† 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 $50 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.
OVERVIEW
This will be the second BAC-sponsored ride in Nova Scotia, Canada in 2017. The ride will be along quiet roads in the Annapolis Valley and thence to the picturesque South Shore of the province. The Ride Leader (Linda) was born and raised in Nova Scotia and still has fond memories of visiting relatives who lived (and still live) in Halifax and in Lunenburg, where her mother was born. Lunenburg was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.
Both the Ride Leader and Ride Co-Leader (husband Gerry) have undertaken three separate self-contained rides in Nova Scotia, covering most of the route for this ride. Great care has been taken in selecting premium accommodation and maximizing the riding experience. Some of the riding can be on cycling trails that were formerly railway rights-of-way.
This ride will avoid cycling altogether in the busy Halifax Metropolitan area. The riding itself will therefore start at the eastern end of the Annapolis Valley in Wolfville and carry on westward as far as Annapolis Royal (three days). From there, the ride will head south across the spine of Nova Scotia to Liverpool (two days). After Liverpool, the ride will follow the coastline as far east as Peggy’s Cove (five days). Riders will be shuttled from Halifax to Wolfville and from Peggy’s Cove to Halifax.
Nova Scotia is home to the highest tides in the world. This ride will include an opportunity to view the effects of these tides near Wolfville, as well as to visit the only tidal power hydro-electric plant in North America in Annapolis Royal. Aviation buffs can take in the Air Museum located at Canadian Forces Base Greenwood. Those riders interested in history can also explore the Port Royal National Historic Site, where in 1605, Samuel de Champlain founded the first European settlement in Canada. Finally, we may also be in time for the Bridgetown Ciderfest Festival.
After leaving the Annapolis Valley, we will head south across the province to the South Shore. One night will be spent near the gates of Kejimkujik National Park (where Gerry’s brother, who will be on this ride as a participant, was one of the original Park Planners). Those feeling energetic will have the option of exploring the Park in the afternoon. Those feeling less energetic can simply relax on the banks of the Mersey River.
The gems of the South Shore are Lunenburg, Mahone Bay and Peggy’s Cove (the latter being easily the most photographed place in Nova Scotia). Our pace along the South Shore will be leisurely, affording ample time to soak up the atmosphere and see the sights. While in Lunenburg, a visit to Blue Rocks is highly recommended. Towards the end of the ride, we will be partaking of one of Nova Scotia’s great institutions – the Lobster Dinner!
The ride will conclude with one night at a luxury hotel on Halifax’s waterfront.
The itinerary by day will be as follows:
Day 1 – congregate at one of the hotels nearby Stanfield International Airport
Day 2 – early morning transfer to Wolfville. Initial orientation ride (20-30 miles). Welcoming Dinner.
Day 3 – Wolfville to Kingston/Greenwood (35 miles), with possible side trip to Greenwood Air Museum.
Day 4 – Kingston/Greenwood to Annapolis Royal (39 miles), with possible side trips to the Bridgetown Ciderfest Festival and to Port Royal.
Day 5 – Annapolis Royal to Kejimkujik National Park/Mersey River (30 miles), including one mile gravel road. Dinner provided.
Day 6 – National Park to an Inn in Liverpool (40 miles).
Day 7 – Liverpool to Lunenburg via the free Le Have River ferry. (48 miles).
Day 8 – Rest day to explore Lunenburg, with possible side trips to Blue Rocks (10 miles return) or to Bridgewater (25 miles return).
Day 9 – Lunenburg via Mahone Bay to a premium ocean resort outside Chester (23 miles). Lobster Dinner.
Day 10 – Chester to Hubbards via Aspotagon Peninsula (41 miles).
Day 11 – Hubbards to Peggy’s Cove (30 miles), with early afternoon transfer to waterfront Halifax hotel. Farewell Dinner on the pier.
Day 12 – morning check out from Halifax hotel.
RIDE RATING
No ride on any day exceeds the 2B classification. Four days of riding will be at the 1A classification, plus two days of riding at the 2A level.
Total distance cycled on the base ride will be approximately 325 miles over ten riding days. The only segment of the route with limited access to water and food is from Annapolis Royal to Liverpool.
WEATHER
Owing to generally fine weather, September is the second busiest month for tourists in Nova Scotia. Temperatures during the day average 65-70 degrees F. Temperatures at night average 55-60 degrees F. Chances of rain are one in three on any given day in September. However, the rain is likely is be either drizzle or light rain 75 per cent of the time. Still, rain gear is strongly recommended.
LODGING
Where possible (except in Halifax), we have opted to avoid chain hotels on this ride. In this regard, we have booked three upscale B&B Hotels or Inns, one ocean resort, one independently owned hotel of long standing reputation and one wilderness lodge along our route. Of necessity, this limits the total number of riders that we can accept, given beds available at each locale.
LOGISTICS
The ride begins with initial arrival at a hotel adjacent to the Robert Stanfield International Airport outside Halifax on the evening of Saturday, September 9, 2017. The following morning, riders will be shuttled to Wolfville (100 km distant) for the start of actual riding. The ride ends in downtown Halifax on the morning of September 20, 2017.
Halifax can best be reached by either motor vehicle or air. Stanfield International is served by Air Canada, Westjet, Delta, United and American Airlines.
Tour cost is $2,275 US per person. This excludes the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee of $50 US (now payable directly to BAC at time of registration), but includes base hotel costs (double occupancy), four dinners (including a Welcoming Dinner in Wolfville and a Farewell Dinner in Halifax), nine breakfasts, Happy Hours each night (including arrival night), transportation of luggage and shuttle to/from Halifax. Participants will be responsible for incidental hotel charges and transportation from downtown Halifax to Stanfield International at the conclusion of the ride. Vehicles can be parked free of charge at the Airport Hotel for the duration of the ride.
Except for the Welcoming Dinner, Lobster Dinner, Farewell Dinner and Happy Hours in our own separate space, alcohol will not be included in the tour cost. Also excluded will be entry fees to such local attractions as the Port Royal National Historic Site and Kejimkujik National Park.
For those interested in renting bikes, we are able to refer you to a company in the Halifax area that does offer this service.
We regret that owing to bed configurations in some establishments, we are limited in accepting singles on this ride.
ADMINISTRATION
An initial deposit of $1,000 in US dollars (excluding the non-refundable BAC registration fees of $50 US) is required, with the balance of $1,275 in US dollars payable no later than May 1, 2017. The Budget in US dollars has been determined on the basis of an exchange rate of $1.00 CDN = $0.85 US.
The minimum/maximum number of participants for this ride is fifteen.
On seven of the eleven nights, riders will be on their own for dinner. Our experience from previous BAC rides is that participants quickly find common interests and amiable dinner groups flourish.
To register for the ride, use the sign-up link. Upon acceptance, riders will be moved from the Waitlist to the Pending List. When this occurs, you will receive an email notification to login into the BAC Website in order to sign the release of liability form and to pay the non-refundable BAC registration fee. Upon completion of these steps, the Ride Leader will provide you with instructions on remitting the deposit. Once the deposit is received, you will be moved to the Participants List.
CANCELLATONS
The BAC ride registration fee is not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled. Refunds 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 remaining participants on the tour will not incur any additional cost as the result of a cancellation. If the cancelling participant is replaced, the refund will be made at that time. If the participant is not replaced, any refund will be determined once the ride ends and a final expense report is completed. To contact the Ride Leader, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description.
BAC encourages members to purchase personal trip cancellation insurance.
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. 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.
Bicycle Adventure Club
PO BOX 23998 San Diego, CA 92193
Telephone (858) 715-9510 office@bicycleadventureclub.org