Tuscany in the Spring 2018

† 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. 

OVERVIEW

TUSCANY IN THE SPRING FOR $140 PER NIGHT

Cycle the beautiful Tuscan countryside.....10 nights, 9 days of cycling. The Ride Director has led this trip before and has cycled these roads numerous times. This is a FIXED BASE TOUR, so each day we return to the same hotel.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF $1400.00 PER PERSON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY:

* 3 Star cycling friendly hotel located near Donoratico, Italy near the beautiful Tyrrhenian coast, 60 miles south of Pisa.

* Per person double occupancy room for 10 nights and 9 days. ( See solo supplement up-charge below).

* Daily continental breakfast.

* Dinner (Tuscan cuisine) each evening to include wine & water.

* Pickup & drop off at the Pisa airport (PSA). Travel time to/from the hotel is approximztely 1 hour.

* Evening business meeting & Happy Hour prior to the evening meal.

* Commemorative article of cycling clothing.  

RIDE RATING

The ride rating is 2B, which translates to 35 to 50 miles per day with 1500-2500 feet of climbing. All roads are paved and well maintained with light traffic. You will pass numerous olive groves and vineyards on your daily travels. Each small town that we pass through will have inviting coffee shop & cafes. Maps & GPS downloads will be provided in advance of your start date.

WEATHER

The May weather for this area is an average high of 75 degrees and an average low of 52 degrees. Average rain fall for the month of May is 6 inches.

LODGING & MEALS
Our 3 star cycling friendly hotel is set on the edge of the town of Donoratico. The Tuscan styled hotel is equipped with TV, Wi-Fi and air conditioning. An outdoor pool is also provided for your comfort. 

A contintental breakfast will be served each morning. Breakfast will include cereal, yogurt, fruit, homemade cakes, coffe, juice, & tea. Dinner each evening will be a varied 4 course meal and will include wine & water. 

LOGISTICS

The tour starts on 20 May 2018 in Donoratico, Italy before dinner and ends in Donoratico, Italy after breakfast on 30 May 2018.

BUS PICKUP AT THE PISA AIRPORT (PSA)

Bus transportation will be provided for you, your luggage and bike case. Pickup arrival date is May 20th 2018 at 3:00pm from the Pisa airport (PSA). Drop off departure date to the Pisa airport (PSA) is May 30th 2018 at 8:00am from the hotel.  

LOCAL BIKE SHOP

Within the town of Donoratico there is a great bike shop (www.ciclosport.it) that will meet all your personal needs. They have an excellent service department, as well as a large selection of cycling attire. 

BIKE RENTALS

If you prefer not to bring your own bike, the Ride Director can suggest a bike rental agency that includes as part of their service, delivery and pick up of the bikes at the hotel. Arrangements for rental bikes must be made directly with the bike rental agency and are solely the responsibility of the trip participant renting the bike.

LOCAL TRAVEL OPTIONS AND REST DAY

We will have organized rides for 4 straight days (Monday-Thursday) and the 5th day (Friday) will be a rest day. We encourage you to use this rest day to explore other areas of the region. You can take the train or bus to visit Elba, Pisa, Florence, San Gimignano, Siena, or Cinque Terre for the day. After our rest day we will resume organized rides for 4 straight days before your departure.

LOCAL AMENTIES

Donoratico can be reached by walking/biking from the hotel. There are numerous shops, cafes and ATM's. The train station is located in the center of town if you decide to visit other areas on your rest day.

COST & ADMINISTRATION

In addition to the $100.00 non-refundable BAC ride registration fee, the estimated tour price is $1400.00 USD per person based on double occupancy. The tour price includes the items listed in the "INCLUDED IN THE PRICE" section above. Price is based on an exchange rate of $1.20 USD to 1 Euro. Balance of $900.00 is due March 1, 2018. Depending on currency exchange rates, the amount of the final payment may be adjusted.  Singles are welcome. The solo supplement charge for singles who do not wish to share a room is $350.00.  

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY

Singles are welcome! 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 January 1, 2018 with a full refund (minus the BAC fee and processing fees) or pay the $350 single supplement and stay on the ride. Solo supplement payments need to be made directly to the Ride Leader. 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 fee are not refundable unless the entire 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 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 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 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 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 Waitlist to the Pending List.  At this time you will receive an email notification to login to the BAC website to sign the release of liability form and pay the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee online and $500 tour deposit by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. To contact the Ride Leader, "click" the name at the top of the Ride Description.