Departure is guaranteed - rain or shine. Backcountry Excursions has never missed a year without the Craft Brew Mountain Biking Festival!

Google directions are not reliable, but you may use a Garmin-style GPS. Alternatively, Back Country Excursions can provide specific directions when you finalize your reservation.

This trip includes accommodations in either a comfortable hostel-style lodge or a yurt that's popular for group use. Lodge rooms are comfy and rustic with all bedding and towels provided. If you are staying in the yurt, mattresses are included, but sleeping bags are recommended. Camping (full facilities) is also available. Please note accommodations are first come, first serve and based on availability.

The camping facilities include a centrally located outdoor shower, sink/water in campgrounds, picnic table, tent site, and group fire pit. The campground has two comfortable private out house bathrooms as well.  There is no electricity at the campsite. All camping is located 100 feet away from the lodge which has indoor and outdoor private showers available for anyone to use. The lodge has refrigeration, oven/stove, barbecue, and full kitchen. Campers have full access to the lodge (except for sleeping). Campers will need to bring all their gear including tent and sleeping bag/air mattress.

All rooms are on a first come, first serve basis. There are no extra fees for solo travelers if there is space available and there is almost always yurt space and camping available right up until the event.

Yes, mountain bike rentals are available. Once you've purchased the trip, please reserve a mountain bike with the tour operator directly.

Yes. If you bring your own mountain bike, a reduced rate is available. Please contact our Travel Services Team for more information.

No prior mountain biking experience is necessary, but you should be in fairly good physical condition, and be comfortable on a bike.

All meals are homemade (never out of a box or can) and you can expect energy-packed, delicious gourmet breakfasts and lunches. In fact, the founder, Cliff, grows much of the food he serves at his onsite garden. Meals will include Cliff’s specialties such as date-nut or blueberry-nut waffles, and killer homemade granola and raspberry muffins. Favorites include hand-crafted black bean sweet potato chili, black bean vegetable chicken burritos, salads, fresh cornbread, and of course, maple syrup from Maine. The lobster bake feast will feature Maine lobster, mussels, corn on the cob, and other tasty side dishes.

Back Country Excursions can accommodate most allergies/dietary preferences (vegetarian, gluten-free, etc). Please let them know in advance if this is something you require.

Plan to bring $60-75 for gratuities and additional expenses.

Plan to bring bicycle clothing (padded bike shorts would be helpful but not a necessity), fast drying tops for riding, swimsuit, standard summer attire, and sturdy sneakers and/or trail running shoes. If you have a good bike helmet that you like you can bring it, but it is not necessary. Towels and bedding for lodge rooms are provided but you’ll need sleeping bags for the yurt and, if tenting, you’ll need a tent, air mattress, and sleeping bag.

We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance for all trips. Travel insurance allows you to seek reimbursement if you are forced to cancel your trip for unforeseeable reasons, or if you need to cover medical help, emergency transport, and/or theft or accidental damage while traveling. For travel insurance, we recommend VisitorsCoverage.

We recommend you visit the local government websites where you plan to travel and review the required documentation for entry, current restrictions, and general recommendations for travel within the area. We encourage you to also visit your home country's embassy website if you are traveling to a foreign country. Requirements can change rapidly. Please be sure you stay abreast of the requirements and restrictions for anywhere you plan to visit. You can also enroll in the U.S. government’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and you will be sent updates if the situation in your destination changes. You can find the program link at https://step.state.gov/.

Yes! Book confidently with Free Cancellations within 72 hours of booking. After 72 hours, cancellation fees will apply.

New For 2022 & 2023 Departures: We’re providing more flexible booking options on this trip.

Up to 60 days prior to departure*
You may postpone or modify your trip up to 60 days prior to departure with no fees or penalties.

You will have the option to:
1) Select a new travel date up until October 31, 2023, or
2) Select a new adventure or destination, or
3) Receive 100% lifetime store credit toward a future trip.

*If you select a new adventure, you will be responsible for the difference of any additional trip costs above the value of your current trip.

Up to 30 days prior to departure*
You may postpone your trip up to 30 days prior to departure with no fees or penalties.

You will have the option to:
1) Select a new travel date up until October 31, 2023, or
2) If you choose not to reschedule your trip you will have the option to cancel, but standard cancellation fees will apply.

*If you choose to cancel, you will receive a lifetime credit, minus cancellation fees, towards a future trip.

Less than 30 days prior to departure
In some cases, you may have the option to postpone your trip within 30 days prior to departure.

If this is available at the time of your request, you will have the option to:
1) Select a new travel date up until October 31, 2023. Additional trip costs may apply and new dates are subject to availability, or
2) Receive a lifetime store credit toward a future trip. Standard cancellation fees will apply.

For more information on our Travel Cancellation Policy please Click Here.