† 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 $50 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.
SUMMARY: Think BLUE. Between its azure skies and Atlantic shoreline, southern Portugal boasts enough shades of blue to fill an artist's palette! Starting just south of Lisbon, our bike tour route follows the coast south to Cabo de Sao Vicente, the southwestern most point of Europe, and then traces the Algarve shore to Tavira. We'll pedal past ever-changing ocean views: tiny fishing villages, colorful harbors, towering sea cliffs, and golden sand dunes. Along the way, we'll take time to savor the Algarve's treasures, from seafood specialties to Moorish history - not to mention some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe! At tour's end, we'll bask in Mediterranean ambiance in seaside Tavira, exploring its Moorish and medieval monuments, gardens and sidewalk bistros, and inviting ocean waters. Two short boat cruises will be included (weather permitting), visiting the sea grottoes off the coast of Lagos and the Parque Natural de Ria Formosa.
This tour was customized for BAC by Easy Rider Tours. It combines the best of their Algarve Blue and Ride Across the Algarve tours. This tour was offered by the BAC in May, 2015, and is the fifth BAC trip run by Easy Rider Tours.
LOGISTICS: The trip meets in the late afternoon on April 22 in the town of Grandola where the introductions and first group dinner will take place. Grandola is about 75 miles from Lisbon and can be reached by train from Lisbon. A taxi may be required to get from the train station to the hotel. The trip ends after breakfast in Tavira on May 4. There are trains from Tavira to Lisbon or we can arrange through Easy Rider Tours to share the cost of a charter bus. There is an airport in Faro, a 23 mile taxi ride from Tavira, that has flights to Lisbon.
The overnight locations are: Grandola, Cercal, Odeceixe (2 nights), Sagres, Lagos, Monchique (2 nights), Alte, Estoi, Tavira (2 nights). Our diverse accommodations will be in historic pousadas, 3- and 4-star hotels, a 19th century spa, a country estate, and traditional village houses clustered around an antique windmill.
Bike rentals are available from Easy Rider Tours; arrangement must be made directly with Easy Rider Tours. If you bring your own bike, you need to bring spare tubes and any items that may be non-standard or unique to your bike. A maximum of 2 tandems can be accommodated by the van.
RIDE RATING: The 3B ride rating is based on 8 mandatory days of riding. The average mileage for the mandatory days is 35 miles. The shortest day is 22 miles and the longest day is 45 miles. The average daily elevation gain for the mandatory days of riding is 2826. Day 7 and Day 9 exceed 3,500 feet elevation gained. The optional days of riding range from 1A to 3C. The ratings were calculated using Ride with GPS.
ROAD CONDITIONS: There are many town centers on our route that are paved in cobblestones. There are several optional short dirt road sections for which paved road alternatives will be available. If you bring your own bike, the recommended tire width is 28mm to accommodate the cobblestones and short sections of dirt roads. A 25 mm tire may work (with some walking) but tire widths less than that are discouraged.
VAN SUPPORT: Van support and rider pick-up is restricted to emergencies only. Emergencies are defined as major mechanical breakdowns (not flat tires), medical problems, and weather deemed to be too dangerous for riding. You must be able to carry supplies for and be able to fix a flat. You must be able to carry enough water and snacks to get you through each day’s rides. You must be able to follow a cue sheet and map, or GPS track.
WEATHER: Typically, late April in the Algarve has little rain and warm, comfortable temperatures. Bring a lightweight jacket for cool nights. In recent years, temperatures have been as high as 98 degrees and as low as 46. Usually days are in the mid 70s to mid 80s.
COST: The cost of the trip is $3695 and includes: 12 nights lodging with breakfasts, 7 group dinners including wine, social hours (snacks will be provided but, due to hotel restrictions, there will be a cash bar), maps, cue sheets, GPS files, daily luggage transfer, emergency van pick-up, bike box storage/transfer. Also included are gratuities for the two Portuguese guides (who are fluent in English and are cyclists themselves), two boat rides and entrance fees to some of the historic ruins and castles. The first deposit of $1,800 will be due within 2 weeks of acceptance on the ride. At the same time, the $100 BAC fee will be due and is NOT included in the $1800 deposit. Both of these should be paid on-line directly to BAC using a credit card, after rider has been accepted on the ride. The second deposit of $1,895 will be due July 15, 2017. A solo single supplement is estimated to be an additional $800 (due with the second payment and paid by check directly to Alex Wagner). Solo rooms will be limited to 2. Singles sharing a room are welcome and the ride coordinator can assist in arranging room mates. No single sharing a room will be moved from the waitlist to the participants list without having a roommate. Budget for this trip is based on January 2017 Euro/Dollar exchange rate of approximately $1.07 = 1 Euro. If exchange rate worsens considerably (1 Euro = $1.20 or more) by time of final payment (July 15, 2017), final payment amount will be adjusted upward.
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 cancelling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the cancelling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed. If a rider cancels AND a replacement cannot be found, the rider would be responsible for covering the cost as follows: cancellations prior to Dec 1, 2017: $775, cancellation between Dec 1 and Jan 22, 2018: $1550, cancellation between Jan 23 and Feb 22, 2018: $2325, cancellation after Feb 22: $3100.
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. 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($100). At the same time, the initial deposit of $1,800 will be due and is payable by credit card on-line directly to BAC. To contact the Ride Coordinator, "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.
Bicycle Adventure Club
PO BOX 23998 San Diego, CA 92193
Telephone (858) 715-9510 office@bicycleadventureclub.org