Obligatory services for the reception of cycle tourists
Secure bicycle storage
Each facility must have an equipped bike room or at least an enclosed room for the safe storage of bikes. The room must be kept in a clean condition and access must be controlled and restricted to facility users only in order to protect bikes from theft or damage. In the absence of suitable bike storage for the night, the ``bike in room`` option is essential.
Small workshop for maintenance
Each facility must have a small workshop to carry out routine maintenance work with a small repair shop. The workshop equipment must include at least: a vertical hand pump or compressor equipped with a pressure gauge and adapters for different valves, a set of allen keys and spanners, screwdrivers, chain breaker, lubricant, rags, tyre lever, patches and putty, handwashing paste. The workshop space must be large enough to allow the rider to work comfortably around their bike, secured to a stand.
Attention to catering with flexible hours
Normally, the cycle-tourist leaves for his excursion or to resume his journey early in the morning. He therefore needs to replenish his energy with a hearty but balanced breakfast that provides him with the nutrients needed to cope with the physical effort.
Bike wash area
Each facility must have an area specifically for washing bicycles, close to the depot, equipped with the necessary washing equipment, including a hose for water, preferably pressure water.
In-house or contracted laundry room
The cycle-tourist on a touring trip travels with a small amount of luggage and therefore needs to wash and dry his or her clothes every evening, in time to start cycling again the next morning. The same applies to enthusiasts who use technical clothing for their cycling trips and wish to wash it thoroughly once they return. A laundry room within the bike hotel is the ideal solution to meet these needs. In the absence of this, an agreement with a nearby laundry is appreciated.
Convention with guides
At the request of the customer, facilities must be able to provide people with adequate knowledge of the area to accompany cyclists on excursions. The experienced and certified cycling guide can accompany guests along the area's cycling routes, providing accurate information to satisfy their curiosity.
Provision of bicycles for hire
Bicycles or ebikes owned by the bike hotel may be accommodated in the bike storage room or in a separate space for guests' bicycles. Rental or free rental of these must be regulated by the management, which, at its discretion, sets the terms and conditions of the service. Also popular with cyclists is the possibility of a rental agreement in the vicinity of the bike hotel, whereby bikes may be delivered to and collected from the hotel.
Provision of electronic maps
People who cycle often use electronic devices such as navigators and cycle computers that allow them to follow the planned route and at the same time check their speed, distance travelled and time taken. It is therefore essential to provide them with the possibility of uploading routes in the area to these devices.
Luggage transport
A punctual and reliable luggage delivery service is available to all service guests. the price of the service is among the services on request with a predefined surcharge; the cost is basically related to the number of tour stops, so it may change from one tour to another.
Information and bike shuttle booking service
Information and assistance for booking and checking real-time availability of Vans, 4x4s and Pickups for transferring bikes and people.
Additional services for the reception of cycle tourists
At the discretion of the owner/manager of the bike hotel.
- Wellness area: conventions with fitness and/or wellness centres if not available within the structure;
- Vegetarian, vegan, and/or dietetic cuisine (favouring local, km0 products)
- Child care (and baby sitter, dedicated play area);
- Proposal of information, organised programmes (also in collaboration with third parties) and itineraries for cyclists. Each facility must have available technical material (maps, planimetries, altimetries) regarding cycling excursions that can be made in the area and regional tourist material with relative information on the territory (public transport timetables, events, useful numbers, etc.). The material, if possible handed over on arrival, must in any case be available at the reception desk or in a room set aside for this purpose.
- Free bike briefing for groups;
- By prior arrangement a guide or bike companion is available (after dinner) to facilitate and help plan the biking holiday;
- Host of paid gadgets and accessories of common use, supplements;
- Small thematic library, also digital, of local widespread heritage;
- Availability of repair service also in agreement/on call;
- Hire, also in agreement, of 3-wheel bicycles for the elderly and/or disabled and e-bikes for the disabled;
- Path maintenance in the vicinity of one’s own facility on an individual basis or in association between fronters;
- Organisation of workshop activities linked to the territory on typical local agricultural production, typical cuisine, local crafts, art, perfumes, wellness, flora, etc.
- Availability to pick up cyclists in distress. The service of picking up cyclists in distress can be carried out with a special van, quad or car equipped with approved supports to transport bicycles safely. The range of action of the bike hotel staff, i.e. the distance within which the facility can take care of the pick-up of cyclists, is at the discretion of the facility owner/manager.
- Massage and physiotherapeutic service. The facilities should also offer the possibility of post-training defatiguing massages and a physiotherapeutic service to intervene in the case of minor traumas or injuries. The management of the service includes an agreement with a trusted masseur or physiotherapist that can be provided on request and at an agreed price.
- The hotel may have a recharging point for electric bicycles (also inside the bike room).
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The material must be available at the reception desk or in a room set aside for this purpose.
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