San Francisco and North Bay Tour

† 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  We will start and end in Larkspur, California and cycle through San Francisco and through the vineyards, orchards, coastline, redwoods, and mountains just north of San Francisco Bay. We look forward to ideal cycling weather and scenic routes in the area renowned for gourmet food and fine wine. Cycle through sprawling vineyards lining the region’s most famous wine valleys. The magnificent Russian River and Alexander Valleys are each distinguished by their unique terrain. Marvel at the majesty of towering and ancient redwood trees while cycling below their cathedral-like canopy. Take a ferry ride to San Francisco and ride through the city and over the Golden Gate Bridge back to your hotel. Enjoy a breathtaking bike ride down the coast while riding south with the wind at your back and the downhills in your favor to explore Point Reyes National Seashore with its fascinating light station by way of historic and pastoral ranch properties. This ride includes some routes from Bruce and Marilyn Dewey’s successful 2017 California North Bay Tour. Our route was designed to avoid the 2017 wildfire-damaged areas. We will adjust the route prior to the ride, without making significant changes to the difficulty, to ensure we remain clear of fire damage and major repair areas.

RIDE RATING The ride is rated 2B with the five required travel days averaging 45 miles and 1,800 feet climbing. The only required ride outside the 2B rating is 51 miles. There are five layover days where there will be optional loop rides. There are sections of the tour on roads with no shoulder and some traffic. Riders should be comfortable with traffic and the intermittent absence of shoulders.

WEATHER Temperature ranges:  Average lows are in the 40’s degrees and average highs are in the 70’s.  Precipitation averages around two inches for the month of April depending on location. Expect the unexpected. Temperatures can range from cool and rainy to warm and dry. Be prepared for all kinds of weather.

LODGING & MEALS  Lodging will vary depending on the location, such as Marriott, Best Western or local hotels. Trip fees will cover two night’s dinners, four breakfasts, and “Happy Hour” each day.

LOGISTICS  The ride will start at 5 PM on Saturday, April 6th with Happy Hour, and end the morning of Wednesday, April 17th. Both the start and the finish are at the Courtyard by Marriott in Larkspur, California. Scheduled transportation is available from the San Francisco (SFO, $22) airport (http://marinairporter.com/) to Larkspur Landing within a quarter mile of the hotel. The bus ride is less than an hour depending on traffic, tickets can be purchased online and the bus runs approximately every half hour. Bus service is also available from Oakland (OAK) airport, but is not as convenient or inexpensive as SFO. Bicycle rentals are available from nearby shops, one of which is Acme Bikes in San Rafael which has the largest selection of rental bikes in Marin County. Current rental rates for road bicycles run from $165-$295 per week. Acme Bikes is approximately four miles from the base hotel. Vehicles may be left in the hotel parking lot, and bike boxes in the hotel at no extra cost. The van's primary role will be to transport luggage and supplies. While it will be available to assist with any emergencies, it will not serve as a sag vehicle and participants are expected to complete the ride each day. Luggage is limited to two pieces. The larger piece is limited to 35 pounds with total linear inches not exceeding 54. One additional bag will be allowed that meets airline carry on size.

ITINERARY  Our five point-to-point riding days take us from Larkspur(2) to Sonoma(2), then Calistoga(2), Windsor(2), Petaluma(2) and back to Larkspur(1). 

COST & ADMINISTRATION   The estimated cost for this tour is $2,300 and does not include the BAC registration fee nor ferry fares to San Francisco from Larkspur. Cost includes two dinners, four breakfasts, and Happy Hour each day, lodging, navigation aids (cue sheets, gps files and cycling maps) and luggage transfer by van. Emergency support will be provided if necessary. Riders are expected to print their own maps and cue sheets from the files provided. Riders will be asked to assist with Happy Hour setup and cleanup.

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY  Singles are welcome! 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 November 6, 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 credit card fees) or pay the $1,250 Solo supplement and stay on the ride. The Solo supplement is due at the time of the second payment, November 6, 2018. If a single pays the Solo 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 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 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 is 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 cleanup. 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 might have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions. GPS tracks will be provided but it is up to the rider to know how to use his or her GPS.

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 sign the Release of Liability (ROL), and pay the non-refundable BAC fee ($50) and tour deposit ($1,300) 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 will be due November 6, 2018. 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 and are due by November 6, 2018.  BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Leader by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description, or by calling John at 503-559-8932.