Mallorca 2017 - Cycling Gem

† 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
Rarely visited by Americans - European cyclists, and now many BAC members, have made Mallorca their favorite destination. Growing more popular each year, this region now hosts more serious cyclists than Tuscany, the Loire Valley, and the Alps combined. A semi-autonomous region of Spain, Mallorca is a sunny and friendly island in the Mediterranean with varied and beautiful scenery, great roads, fabulous food, and courteous drivers. Because it combines mild weather, un-trafficked routes and a full range of terrain, many of Europe's Pro Teams now start their season here. Picturesque villages, hilltop monasteries, rocky alpine mountains, azure waters, beaches, limestone caves and groves of ancient olive trees that dot the rolling interior all make up the diversity that is Mallorca. Whether or not you've already cycled in Italy, France or Ireland, BAC members can continue to be among the first Americans to learn why Europeans love riding in Mallorca. This will be the 10th time that this popular trip, originally developed by Alison Stone, has been offered.  Alison has introduced hundreds of BAC members to the magic of Mallorca.  For the 2017 ride, Nelson Diaz is leading this ride and thanks Alison for establishing this iconic tour for our members.

RIDE RATING
The required riding includes 2 days with 3200' of climbing (with a couple of short sections at 10%), which exceeds the 2B rating. The longest day is 53 miles, the shortest is 20 miles, with an average of 35 miles. Many of the optional rides are a 3B/4B (3200' to 4400' of climbing).

Please Note: There are high quality bicycles for rent at the Hotel Taurus Park with Fred Rompelberg Cycling Camps and this is a recommended alternative to bringing your own bike.  Participants must make arrangements for renting bikes directly with Fred Rompelberg.
 
Possible rides for layover days include: (1) Sa Calabra, Mallorca's answer to the Alpe d'Huez, (2) a terrific and scenic ride on a small old road to and from Port Valldemossa, (3) a beautiful ride out to the Cap de Formentor, which requires a light for a straight but unlit tunnel, and (4) other lovely interior and coastal loops. Other layover options include touring a beautiful limestone cave within walking distance of our agriturismo, boat rides along the coast, and a train ride from Port de Soller through the mountains to Palma. Our layover days allow flexibility for rest days, weather, challenging riding, hiking or merely passing the time at many of the outdoor cafes. 

WEATHER
May is a very pleasant time to visit Mallorca when spring is in full bloom. The average high temperature is 73 degrees with an average low of 59, making it a great month to enjoy a sunshine holiday.  There is an average of 1.5 inches of rain for the month of May.

LODGING
Hotel Taurus Park in Palma 4 nights (first three and last); Hotel Sis Pins in Port Pollenca 2 nights; Hotel Monnaber Nou, a countryside Agriturismo in Campanet 2 nights; Hotel Los Geranos in Port de Soller 3 nights; Hotel Mar I Vent in Banyalbufar 3 nights. Except for the Agriturismo, all  lodging is on the ocean.

LOGISTICS
We meet outside of Palma (PMI airport code) at Hotel Taurus Park, in Playa Palma, 5 km south of the Palma airport on Saturday, May 6. The last day of riding is Friday May 19, leaving Palma on Saturday, May 20 after breakfast.

COST & ADMINISTRATION
$3050 based on the exchange rate of $1.25 = €1. Single supplement is approximately $600 extra. Please contact me if you want to be solo, since extra rooms may be difficult to reserve in May, as we are getting into high season. Single riders are welcome!  I will help with the single's search for a suitable roommate. The tour cost includes 14 nights lodging with buffet breakfasts, 7 group dinners, BAC happy hours, van and driver, maps, route sheets, and gps files. Initial deposit of $1000 is due at sign-up.  Second deposit of $1000 is due on December 1, 2016 and final payment of $1050 due on February 1, 2017.

CANCELLATION POLICY
The $100 Overseas 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.

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.

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 $1000 will be due.  To contact the Ride Leader, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description.