Munich to Venice via Cortina Italy

† 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

This ride is a self-contained ride from Munich Germany to Venice Italy.  You will carry all your own gear.  Overnights will be in nice family owned hotels to four star hotels along the route.  Arrival Day is Monday Sept. 10, 2018 (day #1) at Munich International Airport (MUC).  Our departure will be on Monday Sept. 24 (day #15) from Venice’s Marco Polo Airport (VCE) or by train back to Munich.  We will spend day #1 and #2 at an airport hotel to adjust to the new time zone and to obtain any necessary items needed for our bikes.  Day #3 our first day of riding will start with a short train ride from the airport to downtown Munich where we will start our ride.  At the end of the day we will ride along Lake Tegernsee where we will spend the night.  Day #4 we continue heading south to Maurach, Austria.  Day #5 we ride along the Inn River to Innsbruck where the 1964 winter Olympics were held (two nights).  Day #6 is an off day to explore Innsbruck or take the tram to the top of a nearby mountain to do some hiking.  Day #7 we will ride over Brenner Pass and onto Brixen for two nights.  On Day 8 we will take a short train ride to Bolzano, Italy to visit Otzi the famous 5,300-year-old Iceman.  Day #9 Tobbiaco.  Day #10 to Cortina, Italy in the middle of the Dolomites where the 1956 winter Olympics were held (two nights).  Day 11 offers many things to do along with some great hikes in the limestone Dolomites.  Day #12 takes us out of the mountains to Puos d’alpago, and day #13 our last day of riding takes us to Venice, but not on the island of Venice.  Day #14 allows us to take a bus to the island of Venice along with a farewell dinner before everyone’s various departures the next day.

RIDE RATING: The trip is rated a 2B with an average of 39 miles/day and 2,245 feet of climbing.  However, the rides range from 1A to 4B and 4C. The difficult days are Day #7 - 53 miles & 4,716’ elevation and Day #9 - 41 miles and 4,000’ elevation.  For those who wish to have an easier option on days #7 and #9, there is a train from Innsbruck to Brenner Pass and from Brixen to Dobbiaco.  This eliminates most of Day #7’s 4,716’ of elevation, and also significally reduces the climbing for Day #9.  The last two days of riding are classified as 1C due to distance of 51 and 58 miles. 

There are a few steep climbs over 10% grades.  (However, the old saying is: "I never met a hill I couldn’t walk.") 

ROUTING EXPECTATIONS:  Due to the complexity of riding in foreign countries, all participants should have GPS units, know how to download the GPX files that will be provided, and be able to use their GPS units to follow the routes.  Maps will be provided, and participants should have better than average map reading and directional skills.  

Participants are strongly encouraged to have smart phones with them that are enabled for use in Europe so that you can make and receive calls, texts and use data.

Also riders are expected to be comfortable riding on a multitude of surfaces (including cobblestones and compact dirt on bike paths) and riding in city traffic (Munich and Venice). 

One BIKE LINE map (these maps are far superior to Advnture Cycling maps) to each participant to bring on the ride.  If participants are unable to obtain the turn by turn feature on their GPS units, the ride leader will work with them to obtain Cue sheets.

WEATHER: Riders should plan on cool morning and evening temperatures turning warm mid-day along with possible days of rain.  Temperatures can range from lows of 47F to highs of 80F when we reach Venice. 

SAG SUPPORT:  There will be no vehicle support during this tour.  You must carry all your own personal gear and basic bike repair equipment such as spare tubes, tube repair kit, and pump.  All riders should be able to handle their own bike repairs, at a minimum how to change a tire.  If you have a major equipment failure, you will need to call a cab/catch a train to the nearest town with a bike shop.  We will provide a suggested list of what you should carry.

BICYCLES:  If you pack light, self-supported tour such as this can be done with about 20 pounds of gear.  You will need a sturdy bicycle capable of carrying this weight in panniers.  Your bicycle should have tires that are 28mm or more in size and should have sturdy enough wheels to carry the weight and deal with rough surfaces.  Low gears are highly recommended so you can comfortably carry your gear up the hills. The ride leader will assis those who wish to rent bikes.  For those who wish to rent bikes, please realize that the trip ends in Venice, not Munich.  

LODGING & MEALS: Lodging will be everything from family owed hotels to 3 and 4 star hotels. All breakfasts and 2 group dinners are included in the cost of the tour.  If we are unable to hold our Happy Hours outside, we will have our Happy Hours at the hotel's bar, which will include a glass of house wine or a local beer from the hotel’s bar before each night’s dinner.

LOGISTICS: Fly into Munich (MUC).  Arrival day is Monday September 10, 2018.  On September 10th we will have an informal meeting at 6:00 PM in the hotel lobby.  Our first formal meeting and group dinner will be September 12th. The end of the tour is Monday morning, Sept 24, 2018.  Our bike boxes will be transported from Munich to our hotel in Venice.

COST & ADMINISTRATION: The cost estimate is $2,500.  Included in price are 14 days lodging, all breakfasts, 2 group dinners, happy hour drinks, commercially created maps, GPS files for downloading to your GPS devices, and scouting expenditures.  The estimated cost is based on an exchange rate of 1 Euro = $1.25. The initial deposit of $1,250 does not include the BAC registration fee of $100 and both will be due upon acceptance to the ride.  The final payment of $1,250 is due on February 15, 2018.  However, it might be adjusted up or down due to the fluctuation of the Euro.  The cost to transport the bike boxes is included.

SINGLES & SOLOS:  Single and solo riders will be accepted. While we encourage singles to try to find their own roommate, we will assist singles who are looking for a room mate. If a room mate cannot be found by February 28, 2018, participants can cancel without penalty (except the BAC registration fee and the cost for any maps already provided) or singles can pay the solo supplement of $1,065.

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 register for this ride, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally accept the Release of Liability (ROL), and pay the non-refundable BAC fee ($100) and tour deposit ($1,250) by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description or call Warner at 775-843-3960.