Spring in Provence

† 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 2011. Spring is the ideal time to tour this region before the summer hordes arrive. We ride on small roads through the Provençal countryside. We visit vineyards, ancient abbeys, castles, museums, the Popes Palaces, and Roman ruins. Avignon has 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Petit Palais from the 13th century and the residence for Avignon's episcopal bishops, and the Palais de Papes, the residence of seven Popes from 1309 to 1377. Avignon is also the home of the Saint Bénézet Bridge, the famed Pont d’Avignon which is the iconic site of Avignon, and multiple museums, markets and buildings of interest.

First we bike across the Pont du Gard, a magnificent Roman aquaduct, built at the end of 1st century BC and visit the beautiful towns of Uzès, Caderousse and Orange with it’s 1st century BC Roman Theater. Next we bike to Vaison la Romaine, the wine towns of Séguret and Sablet, Carpentras, and Pernes les Fontaines with its many fountains. We continue on to Fontaine de Vaucluse where the Sorgue River springs from the ground, Gordes which is one of most beautiful villages in France, and Oppède le Vieux in the Luberon region, made famous by Peter Mayle's books. In the last part of the trip we visit Roussilon with its red ochre cliffs, Pertuis, Salon-de-Provence, Arles with its magnificent Roman arena, Le Baux and Saint Rémy before returning to Avignon.

RIDE RATING
Average daily mileage is 30 and average elevation gain is 1100 feet, for a ride rating of 1A. There are 3 days with mileage and/or altitude gain that exceed the 1A rating. The longest day (the 1st day) is 37.5 miles with 940 feel of climbing.  There are 2 days where the climbing exceeds the rating: one day 2300 feet in 26 miles and the other day 2175 feet in 35 miles. Longer options are available, including Le Géant de Provence, Mont Ventoux. We will ride on lightly traveled country roads with minimal distances on busy roads. Participants must be comfortable using maps with route sheets.

WEATHER
Expect the unexpected. Normal weather at this time is ideal for cycling, with overnight lows of 50 degrees and daytime highs in the upper 60s. In these times of weather extremes, riders should be prepared for warmer, colder, wet, dry, calm and windy. 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 3 and 4-star hotels, and including a former abbey. We have three 2-night stays and one 3-night stay on the tour. 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 starts in Avignon before dinner on 3 May 2018 and ends in Avignon after breakfast on 18 May 2018. Overnights in order are Avignon (2 nights), Uzes (near the Pont du Gard), Orange, Vaison-la-Romaine (2 nights), Carpentras, Gordes (3 nights), Pertuis, Salon de Provence, Arles (2 nights) and Avignon. Participants usually take a taxi from the Avignon/Caumont airport (code AVN) or fly to Paris, take the TGV to Avignon and then taxi to the hotel. We will have a 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 a sag vehicle and participants are expected to complete the ride each day.

COST & ADMINISTRATION
Cost estimate is $2570 per person double occupancy for 15 nights, 15 breakfasts, 11 dinners, daily route review, luggage transfer, maps, route sheets and sightseeing information. The cost is based on $1.10 per Euro. There is a contingency allowance, but if the exchange rate worsens considerably, final payment could be adjusted. 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 $1200 with additional payment of $1370 December 1, 2017.

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 until December 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 BAC fee and payment processing fee) or pay the $1100 single supplement and stay on the ride. The single supplement is paid directly to the Ride Leader by check and is due December 1, 2017. 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 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 $1200 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.