Become a Bike Tour Guide

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What Does a Bike Tour Guide Do?

Bike tour guides are individuals for whom cycling is quite literally the air they breathe. They lead bicycle riders on guided bike tours for cyclists of different ability levels. They go bicycle touring on carefully selected cycling routes and travel across entire towns, cities, regions and countries by bicycle. In addition, they escort bike riders on the best bike rides in the world and go bike touring in a different place every week.

As a matter of fact, being a bike tour guide means you create bike trips of a lifetime for cyclists of different ability levels, work with bike guides from various backgrounds, and go on a new cycling adventure every week. But it’s not just riding a bicycle on scenic bike trails—you provide daily bike maintenance, and stay available 24/7—but it sure beats a desk job.

Job Details

Working at DIGnGO is the job you’ve always been waiting for. It’s a challenging job but we provide a fun work environment to our staff. You’ll learn new skills. You’ll work with experienced members of our staff. And you’ll be free to work with other tour companies during your time off or have multiple contract employment while working with us.

Is this your perfect career fit?

Read more below before emailing us your application.

Qualifications & Hiring

Do I need to be a bike mechanic?

No, it is not necessary to have any qualifications as a bike mechanic to be selected for this employment opportunity with DIGnGO but it is better to know how to remove and install pedals, remove and replace a bike chain, change and ajust a bike saddle, change a tube, fine tune front and rear break etc…

Do I need to be an excellent cyclist?

Trip leaders must be in excellent physical condition but it is not mandatory to be an avid cyclist. However, you must be fit enough to be able to ride the distance and terrain on any of our tours (between 20 and 50 miles a day). On a tour you bike one day and one day you are in the minivan as you switch with your co-leader. However you must be able to ride everyday if needed.

Is first aid mandatory?

First aid is mandatory and you are responsible for the cost of this certification.

Do most trip leaders have previous guiding experience?

No! It is not a requirement that you have previous guiding experience, what really matters is your dedication to exceptional customer service and a desire to provide our guests with an amazing vacation.

Do you have any drivers licence requirements?

In order to be considered, you must be 21 years old and have no offense on your driving record.

Is it important to speak another language?

You must be able to speak English fluently. Speaking another language such as French, Italian or Spanish is increases your chances of getting the job.

I am a US citizen, can I apply ?

If you have a visa allowing you to work as an independant contractor or if you have a Europeen passeport you are welcome to apply. Unfortunatly, we cannot sponsor you or get you a visa.

What documents do I need if I am given a contract?

Copy of your Driver’s licence Copy of your driving record Letter from doctor certifying your health Copy of your First Aid Certification. The certification must be valid until the end of the year Copy of your medical insurance Copy of your passport Laptop/Tablet (Word, Excel, Skype) Proof of independent contractor status

How do I get a copy of my driving record?

Here is a link that explain how to get a copy of driving record based on the country your are from. https://www.car2go.com/media/data/usa/files/how-to-obtain-your-international-driving-record.pdf

I am not an independent contractor, how do I become one?

It is usually very easy and we recommend that consult with the chamber of commerce of your country of residence.

About the Job

What does the job consist off?

Each day is different at DIGnGO and this is what makes this job fun and challenging. However, a typical trip may look like this: Before the start of a trip, you need to drive the minivan with all the material to the starting location and make sure that everything is set before the start of the tour: routes, restaurants, activities. During the trip, each morning you get to the guests hotel about 1 hour before the meeting time with them to setup their bikes, tune those if needed, install the GPS and load the luggages if you are transferring to the next hotel. Once the guests arrive, it is time to explain them what the day’s route looks like. Then, you are on your way. In the evening, it is time to clean the bikes and get ready for the next day. If you are missing snacks for the next day’s route or gas for your minivan, it is time to get this done. Now that the day is over, you get some rest and get ready for what tomorrow may bring.

What is the average age of a trip leader?

Most of the trip leaders are in their late 20’s and 30’s.

Do you pay for travel expenses?

DIGnGO pays for all the travel expenses to get from the leaders house to the destination you work in, whether it is by car, flight or train.

Do you pay for meals during a tour?

DIGnGO pays for your 1st day meal as well as all breakfasts. However, leaders are responsible for paying all the other meals during a tour.

Do you guaranteed a mimimum amount of work?

Even though we try to give you as many weeks of work as we can, this varies according to reservations and your availability.

Is transportation covered to get back home in between tours?

No, if you choose to travel home in between tours the cost is yours.

How much do we get paid?

DIGnGO offers a great working environment, you get paid to travel and meet amazing guests from all over the world. Our daily rate while guiding is within the industry standard. If you have specific skills such as repair and maintenance of bike equipment those are very useful and will be paid by the hour. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask during the interview process we will be glad to answer.

Do I get to earn tips as a trip leader?

Over the years leaders have mentioned that they receive tips which represents a good amount of their income. Note that tips are not guaranteed but vary from tour to tour, from guest to guest and are based on the quality of the service you offer. In terms of law it is your responsibility to comply with the law of your country and declare those.

How do I become a trip leader?

Please keep reading below.

How do I Become a Bike Guide?

Becoming a bicycle tour guide is an easy, multi-step process. Below are all the major steps to joining DIGnGO:

Step 1: Email us your application

If you’d like to apply for this job, please send us an email with your cover letter, your resume, a letter of reference and a scanned copy of your driver’s license, all of those items assembled into one single file. Our employees will review the applications received and get in touch with the candidates who have a profile matching our requirements.

Step 2: Online video interview

The strongest job candidates will then be invited for a video interview, lasting approximately 20 minutes and allowing our recruiting team to learn more about you. Make sure you’re ready before you get in front of the camera and participate in one of our online video interviews. Below are some important video interviewing tips:

Test your camera
Charge your computer, phone or tablet
Choose the right location
Prepare, prepare, prepare

Step 3: Face-to-face meeting

Based on the applications and the video interviews, some candidates will then be invited for a face to face meeting. However, being invited does not mean that you will be working with us. Please note: Candidates have to pay for their interview travel expenses.

Step 4: Training event

Last but not least, you’ll be invited to our training event. All training event travel expenses are the responsibility of the candidates. However, DIGnGO will provide free housing to all participants. Even-though, this is off-the-job training, you’ll be put in working situations so you’re fully trained before you move to on-the-job training. Please note: You’ll not get paid during the training event and your participation does not guarantee that you will be working with us as you may be asked to leave the event at any time.