Easygoing Rhine River Cruise E-bike Tour

The tour is 8 days long with all 8 days being cycling days.

This e-bike tour makes adventuring by bike a breeze—perfect for beginners, occasional bikers, or anyone who is interested in exploring the world by bike. With dedicated Trip Leaders, support vans and GPS-supported routes, your day unfolds according to your agenda, not someone else's. Easygoing daily routes are typically 2-4 hours of biking per day, approximately 10-30 miles (16-48kms). Custom electric-assist bikes allow you to pedal effortlessly.

Gratuities for most services during your trip are included in the price. While the tour operator has thought about including a Trip Leader tip as part of the overall trip cost, they acknowledge that gratuities are often customary as a way to recognise excellent service on a more personal level.

While cash gratuities are always preferred, checks (on US trips only; payable to a Trip Leader) or PayPal are also available options.

On active cruises, Backroads seek out diversity by including regionally authentic and creative meals for onshore lunches, picnics and the occasional onshore dinner.

On-ship meals, though delightful, are meant to appeal to a wide cross section of passengers and may at times feel more conventional for some, and less reflective of the region than on Backroads hotel trips.

This is an e-bike tour however guests who prefer to pedal using their own power can still avail the following custom-designed bikes:

Road Bike
Lightweight and responsive featuring Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting, 11-speed compact gearing, premium Mavic Ksyrium Pro wheelset and a full carbon fork

Touring Bike
A proven classic and the most popular custom titanium bike that's suited for a wide range of cyclists. It features ergonomic seat and a long wheel base that add to the bike's control and stability.

If you'd prefer to have your own pedals, helmet or seat, feel free to bring these along. Your own gear can help to make your time on the bike as comfortable as possible, especially if you're someone who likes to log a lot of miles. Your leaders will be happy to put on your pedals and seat for you at the beginning of the trip.

The following items are included with all titanium bikes. Trip Leaders also have full tool kits on hand and are available to do mechanical repairs.

• two water bottles
• safety triangle
• combination lock
• flat pedals or toe-cages
• rear rack and/or trunk bag
• hand pump, inner tube, tire levers and patch kit

Yes. If you plan to bring your own bike, it should be tuned and in excellent mechanical condition and ready to ride before the trip starts. Otherwise, you are welcome to use the tour operator's bikes.

If your bike is new, ride it at least 50 miles (to break it in) and then have it adjusted by a professional mechanic. Please bring only one bike per person.The following items on your bike should be properly adjusted and in good condition: brakes and brake pads; the headset, pedals, cranks and hubs; gears; derailleurs; handlebars; tires and tubes; brake and derailleur cables; and the chain. Make sure the bike is well lubricated, the wheels are true, and the seat, seat post and handlebars are adjusted and tight.

If you are bringing your own bike and are comfortable doing minor on-the-road adjustments, you may want to bring a multi-tool. If your bike is highly specialised, bring any tools—and extra spokes and tubes!—that are specific to your bike. Use the list on the previous FAQ as a guide for recommended equipment if you are bringing your own bike.

If you're new to Backroads active cruise trips, there are a few things you need to know. The cruises are smaller, and much more intimate than a typical cruise. They are also quite lively, social experiences, shaped by both our the group and the larger ship community.

Additionally, even with an itinerary subject to fixed nautical schedules that may occasionally limit our time on shore, we get out and explore far beyond the cruise norm. If you love meeting new people, enjoy the ease of unpacking once, and don't mind a set schedule of port departure times, you'll love the approach to active river and ocean cruising.

The daily itinerary is based on scheduled sailing and port arrival times and as a result some days have more opportunities for exploring on land while other days have more sailing time. Every river has its own unique temperament and for centuries water levels have shifted due to rain, temperature and agriculture. High water levels may mean the ship cannot pass under a bridge, low water levels result in slower sailing, and a disabled lock can also lead to some extra cruising time.

Should any unforeseen change happen during your river cruise, the Tour Operator will work closely with the ship Captain and staff, who are very experienced in going with the flow. Depending on the situation, we may use a bus or our bikes to get to the next destination and use a land-based hotel if needed, in which case trip leaders will adjust the rides and activities as necessary.

Most port conditions require that ships tie up alongside each other, in which case you may need to walk through another ship to access our ship. This is a part of river cruising due to its popularity. You may experience obstructed views from your stateroom when the ship is double-docked, but rest assured that as soon as we set sail again your beautiful views will be restored.

The Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 declared by the World Health Organisation and the US Department of Health and Human Services expired May 11, 2023.

Effective June 1, should a guest choose to travel when positive or symptomatic with COVID-19, they will be required to wear a mask indoors and in vehicles, and to dine separately from the group.

Additionally, travelling unvaccinated may cause trip disruption. Backroads will not offer refunds or expense reimbursement to those unable to join a trip or take part in certain activities due to not meeting requirements. We ask that all guests carry a mask, as local regulations or vendors may require them in certain settings.

Travel Insurance: In the event a physician recommends you discontinue travel or not join your Backroads trip due to COVID-19 or other illnesses, consider trip insurance to help protect your travel investment.

Regional Entry Requirements: Please note that some regions (especially international destinations) have COVID-19 requirements and/or documents needed for entry.

Last update: Oct 2023