† 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 $50 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.
OVERVIEW
A repeat of the successful 2016 fixed based ride where you can experience quiet roads, courteous drivers, scenic views, covered bridges, hills if you want them, view locations that inspired New York Times best seller author Louise Penny and her mystery series featuring Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec, and have a chance to practice your French without having to cross the Atlantic.
Sutton, Quebec, located approximately seven miles (11 kilometres) north of the Vermont/Quebec border and 70 miles (110 Km) southeast of Montreal, serves as our base. The first white settlers arrived in the area from the United States between 1792 and 1800. French speaking settlers arrived in the area by the 1840’s attracted by the availability of good land. Increasing agricultural mechanization in the 1930’s, however, made the hill farms more difficult to work. Many were purchased by people from Montreal looking for a vacation home or a place to retire. Part-time residents and retired people now comprise about half the population in the area. Roughly 60% of residents reported French as their first language on the 2011 Canadian census and over 30% reported English, with approximately 70% reporting that they speak both languages.
Beginning with the opening of Mont Sutton as a ski hill in 1960, the area has become a year round tourist and recreational destination for many from Montreal. The Townships Trail (Chemin des Cantons) highlights the Region’s Anglo-American heritage and spectacular landscapes; La Route des Vins links 21 different wineries and cideries; three different heritage tours are available highlighting important historical buildings; and members of the Cafés de village des Cantons-de-l’Est network provide local gathering points in many of the towns. Many of the restaurants promote local produce and wines. If you want a break from cycling, Parc d’environnement naturel de Sutton is a popular spot for hiking.
RIDE RATING The average elevation gain is about 2,300 feet per day (it ranges from 1,880 to 3,200 based on Ride With GPS) with occasional short sections of 10% or more. The planned ride most days is 46-48 miles with the longest 53 miles and the shortest 34. Several of the planned rides will cross the border into Vermont. For those who like climbing, there is a 58 mile optional ride around Jay Peak with an elevation gain of about 5,000 feet. (When we first scouted it in June 2014, there was new pavement on the 6.5 mile ride down from the highest point.) Several of the rides will include some unpaved sections. Options will be provided so you can avoid the unpaved sections.
WEATHER
Average daily highs this time of year are about 68° F (20° C) and rain is likely. Early mornings in particular can be cool and overnight frost is a possibility. Rain gear is likely to be required.
LOGISTICS
For those driving, Sutton is most easily reached via Interstate 87 or 91 if coming through New York State or Vermont or Autoroute 10 if coming via Montreal. If you are flying, the nearest major airports are in Montreal or Burlington, Vermont. Both are about 90 minutes away by car. Sutton can be reached via a Sutton-based car service from the airport in Montreal or via Limocar from the main bus station in Montreal. If you travel via the Burlington International Airport you will probably need a rental car. We will be staying at Le Pleasant Hôtel and Café and Gîte Vert Le Mont B&B. The trip will start at Happy Hour on September 23rd and end after breakfast on September 29th. Bicycle rentals are available from Boutique Cinetik, just a short walk from our accommodation.
COST & ADMINISTRATION
Estimated cost is $1,000 US per person based on an exchange rate of $1.00 Cdn = $0.80 US. Included in the price are six nights lodging, all breakfasts, two group dinners, daily social hours featuring local beverages and cheese, maps, cue sheets and GPX files (created using Ride With GPS) based on rides promoted by various regional tourism groups and those popular on Ride With GPS. The initial deposit is $500, with the final payment due by May 1, 2018. Depending on currency exchange rates, there may be an adjustment in the amount of the final payment.
SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY
Single riders will be accepted (room for a maximum of six singles). They will be placed solo in one of the smaller rooms at the Hotel or at the bed and breakfast two minutes away, without any single supplement. Up to two additional rooms can be used to accommodate singles who have a roommate.
CANCELLATION POLICY
The BAC ride registration fee and the payment processing fee is 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 $50 BAC ride registration fee online and the initial tour deposit of $500 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 this Ride Description.
Bicycle Adventure Club
PO BOX 23998 San Diego, CA 92193
Telephone (858) 715-9510 office@bicycleadventureclub.org