Cooperstown 2018

† 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:  Join us in October, 2018 as the BAC descends on Cooperstown for the 4th time.  We will ride rural roads with little traffic.  Fall foliage should be at its peak.  Cooperstown is famous on two counts.  Many of you will recognize it as the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame, but long before baseball became popular, it was the home of James Fenimore Cooper, author of the Leatherstocking Tales (think Daniel Day Lewis in the Last of the Mohicans).  Nothing has changed much – Cooperstown is often called America's Most Perfect Village.  The Ride Director is a native of the area, and brings a unique perspective to the tour.

THE RIDES: Each participant will be given a book, written by a local cycling advocate, which contains over fifty rides.  Most of them offer variations in both length and difficulty.  There is so much happening in Cooperstown, you will never want for something to do.

ATTRACTIONS:  You are not at a loss for things to do if it rains. Everyone wants to go to the Baseball Hall of Fame, that's a given.  Less well known is that Cooperstown is home to several World Class museums – The Farmers Museum, Fenimore Art Museum, Hyde Hall....  Nearly everything is within walking distance.  The area also boasts two breweries, a distillery, several vineyards, and the water-powered Fly Creek Cider Mill a few miles out of town.  It's handy to have a car, but not necessary.  We will be in town over the Columbus Day Weekend, and there are lots of special things going on, such as an antique tractor parade.

RIDE RATING: While we list this ride as 2B, the truth is that it can be whatever you want.  Each day we'll have a suggested ride that falls into the 2B range but, as this is a fixed base ride, people often decide to do their own thing.  No rides are mandatory.

WEATHER:  it is impossible to predict weather in upstate New York in the fall.  However, the previous three times we have done this ride we have had beautiful weather until the last day, when it rains.  We have had some cool mornings, but we have also had many summer-like days.

THE HOTEL Our home for the week will be the lovely Cooper Inn; a Federal style manor built in 1813 and listed as one of the Historic Hotels of America.  While the Inn is small and cozy, its sister hotel, the famous (and much larger) Otesaga is just down the street, overlooking Otsego Lake.  We have full privileges at the hotel, outdoor heated pool, tennis courts, golf course, spa or just relaxing in one of the rockers on the porch.  In addition, we are given daily passes to the Clark Sports Center.  Our group will occupy the whole inn.

FOOD: The Cooper Inn offers a complimentary expanded continental breakfast each morning.  If you prefer something more substantial, we receive a discount at the Otesaga Dining Room.  There are also several breakfast places nearby.  Our two (included) group dinners will be held at the Otesaga.

LOGISTICS:  One of the reasons Cooperstown is so attractive is that it's hard to get to. The nearest airports are at Albany (70 Miles) and Syracuse (95 miles). There is also twice daily bus service (a three hour trip) from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City.  Most people fly into Albany and rent a car.  The Ride Director will share information when the participant list is complete, so that people arriving at the same times can car-pool.   Rental bikes are available from nearby Woodland Cycles, in Milford New York. www.woodlandcycles.com/rentals.  Contact the shop for current prices.  Arrangements must be made directly with Woodland Cycles.  The tour officially begins with Happy Hour on Friday, October 5, 2018, and ends after breakfast on Friday, October 12, 2018.

COST & ADMINISTRATION: Included in the $1250 tour costs are 7 nights’ accommodation, all breakfasts, 2 group dinners, nightly happy hour, and a book of over 50 rides in the area.  Lunches are on your own, and there is no shortage of good restaurants in the area.

SINGLES POLICY: Singles are a great addition to a ride, and we welcome them.  We do not discourage singles from registering.  You will be added to the ride roster when your deposit is received.  If you can't find your own roommate, we'll try to find one for you.  In the rare occurrence that we are unable to find you a roommate (it hasn't happened yet!), you will be able to withdraw from the ride without any penalty other than the non-refundable $50 BAC registration.  Single supplements are also available for $700.

CANCELLATION POLICY: The BAC ride registration fee is not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled. If you are forced to cancel, the inn allows us several options.  Usually we are able to replace you with someone from the wait-list. If that isn't possible, we can turn back your room, and allow the Inn to rent it to someone who is not of our party.  We have been very successful doing this in the past.  Otherwise the usual BAC cancellation policy will be in effect.  Your refund will be determined by the principle that no one else's costs will be increased.

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 ($50) and tour deposit of $500 by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. Final payment of $750 is due no later than April 1, 2018. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description.