Total Eclipse of KY

† 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 ride will not eclipse all other BAC rides, but one thing is for certain – no other BAC ride ever included a TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN.  On Monday August 21st 2017 the path of the Totality, as it is known, passes through the US, and through a portion of Southwest Kentucky with the most optimal viewing location located near Hopkinsville.  There will be six days of riding the rolling hills of Tennessee and Kentucky and one non-riding day (that of the eclipse itself).

We will begin the ride in Nashville near the famous replication of the Greek Parthenon, and head through the Cheatham Wildlife Management Area, crossing the Cumberland River and stopping the first night in Ashland City.  From there we will head to Oak Grove KY (north of Ft. Campbell) where will stay for the next two evenings.  The first evening in Ft. Campbell will include a group dinner (a BBQ on the courtyard of the Candlewood Inn).  On the day of the eclipse there will be an optional morning ride, and instead we have a poolside lunch at the Candlewood hotel and then a dinner catered by Heads BBQ.  At approximately 1:30pm we will experience approximately 2:40 minutes of the Total Eclipse of the Sun with the partial phase beginning at noon and ending about 2:30 (safety glasses will be provided by the ride leaders).  You can read more about the totality here http://www.eclipse2017.org/2017/communities/states/KY/Hopkinsville_397.htm

The next legs of the trip will take us to Aurora KY, which you will travel through a portion of Land Between the Lakes where we will stay in the Kenlake State Park Resort. Then from Aurora to Dover we will ride through a much larger portion of Land Between the Lakes, then on to Clarksville, and then back to Nashville.  The last riding day is on a Friday and participants are encouraged to stay in Nashville Saturday and Sunday to enjoy some music and other attractions that the Music City has to offer (the Holiday Inn will extend the group rate for those that want to stay). We will have a full list of possible events you may enjoy in Ride Leader Docs.

Note: The next total eclipse will not be visible in North America until April 2024!

SWAG
Each participant will receive a comemorative jersey with a design made by Greg Corwin! The jerseys will be a full-length zippered "club cut" made by Primal, and sizes will be gathered at time of the final payment

RIDE RATING
The average daily mileage is 44 miles, with the shortest day 31 miles and the longest at 51 miles (there is an optional 60 mile route through Land Between the Lakes). The average elevation gain for required ride days is 698 ft. with the greatest day being 846 ft. and the least at 651 ft.  GPX files and cue sheets will be provided.  Note: Although this tour would be technically rated as 1B, we have rated it as 2B because the potential of having some days where the heat and humidity conditions could make this ride feel more difficult. 

WEATHER
You can expect it to be sunny and very warm with some relatively high humidity. Historical highs are in the upper 80’s (and possibly in the low to mi 90's), lows will be in the lower 60’s, with and an average of 9 days of precipitation in the month.  It will be cooler in the mornings, and we will encourage you to get an early start each day. 

LODGING
We will be staying in a myriad of hotel types from the Holiday Inn Vanderbilt for two nights to a resort in a Kentucky State Park.  The day preceding, and of, the eclipse we will be in suites with full kitchens, and in Dover we are staying at an inn that is a little long in the tooth but adequate (and the only inn in town).

LOGISTICS
The ride starts and end in Nashville, you can fly into Nashville International (BNA) or drive.  If you drive there will be a small parking fee and if you fly we will be renting space to store bike boxes near the hotel.  The hotel has a shuttle to downtown and surrounding areas, but not the airport.

There will be four group meals and breakfasts will be either provided by the hotel or we will arrange to have a continental breakfast for you.  There will also be a happy hours every evening and a special social the first evening get-together. Lunch will be on your own in restaurants along the route with the exception of Ashland City to Oak Grove and Oak Grove to Aurora where we will have "build your own" sandwiches and drink replenishment station at the halfway point.  The final group meal will be at the famous Ted’s Montana Grill where you can get a bison steak or burger.

COST & ADMINISTRATION
The minimum number of riders is 20 and the maximum is 28. The Ride Leader will send additional information on the payment of $750 deposit once you are accepted onto the ride.  The final payment of $1075 will be due April 15, 2017.

SINGLES
Singles and Solos are being accepted.  Singles should do their best to find roommates, but we will do the best we can to pair you with another member if you do not have a roommate.  Note there will be no guarantee that we can find someone for you. However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until April 1 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 $675 to 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.

CANCELLATION POLICY
The $50 North American 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.  The BAC and the ride leaders encourage members to purchase trip cancellation insurance independently.

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 “Request to Join” button 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 $750 will be due.  To contact the Ride Leader, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description.