Common Questions About Our E-Bike Services
Where are you located?
Vermont Bike & Brew is located at 242 Academy Rd. Thetford, VT, 05074. We offer ebike rentals out of our home, which is why reservations are required.
How do the ebike tours work?
All of the tours are self-guided. We deliver your bikes to the start of the route, show you how to use them, and make sure you are comfortable before sending you on your way. You’ll be following a map on your phone that gives you turn-by-turn directions and points out the general stores, farm stands, breweries, and covered bridges along the way. Most tours take between 3 and 4 hours depending on how many stops your group makes. Most of the riding is on quiet, scenic gravel roads though we often use a few miles of paved riding to access the best gravel. All of the routes are loops so you will end the ride and return your bikes right where you parked.
What is your Cancellation Policy?
Standard Cancellation Policy (includes trip protection)
- Small Reservations: 100% Refund if cancelled 48 Hours prior to reservation
- Large Reservations: 75% Refund if cancelled 48 Hours prior to reservation
- Weather Cancellation: 100% Refund
Without Trip Protection (opted out at checkout)
- Small Reservations: 100% Refund if cancelled 14 Days prior to reservation
- Large Reservations: 75% Refund if cancelled 14 Days prior to reservation
- Weather Cancellation: 100% Credit
Details:
- For large reservations (8+bikes), 25% of the total booking amount is non-refundable. This fee is waived if your reservation is cancelled due to weather.
- Weather Policy: When necessary, Vermont Bike & Brew will make weather related cancellations based on local weather on the morning of your reservation. We may shift your reservation by up to 2 hours to keep you safe and dry!
- Trip protection cost is non-refundable, even in the event of a weather cancellation. Trip Protection may only be purchased at time of initial booking.
What is Trip Protection?
Trip Protection is included with every Vermont Bike & Brew reservation (unless you opt out at checkout). It’s designed to give riders peace of mind by improving your refund options if you need to cancel close to your ride date, or if weather causes a rain out.
- Trip Protection cost is non-refundable, even if your reservation is cancelled due to weather.
- Trip Protection can only be purchased at the time of the initial booking (it can’t be added later).
Can I ride my own bike?
Of course! If anyone in your group has their own bike they are welcome to use it. The cost is $50/person and you can sign them up for the tour during checkout. They will want to make sure that their bike can keep up with our E-Bike rentals on a hilly ~20 mile dirt road adventure.
Is there a minimum number of riders for the tours?
Yes – There is a 4 person minimum on the Bent Hill Tour and Harpoon Tour and a 2 person minimum on all other tours.
Do your ebikes have a throttle?
No. All of the bikes in the rental fleet are pedal-assisted – you spin the pedals and get a boost from the motor! It takes about 10 seconds to fall in love.
Items you might want to bring
- Full water bottle
- Closed-toe shoes
- Sun protection
- Rain protection
- Warm layers (gloves in spring and fall)
- Cash or credit card
- External battery pack (for your phone)
- Towel and swimsuit (if you want to swim)
- Friends!
What not to bring on your e-bike tour
- Backpacks (trust us, you’ll be much happier if you rent panniers)
- Long, flowy clothing
- Headphones / portable speakers
- Alcohol
How do the ebike rentals work?
E-Bikes can be rented from a half-day (4 hours) up to a week. The longer you keep the bike, the cheaper the cost/day. Most rentals start at Vermont Bike & Brew (242 Academy Rd. Thetford, VT 05074), in which case we have a number of route suggestions that you can access on your phone and we can help you pick the best route for your group so you get the most out of your day. However, if you would like to start your ride somewhere else you can elect to have your bikes delivered OR you can transport the bikes yourself in a pickup truck or with an appropriate bike rack.
I see the ebikes, but where is the brew?
You ride the bikes, while we drink the beer 😜
Just kidding! Vermont Bike & Brew partners with a bunch of great local breweries. Try our self-guided tours and taste them all!
What if I don't drink beer?
You don’t have to like beer to enjoy one of the tours! On any tour you’ll have the chance to stop for ice cream, general stores, swimming holes, photo ops, and more. The Farm Stand Tour doesn’t include any breweries and if you’re gluten free, we recommend trying the Upper Pass Tour on a Saturday and stopping for a cider or sparkling wine at Fable Farm.
Are these tours kid friendly?
E-Bike riders need to 14 years of age or older and we do offer trailer rentals for kids under 60lbs.