Tuscany on the Med 2019 !!!

† 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

This is the fixed based cycling trip in the beautiful Tuscan countryside, a BAC classic. The trip is being offered again this year by Stephen and Linda Kiel.

Our routes are in a region of Tuscany called the “Costa Degli Etruschi” (Etruscan Coast), an area rich in history, known for its vineyards and wineries, a producer of premium olive oil, and a favorite area for cyclists. Our routes will take us past the many wineries on La Strada Del Vino during the exciting harvest season, and through the hilltop towns of Bolgheri, Castagneto Carducci, Sassetta, Suvereto and Montescudaio, to name a few. We will visit, tour, and have lunch at an olive grove during one of our rides. The Aurelia Highway running through nearby Donoratico was first built during Roman times. We will ride past pre-Roman Etruscan archaeological sites as well. An annual bike race that runs each February, the G.P. Costa degli Etruschi, shares some of the roads that we will be riding as well.

You may walk, bike, or take a short bus ride from the hotel to numerous shops in Donoratico to include quaint coffee and pastry bars, banks (ATMs), a book shop, clothing stores, grocery stores and a supermarket. The local bus service stops close to the front of our hotel. If you choose to stay close to the hotel there are nice shops and places to get a bite to eat, a gelato, or an Italian Espresso.

RIDE RATING: 2B

• We will ride in and out (loop) rides of 40 to 60 miles of varying but moderate terrain, returning to our hotel early to mid-afternoon each day.
• Riding in this area of Tuscany offers moderate terrain with our range of daily climbing from 1500 to 2500 feet. All roads we will ride are paved and consideration has been given to avoiding high traffic areas. None of the daily rides include terrain that varies from the norm described above although the Ride Leader can direct you to more challenging climbs and descents in the area if you prefer.
• Maps and route sheets of the suggested daily cycling route will be available in advance of the departure date and will be discussed in the evening meetings.
• Plan to make 2 to 3 stops during each day’s ride, sampling the quaint coffee shops and to take lunch (not included in the trip price) in one of the many hilltop villages along the way. The Ride Leader can make suggestions for you.
• Because this is a “Fixed Base” style ride, there are no mandatory destinations, offering a lot of flexibility in the riding challenge.

WEATHER

The weather is Mediterranean. September weather in Donoratico and surrounding areas ranges from highs in the mid 60's to mid-70's. Low temperatures range from the mid 50's to mid-60's. Average wind speed is 5 MPH, and average rainfall is less than 1 inch.

LODGING AND MEALS

• We are excited to be returning to the beautiful Hotel Ginepri on the Mediterranean coast. The hotel is positioned perfectly between the sea and a pine forest affording beautiful walks.
• The hotel has its own private beach which is just a few short steps from the Hotel lobby. Your accommodations include “Beach Service”: use of the beach furniture, beach towels, and rinsing area. The hotel swimming pool, adjoining the garden, overlooks the private beach.
• The rooms all have modern contemporary furniture and private bathrooms with a hairdryer, air conditioning, satellite TV, telephone, and radio. Wireless internet connections are available in the rooms for an extra charge.
• For the complete list of amenities and pictures of the hotel, please visit the hotel website (https://www.hoteliginepri.it/en/) The “Trip Advisor” link on the website displays customer ratings, comments, and feedback.
• Daily Continental Breakfasts (hearty for cyclists) in the Ginepri Dining Room.
• 8 evening dinners with wine in the Ginepri Dining Room overlooking the Mediterranean during sunset.

LOGISTICS

The trip begins and ends at the Hotel I Ginepri in Marina di Castagneto Carducci near Donoratico, Italy, which is in the Tuscan region along the Mediterranean Coast.

The train station Donoratico-Castagneto Carducci is about 3km from the Hotel.

Airport Pickup and Drop Off

• The Pickup and Drop Off include you, your luggage, and your bike box.
• The Pickup (arrival) time from the Pisa Airport (PSA) is Wednesday, September 4th at 4:00PM.
• The Drop Off (departure) time from the hotel will be Saturday, September 14th at 8:00AM.
• The travel time between the hotel and the airport is approximately one hour.
• THE PICKUP AND DROP OFF WILL BE PROMPTLY AT THE PUBLISHED TIMES ONLY. If you arrive or depart at different times, you must arrange transportation to the Hotel at your own expense.

Local Travel

If you wish to arrive early or decide to stay in Italy after the trip there are several sightseeing possibilities that you might want to investigate. Some possibilities would include Pisa, Florence, San Gimignano, Siena, Volterra, Lucca, and Livorno. The drive (or train) to Rome is approximately 3 1/2 hours. Another popular destination is Cinque Terre, a series of 5 seaside villages within a National Park directly on the Italian Riviera in the Liguria region of Italy, very close to the city of La Spezia.

If you wish to take a day trip during your stay, taking the train to Florence, Pisa, or Lucca is a possibility, as well as Elba Island via ferry. The train station is a short distance (2 miles) from the hotel in the town of Donoratico. Local bus service is available from our hotel. Note we will have a day off in the middle of our stay which will offer the option of a short, day trip in the area, or you can also simply take a bike ride on a route of your own design.  Car rental is also available.

Bikes

You may bring your own bike with you or avoid the worry about your bike altogether by renting. We can suggest a bike rental agency we have used for several years that will include, as a part of their service, delivery and pick up of the bikes directly at the hotel. Arrangements for bike rental must be made directly with the rental company. Additionally, there is a local bike shop in Donoratico for shopping or repairs.

Whether you rent or bring your own bike, the safety and mechanical integrity of the bike is the individual rider’s responsibility.

Additional Information

The Ride Leaders will publish a web page with detailed information about bike rentals, route descriptions, and a calendar of events. Tuscany on the Med 2019 link to web page: 

COST AND ADMINSTRATION

Included in the estimated price of $1650 per person, double occupancy, based on an exchange rate of 1 Euro to 1.30 US Dollars)

• 10 Nights in the 3 Star, Cycling Friendly, Beach Front Hotel Ginepri (www.hoteliginepri.it).
• Pickup and drop off by private bus from the Pisa Airport (PSA) to and from the hotel.
• Daily Continental Breakfasts (hearty for cyclists) in the Ginepri Dining Room.
• 8 evening dinners with wine in the Ginepri Dining Room overlooking the Mediterranean during sunset.
• A tour of a local olive grove with an afternoon meal is included on one of our ride days.
• A tour of the Petra Winery.
• A daily business meeting, discussion of the routes, and BAC Happy Hour prior to evening dinner.
• Detailed cue sheets, maps, and gps tracks for all the routes.

Note: The non-refundable BAC Ride Registration Fee of $100 is not included in the $1650 cost of the ride.  Depending on currency exchange rates, there may be an adjustment in the amount of the final payment.

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 2 weeks from the date of signup 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).  Singles who are signing up as roommates are asked to send an email to the Ride Director indicating which participants are rooming together.  The Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride.  The number of Solos (a single person in a room) is limited due to room availability.  The single supplement fee for Solos is $300.  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 solo 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.

SIGNUP

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 ($100) 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.  Final payment of $650 will be due on April 1, 2019.  To contact the Ride Leader, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description.

If you have questions about the ride, please contact the Ride Leader listed above.

Ciao and Happy Cycling!

Stephen and Linda Kiel