Salzburg Double Loop - Seven Lakes

† 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 tour is a self-contained ride in the Salzburg Lake District of Austria.  On this ride, you will carry all your own gear.  Accommodations include everything from a beautiful Youth Hostel (two beds per room) on the edge of Lake Wolfgangsee in St Gilgen to a four-star resort staying in (two) five bedroom homes on the edge of Lake Hallstatters to family owned hotels to three and four star hotels along the route.  Arrival Day is Thursday August 23, (Day #1) in Salzburg.  One can fly to Munich International Airport (MUC) and can catch an easy train ride to Salzburg or fly into Salzburg (SZG).  Our departure will be on Sunday morning Sept. 9 (day #17).  We will spend Day #1 and #2 in the Salzburg area to adjust to the new time zone and to obtain any necessary items needed for our bikes along with sight seeing.  Day #3 our first day of riding will take us to the beautiful town of Sankt Johann in Ponga.  Day #4 takes us to Zell am See for three nights where there are many things to explore and see.  Day #7 Sankt Martin Bei Lofer.  Day #8 back to Salzburg for one night.  Day #9 St Gilgen for two nights.  Day #11 Obertraun - two nights on the shore of Lake Hallstattsee.  Day #13 Ebensee along Lake Traunsee.  Day #14 Seehof on Lake Mondsee. Day #15 Seeham over looking Lake Obertrumer See.  Day #16 takes us back to Salzburg for our final group dinner.  Day #17 departure or a train ride to Munich for the start of the Munich to Venice via Cortina ride.

The reason for the extra day in Slazburg is to ensure all bikes and bike rental are ready for the day we depart.

RIDE RATING: The trip is rated a 2B.  However, the rides range from 1A to one 3B ride.  One day has 44 miles and 2,528’ elevation.  The average daily riding is 30 miles and 1,600' of elevation gain.  The total mileage is 292 miles and 16,286' of elevation gain.

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 in and out of Salzburg. 

Two Bike Line maps (these maps put Adventure Cycling maps to shame will be sent 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.

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 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. Bike boxes can be left at the hotel.  The ride leader with assist those who wish to rent bikes.  Please contact the ride leader to discuss the various bicycle options.

LODGING & MEALS: Lodging will be in everything from a youth hostel to five bedroom homes to 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 ourside, we will have our Happy hours at the hotel's bar, which will include a glass of house wine or a local beer before each night’s dinner.

LOGISTICS: Fly into Salzburg airport (SGZ).  Arrival day is Thursday August 23, 2018.  On August 23rd we have our first formal meeting in the afternoon followed by a group dinner. The end of the ride is Sunday morning, Sept 9, 2018. For those of you continuing onto Munich for the Munich to Venice via Cortina ride, we’ll catch a train to Munich and one to the Munich Airport hotel.

COST & ADMINISTRATION: The cost estimate is $2,700.  Included in price are 16 days lodging, all breakfasts, 2 group dinners, happy hour drinks, commercially created maps, GPX files for down loading to your GPS devices, and scouting expenditures. Estimated cost is based on an exchange rate of 1 Euro = $1.25.  The initial deposit of $1,350 does not include the BAC registration fee of $100 and both will be due upon acceptance to the ride.  The final payment of $1,350 is due on February 15, 2018.  However the final payment maybe adjusted up or down based on the exchange rate at the time.

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 roommate 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 $1,450.

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 ($1,350) 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 Leader by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description, or call Warner at 775-843-3960.