Home > Programs > Trip
Details > FAQs
Below are several questions that are frequently
asked. If you have other questions, please contact us.
Packing – Biking – Camping
- Equipment
General
Travel
Program
Fee – Fundraising – Tax Deductibility
Safety – Emergency
Contacts
Packing – Biking – Camping
- Equipment
What
gear is provided?
What’s
the food like?
Should
we take a water bottle? If yes, how will we know
if it'll fit in the bike holder?
Are
the bikes being shipped over with us or picked
up when we get there?
Can
I bring my own bike seat?
Can
I bring my own bike?
Should
I bring little snacks/snack bars?
Is
it necessary to bring a pair of jeans? (Or is there
room?)
I
want to take a shoulder bag to carry money and
some other stuff, what size should I bring?
I
am picking up the panniers from one of the guys
that went on a trip last year. Do I pack those
as the luggage (only) or do I pack the panniers
in my own luggage and just bring the panniers?
Do
you have rain gear and cold weather stuff for us
to use?
What
kind of bike seats? Are they padded or do we need
to get bike shorts with padding? Or bring our own
bike seat?
How
is water provided? Do I need to have my own water
bottle?
General
Who
should join a Two Wheel View trip?
Do
I need special skills to join a trip?
(Youth
under 18) Do both my mom and dad need to sign off
on that parental consent form?
What
kind of supervision is there for the students during
off road time?
(Student
Expeditions) How many adults are there per student?
Travel
Will
Two Wheel View organize my flights?
Program
Fee – Fundraising – Tax
Deductibility
What
is included in the program fee of my trip?
Did
Two Wheel View get all the money I sent?
Is
my program fee and related travel costs tax deductible?
Safety – Emergency
Contacts
How
do we contact you in case of emergency?
How
do you contact us in case of emergency?
Are
there First Aid kits on hand or do we need to create
one?
Are
aspirin / stomach ache, and the like, meds provided?
What
kind of emergency facilities are planned for if
needed?
Are
electrolytes provided to prevent cramping?
Packing – Biking – Camping
- Equipment
What gear is provided?
Two Wheel View will/can provide the following equipment:
- Bike (and travel bag for airline travel)
- Panniers
- Tent
- Cooking and eating equipment
- Stuff sacks
- Water filter
- Bicycle tools
Additional equipment available if you need it.
- Water Bottles
- Hydration packs
- Helmets
- Sleeping Pad
- Sleeping bag
- Rain gear
- Outerwear
Two Wheel View has some great outerwear and rain
gear donated by Mountain Hardwear that you can use
for the trip (most of it is brand new). If you don't
have something you think you might need, please contact
TWV to find out if we can help you out.
If you have your own gear that you may be more comfortable
with, feel free to bring it. If you determine that
you would rather use TWV gear you can leave you personal
gear at our office until we return. Things that some
people may want to bring of their own: bike, pedals
with bike shoes, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, bike,
bike seat, water bottles, hydration pack, helmet,
etc.
What’s the
Food Like?
We cater for most diets, including vegetarian, low-fat,
and diabetic. It is very important that you advise
us of any special dietary needs at the time of application.
Should we take
a water bottle? If yes, how will we know if it'll
fit in the bike holder?
You can bring your own water bottle or hydration
pack if you wish. There are two standard size water
bottle cages on each bike.
Are the bikes being
shipped over with us or picked up when we get there?
We will travel with the bikes and gear. The bikes
will be disassembled and packed for airline travel.
We will be checking two items (1 set of panniers
and 1 bike) for each passenger and one carry-on bag.
We will provide you with ALL of the bags you need
for the trip at the pre-trip orientation. When you
are getting your things packed for the trip, just
pack them in a duffle bag or suitcase and bring to
the pre-trip orientation. We will re-pack everything
into bicycle panniers and packs at the pre-trip session.
Can I bring my
own bike seat?
Bike seats come in a variety or shapes and sizes.
If you wish to bring your own bike seat we can fit
it to the bike you will be using for the trip. The
seat post tube sizes for a bicycle vary greatly.
If you bring your own seat, you do not need to bring
the seat post. Only bring the seat and the seat post
clamps that are attached to the seat.
Can I bring my
own bike?
Your program fee includes the use of Two Wheel View
bikes and bicycle touring equipment if needed (additional
charges may apply to ship equipment to you prior
to departure if necessary). If you decide to bring
your own bike, we recommend that you pack it in a
soft-sided bike case specific for traveling. Two
Wheel View does not assume responsibility for the
safety of or damage to your bike. You are responsible
for providing the maintenance to your bike and any
spare parts that may be used during the trip. You
are also responsible for assembling your bike upon
arrival and disassembling it upon departure. Please
feel free to contact Two Wheel View if you have any
questions about bringing your own bike. Please contact
Two Wheel View to discuss your equipment needs.
Should I bring
little snacks/snack bars?
We will provide snacks and snack bars on the trip.
If you want to bring your favorites that you just
can't do without, that is fine. You may want to have
a snack sack with you on the plane or just whenever
you want it.
Is it necessary
to bring a pair of jeans? (Or is there room?)
We suggest that you bring one pair on long pants
or sweats. If you want to bring a pair of jeans,
that is fine. If you want to bike in long pants you
should bring something that is easy for you to bike
in. If you are unsure if there will be room for two
or more long pants, bring them with you to the pre-trip
session and if there is room when we re-pack all
of our personal items then you will have them. Otherwise
you can leave them at the Two Wheel View office until
you return.
I want to take
a shoulder bag to carry money and some other stuff,
what size should I bring?
Pack a small shoulder bag that can be packed into
one of the bicycle panniers while you are riding.
Each bicycle pannier is about the size of a day-pack
(there are 4 panniers for each bike) there is also
a front handlebar bag for each bike that is about
the size of a small shoe box. It works well as a
place to keep money and other stuff. It clips on/off
the bike easily and you can carry it like a shoulder
bag.
I am picking
up the panniers from one of the guys that went
on a trip last year. Do I pack those as the luggage
(only) or do I pack the panniers in my own luggage
and just bring the panniers?
If you have a personal bag(s) big enough to pack
your personal items and the panniers into, that would
be the best. That way, when you return home you can
just pack your personal things into your own bag
and fly home - leaving the panniers with Two Wheel
View. You have a free baggage allowance of two checks
bags (50 pounds or less each) on the airline and
one carry-on. If you do not have a personal bag(s)
that can fit all of the panniers and your personal
gear, just pack in the panniers and we will make
sure to get you home with all of your things at the
end of the trip.
Do you have rain
gear and cold weather stuff for us to use?
Yes, we have various items that can be used for
the trip. We have fleece jackets, rain pants, rain
jackets, hats, gloves, wind jackets, bike shorts,
and other outerwear. If you need something, check
with us and we can probably help you out. Most of
the outerwear we have is brand new and is very high
quality.
What kind of
bike seats? Are they padded or do we need to get
bike shorts with padding? Or bring our own bike
seat?
We have many different bike seats that are designed
for mountain bike touring. Some are more padded than
others. Some people prefer biking shorts, others
do not.
How is water
provided? Do I need to have my own water bottle?
Everyone will carry at least two water bottles on
their bike. Additional water will be carried if necessary
in larger containers and packs. If there is any question
about the quality of water we will either purchase
bottled water or filter it with a ceramic water purifier
that we carry with us.
General
Who Should Join
a Two Wheel View Trip?
Two Wheel View student and school programs are designed
for positive, level-headed students, teachers and
adults with a keen interest in experiential learning
and international travel. We offer programs for students
from 14 years old through graduate school. We also
offer customized programs for individuals, families,
and both student and adult groups throughout the
year in Argentina, Norway, Spain, France and the
Dominican Republic. Our programs are not suitable
for students with significant behavioral problems,
chemical dependencies, or the inability to work constructively
in a team environment.
Do I need special
skills to join a trip?
People join us from a variety of backgrounds and
bring with them a mix of skills and experiences.
Although most people that go on trips have never
been mountain bike touring, they need to know how
to ride a bicycle and use hand brakes.
(Youth under 18)
Do both my mom and dad need to sign off on that
parental consent form?
There are various scenarios, for example:
We aren't nor were we ever married, so I don't
know if it is necessary.
We do not know where the father/mother lives
and have not seen him/her for 15 years.
If possible, both birth parents should sign the
form. If it is not feasible or possible, one signature
will have to do. It is up to the ticket agent at
the airport whether or not they will accept the documentation.
Staple this form into your passport and be prepared
to show the ticket agent at the airport check-in.
What kind of supervision
is there for the students during off road time?
The group stays together most of the time. There
will be some free time to explore but we expect everybody
to go in small groups or with a buddy. We designate
meeting times and places and make sure everybody
knows how to get back to camp.
(Student Expeditions)
How many adults are there per kid?
Typical group size is three adults and seven students.
Travel
Will Two Wheel
View Organize My Flights?
Yes! Two Wheel View will coordinate all of your
travel plans from the city of your choice. We offer
a number of travel options and will coordinate all
travel for you or your group.
Program Fee – Fundraising – Tax
Deductibility
What is included
in the program fee of my trip?
Two Wheel View student and school programs include
all bicycle touring equipment, camping gear, outerwear
if necessary, activities, and admission fees as
specified in the trip itinerary. We also include
all accommodation and meals. Roundtrip airfare
to and from your departure point may be included.
Please refer to the specific trip itinerary you
are applying for. Personal items such as souvenirs,
laundry, internet, snacks, and phone calls are
not included in the price of the trip.
Cycle Link Support Programs: Please refer
to the specific trip for what is included in your
program fee.
Did Two Wheel View
get all the money I sent?
To check the status of your fundraising, please
contact Two Wheel View by email at info@twowheelview.org.
If you have not heard from us, you are probably on
track and everything is okay. After the trip, you
will be sent a report of all names, addresses and
amounts of people who have contributed to your efforts.
We will also send you pre-addressed postcard with
the names of all your supporters so that you can
send them a thank you card.
Is my program fee
and related travel costs tax deductible?
Tax Deductibility
Service Program Fees and Related Costs
The information contained below is for reference
purposes only. You should consult with your tax advisor
regarding deductibility.
Two Wheel View takes volunteers to places in S.
America, Scandinavia, and Western Europe for one
to three week development and learning expeditions.
During the program you'll visit local families and
cultural centers, document your experience, and provide
useful insight for future student and community programs.
Most of your time will be spent traveling around
the surrounding country and documenting your experience.
Upon your return you will be designated a “Bicycle
Ambassador” and expected to share you experiences
through presentations and community initiatives.
These expenses are tax deductible because as a volunteer
you are doing the work of Two Wheel View. Your out-of-pocket
savings for travel can be substantial as a volunteer
because your service program fees, air fare, visa,
and related travel expenses are generally tax deductible
for U.S. and Canadian taxpayers. You should consult
with your tax advisor regarding deductibility.
If you are unsure of your own personal limits on
deductions related to your income, it is best to
seek counsel from a professional tax advisor.
For
US Citizens:
Contributions to Cycle Link Support program are
generally considered tax deductible; however, in
accordance with IRS regulations, these designated
offerings are subject to the governing board's control
and discretion. When contributions for a particular
individual exceed trip expenses, or if that volunteer
is unable to participate on the trip, the governing
board may redirect contributions to another activity
within the Two Wheel View Inc. program. If you are
uncertain whether your donation qualifies for a tax
deduction, please contact your tax consultant. Two
Wheel View Inc. is a registered 501(c)3 non profit
organization.
The IRS allows deductions where there is no significant
element of personal pleasure, recreation, or vacation.
This means that if you plan significant deviations
before or after the Two Wheel View program, you may
need to seek professional counsel on portions that
may not be deductible.
For Canadians:
Two Wheel View – Calgary Ltd. is a registered
charitable organization in Canada. Contributions
to Cycle Link Support program are considered tax-deductible
and will receive a tax receipt if cheques are made
payable to Two Wheel View – Calgary Ltd. In
accordance with Revenue Canada regulations, these
designated offerings are subject to the governing
board’s control and discretion. When contributions
for a particular individual exceed trip expenses,
if this volunteer is unable to participate on the
trip, the governing board may redirect contributions
to another activity within the Two Wheel View – Calgary
Ltd. program. Donations made for a volunteer’s
Cycle Link Support program are used for the direct
expenses of the volunteer assignment.
The principle reason these expenses are tax-deductible
to you is because you are doing the work of Two Wheel
View Volunteers. This means that you need to work,
on average, eight hours per day, and five days out
of seven. The total number of days is counted from
the time you arrive in and depart from the community/country,
assuming that you take a direct route and a reasonable
amount of time to travel.
How your eight hour day works: We generally conduct
a half-hour team meeting every morning to prepare
for the day's activities. We discuss how the group
is feeling, what the expectations are for the day,
and other objectives that must be accomplished. The
bulk of each day is spent exploring and interacting
with group members and local community assets. At
the end of each day we generally conduct a half-hour
group meeting to talk about the day’s activities
and offer comments on ways to enhance the program.
In addition, your work project includes documenting
and reporting on your experience. We expect that
you will be well prepared to write, journal, photograph
and provide feedback on your activities. A good rule
of thumb for success is to take time each day to
reflect on your experience and document facts related
to the experience. Regardless of your volunteer role,
we recommend that you keep a personal journal detailing
the hours you devoted to your particular work for
tax purposes. Please note that additional travel
or vacation either before or after the service program
may disqualify all or part of your service program
fee, air fare, etc., from being a charitable deduction.
How
can I afford to go?
The majority of participants fundraise some, if
not all, of their program fees through various sources.
Fundraising for a Two Wheel View trip program is
a great way to increase awareness about our program
as well as to make the dream of your own bicycle
travel experience a reality.
Two Wheel View will provide you with fundraising
strategies and support to help you reach your goal.
Two Wheel View offers financial assistance to students
that would not otherwise be able to afford the program
fee.
Safety – Emergency Contacts
How do we contact
you in case of emergency?
We will be in contact by email and phone with the
Two Wheel View office during the trip. If you need
to get in touch with the group please send an email
or leave a phone message with the Two Wheel View
office.
info@twowheelview.org or voice mail 866-858-2453
The group will also check email occasionally and
you can send them email at:
bicycle
ambassadors@twowheelview.org.
World phone: (403) 870-7433
How do you contact
us in case of emergency?
You have provided Two Wheel View with Emergency
Contact information on the Medical
Form you sent to us. If there is an emergency
involving the group we will contact you.
Are there First
Aid kits on hand or do we need to create one?
There are two complete, international travel First
Aid Kits on the trip with the group leaders. Group
leaders are certified in First Aid and will be the
first responder to any emergency in the group.
Are aspirin / stomach
ache, and the like, meds provided?
If you are using over the counter medication on
a regular basis please let us know and bring your
own. Trip Leaders will have a supply of aspirin and
other pain and cold relief medicines available if
necessary for treatment of conditions. All prescription
medications must be in a medicine bottle with clear
directions. Trip leaders will not administer medicine
without exact written directions. For example: [name
of participant] takes 1 small green pill (25mg) once
a day after breakfast, and 1 yellow pill (15mg) after
evening meal.
What kind of emergency
facilities are planned for if needed?
We have identified and have telephone numbers of
emergency response systems in the area we are traveling.
A copy of the Two Wheel View Emergency Response Plan
is available by contacting Two Wheel View. This plan
outlines what the group will do in the event of an
emergency.
Are electrolytes
provided to prevent cramping?
Yes, we carry electrolytes (a.k.a. oral rehydration
salts) in our first aid kits.
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