Frequently asked questions

• Farwood Farm, Horsley, Nr Stroud, Gloucestershire

• Look out for the Cotswoldetours flag at the entrance to the drive. The entrance is on the B4058 on the western edge of the village, as you travel uphill towards Uley and Dursley.

• We strongly recommend you download and use the What3Words app. The reference for the car park is: ///nothing.replace.caravans

• Please bring cycle gloves if you have them.

• A showerproof jacket is recommended if the forecast is unsettled. Due to limited stock, we cannot guarantee that these will be available to borrow on the day.

• Trainers or similar.

• If you own cycle shorts, you will find these the most comfortable.

Wearing denim jeans will make you sore, so avoid them to fully enjoy the experience.

• Helmets are supplied with the bike hire

• Each bike will be fitted with a (filled) water bottle

• Your guide will carry a first aid kit

• Pockets in your clothes or a small rucksack to transport your personal effects

• If you prefer, please bring your own energy snacks for the ride. Your guide will also have a small quantity of home-made, vegetarian and GF protein bars, enough for the group.

• On the long ride (only) the group will break for a pub lunch, but please bring a packed lunch if you prefer to picnic. (Unfortunately, the local pubs no longer open on Monday and Tuesday's on this route. If you book either of these days we recommend you bring a packed lunch).

• Yes, of course. Feel free to bring your own electric mountain bike. All you need to do is follow the links in the booking page to the 'Bring Your Own Bike' page.

• We’ll be stopping to enjoy the scenery and look at a wide variety of interesting points during the ride. These are the best times to take on fluids or have a snack. Our intention is to offer you an introduction to off-road e-biking in a safe, relaxed and enjoyable experience.

• The maximum group size is limited to six riders plus the guide. Many rides have fewer than six.

• If you are a larger group and you want to go out together then contact us and we’ll happily arrange something that works for everyone.

• Don’t worry, there is a general principle in the mountain biking community that everyone acknowledges the pace of the slowest person and is prepared to hang back or wait at key points for everyone to regroup. Your group leader will maintain the best pace for us all.

• The routes have been devised for all abilities – but in the event that we need to shorten a ride, we have planned multiple exit points. So if you’re feeling unwell, or just unable to complete the full loop, let your group leader know and they will get you back to the start point quickly.

The motor on the electric bike is designed to give you assistance as you pedal. There are five modes available, providing more than enough power to get you up a steep rise and finish the ride easily.

• You need to pedal in the same way as any other cycle. However, because the bikes have a range of gears as well as the motor, there will be plenty of assistance when you need it.

• Please let us know in advance by e-mail of any conditions which might affect your ability to take part.

• It is standard practice to ask participants to sign a disclaimer and also to ask everyone to take responsibility for their own wellbeing.

• If you have any concerns regarding your fitness to ride, please obtain medical advice before booking.

• Pregnant women

• People with mobility impairments

• People with a serious medical condition (see prev. ques. above)

• Children under 15 years of age

• People with low levels of fitness

• People who can't ride a bike!

We know that life occasionally throws a wobbly and the unexpected happens, so we want to make this process as straightforward as possible. The way to get in touch is to email us at hello@cotswoldetours.co.uk with your name(s), the date you are booked to ride, and any additional details regarding your cancellation. We will respond as soon as possible.

We will endeavour to arrange another date with you and transfer the booking at no additional cost. If this can’t be achieved, we will reimburse your fees applying the following conditions:

• Cancellation giving 48hrs notice or more attracts a cancellation fee of £5.00 per person.

• Cancellation with less than 48 hrs notice attracts a fee of £15.00 per person.

The appropriate sum will be credited to your account within three days of receiving notice of the cancellation.

Yes, we are able to take cash or card payments on the day.

This will normally only be available if someone actually books on the day of their ride, or were unable to complete the online booking form for some reason and we have agreed to take payment on the day.

We are delighted to partner several local businesses who provide different services in the area. If you use any of these, please don't forget to mention Cotswoldetours.

Thank you.

For more information about the many things to do and see in the Stroud area, go to the 'Top Unique Experiences in the Stroud District' webpage.

Tailor Made Travel - Need help in planning your visit to the Cotswolds? Christine Coombes will take on all the hard work out of planning your holiday, by doing it for you! With options for specially selected quality accommodation, activities, tours, celebration planning and more, click on the title to this paragraph.

For beautiful local accomodation try any of the following:

Farwood Farm - Camping available. You'll be surrounded by chickens, ducks, sheep and pigs. It's absolutely idyllic.

StayCotswold – An independent, local holiday cottage letting agent specialising in luxury holiday rentals across the Cotswolds.

Hazlecote Farm Cottages - Located roughly half an hour away from Cheltenham, Bath and Bristol, this is the perfect getaway spot.

Bolthole Retreats - A wide range of beautiful holiday cottages in the Cotswolds.

Apricity Property - Families/groups and business travellers seeking luxury stays in the heart of the Cotswolds.

Ampneyfield Barns - Look no further. The accomodation has everything you could possibly wish for. Located just outside Cirencester, it’s the perfect base to reach all those hidden Cotswold treasures.

Here are some suggestions you might want to explore.

Fancy a private guided tour of the wider Cotswold area by car? Speak to Daniel at Bath Insider Tours

https://www.bathinsidertours.co.uk/

A guided walk in the area with Cotswold Trails

https://www.cotswoldtrails.com/

For something completely different, unlock your creativeness with a glass fusing course from Glasswitchery

https://www.facebook.com/glasswitchery/

If you've had a great time, we'd love to hear from you.

Tripadvisor reviews

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g186291-d25363330-Reviews-Cotswoldetours-Stroud_Stroud_District_Cotswolds_England.html

Google reviews

https://g.page/r/CTNL8S1pQpJhEB0/review