The Golden Isles of Georgia and the Okefenokee Swamp

† 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:  Discover the southern part of Georgia's scenic coastline, barrier islands and the “land of the trembling earth” the Okefenokee Swamp. The Golden Isles of Georgia is home to beautiful marshlands, maritime forests and miles of sandy beaches. We start and end in the charming southern city of Savannah Georgia. Our first stop will be at Dunham Farms where we rent the entire inn. Dunham Farms is a 30 acre estate of oak groves, marsh and river views and historic gardens. We next stop at the small coastal town of Darien where we stay at the Darien Waterfront Inn overlooking the river. We then head over to the Okefenokee Swamp for two nights. On our layover day we tour the swamp (on bikes) and then take a boat ride into the swamp. The Okefenokee Swamp is a beautifully preserved National Wildlife Preserve which covers almost a half a million acres. The next two nights we stay in the coastal town of St Mary's at the Spencer Inn. On our layover day here we take the ferry to Cumberland Island. Cumberland Island National Seashore is known for its wild horses, sea turtles and the Dungeness ruins. It has 50 miles of walking and hiking trails. Our next stop is Jekyll Island where we stay in the historic Jekyll Island Club for two nights. Here we relax and enjoy the many bike trails and ride under the magestic southern oaks. We then head back toward Savannah, stopping again at Dunham Farms for one night and then ending in Savannah. This is a tour for those who enjoy small towns, ocean islands, birding, history and nature walks. This is a very flat ride, your only climbing will be riding over bridges and rivers.

LODGING AND MEALS:  Accommodations range from 4 star hotels and B&B's to quaint inns and rustic cabins at the entrance to the Okefenokee Swamp. Four group dinners, 11 breakfasts and two lunches are included with this tour.

RIDE RATING:  This is a 1B ride with an average of 49 miles on required riding days. This is a flat ride with average climb per day of only 200-300 feet and the same amount of descent. Day 2 is 39 miles (1B), Day 3 is 47 miles (1B), Day 4 is 64 or 70 miles (1C), Day 6 is 33 miles (1A), Day 8 is 55 miles (1C), Day 10 is 67 miles (1D) and Day 11 is 39 miles (1B). We will be riding mainly on two lane roads, for the most part lightly traveled and sometimes without shoulders. You need to be comfortable riding in some traffic as we will be riding in and out of Savannah.

WEATHER;  Temperatures in St Mary's Georgia in February and March are average highs in the 70's and average lows in the 40's.  Sunny/cloudy/with a chance of rain, it should be warm and pleasant but bring your rain gear just in case.

ADMINSTRATION:  The estimated cost of $2050 includes 11 nights lodging double occupancy, 4 group dinners and 2 lunches.  Also included:  Luggage van, boat trip in the Okefenokee Swamp, RT ferry to Cumberland Island, leader and driver expenses, daily social hour, bike maps, cue sheets and GPS files.  No single supplements are available due to limited rooms in several towns. The ride deposit is $1000 with the remaining balance of $1050 due on July 30th, 2017.

LOGISTICS:  The tour starts at 5PM on February 25th (Sunday) at the Residence Inn Marriott in Savannah Georgia. The tour ends on Thursday March 8th after breakfast. Savannah can be reached via the Savannah airport (SAV). Shuttle service can be arranged from the airport to Savannah (16 miles). A parking fee will be required for cars left in Savannah during the tour.

SINGLES AND SOLO POLICY:  It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. The ride leader will assist by attempting to match singles.  Solo singles cannot be accommodated on this ride due to limited rooms.

CANCELLATION POLICY:  The BAC ride registration fee is not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled. The credit card payment fee is nonrefundable unless 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 tours remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as the result of cancellations. If the canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the canceling participant cannot be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and the 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 the 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 Leaders decisions.

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 wait list to the Pending list. At this time you will receive an e-mail notification to login to the BAC web site to sign the release of liability form and pay the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee and the initial deposit online . Once those steps have been completed you will be placed on the participation list. To contact the Ride Leader, “click” the name at the top of this Ride Description.