Guided Car Tour FAQS

Follow our tour guide as you drive the vehicle we provide for you as part of the group All you need to bring is a love of the open road and a free spirit. We take you on an amazing adventure. All you have to do is just show up for the first day of hotel, and we have it all figured out.

Included: classic car, lodging, route, tour guide leading in a classic car, support truck with classic car mechanic, mobile shop, parts, supplies, and more. 

Not Included: insurance, fuel, food, tour guide gratuity, entrance fees, extra activities, or anything not listed as included.

On Chicago to LA Guided Tour: Breakfast Included on some days. Breakfast included at either: some pre selected hotels in the morning. #It is very important to understand that we don’t stay at the big chain hotels most of the time like most tour companies. The more interesting places that give the character of the area usually don’t have the continental breakfast included like the boring chain hotels. Instead we stop at neat breakfast places and have other better options than a boring small continental breakfast in a chain hotel.

For lunch and dinner we find real neat places to eat. Usually a great local spot so you get a real honest feel for the area and the people there. We always eat at places that I would eat if I was on the road looking for a great meal.

At Ride Free we want you to really experience the culture of the area. That is why we choose to stay in clean lodging with character, and to eat a local spots. Often we meet really neat people along the way at these spots.

It is about the unexpected people and experiences along the way. Not about point A to B follow the leader.

A drivers license (from any country). If your license is not in English, we also recommend an international drivers license.
Must be 21 years of age or older to drive.
Contact us, I am very happy to answer any questions and to walk you through the process.

Full no excess damage waiver and sli 1 million supplemental liability is part of the car rental, self drive, and guided tour packages. MORE DETAILS

We do recommend sun screen and a bathing suit.

Your expenses will be Food, souvenirs, snacks, beer, extra activities, and film. Fuel for your vehicle. 

The choice of lodging is a huge part of a Ride Free Tour and experience.

Lodging ranges from hotels in Vegas, motels on old Route 66, to cabins in remote locations. Most tours include a mix of hotels and motels. About 3 Star is the average.

When available we stay at the small places with the most character. I prefer the old vintage places from a bygone era with
lots of character. If we are doing a ride for your group, we can book any level of hotel when available.
We stay away from places more tours go to, the box chain hotels which are the same no matter what country or city you are in. We prefer the mom and pop small local places. Yes, these places are harder to book, not just click it on line like the big corporate companies do.. But this extra work and attention to detail of an authentic locals road trip, you will see in every aspect of Ride Free. This is what sets up apart.

The lodging we stay at are cool places that I stay at when I ride with my friends or wife. They usually strategically located in town, walking distance to dinner, pubs, and fun. That way you don’t have to drive after a long day. 

See the Testimonials about our lodging: https://ridefree.com/testimonials

Cleanliness of a hotel in very important to Ride Free.

Individuals traveling by themselves will book the 1 person – 1 vehicle – 1 room and have a room by themselves. If you are traveling by yourself and want to reduce cost and have a room mate. Request that, and if there is another individual that wants to share a room, we will introduce both of you and you can decide whether you want to share a room. Often, it is fun to have a room partner, and people become great friends.  You can even possibly share a car with another person to save money, and add your own room if you like. 
Or bring a friend or spouse to share the car with.

Hotels Before and After Tour – We can arrange your hotel before and after the tour for you in the hotel we stay in. We suggest arriving at least a night before the first schedule night of tour, and stay at least one extra night after the last day. The hotel in included on the first listed day of tour. The last listed date of the tour, does not include a hotel because that is the departure day.

You will want your rest before and after the tour. Don’t let a delayed flight ruin your trip, or expect to be able to catch up on your sleep once the tour starts.
When finishing the tour, the night where we arrive to final destination does include a hotel that night. We arrive in the afternoon, then have a last victory dinner together. The next day is the last listed day of tour, which includes no hotel and is the departure day is all.

Yes, we would deduct the price of the rental portion of the tour.   My classic car, late model, and motorcycle  dealership, www.sakowskimotors.com, can sell you a car to drive on tour, then handle shipping home to you anywhere in the world. When you add depreciation from mileage, tour prep, wear and tear from tour, new tires, insurance, registration, shipping, making the bike pass compliance for your country, etc, it might make more financial sense to just rent the vehicle. Up to you.

No. Your tour begins in the start city the day of the tour. We have found that this is really the best option for you. Arrangements can be made for extra hotel accommodations, upon request. The hotels we use on the first and last day of tour are usually close to the airport. In most situations and tours, there will be a shuttle to shuttle you to or from the airport. We have a packet per tour we will give you that will let you know which airports to fly into for each city. We suggest arriving a couple of days early, and leaving a couple of days after the tour so you have time to rest before and after the tour. We can book these for you.

If you reserve a tour with a deposit, your final payment will be due = received / cleared to Ride Free’s account at least 90 days prior to your reserved tour date. If you would like to change your method of payment, contact us prior to 90 days before your scheduled tour.

It is best to get your deposit in as soon as possible so we can provide you with the best tour possible, and to reserve your spot as well as your bike and rooms. The earlier you book, the farther we can make your money go.

You can pay in full, or you can make a deposit A deposit is usually about $1000 per week per person ( varies per tour). Contact us for particular deposit of each tour, and we can set up payment. When you contact us to book, we either have forms and waivers you can fill out quickly and easily online, or we can email your a PDF for you to fill out and mail or email back to us.
We have a number of different payment options depending on a number of factors. Contact us and we will give you the options. Final payment is due received and cleared before 90 days before tour dates.

A: We recommend booking at least 1 year in advance when possible. We are happy to work you in last minute, but it is in your interest to book as soon as possible. This will help us be able to give you the best tour possible for the money.

If you cancel a guided tour reservation prior to 90 days before a reserved tour,  your payment and deposit will be refunded in the form of a credit which can be used towards a guided tour by the end of the next calendar year. Minus a $250 processing fee and any fees charged to us.  Primarily refer to the terms and conditions of the tour you booked.  Full refunds will not be given to cancellations requested later than 90 days before a reserved tour due to booked hotels, tour guides, tours turned down because we had tour guides set aside for your tour etc, and vehicle rentals. We must book hotels and bikes far in advance to be able to provide a great tour for you. It is a good idea to check in to travel trip insurance. That will cover you if you miss the tour last minute for any reason.
Please please please purchase tour insurance from a broker so if you can’t come last minute you will be reimbursed from the insurance company your loss of money. We will want to help you, will feel honestly horrible for you, but will be unable to help you.

Please please please get trip cancellation insurance.  If you have to cancel in less than 90 days, we can’t help you.  

I think RIDE FREE is the perfect balance. We are not one of the huge corporate travel industry tour companies, and we are not some guys just trying this tour thing out for a couple of years. While we are the oldest motorcycle tour company in the USA “since 1993”, and started before there was even a motorcycle tour industry in the USA, we have stayed small and true to what we are about. We are a professional company, but we have stayed a real USA mom and pop company. We have not grown out of our passion for meeting new people from around the world, making great friends, and riding on the road together. We care about each and every person that rides on one of our tour, does a self guided tour, or a rental with us. It is the personal touch that sets us apart. We want you to have an amazing adventure of a lifetime, and we will do everything we can possibly do to make that happen. As the owner, I am aware of every person on all of our tours. If I am not leading the tour, I am in contact with our guides and am personally vested in every day of your tour while you are on it.

# We normally have smaller group sizes. Averaging about 8 bikes per tour. This allows us to stay away from the big chain hotels and big chain restaurants like the big companies with the 20 bikes and 20 passenger tours. We can and do the large group tours no problem, but our specialty and most of our tours are the smaller personal touch tours. We stay in and eat in smaller more interesting “local” places than the huge companies can fit inside.

We also try to slow the ride down more than many companies on how far we go in a day. Most companies just whiz past things too fast. We have added some extra days on many of our tours / short days etc… These are often people’s favorite days. As we get to really experience the local culture and attractions versus just whizzing by without time to stop.

Sometimes our tours might not make the best “marketing sense” to the masses and tour industry. And some, but all might even cost a little more since there are more tour days for the same route, and we don’t have 40 people on the tour but probably 12 total to divide the cost of the tour up with… I set up the tours to be the best tour and experience first for you.
This is my first priority. Call me. Let’s talk about what your dream is, and how we can make it happen.

When you are on a RIDE FREE experience, it does not really feel like an official tour. We don’t have or want the uniforms etc.. We are just your new friends from America, with the local knowledge, handling all the problems we can instead of you, showing you best time we can. So you have an adventure and experience of a lifetime.

Just give me a call or contact me and we are happy to talk to you about whether RIDE FREE is the best fit for you.
These pages will give some insight: About US Testimonials Our Mission

Follow our tour guide as you drive the vehicle we provide for you as part of the group All you need to bring is a love of the open road and a free spirit. We take you on an amazing adventure. All you have to do is just show up for the first day of hotel, and we have it all figured out.

Included: classic car, lodging, route, tour guide leading in a classic car, support truck with classic car mechanic, mobile shop, parts, supplies, and more. 

Not Included: insurance, fuel, food, tour guide gratuity, entrance fees, extra activities, or anything not listed as included.

On Chicago to LA Guided Tour: Breakfast Included on some days. Breakfast included at either: some pre selected hotels in the morning. #It is very important to understand that we don’t stay at the big chain hotels most of the time like most tour companies. The more interesting places that give the character of the area usually don’t have the continental breakfast included like the boring chain hotels. Instead we stop at neat breakfast places and have other better options than a boring small continental breakfast in a chain hotel.

For lunch and dinner we find real neat places to eat. Usually a great local spot so you get a real honest feel for the area and the people there. We always eat at places that I would eat if I was on the road looking for a great meal.

At Ride Free we want you to really experience the culture of the area. That is why we choose to stay in clean lodging with character, and to eat a local spots. Often we meet really neat people along the way at these spots.

It is about the unexpected people and experiences along the way. Not about point A to B follow the leader.

A drivers license (from any country). If your license is not in English, we also recommend an international drivers license.
Must be 21 years of age or older to drive.
Contact us, I am very happy to answer any questions and to walk you through the process.

Full no excess damage waiver and sli 1 million supplemental liability is part of the car rental, self drive, and guided tour packages. MORE DETAILS

We do recommend sun screen and a bathing suit.

Your expenses will be Food, souvenirs, snacks, beer, extra activities, and film. Fuel for your vehicle. 

The choice of lodging is a huge part of a Ride Free Tour and experience.

Lodging ranges from hotels in Vegas, motels on old Route 66, to cabins in remote locations. Most tours include a mix of hotels and motels. About 3 Star is the average.

When available we stay at the small places with the most character. I prefer the old vintage places from a bygone era with
lots of character. If we are doing a ride for your group, we can book any level of hotel when available.
We stay away from places more tours go to, the box chain hotels which are the same no matter what country or city you are in. We prefer the mom and pop small local places. Yes, these places are harder to book, not just click it on line like the big corporate companies do.. But this extra work and attention to detail of an authentic locals road trip, you will see in every aspect of Ride Free. This is what sets up apart.

The lodging we stay at are cool places that I stay at when I ride with my friends or wife. They usually strategically located in town, walking distance to dinner, pubs, and fun. That way you don’t have to drive after a long day. 

See the Testimonials about our lodging: https://ridefree.com/testimonials

Cleanliness of a hotel in very important to Ride Free.

Individuals traveling by themselves will book the 1 person – 1 vehicle – 1 room and have a room by themselves. If you are traveling by yourself and want to reduce cost and have a room mate. Request that, and if there is another individual that wants to share a room, we will introduce both of you and you can decide whether you want to share a room. Often, it is fun to have a room partner, and people become great friends.  You can even possibly share a car with another person to save money, and add your own room if you like. 
Or bring a friend or spouse to share the car with.

Hotels Before and After Tour – We can arrange your hotel before and after the tour for you in the hotel we stay in. We suggest arriving at least a night before the first schedule night of tour, and stay at least one extra night after the last day. The hotel in included on the first listed day of tour. The last listed date of the tour, does not include a hotel because that is the departure day.

You will want your rest before and after the tour. Don’t let a delayed flight ruin your trip, or expect to be able to catch up on your sleep once the tour starts.
When finishing the tour, the night where we arrive to final destination does include a hotel that night. We arrive in the afternoon, then have a last victory dinner together. The next day is the last listed day of tour, which includes no hotel and is the departure day is all.

Yes, we would deduct the price of the rental portion of the tour.   My classic car, late model, and motorcycle  dealership, www.sakowskimotors.com, can sell you a car to drive on tour, then handle shipping home to you anywhere in the world. When you add depreciation from mileage, tour prep, wear and tear from tour, new tires, insurance, registration, shipping, making the bike pass compliance for your country, etc, it might make more financial sense to just rent the vehicle. Up to you.

No. Your tour begins in the start city the day of the tour. We have found that this is really the best option for you. Arrangements can be made for extra hotel accommodations, upon request. The hotels we use on the first and last day of tour are usually close to the airport. In most situations and tours, there will be a shuttle to shuttle you to or from the airport. We have a packet per tour we will give you that will let you know which airports to fly into for each city. We suggest arriving a couple of days early, and leaving a couple of days after the tour so you have time to rest before and after the tour. We can book these for you.

If you reserve a tour with a deposit, your final payment will be due = received / cleared to Ride Free’s account at least 90 days prior to your reserved tour date. If you would like to change your method of payment, contact us prior to 90 days before your scheduled tour.

It is best to get your deposit in as soon as possible so we can provide you with the best tour possible, and to reserve your spot as well as your bike and rooms. The earlier you book, the farther we can make your money go.

You can pay in full, or you can make a deposit A deposit is usually about $1000 per week per person ( varies per tour). Contact us for particular deposit of each tour, and we can set up payment. When you contact us to book, we either have forms and waivers you can fill out quickly and easily online, or we can email your a PDF for you to fill out and mail or email back to us.
We have a number of different payment options depending on a number of factors. Contact us and we will give you the options. Final payment is due received and cleared before 90 days before tour dates.

A: We recommend booking at least 1 year in advance when possible. We are happy to work you in last minute, but it is in your interest to book as soon as possible. This will help us be able to give you the best tour possible for the money.

If you cancel a guided tour reservation prior to 90 days before a reserved tour,  your payment and deposit will be refunded in the form of a credit which can be used towards a guided tour by the end of the next calendar year. Minus a $250 processing fee and any fees charged to us.  Primarily refer to the terms and conditions of the tour you booked. Full refunds will not be given to cancellations requested later than 90 days before a reserved tour due to booked hotels, tour guides, tours turned down because we had tour guides set aside for your tour etc, and vehicle rentals. We must book hotels and bikes far in advance to be able to provide a great tour for you. It is a good idea to check in to travel trip insurance. That will cover you if you miss the tour last minute for any reason.
Please please please purchase tour insurance from a broker so if you can’t come last minute you will be reimbursed from the insurance company your loss of money. We will want to help you, will feel honestly horrible for you, but will be unable to help you.

Please please please get trip cancellation insurance.  If you have to cancel in less than 90 days, we can’t help you.