Northern Ireland: Belfast to Belfast

† 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

OVERVIEW
This is the first BAC itnerary that takes place entirely within the province of Northern Ireland. The tour begins and ends in Belfast, after completing a clockwise circuit around the province's many scenic highlights. In turn, we will visit St. Patrick's Country, Strangford Lough and the Ard's Peninsula, Dundrum Bay, the Mountains of Mourne, the Silent Valley, Carlingford Lough, the ancient city of Armagh, the Sperrins, the River Bann Valley, the Binevenagh Plateau, the Causeway Coast, the Glens of Antrim and finally, the Antrim Coast Road. En route attractions include the Nendrum Monastic Site; St. Patrick's grave and the St. Patrick Centre, Castleward Stately House, Mount Stewart, Dundrum Castle, Spelga Pass, Narrow Water Castle, the Newry Canal Cycle Path, Armagh Cathedral, the Ulster American Folk Park, Mussenden Temple, The Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast Path, Dunluce Castle, the Old Bushmills Distillery, Torr Head and Carrickfergus Castle.

RIDE RATING
This ride is a 2B.  None of the riding days exceed the 2B rating.  There are 12 riding days, with 9 required riding days.  Riding is on mostly very low trafficked minor country roads and lanes as well as traffic-free bike paths, with the occassional short stretch on busier roads as we enter and leave population centers. 
NOTE: In Ireland, you drive and Cycle on the left side of the road.  There is no sag service for this ride and participants are expected to complete each day's ride.  There are optional extensions on many of the routes for those who wish to ride further.

WEATHER
Ireland is green for a reason! Be prepared for rain as well as sun. Average daytime temperatures are in the 60's and low 70's at this time of year. Overnight low's may be in the 50's.

LODGING
We will enjoy 13 nights in either hotels or guesthouses, with our first hotel in Belfast. Subsequent overnights include the following towns: Strangford (2), Newcastle (1), Warrenpoint (1), Armagh (1), Omagh (1), Limavady (1), Bushmills (2), Ballycastle (1), Carnlough (1) and Belfast for our final dinner together.

LOGISTICS
The ride starts in Belfast on August 27 at the traditional BAC happy hour and ends in Belfast on September 9 after breakfast.  There are two airports in Belfast: Belfast International and Belfast City.  Dublin Airport has excellent bus connections to Belfast, with a journey time of approximately 2 hours.

COST & ADMINISTRATION
The estimated cost for this tour is $3,200, which has been calculated on an exchange rate of 1 British Pound equals to $1.55 US dollars.  Since exchage rantes may fluctuate, a price adjustment may be necessary at a future date. The tour price is based on double occupancy.  The final payment of $2,200 will be due on May 1st, 2017.

Included in the tour fee are: Thirteen nights in hotels or guesthouses; daily breakfasts, eight dinners, luggage transport between lodgings; emergency van pick up; maps and cue sheets, route notes and GPX files; bike case storage. 

Not included: Meals beyond those stated; airfare and transport to Belfast; alcoholic beverages.  Due to hotel restrictions, there may be times at "Happy Hour" when participants will need to purchase their drinks and snacks through the hotel.  Bike rentals will be available through Iron Donkey at an additional cost, and participants must make their own rental arrangements directly with Iron Donkey. 

SINGLES
Singles are welcome and are encouraged to find a compatible roomate.   It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until April 1, 2017 to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC fee) or pay the single supplement of $600 and stay on the ride.  If a single pays the $600 supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary.  The Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride.

CANCELLATION POLICY
The BAC ride registration fee 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 are completed.  If a single participant 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.  BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

In addition, Iron Donkey's cancellation penalties are: 10% of the cost if you cancel up to 90 days before departure, 25% of the cost if you cancel between 30 and 90 days before departure, and 100% of the cost if you cancel between 0 and 30 days before departure.  These penalties only apply if a replacement can not be found.  If a replacment is found, there is not cancellation penalty.  Note:  Please sign on only if you are committed to riding this tour!

SIGN-UP
To submit a request to join this ride use the "links" displayed above this Ride Description.  When you are accepted, the Ride Leader will move you from the Waitlist to the Pending List.  At this time you will receive an email notification to login to the BAC website to sign the release of liability form and pay the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee online.  Once those steps have been completed, the initial deposit of $1,000 will be due.  To contact the Ride Leader, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description.

Ride Participant Responsibility
Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support.  Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles.  All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour.  We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Leader.  While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up.  Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour.  Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.