Durango Fandango 2017

† 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: Durango Fandango is a weeklong fixed-base series of rides based out of historic Durango Colorado. This former nineteenth century mining boomtown, located at 6,500 ft. in the San Juan Mountains, has reinvented itself as a Mecca of outdoor sporting activities: http://durango.com/. Old downtown Durango, our home for the week, is filled with excellent restaurants, brewpubs, shops and nightlife. Rafting and fly fishing on the Animas River is a short walk from our hotel. The spectacular cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park are nearby: http://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm.

The ride will begin with an introductory meeting on Sunday afternoon followed by a group dinner.  Monday through Friday there will be a recommended bike ride each day. Wednesday will feature a morning-long ride on the famous antique narrow-gauge steam railroad that climbs through the Rockies to the old mining town of Silverton. After lunch in Silverton, riders will take a motor coach ride back to Durango. There will be a farewell group dinner on Friday evening. On Saturday, there is the option to take one final bike ride. We will check out on Saturday morning.

RIDE RATING: The ride is rated as a 2B, although every ride will have a longer more difficult optional route extension for the more ambitious riders. Since all the routes begin and end in Durango, less ambitious riders can simply turnaround at any point to make an easier day of it. All the routes are paved roads with moderate grades. Grades above 8% are short. Durango is a bike friendly town with many bike lanes and a riverside bike path through town.

WEATHER: Temperatures in August will range from daytime highs in the mid 80s to nighttime lows in the mid 50s. There is chance of a thundershower most afternoons, especially at higher elevations. Because of this we will begin our rides in the morning, planning to be back in Durango ahead of the showers.

LODGING & MEALS: We will be staying six nights in Durango’s historic downtown. We will check in on July 30, 2017, and check out on August 5, 2017. The hotel has an indoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi for post-ride relaxation. There is ample space in all the rooms for bicycles. Tandems will be assigned ground floor rooms. All the rides will begin and end at the hotel. The hotel is walking distance to the group dinners, restaurants; brew pubs, shopping and the Durango/Silverton Railroad Station and Museum. Hotel parking is free for guests. Included meals are two group dinners and all breakfasts.

LOGISTICS: Durango is located in the four corners region of Southwestern Colorado at an elevation of 6,500’. If you live at or near sea level, it would be a good idea to arrive a day or two early to acclimate. The Durango airport has flights from Denver, Phoenix and Dallas. Greyhound Bus Lines has a station in downtown Durango.

COST & ADMINISTRATION:  The ride cost is estimated to be $1,150 per rider, not including the $50 BAC Registration Fee. This includes 6 nights lodging, 2 group dinners, all breakfasts, a mid-ride lakeside picnic lunch on Thursday, social hours, train excursion to Silverton and bus back, maps, cue sheets and gpx. files.  Social hours will include a full bar, soft drinks, and gourmet munchies.  We have room for a maximum of 24 riders with a minimum of 16.  A deposit of $450 will be due when you sign up, and the remaining $700 will be due on April 1, 2017. Single supplements will be available for $570. 

SINGLES & SOLOS: It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until April 1, 2017 to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the non-refundable $50 BAC fee) or pay the $570 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.

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 $50 BAC ride registration fee online.  Once those steps have been completed, the initial deposit of $450 will be due (check made out to, Thomas Rossman, not BAC). When your deposit is received, your status will be changed from wait list to participant. The final $700 payment will be due on April 1, 2017.  To contact the Ride Leader, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description..