Camino De Santiago

† 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

RIDE DESCRIPTION: The Camino de Santiago, wrote James Michener in his book titled Iberia, offers “A(a) pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela is the finest journey in Spain.” This tour follows the original route used by the pilgrims, starts in Pamplona and travels through northern Spain, and ending in Santiago. This journey, alongside pilgrims from the world over, will take riders to see Gothic cathedrals, visit medieval monasteries, and savor Spain’s most delicious wines.  We spend two nights each in the ancient cities of Leon and Burgos.

In Pamplona, we start the tour and obtain our Pilgrim’s Passports, which we will be stamped at various churches along the way.  These are some of the cities and villages along our journey, and some highlights of these places:

1. Pamplona:  This is the city of the Fiestas de San Fermines, or “the Running of the Bulls” made famous by Ernest Hemingway. While we will not witness the Running of the Bull since this event occurs in July, Pamplona will elicit the imagined sounds and sights of this frenetic chase. Pamplona is also known for its famous Cathedral de Santa Maria, a Gothic cathedral.
2. Estella: A village founded in 1090, it is a historic landmark of the Camino with its Romanesque architecture.
3. LaGuardia: This village has a strong Rioja wine-making tradition. Salud!
4. Santo Domingo de la Calzada: You will discover why a cock is kept in this church.
5. Burgos: The Cathedral of Burgos, a World Heritage site, is regarded as one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world.
6. León: The Basilica de San Isidoro, and the León Cathedral are two churches reflecting Romanesque architecture.
7. Astorga: The Episcopal Palace, a neo-Gothic palace] designed by Gaudí, the famous Catalán architect.
8. Santiago: The magnificent cathedral of Santiago de Compostela,

RIDE RATING: The tour is a 3B, with an average distance per day of 42 miles, and an average elevation gain of 3,653 feet per day.  Day 6 at 61 miles, and Day 7 at 67 miles exceed the “B” rating of 50 miles maximum per day.  Day 5 at 3804 feet and Day 10 at 4854 exceed the “3” rating of 3500 feet for elevation gain.  A ride day is considered difficult if it averages 100 feet per mile which Day 10 exceeds at 121 feet per mile! For a detailed itinerary with daily distances and climbing, contact the Ride Leader.  Cue sheets, maps and GPS files will be provided for all ride days.

WEATHER: The average temperature for this time of year will be between 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit. You should bring a rain jacket as rain is expected.

LODGING AND MEALS: Fourteen nights lodging including one night each in Pamplona, Estella, La Guardia, Santa Domingo de la Calzada, Carrion de los Condes, Astoria, Villaranca del Bierzo, Portomorin, Andrade, and Santiago de Compostela.  We spend two nights each in Leon and Burgos. Daily breakfasts will be provided and there are eight group dinners.  Lunches and the remaining dinners will be on your own.

LOGISTICS: Ride participants could fly into Madrid-Barajas Airport, then take either a bus or train to Pamplona. At the end of the tour, ride participants could either fly, or take a train or bus to return to Madrid-Barajas Airport. Iberocycle will transport bike boxes from Pamplona to Santiago. They will also transport your luggage daily to the night’s lodging and provide emergency sag support for anyone who has significant health or mechanical problems preventing them from riding during the trip. If you wish to rent a bike for this trip, contact Iberocycle directly to make arrangements.  Be sure to confirm what equipment Iberocycle will provide and what you are expected to furnish.

COST & ADMINISTRATION:  In addition to the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee of $100, the estimated tour cost is $3650 based on an anticipated exchange rate of $1.17 = 1 Euro and a minimum of 11 participants.  The estimated cost includes: 14 nights lodging with full breakfast; daily BAC social hour with beer, wine, non-alcoholic beverages and snacks; eight group dinners; luggage van & emergency sag support; transfer to Santiago de Compestela and storage of bike boxes; maps, cue sheets and GPS files; wine tasting; ride leader expenses; and a 10% contingency in the event of unanticipated expenses or emergencies.  Before you are accepted into the tour, you must pay the initial deposit of $1000. The 2nd payment of $1000 is due by November 30, 2017, and the final payment of $1650 is due by February 28, 2018. The final payment may be adjusted depending on the exchange rate at the end of January 2018.  The single supplement of $509 for those who do not wish to share a room must be sent to the Ride Leader and cannot be paid online.  The single supplement is due at the same time as the second payment.   Generally, there are funds remaining after the trip, which will be refunded to participants after all the expenses are covered.

SINGLES POLICY:  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 November 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 $100 BAC fee and credit card processing fees) or pay the $509 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 $100 BAC ride registration fee is not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled.  Credit card processing fees are also non-refundable. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs for the cancellation 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.  When the canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time.  If the canceling participant cannot be replaced, the 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 timely to requests from Ride Leader.  While on the ride, support your Ride Leader and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.  Also, ride participants are expected the share in some of the light work of various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up.  Please do not invite non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour.  Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request or needs that you may have.

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 of $1000 by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. Second payment of $1000 is due 11/30/2017 and final payment of $1650 is due no later than February 28, 2018.  BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description.