Your contract is with CycleWild, 42 Bush Grove, Stanmore Middlesex. HA7 2DZand hereinafter referred to as the company. These booking conditions form the basis of your contract.

All tours are lead and managed by a partner of the company and all possible care is taken to see that you have a happy and successful cycling holiday. The booking conditions below seek to explain as clearly as possible the responsibility undertaken between us when you make, and we accept, a booking.

1. To make a booking

Reservations can only be made directly with the company on our standard booking form. This booking form must then be completed and signed by the person accepting the booking conditions on behalf of all those named on the form. It should then be posted to the company together with a deposit before we will confirm your place(s) on the tour. The contract is effective on our written confirmation invoice to you and is governed by English Law. Both parties agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the English Courts. You are also subject to the conditions of carriage of any carriers used (which may limit or exclude liability to you), or other companies for whom we act as agents. Bookings are accepted at the discretion of the company.

Cheques should be made payable to CycleWild.

2. Payment of balance

You must pay the balance or interim payments on the date listed in the tour prospectus, which is usually at least ten weeks before the start of your tour. If you book your tour within ten weeks of commencement of the tour you must pay the full cost at the time of booking. If for any reason the final payment is not received by this time you will be deemed to have cancelled your tour and cancellation charges will be applied. Reminders will not be sent.

3. Our price policy

The prices given in the tour prospectus are the cost of the packages described and will be confirmed when you make the booking. Once you have paid your deposit and the booking has been confirmed in writing, we guarantee that we will not increase the price of your tour.

4. If you cancel your booking:

Cancellations will only be accepted in writing from the person who signed the booking form. We can accept no responsibility for cancellation charges arising from correspondence delayed or lost in the post.

Cancellation fees will be levied in line with the costs that the company will incur and these will vary from tour to tour. The scale of charges for each tour will be listed in the tour prospectus.

Should you be prevented from travelling on the tour booked by circumstances which do not permit a claim on a normal insurance cancellation policy, you may transfer your booking to another person provided that person meets all the requirements relating to the tour and your request is received by us at least ten weeks prior to departure. Both the person taking over and the person leaving the booking will be responsible for paying any additional costs arising from the transfer.

5. If we cancel your booking:

Provided all monies have been paid we will not cancel your tour unless we are forced to do so:

i) due to unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control which could not be avoided even with all due care having been exercised, or what is usually known as "force majeure" (see clause 18)

or

ii) because the minimum number of bookings needed to operate the tour has not been reached. In this case participants will be notified of the cancellation no later than ten weeks prior to the tour commencement date.

If the tour is cancelled we will, if possible, offer an alternative tour but if this is not acceptable all monies paid will be reimbursed without interest. We will NOT pay any compensation or be liable to refund you any incidental expenses that you may have incurred as a result of your booking such as visas, vaccinations, non-refundable flights, travel insurance, etc.

6.  If we change your booking:

Circumstances may require some changes to be made at any time to the particulars of any tour (e.g. itineraries, overnight locations, meals or routes). Any such changes will be communicated to you as soon as possible and will be held to be of a minor nature. We will not materially change the value of the tour, and the original theme will be retained.

7. Comprehensive Travel Insurance

Our tours operate in many and varied locations, some in remote third world countries, high mountains, deserts and other areas where medical and rescue services are not plentiful, and costs are high. The risks associated with cycling in such areas can be considerable, and for these reasons we strongly recommend that all participants be adequately insured. For tours outside the UK we cannot accept your booking unless you are insured and complete an insurance declaration form, which states that you have obtained adequate insurance. We can accept no responsibility for any costs that may be incurred due to insufficient insurance cover.

When taking out a policy you are advised to check that such policy will also provide cover whilst cycling on or off-road and that your cycle will be repatriated following a medical emergency. Some insurance companies require helmets to be worn when cover is provided. In any event the wearing of a helmet is compulsory on CycleWild events.

For tours within the UK, obtaining a travel policy is optional for UK residents. However non-UK residents are advised to arrange cover before leaving their normal residence.

Non UK residents should also ensure that any travel policy commences on the day they leave their normal residence. It is unlikely that participants not resident in the UK will be able to obtain cover once they arrive in the UK

8. Before you make a booking

Participants should be aware that cycling both on and off road is a potentially dangerous activity, and that they undertake tours at their own risk. The company shall not be responsible for participants’ actions or for injury, damage to property or other loss due to inadequately serviced or maintained cycle or other personal equipment or any other matter beyond their control. We regret that participants under the age of 18 years who are not accompanied by a Parent or Guardian cannot be accepted.

Before making a firm booking for any event, intending participants MUST make certain it is appropriate to their physical abilities. In addition, pre-existing medical or mental conditions or learning or physical disabilities, whether or not these are controlled by medication or are currently dormant, must be declared to the leader before booking. The company shall not be responsible if any participant is unfit for the tour. Any participant suffering from diabetes or any other condition requiring medication shall ensure that the leader and at least one other responsible member of the party is aware of this. It remains the responsibility of each participant to disclose the existence of such a medical condition. The company will not be held responsible for any failure to do so.

9. Bookings are accepted on the following understanding:

The participant’s booking is accepted on the understanding that he or she realises the hazards involved in this kind of tour including injury, disease, loss of or damage to property including cycles in transit, inconvenience and discomfort. The whole philosophy of this type of travel is one that allows alternatives and requires a substantial degree of tour flexibility. The outline itineraries given for each tour must therefore be taken as an indication of what is to be accomplished and not as a contractual obligation. Changes in itinerary may be caused by local conditions, flight cancellations, mechanical breakdown, weather, border restrictions, sickness or other unforeseen circumstances. No refund will be given for services not utilised.

It is a fundamental condition of joining the tour that a participant accepts the need for this flexibility and acknowledges that delays and alterations and their results, such as inconvenience, discomfort or disappointment, are possible.

It is necessary that a participant abides by the authority of, and co-operates with, the leader. Signing the booking form signifies the participant’s agreement to this, and we reserve the right, at the leader’s absolute discretion, to terminate without notice the holiday arrangements of any participant who commits an illegal act when on tour or whose behaviour is such that it is likely, in the leader’s opinion, or that of any accommodation owner or manager or other person in authority, to cause distress, danger, damage or annoyance to other customers, employees, property or to any third party. If any participant is prevented from travelling because in the opinion of any person in authority he or she appears unfit to travel or likely to cause discomfort or disturbance to passengers, our responsibility for that participant’s holiday will then cease. In all cases we will be under no obligation whatsoever for any costs incurred, and the participant concerned shall not be entitled to any refund.

10. Our liability to you

We promise to ensure that all parts of the holiday we have agreed to arrange as part of our contract are provided to a reasonable standard and in accordance with that contract. We accept responsibility for any personal injury or death caused to you as a result of the proven negligent acts and/or omissions of our leaders, agents, suppliers and sub-contractors. The company shall not be liable for any damages caused by the total or partial failure to carry out the contract if such failure is:

i) attributable to the participant or any member of his or her party,

or

ii) the fault of a third party unconnected to either the leader or the company

or

iii) a result of unusual or unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the leader, the company or the supplier of the service in question which could not have been predicted or avoided even after taking all reasonable care (see clause 16 Force majeure)

or

iv) the fault of any person who was not carrying out work for us (generally or in particular) at the time.

Where the company is found to be liable for damages in respect of its failure to carry out the contract the maximum amount of such damages will be limited to the price paid for the tour. Where the damages relate to the provision of transport by air or hotel accommodation, any compensation payable will be further limited by the Warsaw Convention as amended by the Hague Protocol 1955 (Air), the Athens Convention 1974 (Sea), the Berne Convention 1961 (Rail), the Paris Convention 1962 (Hotel Accommodation) and the International Convention for the Carriage of Passengers & Luggage by Road 1974. Transportation such as Bike Bus, ferries or rail journeys that form part of the package are subject to the general conditions of carriage of the company concerned. Any independent arrangements made by the participant that are not part of the tour are entirely at his or her own risk.

11. Cycles in transit

In the event of a cycle being lost, delayed or damaged on the outward journey, the company shall not be responsible financially or otherwise for the inability of the participant to continue with their holiday. The leader will endeavour to make alternative arrangements in such circumstances but this cannot be guaranteed.

12. Joining the group

If you are joining the holiday locally our responsibility does not commence until the appointed time at the designated meeting point. If you fail to arrive at the appointed time for whatever reason, we will not be responsible for any additional expenses incurred by you to meet up with the group.

13. Should you have a complaint

In the event of problems arising during the tour, participants should try to resolve them directly with the leader. If the problem cannot be resolved at this time you should write to CycleWild giving full details of any complaint on your return to the UK. This letter must be received by the company within 7 days of your return.

Complaints will be dealt with in accordance with the procedures of the company under which the complaint will be investigated by a partner in timely manner. Should an amicable solution not be agreed an appeal will be handled at Board level.

14. Special requests

Any special requests made on your booking form are noted, and though we do our very best to comply with these, we cannot guarantee they will be provided.

15. Travel arrangements

All timings are provisional and for your guidance only. Final details will be advised nearer the time of departure.

16. Force majeure

This is the term applied to unusual and unforeseeable circumstances that are beyond our control. Compensation payments do not apply to changes, cancellations or curtailment caused by reason of war, threat of war, riots, civil strife, terrorist activities, industrial disputes, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, adverse weather conditions, floods etc, technical problems of transport, closure or congestion at airports or ports, cancellation or changes of schedule by airlines or similar events. We cannot accept responsibility where the performance or prompt performance of our contract with you is prevented or affected as a result of such circumstances.

17. Data Protection Act

In order to process your booking and ensure that your travel arrangements run smoothly, we need to use the information you provide such as name, address, any special needs/dietary requirements etc. This information must be passed on to the relevant suppliers of your arrangements such as hotels, transport companies etc. The information may also be provided to public authorities if required by them or as required by law. We take full responsibility for ensuring that proper security measures are in place to protect your information whilst in our hands.

Where your holiday is outside the European Economic Area controls on data protection may not be as strong as the legal requirements in this country. We will not, however, pass any information on to any person not responsible for part of your travel arrangements. If we cannot pass this information to the relevant suppliers, whether in the EEA or not, we cannot process your booking. In making your booking you consent to this information being passed on to the relevant persons.

18. Information and advice

When this is provided by leaders on matters such as permits, visas, vaccinations, climate, clothing, baggage, special equipment etc. this is given in good faith, but without responsibility on the part of the company. Participants accept responsibility for obtaining any necessary visas and travel documents required for the holiday.

19. Marketing

Photographs, likenesses or images of participants secured or taken on any of our holidays may be used by the company without remuneration in all media for bona fide promotional or marketing purposes