Brittany, France: Celts, Coastlines, Crepes, Ciders

† 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:  Come to “The End of the Earth”, the Finistere region of Brittany, France for back-road cycling past ancient Celtic megaliths along the wild and mysterious NW French Atlantic coastline.  Partake of savory and sweet Breton crepes, cheeses and amazing seafood, renown salted caramels and regional ciders. Your BAC leader, David Docter, has lived and studied in Paris, travelled throughout France 20+ times and rates Brittany among the best areas for unspoiled French villages, markets, dramatic scenery, Celtic ruins, food, and quiet country road biking. He will open doors and eyes to the hidden corners and wonderful tastes of this remote Breton region.

This trip focuses on 3-4 areas of magical Finistere (west of other 2017 fully-booked BAC Brittany/Normandy rides). You will stay 2-4 nights at each lodging—no every-day packing and unpacking! Happy hours will include ride briefings and regional delicacies; we’ll have several dinners together, with other evenings free to discover your own gastronomique adventures. Cue sheets and maps will detail long and short loop ride options and sites, restaurants, and road conditions radiating out from each hotel-- typically 20-50 miles with flat rides and/or rolling hills. If riding companions want long and you want short ride-days, both can ride at their comfort level; take a day off, or ride to and wander local village markets, museums or other sites.  Required rides--only to move hotels. The general itinerary, below, may vary slightly following the ride leader’s scouting trip in July 2016.

First region: Meet at a chateau outside Quimper (faience pottery, half-timbered middle-ages buildings, art and culture museums, and of course, crepes, ciders, cheeses, seafood and wines).  (Arrival information will be provided—Brittany is served by fast, bike-carrying TGV trains from Paris airport). Ride options: Pont Aven; Doelen (former home to Gauguin & French TV version of Doc Martin filmed here); 600 year-old Notre Dame de Tronoen calvary; Pont Croix and rugged cliffs of Pointe de Raz. 

Second Region:  Required ride (29 miles) to the fishing village of Douarnenez.  Ride options include Crozen Peninsula to Camaret or Pointe de Penhir, past Celtic stone megaliths, alignments and burial monuments; Locranan, often called the most beautiful village in France; or even to some of the ride options you missed in the first region.

Third Region: Required ride (36 miles) to the picturesque inland village of Sizun.  Ride options include Parc Naturel Armorique; the St. Thegonnec & Guimiliau parish closes; and to the northern coast & lighthouses around Brignogan.

Fourth Region: Required ride (40 miles) to near the ocean-hugging village of Le Conquet. Ride options explore the rugged coastline to the north; Pointe de St. Mathieu, or take a boat to, and cycle around Ile d’Ouessant. At tour’s end it’s a short required ride (17 miles) into Brest to catch a train or plane. Luggage will be moved to the train station or airport.

Bienvenue. A Votre Sante.  C’est la vie!!

NOTES:  As with all BAC rides you’ll be expected to “ride the kilometres”.  A van will move luggage, and provide emergency help only--not a “sag wagon”. BAC tours depend on participants providing much of their own support. Participants are expected to be in good health and ready to accomplish the required riding.  Paricipants are encouraged to bring their own bike in good working condition.  Rental bikes may be available at an additional cost. (Contact the Ride Leader for information on rental bikes.)  Participants are expected to help load and unload the luggage from the van as necessary, and then carry their own luggage to and from their hotel room.

RIDE RATING: 2B Rating based on average mileage and elevation gain of required rides. Expect short climbs or rolling hills.  Optional rides range from 20-50 miles, with mostly flat terrain and others with higher elevation gains. With the exception of the rides necessary to move from one hotel to the next, you may choose any of the varied ride options each day.  Those who like mileage can get their miles (or kilometers)! Optional rides  each day will include 1A or 1B type rides, and 2B rides, so all riders will find "suitable" and fascinating rides. The ride director will assist in your choices.

WEATHER:  Ride is mostly along the Atlantic Ocean.  Days can be sunny and mid-60’s to mid-70’s in September, or quite changeable during a day's ride, including windy and wet and in the 50's.

COST & ADMINISTRATION:  The estimated cost stated above includes 13 nights (double occupancy) in 2-4 star hotels; all breakfasts, 8 dinners, maps and cue sheets, van support for luggage/bike box transport throughout the tour from first hotel to last day, and luggage transfer to Brest train station on last morning.  Price does not include admissions to sites/museums, lunches, or beverages with dinner. Except for the welcome aperitif at first hotel, all happy hour map meetings will be cash bar because French hotels have restrictions on bringing in wine or beer. Group dinners will be at the hotels or nearby restaurants.  The cost of the tour is based on an exchange rate of 1 Euro = $1.25 dollars.  The tour price could change if there is a significant currency fluctuation.  

SINGLES AND SOLOS POLICY:  Singles are welcome and the Ride Leader will try to help find roommates.  After receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until October 2016 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 registration fee) or pay the $1000 single supplement and stay on the ride.  If a single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary.  Solo rooms will be very limited but if available, a portion of the supplement may be refunded.

CANCELLATION POLICY: The $100 BAC ride registration fee is non-refundable unless entire tour is cancelled.  Refunds depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on recouped costs. Amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour's remaining participants not incur additional cost as a result of cancellations. If canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If canceling participant can't be replaced, refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report completed. If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other un-recouped costs, the canceling roommate may be liable for the single supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour. BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

SIGN-UP: To submit a request to join this ride use links displayed above ride description. When you are accepted, the ride leader will move your name from the Waitlist to the Pending List, and you will receive  email notification to login to BAC website to sign the release of liability and pay BAC ride registration fee online. Then you will send your deposit check of $1000 per rider, made out to David Docter (not BAC), at 1015 East Newton Street, Seattle, WA  98102. When your deposit check clears the bank, the ride leader will move you to the Participants list. Future payments will be $1000 in October 2016 and a final payment in April 2017. For additional information, contact:  docterd@uw.edu

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.