Western Swiss Lakes, Bernese Oberland Lac d'Annecy

† 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
This tour was last led in June, 2013. The ride goes from the lake country to the vineyards on the edge of the Juras, along several Swiss lakes and through the Bernese Oberland to the Jungfrau region. It then goes back through the Bernese Oberland, down to the Rhone River, over the French Alps (by train) and to Lac Annecy before heading back to our starting point. Specifically, the ride takes us from Geneva to a small town on Lac Lehman and then along the shores of Lac Neuchatel with a boat ride to the city of Neuchatel. We continue through Murten to the stunning town of Gruyeres and on to the capital city of Bern. Next we pass Interlaken on our way to visit the alpine town of Lauterbrunnen. The journey continues through the Bernese Oberland again and heads south to Gstaad and over Col du Pillon to the Rhone River, where we take a train from Martigny to a stop just before Chamonix. We climb a short distance over the Col des Montets before descending to Chamonix (which faces Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Europe) for the night and then ride to the beautiful French town of Annecy. We stay in 5 towns for 2 nights each so we can cycle, hike or boat to interesting sights around each town. Highlights include a ferry across Lac Neuchatel, viewing ancient methods of cheese making, hiking in the Alps and a scenic train ride on the Chamoinx-Mont Blanc Express.

RIDE RATING
This tour is rated 2B with an average daily distance of 48 miles and average elevation gain of 2240 feet. There are 4 days with mileage and/or altitude gain that exceeds the 2B rating (52 miles and 2966 feet, 53 miles and 2339 feet, 58 miles and 2700 feet, and 64 miles and 3133 feet), making this a more difficult 2B ride. We will ride on lightly traveled country roads and Swiss cycle paths with minimal distances on busy roads. Participants must be comfortable using maps with route sheets and following bike path signs.

WEATHER
Expect the unexpected. Weather in Switzerland can be either warm and dry or cool and rainy. Low temperatures will range from 48-52 and highs from 65-70. Remember to bring rain gear, just in case. Check your favorite weather site on the web just before your departure for a long range forecast.

LODGING & MEALS
The accommodations on this trip are mostly owner-operated, very nice 4-star hotels, with a few 3-star hotels and one 5-star hotel. Daily route reviews before our group dinners will include a glass of wine, beer, soft drink, juice or water with a small snack. Drinks at dinner are normally extra. We use your Preferences in your Profile to try and accommodate your special medical and dietary needs. In order to provide you with some meal choices we ask hotels to serve two main dishes to each couple. If you receive one dish and prefer the other, you may trade with others. Very few hotels allow a group to order off the menu and some insist on serving only one main dish. Participants are asked not to wear jeans, shorts or t-shirts to group dinners.

LOGISTICS
The tour will meet on May 27, 2018 and depart after breakfast on June 11, 2018 in Ferney Voltaire, France near Geneva, Switzerland. The pre-ride meeting and dinner will be at the hotel with the meeting beginning at 6 PM and dinner at 7:30 PM. There is a free shuttle to and from the hotel to Geneva International Airport (GVA). Jeff Messerschmidt will be our van driver. The van's primary role will be to transport luggage and supplies. While it will be available to assist with any emergencies, it will not serve as as sag vehicle and participants are expected to complete the ride each day.

COST & ADMINISTRATION
Estimated cost $2670 per person (at exchange rate of $1.10 per Euro and $1.05 per Swiss Franc) double occupancy for 15 nights including 10 dinners, 15 breakfasts, social hour refreshments, cue sheets, and maps. Tickets for sight seeing, boats and trains are not included in the cost. Electronic versions of maps and route sheets will be sent, and participants are expected to print their own copies of them. GPS tracks will be provided for those who want them, but it is up to the rider to know how to use his or her GPS before the trip begins. Initial deposit is $1000 with additional payment of $835 on September 1, 2017 and $835 on November 1, 2017.  Note:  The final payment may be adjusted depending on currency exchange fluctuations..

SINGLES & SOLOS 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 two weeks to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC registration fee and processing fees which are not refundable) or pay the $1500 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. Single supplement payments will need to be made directly to the Ride Leader. The Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride.

CANCELLATION POLICY
The BAC ride registration fee and payment processing fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is canceled. 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 canceling 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. You will then be contacted by the Ride Leader. 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 terms of the Release of Liability (ROL), and pay the non- refundable BAC fee and $1000 tour deposit 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.