Ride Leader Seminar 2017 California

† 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: Do you want to lead a BAC ride but don't know where to start?  Here's the how and where:  Attend the BAC Ride Leader Seminar in Davis, California.  We have designed this year’s seminar with lots of flexibility in mind.  If you’re busy with limited time, you can just attend the instructional portion of the seminar on Saturday October, 28 & Sunday, October 29.  If you want to take advantage of some great cycling in beautiful California, we have extra activities planned both before and after the seminar. 

Davis has often been called the “Bicycle Capital of the U.S.”, and has been a leader in developing bicycle facilities, resulting in being recognized as the most bicycle friendly city in the country by the League of American Bicyclists.  The Platinum Award was presented to Davis in 2006, the first city in America to receive such an award.  Davis also hosts the US Bicycle Hall of Fame, where we will have our “happy hour” on Saturday afternoon, followed by a tour of the museum.

BAC board members will present the entire seminar.  This year’s course starts on Saturday, October 28th at 9:00am and ends on Sunday, October 29th at 4:00pm.  The seminar will provide you the tools needed to lead a successful BAC ride in the USA and in international locations. We will cover all types of rides, including point-to-point, fixed-based, self-directed, commercially assisted, new, second sessions, recurring and orphaned rides.  You will learn all aspects of developing and leading rides: planning a route, picking hotels, budgeting costs, running the ride, planning the ride social hour, organizing and completing your paperwork - you name it, we will cover it.  BAC will provide each registered participant in the seminar with a “take-home” booklet that covers all the text and handouts.  During the seminar we will also cover the material with easy to follow video projections.

This seminar is primarily for BAC members who have not yet led a ride but who are interested in doing so.  However it is also helpful for those who have led BAC rides and want more training on the various skills and tools to lead a successful BAC tour.  Should the seminar reach the maximum number of 36 participants, preference will be given to first-time ride leaders.

OPTIONAL RIDES:  In conjunction with the seminar, BAC will provide several different fun cycling opportunities.  On the day prior to the seminar, Friday, October 27th, and on the day after the seminar, Monday, October 30th, we will offer several bike routes in cooperation with the local Davis Bike Club.  (Bike routes, cue sheets and GPS tracks are posted in Ride Leader Docs.)  Each ride will depart in the morning from the Hallmark Inn, 110 “F” Street in Downtown Davis.  There will be a several different ride options with 1A, 1B and 1C ratings.  One option will feature the Jedediah Smith Memorial Bike Trail which starts in Sacramento and ends in historic Folsom.  (You’ll be able to experience multi-modal transportation by using Amtrak’s roll-on bike feature on this particular line.)  Participants who bring their own bikes may store them in their rooms at our host hotel.  There are also several nearby bike shops where participants can rent bicycles.

WEATHER: The average temperatures for the end of October are highs of 84 degrees and lows of 50 degrees.  Rainfall is generally sparse and minor for this time of year.

LOGISTICS:  The seminar will take place at the bicycle friendly Hallmark Inn, (800-753-0035) located at 110 “F” Street, in Downtown Davis, California.  Davis is about twenty minutes from the Sacramento International Airport (SMF) and is connected by shuttle service or a public bus.  The recommended shuttle service is Davis Airporter (530-756-6715).  Our host hotel will provide free vehicle parking for participants during their stay and free storage of bike boxes.  Amtrak also has stops in Davis, and our hotel is within easy walking distance of the train station.  (Bicycles are allowed on Amtrak.  Some routes have the roll-on bike feature, while others require bikes to be boxed.  Be sure to check details with Amtrak.)

Participants need to make their own hotel reservations by contacting the Hallmark Inn at (530) 753-3600.  We have arranged a discounted rate of $139 for double queen rooms or $129 for single king rooms per night, plus tax.  To get our special discounted rates, we recommend you contact the hotel as soon as possible.  Be sure to mention “BAC Ride Leader Seminar” or Group ID #2961 to get our group rates.  Registered participants get a breakfast voucher, an evening complimentary drink, and free parking.

You may stay elsewhere if you prefer and commute to the hotel for the seminar, bike rides, tours, and receptions.  At previous seminars, most participants have preferred to be part of the action at the host hotel.

COST & ADMINISTRATION:  The cost of the seminar is only $60, and the normal registration fee will be waived!  This special rate is provided to encourage members to consider giving back to the club by becoming Ride Leaders.  The cost covers two classroom lunches, happy hour, a tour of the US Bicycle Hall of Fame, group dinner, and the classroom costs.  Each participant will get a “take home” booklet that includes all materials covered during the seminar. 

Note: The Hallmark Inn room cost is NOT included in the Ride Leader Seminar fee.  Participants must reserve and pay for their hotel room directly as noted above.

The seminar starts on Saturday, October 28th at 9:00am in the Sequoia Room of the Hallmark Inn, 110 “F” Street in Davis and ends on Sunday, October 29th at 4:00pm.

SINGLES:  Singles and solos are welcome and encouraged to attend.  If participants need assistance in finding a roommate to share hotel costs, you may contact the ride director who will maintain a list of singles looking for roommates. 

CANCELATION POLICY:   Any refund of the $60 seminar will be determined on the basis that the remaining participants will not incur additional costs.  If you need to cancel your attendance at the seminar, please contact the Ride Director.  If you have already made you own hotel reservation, be sure to cancel directly with the hotel.  Check with the hotel for their cancellation policy.

SIGN-UP:  To submit a request to join the 2017 Ride Leader Seminar, use the "links" displayed above this 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 to pay the seminar fee of $60 by credit card.  As soon as your payment 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.

Remember:  Make your own hotel reservations as soon as possible, but no later than September 27th for the discounted room rate for BAC participants.  Reservations made after that date will be subject to availability only and the current hotel room rates.