Free Use Bikes & Bike Programme - Practical Info

Chalet guests

• from Hotel Philibert main bike workshop (see map)

Hotel guests

• from Hotel Workshops (on site)

  Note: Workshops are normally open between 9.30 & 5pm (with a break for lunch)

Chalet guests

• Pick up: Sunday between 9am and 10.30am
• Midweek inspection (wednesday): Ensure bike is at your chalet no later than 17.00 in its rack for our mech’s to inspect and PDI. You must be present between 17.00 and 18.30 to have your bike handed back to you. If you cant make this rendez-vous, then please take your bike to the workshop on Wednesday, no later than 16.30 for a PDI at our workshop.
• Return: No later than 16.30, Friday

Hotel guests

• Pick up: Sunday between 9am and 10.30am
• Return: No later than 17.00, daily, unless you have paid for a Bike Upgrade (your own bike reserved for you for the week)

more info here

You must be vigilant about identifying problems or faults with your hire bike. Once a fault is identified, the bike must be returned to our main hotel workshop (Hotel Philibert for chalets guests) and we do not recommend that the bike is ridden. Guests must take all steps to assess the risk of fault and their continued risk of riding the bike.Notwithstanding, that latent fault remedy could be charged to you as excessive wear/tear.

It is important that you do not attempt to ride a bike with a fault. If a fault happens twice, meaning you have to return the bike a second time, we will collect the bike for you at our earliest convenience.

All faults must be reported to our Bike Mech’s as soon as they happen with photos of the fault if possible.

Morzine & Les Gets:
Contact Number : +33 (0) 6 29 57 21 89
Email : chris@alpineelements.fr

Tignes:
Contact number : + 33 (0) 6 11 22 95 74
Email : maintenancetignes@alpineelements.fr

We offer an insurance waiver for £1 a day (min 6 days) which will limit your loss in the event that a bike is lost, stolen or damaged whilst in your charge.
View limits and benefits of waiver.

To book a waiver, you can do this on your Holiday Registration form or on your Pre Departure Call (call made by Reps to group leaders) or at your Welcome Meeting when you arrive in resort. We regret that we cannot sell policies after the Meeting

• Bike & Equipment Disclaimer & Bike Damage Waiver

Chalet guests get a free bike upgrade in line with current promotions, which is their own bike to take away for the week. Hotel guests can also reserve a bike (upgrade) for £79 a week to have their own bike reserved for them with settings unchanged, much like our chalet guests. These bikes will all need midweek PDI’s.

If guests would like to make use of this upgrade, you may do so at the Welcome Meeting

Guests cannot use bikes on any lift assisted or downhill trails, unless it is the fireroad or family trail on our Fantasticable or Les Gets Route card. Bikes are for Valley floor use only.

Damage to bikes
If we identify damage to bikes through incorrect use, (on Green+ DH / lift assisted bike trails) we will have to charge for excessive wear/tear or damage to bikes. Bikes that are used on DH trails are regularly dropped and also sustain damage or deep scratches to frames and other ‘non wear/tear’ parts like bottom brackets, brake handles, seat posts etc.

In these instances, we will have to charge the user an excess in accordance with our Bike hire limits and benefits

Theft of a bike whilst in your charge is chargeable at the rates set on the Bike Insurance Costs table. You are advised to sign out a bike lock for use. In any instance (whether a bike lock is borrowed/used) you are still liable for the loss of the bike, correct use of the lock, etc.

We advise always to use a bike lock when leaving a bike unattended, always to ensure your bike is stored safely in the designated secure place overnight (chalet guests) and never to leave a bike unattended in a public place or for long periods.

Our Active reps and bike hosts have experienced many of the activities and biking or walking routes (on our Route Cards). However, they are not professional mountain guides, instructors or formally qualified in this manner.

Their role is to talk about what our activities and Route Card rides and walks are like; and to highlight things like starting points, facilities and restaurants on route and ‘things you can do’ during the excursion. The Cards themselves do give an idea of fitness required, but again this is unqualified.

Our team can therefore provide activity information and suggestions, but their advice is given in good faith, often from printed literature and not to be relied upon if you have a special need, ability or request. We recommend that you seek additional advice directly from our activity supplier or a certified mountain guide if you have a particular concern about things like fitness and suitability of a trail or activity.

As stated, they can provide Route Cards to help you find some great walks and rides in the local area, which have been compiled in good faith, but not with qualified knowledge. We cannot give you advice of a technical nature and ask that you take the time to assess the risks and your suitability for the excursion. And if in doubt, do not attempt the excursion. We also ask that you supplement your Route Card with a map of the area and leave an excursion plan with hotel receptions or your Active rep so we know when to expect you back. We also ask that you take a backpack with water, food, a mobile phone and spare clothing.

Our suppliers like Evolution 2 will visit our chalets and hotels on your arrival day, normally in the early evening, for the Welcome Meeting, to take bookings directly for additional activities and answer technical questions you may have, for example, about the suitability of an activity. After your meeting, (and during the week), our Active Team can give you supplier contact details for activities or take bookings on behalf of the French supplier if this helps you with your activity.

• Never take a basic bike on a DH trail, the components (such as wheels, brakes) are not adequate to deal with the terrain. Serious injury or damage to the bike can happen
• Only use the DH trails if you are a competent and experienced biker. Even the Green trails are very steep and hard to ride; and require a well maintained full suspension bike with hydraulic disc brakes and superior componentry
• Always ride in pairs
• Always wear a helmet
• Use body armour and full face helmets on DH courses
• Follow the signposts carefully as DH courses can switch grade with little warning.
• Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult
• For long rides, give your route plan and ETA to hotel reception
• Always take spare clothes, rain macs, suncream, food, water, spare cash on a ride
• Always carry a safety pack (inner tubes etc) available from our workshops.

All our hire bikes come with a safety pouch so check yours has a spare inner tube and two tyre levers at the minimum.

more info here