What if I register and then can't ride?
You may defer your registration to next year, but only up until October 12, 2025. There is a $25 processing fee. Defer Form: festivelo.org/defer
You may transfer your registration to another rider by October 12 so the bib number and shirt choice will be correct. There is a $25 processing fee. The person receiving the transfer will receive an email with instructions that should be followed promptly; they are not registered until they complete registration. Transfer Form: festivelo.org/transfer
We do not offer refunds.
What package should I buy?
If you are planning on riding for 4 days, you have a choice of a Gold or Silver registration. The Gold registration includes 4 days of riding, breakfast each morning, dinner each evening, plus admission to the Wine Down Wednesday, Friday Chocolate Obsession, and the Saturday night Oyster Roast.
The Silver registration includes 4 days of riding. Breakfast, dinner, Wine Down Wednesday, Chocolate Obsession, and the Oyster Roast must be purchased separately. The 4-day Silver registration is a good idea for those who may not be eating breakfast with us or who want to choose which days you have dinner or want to pick what themed evening events you participate in.
The 3 day Gold and Silver registrations work the same as the 4 day registrations, albeit with one less day of meals and evening activities.
All registrations include lunch, post-ride snacks and drinks, craft beer, and an evening cook-out with S'mores and hot dogs, after-dinner speakers, and a DJ.
Are e-bikes allowed?
Yes, and the flat terrain of the Lowcountry is perfect for them. But, it's really more about the rider than the bike. If you ride with a large group, you should know the associated rules and etiquette.
While we do our best to support vegetarian diets, vegan diets are very difficult to support across all the meals, snacks, and events. If you are vegan or have other strict diet requirements, please contact the event director at info@festivelo.org to discuss arrangements.
How are the routes organized and named?
We have multiple route options and start times each day. On Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, all routes (long, medium, and short) depart from the Farmers Market in Walterboro with staggered start times of 8:00, 9:00, and 10:00, with a police escort to the city limits.
Exception: On Saturday, the short route starts from Crosco Express in Green Pond, so as to ride through the beautiful natural areas between there and Bennett's Point.
The routes have names such as FV25 Thur Long or FV25 Fri Medium.
You can start at the time and location of your choosing on any day, but pay attention to the rest stop open and close times listed on the cue sheets. The announced start times better allow riders to ride in groups.
Can I change my route while I am riding?
Yes. It's your choice when and where you ride. We ask that you stay on our marked routes (yes, you can ride them in reverse). Please honor our rest stop opening and closing times, noted on the cue sheets. You don’t have to ride the routes in sequence. If you want to avoid traffic or mass starts, drive to a rest stop and start your ride from there. If you do so, it helps to share your location on the FestiVELO app so the support teams can see where you are.
How are the routes marked?
Turns are marked with a O-. The O is white, the tail (-) will match the route color: white for long, yellow for medium, and blue for short. There will be multiple tails where routes overlap.
The first mark will appear beside any "intersection-ahead" sign, usually about 400' ahead of the intersection. A second mark will appear about 200' ahead of the intersection, another at the intersection, and a confidence marker after the intersection. Each mark will appear close to the white line on the road.
If you think you may be off course, you can always stop, open the route in the FestiVelo app, and zoom in to your location.
What happens if I miss a day that I signed up for?
If there is bad weather or some other event that prevents you from riding on a day that you are scheduled, you can ride the following day to make up for it. Let the staff know the next morning when you show up for the make up ride.
Are towels and toiletries provided at the shower trailer?
No. You will need to provide your own towels and toiletries.
When can I set up my tent in the camping area?
You can set up your tent whenever you arrive at FestiVELO. Please go to the camping area and set up in any open spot.
Information for new riders
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