Turin to the Sea and Back-Seeking the Perfect Cappuccino

† 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
The 2016 version of this ride was well received, so we have improved several of the routes, changed the hotels that didn't’t work and kept the rest of the best. Our goal is to provide an adventure that combines wonderful roads to ride on, incredible lodging and memorable meals. We will travel from our hotel near the Turin airport through the country side of the provinces of Piedmonte and Liguria Italy to the Italian Riviera coast of the Ligurian Sea, and circle back around returning to the same hotel near the airport where our bike bags have been stored. Piedmont is renowned for its wines including the Barolos and Barberas, the slow food movement, Romanesque architecture, and charming villages. The villages are connected by quiet roads-off the main tourist routes. The Ligurian coast of the Mediterranean Sea is known as the Italian Riviera and features wonderful seafood. Leaving Caselle Torinese we travel south thru Cortanze, Tigliole and Barolo. For this trip we have routed the ride away from the traffic laden roads outside Alba on our way to Barolo, and will stay farther west heading to the sea. We will be arrive at the sea at Albenga, and after spending the night there we ride along the coast line to Varazze before heading north to spend 2 nights at Villa San Carlo in Cortemilla, a night in Vignale Monferato and then 2 nights at the Canonica di Corteranzo before ending our trip back in Caselle Torinese.

RIDE RATING
3B! The average daily riding distance is 36 miles, with 45 miles being the longest day.  While the average climbing on required ride days is 2,877', there are 3 days when the climbing exceeds 3,500'.  The longest climbing day is 4,717' when we ride from the sea coast back into the hills.  Be prepared to tackle some climbing every day.  Short spurts that exceed 8% are frequent, and occasionally there are very short grades of 12% or more.  While the majority of the time we ride on quiet back roads, be prepared to encounter some traffic when leaving Caselle Torinese, riding thru Savona on the coast and returning to Caselle Torinese.

WEATHER
Daytime temperatures in the fall can range from the mid 60's to the mid 70's and days are mostly sunny.  Rain can always happen, so don't leave your rain gear behind!  Evenings cool down to the 50's.

​​​​​​LODGING & MEALS
We will be staying primarily in hand-picked 3 star boutique hotels in small villages, and will enjoy meals featuring Piedmontese specialties made from the freshest local foods available.  Some memorable meals will include dinner at a Michelin star restaurant and 2 dinners prepared by Chef Carlo Zarri.  We will spend 2 nights in Barolo, Cortemilla, and Cortanze.   We will enjoy wine tastings at the cellars of Brezze Barolo and the Canonica di Corteranzo, and a special lesson on how to taste wine from Carlo Zarri in Cortemilla.  You are on your own for dinner 1 night in Barolo and the nights we spend at the sea in Albenga and Varazze.  

LOGISTICS
The trip will start and end at the Jet Hotel near the Turin airport.  Plan to have checked in and have your bikes assembled and ready to roll before the social hour at 6:30 pm on September 19, 2018.  The trip ends with breakfast at the Jet Hotel on October 3, 2018.  Detailed arrival and departure information will be provided approximately 3 months prior to the start of the tour.  During the tour, participants should be prepared to load their luggage in the van around 8:30 am on required ride days.

COST & ADMINISTRATION
Included in the $2,900  costs are 14 nights accommodation (based on double occupancy), 14 breakfasts, 10 dinners, daily social hour refreshments, 3 wine tastings, luggage transfers, cue sheets, gps tracks, van pickup for emergencies and bike box storage.  The price is calculated on an exchange rate of $1.30 to the euro.  Some fluctuation may occur between now and July 2018, requiring a price adjustment.

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY
It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own.  The Ride Leader will assist singles by sharing names of other singles who are interested in the ride.  However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until Feb.1, 2018 to find a roommate.  If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the $100 BAC fee and credit card processing fee) or pay the $1,500 single supplement and stay on the ride.  If a single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary.  Single supplement payments will need to be made by check directly to the Ride Leader.

CANCELLATION POLICY
The BAC ride registration fee and 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 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 submit a request to join this ride, use the sign-up links just above the 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 pay the non-refundable BAC fee ($100) and tour deposit of $1,000 by credit card.  As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List.  The second payment of $1,000 is due April 1, 2018.  The final payment of $900 is due no later than July 1, 2018.  BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking"the name at the top of this Ride Description.