The Best of China: Pandas to Peaks

† 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

Modern China is a country of great movement: it is now the third most visited destination in the world and one of the world’s fastest growing economies. This vast country is not only about commercial success as it is blessed with regions of serene tranquility. Our tour has been carefully crafted to highlight the amazing beauty of Sichuan and Guangxi provinces. We start in the fertile Chengdu Plain, on which the provincial capital of Chengdu is located, known as the "Country of Heaven" and often translated as the "Land of Milk and Honey". The second part of the tour is one of the best-kept cycling secrets that southwest China has to offer. The amazing backdrop of incredible limestone karsts, the lush green rice fields and the colorful Miao, Zhuang, Dong and Yao people, make this region unique. Our tour focus here is especially on the Miao people with intriguing culture, eye-dazzling costumes and a turbulent history. Our journey ends in Guilin, a city surrounded by two rivers and four lakes, and studded with the sheer sided karst mountains this region is famous for. Its name means "forest of Sweet Osmanthus". We will leave China after this tour with more understanding of its ancient culture, and an insight into the agricultural and natural environments from awe-inspiring landscapes to towering mountains and playful panda bears.

The tour starts on 14th of October 2019 in Chengdu, the capital of the Sichuan Province starting with the first highlight of the tour-the Dujiangyan Panda Valley. Giant Pandas are the symbol of China and the research center provides education and raises awareness. Then it is on to Mengding Mountain via two famous towns. We take a walk in the Mengdinghan Royal Tea Gardens: tea trees planted at Mending by a herdsman were believed to be the very beginning of China's tea history. We next visit UNESCO Heritage listed Mount Emei, on the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China. The ride then follows the river to the town of many temples, Leshan.

We follow the Duliujiang river to the fascinating Bashamiao and Congjiang villages, a real cultural treat boasting unspoiled traditions, architecture and local practices. Then on to see the "Wind and Rain" bridges of Zhaoxing and Chengyang, built with beautiful pavilions to protect travelers from the elements, before our arrival in the stunning karst scenery that dominates Yangshuo. Our cycling journey ends in Xingping, with its Qing and Ming dynasty architecture, with dinner in the pleasant city of Guilin. You will be transferred to the airport in Guilin (KWL) on October 28th, 2019.

A detailed daily itinerary is available from the tour co-ordinator.

RIDE RATING

Almost 400 miles across three provinces are covered in 11 riding days. We will climb approximately 26,130 feet in total. Most of the route in on smooth paved roads with some climbs but also some off road and gravel sections.

Day 2 39 miles and 925 ft 1B

Day 3 37 miles and 3759 ft 4B

Day 4 39 miles and 3021 ft 3B

Day 5 27 miles and 436 ft 1A

Day 6 47 miles and 1578 ft 2B

Day 7 off day high speed train to Kaili in afternoon

Day 8 21 miles and 609 ft 1A

Day 9 55 miles and 6830 ft 4C  (van support will be available on this day)

Day 10 45 miles and 1971 ft 2B

Day 11 19 miles and 3261 ft 3A

Day 12 31 miles and 2706 ft 3A

Day 13 off day

Day 14 34 miles and 1033 ft 1A

WEATHER

Sichuan temperatures in October are around 50-68 F. Guangxi and Guizhou have a subtropical climate. October weather is usually pleasant with temperatures around 75 F.

LODGING

14 nights accommodation are included and overnights will range from local, traditional and charming hotels to guesthouses. Accommodation is included from arrival on 14th October 2019 until departure on October 28th 2019.

LOGISTICS

You should fly into Chengdu Shuangliu International airport CTU and out of Guilin Liangjiang International airport KWL.

The tour begins in the afternoon of October 14th 2019, with a trip briefing and bike fitting before the 5:30 PM Happy Hour at the Buddha Zen Hotel in Chengdu. Airport transfers to the hotel will be arranged. If you plan to arrive early, SpiceRoads can assist with pre-tour hotel bookings. SpiceRoads will assign a company representative to assist the BAC riders with pre and post tour hotels, bike rentals, etc.

BICYCLE RENTALS

Bicycle rentals are available directly through SpiceRoads and are $230 for the two weeks. Contact SpiceRoads direct at Kie@spiceroads.com. For this tour it is suggested that you rent or bring mountain bikes. SpiceRoads offers Giant, Merida, Trek or similar available. You should consider bringing your own clip pedals, shoes , cleats and helmets. Bringing your own bike: for riders bringing their own bicycles, the bikes will be transferred by truck from Chengdu to Kaili on Day 8. (note: you will need to repack your bike on day 6 and unpack it on Day 8). If you bring your own bike, be sure it is a mountain or hybrid bike and it is in good mechanical order with all parts necessary to maintain it during the ride. The cycle guides are trained in basic bike mechanics and first aid

PASSPORTS AND VISAS

You must have a passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 months after your scheduled return. For residents of the USA using a USA passport, a visa is required to visit China. Visas must be obtained prior to arrival in China. You must have 4 blank VISA pages in your passport. Note some passport pages do not have the word VISA stamped at the top. These pages are not acceptable.  Your passport does not meet these requirements, you need to obtain a new passport prior to applying for a visa.

For non-USA residents, you will need to research the visa requirement and obtain the appropriate visa for your country of residence prior to departure.

COST & ADMINISTRATION

Cost is per person double occupancy. The price includes 14 nights lodging, 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 13 dinners, 2 English speaking guides, support vehicles, cue sheets, BAC Happy Hour refreshments, cycling jersey, transport to and from the airport on first and last day, one internal train from Chengdu to Guiyang/Kaili (first class ticket) on Day 7, drinks and snacks while cycling. Happy Hour drinks are based on 1/2 bottle of wine or 2 bottles of beer, 2 premium fruit juice or 1 cocktail per person. The price does not include the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee, the cost of optional activities, alcoholic drinks at included meals or bicycle rental.

The second payment of $1750 is due October 31, 2018. The final payment of $1750 is due on April 30, 2019.

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY

If space allows, a limited number of solo rooms may be available. The single supplement is $700. 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 ( December 31 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 fee) or pay the ($700) single supplement and stay on the ride. The single supplement is payable directly to BAC by check with the ride name noted on the check. The BAC office address is: P.O. Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193If 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 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.

For cancellations that go unfilled and without a replacement, the Spice Roads policy applies and is as follows:

Number of days prior to trip start, cancellation fee per person, if not replaced:

90+ days Administration expenses incurred*

60-89 days $1260

45-59 days $2100

15-44 days $2940

0-14 days $4200

*Bank fees and any tour costs incurred by the company as a result of the cancelation.

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 register for 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 terms of the Release of Liability (ROL), and pay the non-refundable BAC fee and tour deposit by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description.