CANC Jerusalem to Petra and Back 2019

This Ride has been Cancelled

† 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

Note: before signing up for this ride, please consult the current US State Department cautions for travel in this area -- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/israel-west-bank-and-gaza-travel-advisory.html

OVERVIEW:  Come join us as we embark on one of the world's great journeys, following in the footsteps of biblical stories and heroes, as well as TE Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia), as we start this 18-day tour by exploring the Holy City of Jerusalem in its anticipation of the holiday season. Following our time in Jerusalem, we cycle south to the Dead Sea and Masada, floating in its salty embrace and soaking up the history of the region. Continuing south, we head up the winding Scorpion's Ascent for grand views of the Arava Desert and make our way to the Negev Desert, eventually reaching the water-sport Capital of Israel, Eilat on the Red Sea. After we explore its grandeur, we cycle into Jordon and experience first hand the enchanting Wadi Rum Desert that so enraptured TE Lawrence, even spending a night in a Bedouin Camp. And then the prize: we cycle to Petra, the ancient Nabatean City, one of the world's new seven wonders. After more exploring, we will cycle into the Jordan Valley and return to Israel, stopping in Jericho before our triumphant return to Jerusalem. We stay at the Inbal Hotel overlooking the Old City and its walls. By this time, the City will be in full preparation for the holiday season, as we once again walk and cycle the City before our departure home. With nearly all meals included and wonderful happy hours featuring local microbrew beer, wine and middle eastern snacks, this promises to be an epic tour!

This will be the 4th time that this popular trip, originated by Tom Ryan, has been offered.  Tom introduced two lucky groups of BAC members to riding in Israel and Jordan.  For the 2019 ride, Eileen Vergino is leading this ride for the second time, assisted by Gordon Active Tour company, and thanks Tom for establishing this iconic tour and unique opportunity for BAC members.

RIDE RATING:  The tour is 561 miles in total and we climb about 39,000 feet.  While the average climb is about 3000 feet a day (level 3), this ride is rated a level 4 due to days with climbing of 5250 feet, 5905 feet, 3608 feet, and 3746 feet.   The average daily distance is 43 miles, but there are 3 days with distances over 50 miles.  Riders should be capable of riding these distances and elevations.  While Gordon Active will transfer luggage and be available for emergency support due to injury, illness or mechanical problems, it is expected that riders be willing to cycle the entire ride, except for group transfers.  

Tandems are welcome.  Rental bikes are available from Gordon Active.  Ebikes are welcome and may be available for rental from Gordon Active.

WEATHER:   The December weather should be ideal for the southern desert area and aided by cooler temperatures, we expect to have a good representation of cyclists tackling some of the challenging, short climbes like Scorpion's Ascent -- Israel's most iconic climb. December is the perfect time to ride the southern part of Israel and into Jordan and the winter flowers should be in bloom. In Jerusalem, the average December temperatures are in the mid-60s by day so a jacket at night is recommended.

LODGING & MEALS:  The lodging is excellent and the hotels that have grown from the Kibbutz movement are excellent with spa treatments available and very healthy meals that even leave cyclists full! 

LOGISTICS:

All participants should plan on arriving into Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv no later than November 28. Gordon Active will work with the Ride Leader to arrange transport from the airport to  the Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem. GPS files and route sheets will be provided several weeks before the ride.

Day 1: Nov 28 - Arrival in Jerusalem 

Day 2: Nov 29 - Loop ride and Old City tour in Jerusalem 

Day 3:  Nov 20 - Jerusalem to Dead Sea (68 mi., 2788' ascent) 

Day 4: Dec 1 - (REST DAY) Guided Tour of Masada 

Day 5:- Dec 2 -  Dead Sea to the Peace Trail (59mi., 2493' ascent)  

Day 6:  Dec 3- Peace Trail to Yeruham via Scorpions' ascent (37 mi, 3746' ascent) 

Day 7:  Dec 4 - Yeruham to Mitzpe Ramon (34 mi., 2057' ascent)

Day 8:  Dec 5 - Mitzpe Ramon to Kibbutz Lotan (68 mi., 1968' ascent) 

Day 9:  Dec 6 - Kibbutz Lotan to Eilat (50 mi., 3608' ascent) 

Day 10:  Dec 7 - Eilat to Aqaba (12 mi, 656' ascent) 

Day 11:  Dec 8 - Aqaba to Wadi Rum (43 mi. 3353' ascent) 

Day 12:  Dec 9 - Wadi Rum to Petra (30 mi, 1900' ascent) 

Day 13:  Dec 10 - (REST DAY) Guided Tour of Petra 

Day 14:  Dec 11 - Petra to Feynan (45 mi., 4761' ascent) 

Day 15:  Dec 12 - Feynan to Dead Sea (48 mi., 5905' ascent) 

Day 16:  Dec 13 - Dead Sea Loop up Mt Nebo (48 mi., 5250' ascent) 

Day 17:  Dec 14 - Jordan to Jerusalem (19 mi.) 

Day 18:  Dec 15 - INDEPENDENT DEPARTURE 

COST & ADMINISTRATION:

The cost for the entire 18-day tour is $5,412.00 per person and includes 17 nights accomodation in double occupancy rooms, 17 breakfasts, 17 dinners and 7 lunches.  Also included are daily briefings and happy hours featuring local beer, wines and snacks.  Cold water and snacks/drinks for riding days are provided.  Any luggage delivery/portage fees are covered by the tour cost.  Also included are an air conditioned vehicle when the group is transferred, cycling guide, luggage transport vehicle, tshirt, entry fees to tourism sites, storage for bike cases, and maps and handouts.

The price does NOT include the following:  Bike rental, (high end light weight road bikes are available directly from Gordon Active), cost of replacement tubes, tires and parts for non-rental bikes, exit tax from Israel - $30, exit tax from Jordan - $15, personal incidentals at hotels.  Leader will collect tips for guides on the trip and price does not include tips for tour company guides.

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY:  We welcome single participants, whether you share a room with another single or you choose to pay a solo supplement of $1367.  If you wish to share a room with another single, it’s preferable that you try to find your own roommate, and then notify the Ride Leader of your intended roommate.  If you do not have a roommate in mind, the Ride Leader will assist you by providing names of other singles looking for roommates.  If you sign up for this tour and pay the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be given until August 1, 2019 to find a roommate.  If you are unable to find a roommate, you will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the $100 BAC fee and processing fee) or pay the $1367 solo supplement and stay on the ride.  If a single pays the supplement, you may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary.  Solo supplement payments will need to be made directly to BAC by check and are due August 1, 2019.  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 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 the cancelling participant can not be replaced, Gordon Active will charge the following amounts:  $50 for cancellation 60 to 46 days in advance (09/30 to 10/14), $1000 for cancellation 45 to 31 days in advance (10/15 to 10/28), $4005 for cancellation 30 to 8 days in advance (10/30 to 11/21), $4718 for cancellation 7 days or less in advance (11/22 to 11/29). There may be additional costs that cannot be recouped so, remember, if a rider cancels and cannot be replaced, the rider may not receive a full refund.

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.

SIGN-UP:  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 and the initial tour deposit  of $2000 by credit card.  As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List.  To contact the Ride Leader, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description.  Final payment of $3412 will be due on August 10, 2019.  BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description. Wait listing is encouraged.