Provence: Land of Color & Light 2017: Section 1

This ride is a fixed-base or semi-fixed-base ride, please read the ride description for more details.

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

Join us for 10 wonderful days cycling the beautiful rural Vaucluse region of Provence France, home of abundant sunshine, brilliant colors, splendid wines and great local cuisine and all for ONLY $2395 per person double!  This is a FIXED-BASE tour centered in the medieval village of Vaison la Romaine, a Roman archeological wonder.  The village is surrounded by the River Ouveze and poised a few short kilometers from the base of Mont Ventoux, one of the most famous stages of the Tour de France.  And, YES, you will have the opportunity (although not mandatory) to ride to the summit of Mont Ventoux on one of our daily rides, sure to be an unforgettable and exhilarating experience!

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF $2395 USD (PER PERSON DOUBLE)

.. 3 Star Cycling friendly Hotel located just inside the walled medieval village of Vaison la Romaine.

.. Per person double occupancy room for 10 nights.

.. Daily continental breakfast.

.. Dinner each evening to include 3 courses plus wine, water, coffee and dessert. A daily vegetarian selection will also be available with no meal repeats during our stay. Dinner on the evening of our day off will be on your own and the Hotel will provide many wonderful alternatives.

.. Daily business meeting and Happy Hour prior to dinner.

.. Exclusive website for accepted participants only which will provide GPS tracks, maps and much more information about the ride and sight seeing opportunities in the area. The website will be available approximately 6 months in advance of departure.

.. Pickup and drop off at the Avignon TGV rail station. Dates and times are outlined below. Arrivals and departures should be planned accordingly.  Travel time to/from the Hotel is approximately 45 minutes.

.. Pickup Date/Time:  Departure from Avignon TGV on Wednesday, May 24th at 4:00PM.

.. Drop Off Date/Time:  Departure from Vaison la Romaine Hotel on Saturday, June 3rd at 8:00AM.

.. Pickup and Drop Off will include you, your luggage and bike case.

NOTE THERE WILL BE ONLY ONE DATE AND TIME PICKUP AND DROP OFF AND TIMES STATED WILL BE PROMPT WITH NO EXCEPTIONS.

ARRIVAL and DEPARTURE 

Arrival and departure for the trip will be at the Avignon TGV rail station, south of Vaison la Romaine.  Luxury motorcar transportation will be provided from Avignon TGV to our Hotel in Vaison la Romaine.

We purposely are starting this trip mid week in order to give you the opportunity to arrive early or stay later and do some sightseeing on your own.  To this end, several options exist in planning your arrival and departure to Avignon TGV.  The two recommended approaches are from Paris or Nice via high speed rail (TGV).  Bike storage at these destinations is available.  However, to avoid the issue of transporting/storing your own bike, high quality bike rentals will be available.  Details on TGV transport and bike storage/rental options may be discussed with the Ride Director and/or Ride Co-Director.

CYCLING FRIENDLY HOTEL

Our 3 Star Hotel is positioned perfectly just inside the walled medieval village of Vaison la Romaine.  The panoramic view from the Hotel affords a wonderful view of the surrounding village and countryside or you may enjoy the peace and tranquility of its terraced gardens and swimming pool.  The Hotel’s quaint rooms occupy two adjoining 16th and 17th Century houses; each room uniquely decorated with antiques and includes the modern conveniences of a private shower or bath, toilet, telephone, mini-bar, television and hair dryer.  The Hotel also offers a laundry service for cycling clothes (not included in the trip price).  A day off in the middle of our trip is planned so that you can enjoy the regional weekly market, quaint shops, lively restaurants and inviting lanes of the village, all located a short walk from our Hotel.

CYCLING IN PROVENCE & RIDE RATING

Rather than wasting time and energy packing and unpacking each day, our FIXED-BASE ride will do in and out (loop) rides of 35 to 50+ miles of varying but moderate terrain, returning to our Hotel early to mid afternoon each day.  Riding in this area of Provence is gentle with our range of daily climbing from 1500 to 2500 feet (Quick-Look Ride Rating - 2B).  All roads we will ride are paved and consideration has been given to avoiding high traffic areas.  Maps and route sheets of the suggested daily cycling route will be available in advance of the departure date and can be discussed with your Ride Director who has personally ridden each route.  Plan to make 2 to 3 stops sampling the quaint coffee shops and take lunch (not included in the trip price) in one of the many villages along the way.  You are welcome to join one or two group led rides each riding day that will follow the ride schedule.    

Although the general area where we will ride offers moderate terrain, there is always one ever-present sight on the horizon; Mont Ventoux, one of the most famous of all Tour de France stages.  For those that enjoy climbing and descending, one of the highlights of our trip will offer the opportunity to take in the summit of Mont Ventoux.  The climb offers 3 ascents ranging from 3969 to 5304 feet, covering 21.8 to 26 kilometers with average grades of 4.4% to 7.43%.  Two of the ascent’s grades are 8.9% for 16 kilometers.  For all ascents conditions can be very windy.  Ride time will take 2 to 3 hours.  Please note this ride is not mandatory and other rides can be easily substituted if you prefer.  The Ride Director can make suggestions for you.  If you do choose to ride with us, it will no doubt prove to be an exhilarating and unforgettable experience!

SIGN UP AND TERMS

The maximum number of BAC members on this trip will be 40 and the minimum 22 which includes the Ride Director and Co-Director.  The price of $2395.00 USD is per person double occupancy and includes the items listed in the “INCLUDED IN THE PRICE . .” section above and is based on an exchange rate of $1.40 USD to 1 Euro plus a 10% contingency.  Deposit is $750.00 USD per person and balance of $1645.00 USD per person is due April 1, 2017.

Singles are welcome and may either occupy a room by themselves or share with a roommate. We can provide names of other singles requesting to join the ride but it is the responsibility of the singles to finalize arrangements.  Singles wishing to room alone will have a single supplement charge of $750.00 USD.

A non-refundable $100.00 USD BAC fee will be due to BAC upon your acceptance on the ride by the Ride Director.  This fee is not reflected in the price stated above.

CANCELLATION POLICY

The BAC ride registration fee of $100 USD per participant is not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled.  Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped.  The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations.  If the canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time.  If the canceling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report is completed.  If a single participant sharing a room cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the single supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour.

To register for the ride use the sign-up link above.  Following your registration you will receive an email from the Ride Director requesting information about yourself in order to help us qualify you for the ride.  If accepted you will be prompted for your deposit and other required documents at that time.

If you have questions about the ride please contact the Ride Director listed above.

Au Revoir and Happy Cycling!