NorthWest Corner Ride

† 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
Leaving the hot summer weather behind, you will enjoy the cooler weather of the Northwest corner of the United States. Sample the San Juan Islands, Canada (SW Canada), and the extreme NW coast.  Clean air,  views of  the ocean, snow capped mountains, beautiful farmlands, quaint towns, courteous drivers, and less travelled roads await you. You may not want to go home!

RIDE RATING
The tour has 9 required riding days.  Most days have options to add or subtract mileage and/or elevation gains.  The average riding is 45 - 60 miles each day with not many sustained climbs, however there are numerous times you can expect short climbs of significant grade.  There is chipseal on many road surfaces.  Day 4 to LaConner is 45 miles with 3,200 ft of climbing IF you choose the Mt. Erie option (850 ft).  Rest day on Orcas Island has optional climb of Mt. Constitution which also exceeds elevation. The ride into and out of Harrison Hot Springs has a bridge to cross and we will call the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for an escourt across as a group.

RIDE DESCRIPTION

July 9: Meet in Bellingham.

July 10: Ride down the Chuckanut Hwy to Samish Island and continue to Anacortes.  51 miles, 1,800 ft.  For those who arrive early in Anacortes, there is an option to take a quick trip over to Guemes Island for 12 mile addition.

July 11: A short 6 mile ride to the ferry, and a trip to San Juan Island for whatever distance pleases you, then back to the ferry for a ride to Orcas Island, then 14 miles to the Rosario resort.  20 miles, plus any optional miles you choose.

July 12: Rest, or use the day to explore Orcas Island, Moran State Park, and Mt. Constitution. The top of Mt. Constitution is approximately 8 miles from Rosario with an elevation of 2,390 ft and 15% grades.

July 13: Ride to the ferry to leave Orcas Island, then proceed from Anacortes to the delightful small town of LaConner. Option of a short, but steep climb up Mt. Erie (850 ft in 1.5 miles, 15%). 45 miles, 3,200ft.

July 14: From LaConner we travel to Fairhaven, another quaint little area which is part of Bellingham.
45 miles and 2,000 ft.

July 15: Fairhaven to Lynden via a small hilly loop through Everson and very close to the border. Enjoy the views of beautiful farmland with snow capped mountains in the distance. 50 miles, 1,700ft.

July 16: Today we enter Canada (PASSPORTS required) and ride a relatively flat route to Harrison Hot Springs. We must cross a short bridge and call the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for a group escort.      55 miles, 1,000 ft.

July 17: Rest day. Ride options available from short and flat to exciting!

July 18: Leave Harrison Hot Springs for a ride to Abbotsford, BC. 60 miles, 2,000ft.

July 19: Abbotsford to Semiahmoo Resort, a hotel located of a spit of land that is in the extreme northwest corner and is surrounded on three sides by water. PASSPORT required!         40 miles, 1,200 ft.

July 20: Leave hotel for a wooded ride through Semiahmoo and out to Birch Bay for beautiful views. Return also has another option of a short 7 mile loop around Lummi Island. Last day of riding. 45 miles, 1,500ft.

July 21: Breakfast, and goodbyes. Start of the weekend, so a nice time for a visit to Vancouver, Seattle, or other great destinations in the area.

WEATHER
The Northwest is known for rain, however July is one of the drier months. Expect temperature in the 68 - 80 degree range during the day.  IF there is rain, it is seldom extensive or severe.

LODGING
Highlights include 2 nights at Rosario resort on Orcas Island, and Harrison Hot Springs resort in Canada. Also 1 night at Semiahmoo resort on a spit in the extreme NW corner of Washington.

LOGISTICS
Meet in Bellingham on July 9 at the Hampton Inn.  Bellingham airport has connections from both Seattle and Vancouver by air or bus. Amtrak also connects Bellingham to Seattle and Vancouver.  The starting Hampton Inn is very close to the Bellingham airport.  Final day of riding is Thursday July 20. The stay at the Hampton Inn on Thursday night is included. On Friday, July 21 you are free to depart for home, Vancouver, Seattle or any other great location.

COST & ADMINISTRATION
Cost is $2,300, plus the nonrefundable $50 BAC registration fee. The cost includes 12 nights lodging, 4 group dinners, maps, cue sheets, gps files, and luggage transfer. After acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and you will be asked to sign the Release of Liability form and pay the BAC fee of $50. Upon receipt of your $800 deposit, made payable to Ben Satterwhite (not BAC), 909 Marine Drive, Unit 102, Bellingham, WA, 98225, your name will be moved to the participant list.  Final payment of $1,500 is due no later than Feburary 1, 2017.

SINGLES & SOLOS
It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own.  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 $1,150 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.  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.

SIGN-UP
To submit a request to join this ride use the "links" displayed above this Ride Description.  The ride leader may contact you. 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 $800 will be due. Send your check to Ben Satterwhite, 909 Marine Drive, unit 102, Bellingham, WA, 98225. 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.