Tuscany on the Med Fall 2017!!!

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

Tuscany on the Med Fall 2017!!!

This is the fixed based cycling trip in the beautiful Tuscan countryside, a BAC classic.  The trip is being offered again this year by Stephen and Linda Kiel.

Our routes are in a region of Tuscany called the “Costa Degli Etruschi” (Etruscan Coast), an area rich in history, known for its vineyards and wineries, a producer of premium olive oil, and a favorite area for cyclists. Our routes will take us past the many wineries on La Strada Del Vino during the exciting harvest season, and through the hilltop towns of Bolgheri, Castagneto Carducci, Sassetta, Suvereto and Montescudaio just to name a few.  We will visit, tour, and have lunch at an olive grove on one of our rides.  The Aurelia Highway running through nearby Donoratico was first built during Roman times. We will ride past pre-Roman Etruscan archaeological sites as well. An annual bike race that runs each February, the G.P. Costa degli Etruschi, shares some of the roads that we will be riding as well.

You may walk, bike or take a short bus ride from the hotel to numerous shops in Donoratico to include quaint coffee and pastry bars, banks (ATMs), a book shop, clothing stores, grocery stores and a supermarket. The local bus service stops close to the front of our hotel.  If you choose to stay close to the hotel there are nice shops and places to get a bite to eat, a gelato, or an Italian Espresso.

RIDE RATING: 2B

• We will ride in and out (loop) rides of 40 to 60 miles of varying but moderate terrain, returning to our hotel early to mid-afternoon each day.
• Riding in this area of Tuscany offers moderate terrain with our range of daily climbing from 1500 to 2500 feet. All roads we will ride are paved and consideration has been given to avoiding high traffic areas. None of the daily rides include terrain that varies from the norm described above although the Ride Leader can direct you to more challenging climbs and descents in the area if you prefer.
• Maps and route sheets of the suggested daily cycling route will be available in advance of the departure date and will be discussed in the evening meetings.
• Plan to make 2 to 3 stops during each days ride, sampling the quaint coffee shops and to take lunch (not included in the trip price) in one of the many hilltop villages along the way. The Ride Leader can make suggestions for you.
• Because this is a “Fixed Base” style ride, there are no mandatory destinations, offering a lot of flexibility in the riding challenge.

WEATHER

The weather is Mediterranean.  September weather in Donoratico and surrounding areas ranges from highs in the mid 60's to mid 70's.  Low temperatures range from the mid 50's to mid 60's.  Average wind speed is 5 MPH, and average rainfall is less than 1 inch.

THE HOTEL:

• We are excited to be returning again to the beautiful Hotel Ginepri on the Mediterranean coast.  The hotel is positioned perfectly between the sea and a pine forest affording beautiful walks.
• The hotel has its own private beach which is just a few short steps from the Hotel lobby. Your accommodations include “Beach Service”: use of the beach furniture, beach towels, and rinsing area.  The hotel swimming pool, adjoining the garden, overlooks the private beach.
• The rooms all have modern contemporary furniture and private bathrooms with a hairdryer, air conditioning, satellite TV, telephone and radio. Wireless internet connections are available in the rooms.
• For the complete list of amenities and pictures of the hotel, please visit the hotel website (www.hoteliginepri.it) The “Trip Advisor” link on the website displays customer ratings, comments, and feedback.

INCLUDED IN THE ESTIMATED PRICE OF $1500.00 (USD PER PERSON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY):

• 10 Nights in the 3 Star, Cycling Friendly, Beach Front Hotel Ginepri (www.hoteliginepri.it).
• Pickup and drop off by private bus from the Pisa Airport (PSA) to the hotel.
• Daily Continental Breakfasts (hearty for cyclists) in the Ginepri Dining Room.
• 8 evening dinners with wine in the Ginepri Dining Room overlooking the Mediterranean during sunset.
• A tour of a local olive grove with an afternoon meal is included on one of our ride days.
• A daily business meeting, discussion of the routes, and BAC Happy Hour prior to evening dinner.
• Detailed cue sheets and maps for all of the routes.

Note: The non-refundable BAC Ride Registration Fee of $100 (which includes foreign accidental medical insurance) will be collected online when you register for the ride, and is not included in the $1500 trip cost.

AIRPORT PICKUP AND DROP OFF:

• The Pickup and Drop Off include you, your luggage, and your bike box.
• The trip begins and ends near Donoratico, Italy, which is in the Tuscan region along the Mediterranean Coast.
• The Pickup (arrival) time from the Pisa Airport (PSA) is Wednesday, September 6th at 4:00PM.
• The Drop Off (departure) time from the hotel will be Saturday, September 16th at 8:00AM.
• The travel time between the hotel and the airport is approximately one hour.
• THE PICKUP AND DROP OFF WILL BE PROMPTLY AT THE PUBLISHED TIMES ONLY.  If you arrive or depart at different times, you must arrange transportation, at your own expense, between the airport and Donoratico.

LOCAL TRAVEL:

If you wish to arrive early or decide to stay in Italy after the trip there are several sightseeing possibilities that you might want to investigate.  Some possibilities would include Pisa, Florence, San Gimignano, Siena, Volterra, Lucca, and Livorno. The drive (or train) to Rome is approximately 3 1/2 hours. Another great destination is Cinque Terre, a series of 5 seaside villages within a National Park directly on the Italian Riviera in the Liguria region of Italy, very close to the city of La Spezia.

If you wish to take a day trip during your stay, taking the train to Florence, Pisa, or Lucca is a possibility, as well as Elba Island via ferry. The train station is a short distance (2 miles) from the hotel in the town of Donoratico. Local bus service is available from our hotel. Note we will have a day off in the middle of our stay which will offer the option of a short day trip in the area, or you can also simply take a bike ride on a route of your own design.

BIKES:

You may bring your own bike with you or avoid the worry about your bike altogether by renting.  We can suggest a bike rental agency we have used for several years that will include, as a part of their service, delivery and pick up of the bikes directly at the hotel.  Arrangements for bike rental must be made directly with the rental company.  Additionally, there is a local bike shop in Donoratico for shopping or repairs.

NOTE: Whether you rent or bring your own bike, the safety and mechanical integrity of the bike is the individual rider’s responsibility.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

The BAC ride registration fee is collected online during registration for the ride and is not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled.  The ride registration fee is not included in the estimated $1500 trip cost. Refunds of the trip cost 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 cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped, the canceling roommate may be liable for the single supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour. BAC encourages members to purchase personal trip cancellation insurance.

SIGNUP AND TERMS:

The minimum number of BAC members for this trip is 30, and the maximum number will be 40 including the Ride Leader and Co-Director.

The estimated price of $1500.00 USD is per person double occupancy and includes the items listed in the “INCLUDED IN THE PRICE” section above.

The single supplement charge will be $300.00 USD.  The number of single supplements will be very limited due to room availability.

For singles signing up who wish to be in a double and do not have a roommate, we will put you in touch with others in the same situation.

The Estimated Price is based on an exchange rate of $1.40 USD to 1 Euro, plus 10% contingency.  It is intended to be a conservative estimate in order to reduce risk.  This is a non-profit trip.  At the close of the trip, an accounting will be made and any unused funds will be distributed back to the participants.

The Initial Deposit is $1000.00 USD ($1300.00 Singles) and is due within two weeks of notification from the Ride Leader that you are accepted onto the ride. The balance of $500.00 USD will be due April 1, 2017.

To register for the ride use the sign-up link above the Ride Description. Following your request to sign up you will receive an email notifying you that you are on the ride waitlist. If you are accepted on the ride, you will receive an email from the Ride Director with instructions for signing the Release of Liability, paying the BAC Ride Registration Fee, and making the initial deposit for the trip.

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

Ciao and Happy Cycling!

Stephen and Linda Kiel