† 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
Nova Scotia is one of eastern Canada's Maritime Provinces on the Atlantic. With its numerous lakes, forests, and long beautiful coastlines, it is home to puffins, seal, whales and more. With a long and rich history, the First Nations called it Mi'kma'ki, the French called it Acadia, the British called it New Scotland. It has been (and perhaps still is) home to a few rogues, rum runners and pirates. It is well known for its legacy of folk and traditional music. Now it is also a very popular destination for cycling enthusiasts.
Our tour will follow the Atlantic along the rocky South Shore, visiting Peggy's Cove, Aspotogan Peninsula, Chester, Lunenburg and Liverpool. We then cross the wilderness of Kejimkujik National Park to reach historic Annapolis Royal on the Bay of Fundy. We continue through orchards of Annapolis Valley to Wolfville, site of the world's highest tides. We have layover days in Lunenburg (18th century core preserved as UNESCO World Heritage Site), Annapolis Royal (Fort Anne, tidal power generating station, re-creation of the 1604 French Settlement) and Wolfville (amazing tides, extensive historic Acadian dykes, memorial museum at Grand Pre recounting the Acadian displacement). All three layover towns offer day rides and an assortment of options for local activities.
Our ride begins on September 6, 2019 at happy hour, and ends on September 18, 2019 after breakfast.
Day One: Meet and greet social and welcome dinner in downtown Halifax.
Day Two: We take a tour bus out of Halifax to avoid the busy high traffic roads in and around Halifax. Once out of Halifax, our bus ride takes us along the coast to scenic Peggy's Cove and beyond where we start our cycling with a warm up ride to Hubbards - 14 miles and 764 feet.
Day Three: Ride from Hubbards to Western Shore - 42 miles and 2152 feet.
Day Four: A beautiful ride from Western Shore to Lunenburg - 31 miles and 1519 feet.
Day Five: Layover day in Lunenburg with an assortment of sites and activities available as well as options for day rides.
Day Six: Lunenburg to Liverpool (Planked Salmon Dinner on Hotel Deck) -55 miles and 2310 feet.
Day Seven: Liverpool to Kejimkujik National Park (Barbecue in the back yard) - 40 miles and 1719 feet.
Day Eight: Kejimkujik to Annapolis Royal - 34 miles and 1535 feet.
Day Nine: Layover Day with optional day rides and activities available.
Day Ten: Annapolis Royal to Kingston through rural farms and country orchards - 40 miles and 1437 feet.
Day Eleven: Ride from Kingston to Wolfville - 42 miles and 1677 feet.
Day Twelve: Final day in Wolfville with optional day rides, local activities, and a farewell dinner.
Day Thirteen: Breakfast and head home.
RIDE RATING
The tour is rated a 2B with average daily distances of 35 - 40 miles. There is one 55 mile day with less than 2500 feet of climbing. We will use back roads where available, but assume moderate traffic. At times, we are using the ONLY road. There are some stretches with limited or no shoulders so you should be confident riding in traffic.
WEATHER
September weather in Halifax is mild and variable. The average temperature is 61 degrees F (16 degrees C with afternoons warming to 68 degrees F (20 degrees C) and lows at 54 degrees F (12 degrees C). Although generally nice weather prevails, as anywhere rain is a possibility and rain gear is strongly advised.
LODGING, MEALS & LUGGAGE
Lodging for 12 nights provided in a variety of accommodations, including a large hotel next to the waterfront in downtown Halifax, several upscale B&B's, quaint cottages, and a conventional hotel. The host hotel in Halifax will extend our special room rate for pre and post accommodation requirements, subject to availability.
Four group dinners, ten breakfasts, and two sack lunches are included. Options for lunch stops are available along the way on all but two days.
Luggage will be limited to ONE BAG at 35 lbs.
LOGISTICS
Fly or drive to Halifax; cab or bus from the airport (YHZ) to downtown hotel. Several options for transportation back to Halifax or the airport are available from Wolfville. Bike boxes may be stored at the Halifax hotel. Personal vehicles can be parked in the hotel lot ($24/Cdn/day), or at less expensive outlying locations. Bike rental shops are available in Halifax (information will be provided at a later date). We will have a van to transport luggage and supplies. While the van will be available to assist with any emergencies, it will not serve as a sag vehicle and participants are expected to complete each required ride day.
COST & ADMINISTRATION
Total cost of the tour is $2350 and includes 12 nights accommodations, ten breakfasts, two sack lunches, and four dinners, gratuities for group meals and bus drivers. Luggage van as well as transportation to the start of the cycling route on the first day is included. Cue sheets, maps, and GPS files will be provided but it is the responsibility of each rider to know how to use their own GPS device. We will have daily social hours with snacks and alcohol provided at some locations but due to hotel restrictions and local liquor laws, there may be a cash bar at some other locations. Cost estimate is based on an exchange rate of $1 CAD = $ 0.90 US. Some fluctuation in the exchange rate may occur between now and March, 2019. Depending on currency exchange rate fluctuations, there may be an adjustment in the amount of the final payments.
SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY
Single rooms are limited due to room configurations in the accommodations. It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. Singles sharing a room are welcome and the ride coordinator can assist in arranging room mates. No single sharing a room will be moved from the waitlist to the participants list without having a roommate. A solo single supplement is estimated to be an additional $1100. 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. Solo supplement payments need to be sent to the BAC office. Checks should be made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check. They should be mailed to: Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.
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 cancelling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. 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 the initial tour deposit of $1000 by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. You will NOT be placed on the Participant List until the BAC Ride Fee and the first tour payment have been completed. The second payment of $1350 will be due April 1, 2019. 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