Surprising Sardinia - Italy's Splendid Adventure

† 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 a leader-led (not commercially assisted tour).  This ride was held in 2018 and leaders are planning on freshly scouting routes.

Welcome to Sardinia, Italy, the second largest island in the Mediterranean and the heart of the most ancient land in Europe. The nuraghe is the main type of megalithic edifice found in Sardinia, a special type of defensive structure for which no parallel exists.  Today it has come to be the symbol of its distinctive culture, the Nuraghic Civilization.  There exists over 7000 of these truncated cones throughout the island.  You will have the opportunity to visit the best known example of the unique complex designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Sardinia boasts dramatic coastlines of imposing high cliffs, punctuated by 16th century Spanish watchtowers and pristine beaches of jaw-dropping beauty. Over the 12-day bike tour, you will experience scenic and ancient sites, starting from Palau, Sardinia, on the northern Costa Smeralda, a billionaire's playground on turquoise waters, pedal west to citadel Castelsardo, picturesquely draped over a promontory overlooking the Golfo dell’ Asinara, then on to Alghero, a Catalan citadel, to spend two days.  Continuing along the coast we arrive to the colorful medieval town of Bosa, where you have time to explore and stay the night before reaching an extensive archelolgical site of the Sinus Peninsula, staying in Cabras.  Turning inland, we spend two nights in Villanovaforru to explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of the SuNuraxi, di Barumini or possibly visit nearby Sardara known for its thermal baths.  Next town is Arbus, once laden with mines, situated on the Arcuentu mountain, a window toward the Green Coast.  From Arbus it's a descent to the rugged coastline of village ruins and abandoned mines forming part of the first UNESCO designated park in the world network of Geoparks to our 4-star hotel in Portoscuso, a low-key fishing port.  We will stay on the water, literally, the following day taking two ferries to the next destination on the island of Sant'Antioco.  You determine how you spend the day exploring one island or both islands on the bike.  Back in the saddle, our final day of cycling leads us to the quiet and relaxing Costa del Sud.

RIDE RATING: The ride is rated 3B. There are 9 mandatory riding days. While traveling from the northern coast of Sardinia turning inland then returning to a rugged coast, you encounter a diversified landscape. There are two rides that exceed the 3B rating.  On Day 2, the first day of cycling, it is 50 miles with 3700' of elevation (4C).  Day 5, to Bosa, though rated a 3A, is short with a fair amount of elevation gain at 26 miles, 2782 feet. Day 10, the Green Coast which offers a long downhill leading to a rugged coastline, is 50 miles with 3600' (4C).  Several days have alternate routes for riders wanting longer rides and there are optional routes available on non-mandatory ride days.  You can expect 8% climbs and some surpassing 11%, though short in distance. Tandems are welcome.  

WEATHER: Sardinia possesses a beautifully warm Mediterranean climate renowned for its’ six-month summer which means that the sea can be warm enough for swimming from May until October. May is the start of long sunshine hours of 9 hours, bringing warmer temperatures hovering in the low 70s and nights in the mid 50s. Average rainfall for the month is less than one inch.

LODGING AND MEALS: Accommodations will be mainly 3-star, family operated hotels. Twelve breakfasts, 10 group dinners - one being pizza night and one in a Michelin recommended restaurant - are included with this tour. And let’s not forget daily social hour before the general meeting.

LOGISTICS: We meet at 6:00pm on May 13 in the seaside town of Palau, Sardinia, Italy, 44km north of Olbia airport, for social hour, welcome dinner and planning our next day's ride. It is accessible by public bus, shuttle buses or taxis. A shuttle bus from the farewell hotel in Teulada will end the trip at the airport in the capital city of Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy. The bus will arrive at the Cagliari (CAG) airport by noon on May 25.

Bike rentals are available in Sardinia.  The ride leaders can recommend the company that participants used in 2018.  It is the responsibility of the participant to contact and arrange delivery of the bike.  The rental contract is between the participant and the company.

Palau provides a great base for a pre-trip visit. For those that plan on arriving a few days early, we are offering 2 pre-trip rides out of Palau, the starting point. These opportunities are fully independent, so you can customize your own ride. Early arrival hotel nights and meals will be at your own expense. The trip starts on May 13, 2019 @ 6:00pm. Our hotel will extend our discounted rate to early arrivals but you can stay wherever you wish before the trip starts. 

COST AND ADMINISTRATION: Included in the estimated price of $2100 are 13 nights lodging double occupancy, 13 breakfasts, 10 dinners, daily socials, luggage transfer, GPS tracks, and transport of bike boxes to the hotel in Teulada at end of the ride. Electronic versions of maps and route sheets will be available and participants are expected to print their own copies.  Not included in the price is the non-refundable $100 BAC ride fee. Initial deposit is $1500 with the balance of $600 due on January 1, 2019. The estimated cost is based on an exchange rate of €1 = $1.25. Depending on currency exchange rates, there may be some minor changes 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 November 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 fee) or pay the $900 single supplement (by November 1, 2018). 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 $100 BAC registration fee and payment 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. 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 after November 1, 2018 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 successful tours depend on the 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 the Ride Leaders. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour. Please keep the Ride Leaders informed of any special circumstances you may have.

SIGN-UP: To register for this ride, use the sign-up links above the 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 (ROL) form, pay the non-refundable BAC fee ($100) and tour deposit of $1500 by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. We look forward to having you join us for this amazing tour. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by “clicking” the name at the top of this Ride Description. Wait listing is encouraged.