel
- The end of the tour will be after breakfast on the final day
- Distances indicated on the itinerary are approximates only. It can vary up to 5km (3.1mi) each day

All bikes are equipped with the following:

- tire repair kit (with extra inner tube)
- pump, bell, lock
- support smartphone
- rear carrier (for standard panniers)
- removable handlebar bag with map case
- helmets (not mandatory but recommended)

SPD pedals are on request

Bikes are always delivered to the first hotel and should be left at the last hotel at the end of the tour.

Due to the changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the cancellation policy of the company has been updated.
There will be no cancellation fees until 2 weeks before the tour departure.