Vancouver, Whistler and the British Columbia Coast

† 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

RIDE DESCRIPTION

OVERVIEW

The ride actually begins and ends in North Vancouver (across Burrard Inlet from the City of Vancouver). Downtown Vancouver is but a 15 minute journey away by municipal ferry (The SeaBus), connecting to an automated subway system (The Skytrain) that links to the airport and other destinations throughout the Lower Mainland.

This Ride features the very best of scenic cycling along the coast of British Columbia, Canada, including a stopover in the Resort Municipality of Whistler (one of the major attractions of the province and one of the venues for the 2010 Winter Olympics). Our accommodations are first rate (including seven nights with awesome waterfront views!) and most breakfasts and dinners are included in the Ride Package. There is a Happy Hour every night (except the last night).

The ride itself is not for the faint of heart, but the roads are well engineered and the scenery is so spectacular that you will hardly notice the climbs!.

For a detailed itinerary of the ride, please contact the Ride Leaders.

RIDE RATING

Our overall rating for this ride is 3B. No ride on any day exceeds 72 km (45 miles). Total distance cycled on the base ride will be approximately 480 km (300 miles) over eight riding days, for an average of 60 km (37.5 miles) per cycling day.

The average daily climb is 980 metres (3,225 feet). On two days, however, climbs will exceed 1,065 m (3,500 feet). On the one day, the climb will be 1,400 metres (4,700 feet) over 69 km (43 miles). On the other day, the climb will be 1,250 metres (4,100 feet) over 53 km (33 miles).

From time to time, riders will face a few steep grades of 8-9 per cent, but these are typically of short duration. Unless the road curves, the top of the climb can usually be seen from the start of the climb.

WEATHER

Weather in southwest British Columbia in early September is generally fine, with daytime high temperatures during the month averaging 19-21 degrees C (66-70 degrees F), depending on location. Nighttime low temperatures vary from 5.5-10.5 degrees C (42-51 degrees F).

However, expect the unexpected. In particular, as we will be cycling in the mountains during the first half of this ride, there could always be rain and/or lower temperatures. Check your favorite weather site on the web just before your departure for a long range forecast.

We definitely recommend bringing along raingear and some colder weather cycling clothing/gloves in your suitcase. If you do not have to use the gear, by all means that is a bonus.

LODGING & MEALS

Where possible, we have chosen to avoid major chain hotels on this ride. Where options exist, though, we have opted for the highest quality accommodation possible, as we like our creature comforts.

This ride includes ten breakfasts, one lunch and eight dinners, as well as ten Happy Hours. Wine, beer and non-alcoholic drinks will be served at the Welcoming Dinner and the Farewell Dinner, as well as at all Happy Hours. Drinks at other dinners will normally be extra. Dinners will typically feature a choice of 2-3 entrees, along with an appetizer and dessert.

LOGISTICS

The ride begins on Sunday, September 1st and ends with checkout on the morning of Thursday, September 12th. Long term parking options are available for those travelling to Vancouver by vehicle. For those coming in by air with bike boxes or bags, these can be left at the hotel and picked up at the end of the Ride.

We will meet at 4:30 pm on September 1st at our hotel in North Vancouver for our first Happy Hour and the Welcoming Dinner. The hotel is within walking distance of the SeaBus terminal for those arriving by public transportation. For those flying into Vancouver (YVR), take the Skytrain (Canada Line) from the airport to Waterfront Station, where you can easily connect to the SeaBus. Bikes, bike boxes or bags and other luggage can be carried on both the Skytrain and SeaBus.

The hotel in North Vancouver will be our base of operations for the first two nights and the last night.  Our stay in Whistler will be for two nights. We will be staying in the same hotel in Squamish on two separate nights. All other hotel stays are of one night in duration.

For those interested in renting bikes, we are able to refer you to a company in the Vancouver area that does offer this service. This company will deliver rental bikes to our North Vancouver hotel prior to the start of the Ride.

COST & ADMINISTRATION

Tour cost is $2,950 per person. This includes 11 nights of accommodation, 10 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 8 dinners, 10 Happy Hours, cue sheets/maps, GPX files and bike bag/box storage, The cost excludes the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee of $50 (now payable directly to BAC at time of registration). Also not included is the cost of transport of riders and bicycles on three ferry routes operated by BC Ferries ($16-$20 CDN per person, depending on the route). A fourth ferry ride is free.

For those arriving with a vehicle, secured underground parking is available at the North Vancouver hotel at a cost of $20 CDN plus taxes per day. However, there is a free parking option also available.

An initial deposit of $1,250 dollars (excluding the non-refundable BAC registration fees of $50) is required, with the balance payable by credit card no later than June 1, 2019. The cost for a solo supplement is $1,200. This additional supplement must be paid by check to BAC at the time of registration. Checks should be made out to "BAC" with a notation of the tour name included on the check. The check should be mailed to Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998 San Diego, CA 92193.

The Budget has been determined on the basis of an exchange rate of $1.00 CDN = $0.80 US. The final payment may be adjusted to reflect changes in the exchange rate.

SINGLES AND SOLO 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 by that time, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fee) or pay the $1,200 Solo Supplement and stay on the ride. If a single elects to pay the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary. The Ride Leaders will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride.

SIGN UP

To submit a request to join this ride, use the “links’ displayed above this Ride Description. When you are accepted, the Ride Leaders will move you from the Waitlist to the Pending List. At this time, you will receive an email notification to login into the BAC Website in order to sign the release of liability form and to pay both the non-refundable BAC registration fee and initial deposit of $1,250 to BAC using your credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participants List.

To contact the Ride Leader,”click” the name at the top of this Ride Description.

CANCELLATON POLICY

The BAC ride registration fee is not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled. Refunds for cancellations 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 remaining participants on the tour will not incur any additional cost as the result of a cancellation. If the cancelling participant is replaced before the ride starts, the refund will be made at that time. If the participant is not replaced, any refund will be determined once the ride ends and a final expense report is completed. To contact the Ride Leaders, "click" the names at the top of this Ride Description.

BAC encourages members to purchase personal 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 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 Leader informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions