White Villages of Andalucia 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

OVERVIEW    Tour beautiful Andalucia (southern Spain), home of flamenco, vineyards, olive groves, Moorish architecture and history, oranges and hilltop white villages. This area is sunny and dry and, during the summer extremely hot, but by October should be comfortable for cycling. The tour includes visits to three of the most famous cities of Andalucia: Granada, Cordoba and and opportunity to take a high speed train into the large city of Seville. There is an optional tour of the Alhambra in Granada for those who choose to arrive a day early, and opportunity to tour the Mezquita in Cordoba and/or the Giralda in Seveille. The tour will travel through small pueblos blancos (white villages) perched atop peaks, riding past limestone mountains, vineyards, olive groves, reservoirs and along the Mediterranean coast.  There are two rest days, one in Cordoba and one in Ronda where hiking or biking is an option.

This tour will be supported by Iberocycle (Simon Profitt). Versions of this tour have been led by BAC with support by Iberocycle four times previously and Iberocycle has supported other tours in Spain for BAC as well. Please note, 2018 itinerary has evolved somewhat from prior tours and is a new version. 

RIDE RATING    The tour is rated 3B, based on average distance of 42 miles per day and average elevation gain of 3200 feet. Three days have climbing outside of the “3” rating and four days are outside of the “B” rating at just over 50 miles. These days are 6,7,9, 13 and 14 (see itinerary below).  Several days have alternate routes for riders wanting longer rides and there are optional routes on non-mandatory riding days. Routes are on paved roads in good condition and most have little traffic.   Overall, this is a hilly ride and best suited to riders who aren’t intimidated by climbs. While Iberocycle will transfer luggage and be available for emergency support due to injury, illness or mechanical problems, it is expected that riders be willing to cycle the entire ride.

ITINERARY

Day 1-Oct 4 Granada initial meeting

Day 2 -Oct 5 Granada to Montefrio 40 miles 2625 feet

Day 3 -Oct 6 Montefrio to Dona Mencia 48 miles 4425 feet

Day 4 -Oct 7 Dona Mencia to Cordoba 45 miles 2080 feet

Day 5– Oct 8 optional day (train to Seville)

Day 6 - Oct 9 Cordoba to Cabra 52 miles 4185 feet

Day 7 - Oct 10 Cabra to Antequera 51 miles 3050 feet

Day 8 -Oct 11 Antequera to La Posada del Conde 26 miles 2120 feet

Day 9 –Oct 12 Posada to Ronda 35 miles 4370 feet

Day 10-Oct 13 optional day-hiking

Day 11 –Oct 14 Ronda to Grazalema 23 miles 2260 feet

Day 12 -Oct 15 Grazalema to Arcos de la Frontera 41 miles3480 feet

Day 13 -Oct 16 Arcos to Vejer de la Frontera 51 miles 3280 feet

Day 14 -Oct 17 Vejer to Tarifa 53 miles 3315 feet

Day 15 -Oct 18 Transfer to Malaga and disband

TOTAL 465 miles 35190 feet

WEATHER    In October, the average daily temperature is 68 degrees F, with an average high of 78 degrees F and an average low of 57 degrees F. That being said, in 2017 temperatures were in the 90s. The area is arid, with little rain in the summer especially, but by October it can rain. On average, there are 5 days with rain out of 31 days in October.

LODGING & MEALS    Hotels are 3 and 4 star level. 14 breakfasts and 7 group dinners, as well as daily happy hour with snacks and drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, are included in the price. Vegetarian options are available at most dinners. It should be noted that the usual dinner time of no earlier than 8 pm is later than our American custom, but group dinners will be on Spanish schedule.

LOGISTICS    Tour starts in Granada with an afternoon meeting 10/4/2018. Tour ends in Malaga after transfer from Tarifa 10/18/2018, arriving in Malaga mid-afternoon. There is an airport near Granada and also Malaga, but the Malaga airport is much larger for international flights. Malaga airport to Granada is about 85 miles and shuttle vans or taxis are available.

At the end of the tour in Tarifia, it is possible to take a train from Tarifia to Madrid instead of the transfer to Malaga (but cost of transfer is included in tour and would not be deducted).

For riders who want to tour the Alhambra and spend a day in Granada before we cycle out onto the route, arrival should be Oct 3 and it is recommended to request an additional night prior to start of tour, which can be booked at the group rate (but paid by rider). Also, for riders who want a last night in Malaga before heading to airport or train station, an optional extra night in Malaga is available at the group rate (but paid by rider). Tickets to see the Alhambra need to be reserved well in advance by riders on the Alhambra website. There is time on Oct 4 for a tour prior to the late afternoon initial meeting. To request extra nights in Granada or Malaga, riders would contact leader and nights would be booked by Simon but riders would pay hotel directly for extra nights

Rental bicycles are available from Iberocycle. Leader will provide contact information for Iberocycle upon request.  The rental bicycles available are Cube Carbon Road Bike (170 Euros) or Hybrid Bike (120 Euros). Each rider should make their own arrangements with Iberocycle and decide if a rental bike will suit your needs or not. Bike boxes for those who bring their own bikes will be transported by Iberocycle

COST & ADMINISTRATION    This tour estimated cost is $ 3700, based on an exchange rate of $1.30 per Euro. (This exchange rate is higher than Nov 2017 rate of $1.18 but experts are predicting rate will go up). A contingency of 5% has been added. The final payment may need to be adjusted if exchange rate is less favorable. As always, any funds not used will be refunded to participants. First payment is due when signing up for ride and is $1700.  Second payment of $2000 is due 6/1/2018 and both payments are made on-line by credit card.  The cost includes 14 nights accommodation with 14 breakfasts and 7 group dinners. Maps, cue sheets, GPX files will be provided. Daily happy hour including alcoholic beverages, luggage transfer, emergency sag service, bike box storage, transfer by charter bus from Tarifa to Malaga on last riding day is also included. Gratuity for the guide or guides is included.  Daily happy hour will include historical and cultural information of interest as well as route review by Simon Profitt.

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 June 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 BAC fee and payment processing fees) or pay the $565 solo supplement and stay on the ride.  Solo supplement is payable by check to the leader and due by 6/1/2018.  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 credit card processing fees 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 cancelling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time, minus BAC fee and payment processing fees.   If the cancelling 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 and tour deposit by credit card online. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List.  Once those steps have been completed, the initial deposit of $1700 will be due.  To contact the Ride Leader, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description.