FAQ’s
What’s your Cancellation policy?
We make this really simple; If for whatever reason you choose to cancel your place on The Bounce before 11th June 2022 you’ll receive a full refund less a £50 admin fee. If you postpone to the following year there is no fee. After this date unfortunately we cannot either refund you or roll over your entry to the following year.
What happens if the event has to be cancelled by the organiser?
We will, of course, be closely monitoring the situation with regards to the appropriateness of holding and traveling to an event of this type in Northern Spain. If we feel that the B.O.U.N.C.E is simply unable to go ahead in September 2022 we will let all participants know before the end of July. Whether we propose alternative dates or postpone we will offer all participants the chance to defer their entry or get a full refund.
What is included in the fee?
Whilst the fee is essentially for the contents of the ‘Course Notes Pack’ (A3 map of the area and overmarked trails, physical vinyl checkpoint booklet & digital course notes - which you’ll receive 8 weeks before the event & without which there is no way of taking part in the B.O.U.N.C.E…) The B.O.U.N.C.E itself is a ‘free’ get-together of riders who happen to have purchased the course notes pack (and who’ll also most likely all start off on their own adventures at roughly the same time and may well meet up afterwards to compare stories and experiences over a beer or two.)
What we’re getting at here is that The B.O.U.N.C.E is an ‘individual bikepacking navigation challenge’ rather than a kind of ‘formal’ bike race.
We will, however, include within the fee the first night’s campsite accommodation on the Sunday before the event along with communal evening meal and breakfast. This is to ensure that: a) everyone is starting in the same place and is present for the briefing. b) that the venue is suitable and has enough room for us all.
Remember, what you’re really purchasing is the chance to have an unforgettable week’s bikepacking adventure and all of the hundreds of meticulous man-hours and ground work that’s gone into creating the course, making sure that you don’t waste one second of your time on rubbish trails. Once you see the level of detail and information you’re provided with you’ll understand…
What is NOT included in the fee?
Accommodation during or after The B.O.U.N.C.E. (As mentioned above, before the event we’ll provide campsite accommodation, evening meal and breakfast.)
During the event you can stay wherever you like so long as it’s a facility open to all (i.e. no support crews in campervans or friends in local villages).
After the event we will pre-book a large location for the after-party which will have affordable accommodation available for all riders should they choose to stay. However, food and accommodation at the after-party is NOT included in the event price and you should settle your tab individually (prices will be reasonable). However, if you choose not to stay with us you are still welcome at the party and you’re free to make your own arrangements.
Insurance - The B.O.U.N.C.E has NO insurance for riders. In choosing to partake in The B.O.U.N.C.E, you are choosing to undertake your own, personal, unsupported cycle tour and should get appropriate personal insurance to cover you for this (see BREXIT notes below).
Equipment - You should make sure you come prepared with a fully working, suitable (see below) bike and equipment suitable to the kind of ride you are planning. If you intend to get anywhere near a good chunk of the controls, be aware that you will be riding and navigating on remote, off road trails for long stretches of time without re-supply. You should aim to be as self-sufficient as possible. Bikepacking bike and equipment hire is available through Adventure Pedlars.
How do I pay?
There is a PayPal link to pay the fee within the application form. Once payment is received we will confirm you place on The Bounce.
What are the entry requirements?
The B.O.U.N.C.E has no formal entry requirements because, unlike other bikepacking events, it is totally your own adventure and you’re free to undertake it in whatever manner you choose. If you want to ride minimal distances and sleep with a fluffy pillow each night that’s totally up to you. We do however want to make sure that you’re fully aware of what you’re letting yourself in for and so we ask for a brief description of relevant experience and your motivation for entering on the application form. Please be honest with this so that we can give you appropriate advice on entering the event.
Is there a maximum number of participants?
Probably. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, this is the first year after all... Let’s just say we’ll operate on a first come first served basis.
Are there any prizes?
No. Only bragging rights. We will get everyone who stays out for the five days a cold beer at the after-party. You’ll deserve it!
How many people can ride together?
Teams can be made up of 1, 2, 3, or 4 riders. Individual riders within a team can share equipment however we recommend that each rider should be fully capable of looking after themselves. Multiple teams may ride together for a bit if they happen to bump into each other out on the trail as long as they remain self-sufficient but ‘shadowing’ as opposed to individual navigation is most certainly frowned upon and will be called out at the after-party.
Is there any support? (i.e. mechanicals, illness, injury)
No. The B.O.U.N.C.E is completely ‘self-supported’ meaning that there will be absolutely no support provided by the event organisers for participants. On The B.O.U.N.C.E. you are ON YOUR OWN! If you choose to pull out, ‘scratch’ or go home early it’s up to you to have the courtesy to notify the organisers using the phone number provided in the course notes pack.
We strongly recommend that you do your own research into resupply, bailout options and emergency procedures (as you should do for any independent cycle expedition) and in a real emergency you should contact the local emergency services directly.
What kind of bike do you recommend?
This is entirely up to you as each route and rider will be different. However, all of the checkpoints are located off tarmac roads so your route will likely be on off-road tracks for 90%+ of the time on at times steep, hilly terrain. The vast majority of these tracks are suitable for ‘vehicle access’ and so should be suitable for ‘gravel’ or ‘touring’ bikes (with an absolute minimum of 35mm tyres) however some tracks will be very rough going and much more suitable for a ‘mountain bike’.
Each bike and rider will have their own strengths and weaknesses that’s all part of the fun…
Perhaps it’s easier to give a list of bikes we would not recommend: road bike (of any kind), downhill bike, Brompton, Penny Farthing… you get the picture.
Where can I stock up on supplies?
Wherever you like. But remember to do your research beforehand! Parts of the course are very remote and so you could go for days at a time without any real food resupply options. Also don’t trust that everything will be open, particularly in smaller rural villages. We recommend that you always keep backup supplies to avoid getting caught out. Drinking water is generally available at a ‘fuente’ (fountain) in most villages. In September some streams will be running but we highly recommend that you use appropriate filtration/purification to avoid getting ill. If you want to stick to restaurants and cafes that’s fine with us but don’t expect to get to very many controls…
Is ‘wild camping’ allowed in Northern Spain?
As with many parts of the world, wild camping is technically not allowed in Northern Spain. That being said, it’s almost unheard of to have any problems at all and there’s plenty of remote, wild spaces around. As with all things on The B.O.U.N.C.E, where you stay is entirely up to you but if you do decide to sleep outside of designated campgrounds we strongly recommend you follow the following general principles:
Ask permission if at all possible.
Avoid private property.
Arrive late, leave early.
Leave absolutely no trace.
(…but as experienced bikepackers and cycle tourists you’ll of course know all this already.)
Can you suggest options for getting to the starting point?
We want to encourage all riders to travel to The B.O.U.N.C.E in as sustainable way as possible.
Flying is certainly not the only option. Also consider driving, getting the train, ferry or even cycling! If you do choose to fly, please consider using a trusted carbon offsetting scheme.
The nearest train station is Tortosa (53km).
The closest Airports to Valderrobres are Reus (118km), Castellon (123km), Barcelona (217km) and Zaragoza (160km).
(Note: if you choose to cycle towards Valderrobres, the stunning long distance trail - ‘Via Verde Val de Zafan’, as featured in a recent Guardian article, passes right by.)
Will Brexit affect my participation (if coming from the UK)?
The change in policies surrounding BREXIT will have some effect on people travelling from the UK to Spain so it’s best to be prepared. We recommend you consider the points below:
-You will need travel insurance.
-Your EHIC card is valid until it expires but you will need relevant activity insurance regardless.
-If your EHIC has expired, apply for the Global Health Insurance card here.
-If you’re driving to the event you need Green card for your vehicle and an international driving licence.
-You’ll need at least 6 months left on your passport.
-Please check government website, as more information and clarity on information is being added regularly.
Can I bring my family?
Of course. Why not make a holiday of it? There’s plenty of accommodation and activities to keep them busy if they’re not riding on your team. Just remember, no hiding in the bushes with secret flapjack. The B.O.U.N.C.E is self-supported!
If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to Contact Us.