A Slice of Paradise in Colorado 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 will be a fixed base ride staying at The Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort in Nathrop, Colorado. This resort is located about 3 hours southwest of Denver in the upper Arkansas River Valley at an elevation of 8,250 ft. The closest towns are Salida to the south, and Buena Vista to the north. The scenery is spectacular with several 14,000 feet + mountain peaks in the area. 

Each day there will be 2 rides with one easy ride and one more difficult ride. This ride will have something for everyone, including easy and moderate rides to the historic towns of Buena Vista and Salida, mountain biking rides, and optional hiking and river rafting excursions. For strong cycling climbers a ride to Cottonwood Pass, located on the Continental Divide at 12,126 feet, will be offered. This road has been closed for a year or so for widening and paving operations. The new pavement should be nice and smooth with paved shoulders. For those who prefer less stenuous activities your admission to the Hot Springs is included with your lodging, as are Yoga and fitness classes. Spa treatments are also available for an extra charge. Mountain Bikes are also available from the resort at no extra charge on a first come, first serve basis. The ride includes a breakfast buffet each morning and 3 out of 5 dinners at the resort restaurant. 

RIDE RATING: I have listed the ride rating at 2B, which translates to a distance of 35 to 50 miles per day, with 1500 to 2500 feet of climbing. However, some of the rides will be easier than 2B, and some will be more difficult than 2B. Here is a list of the most popular rides:

Name                                          Rating       Distamce    Climbing                                                                

Buena Vista                                   1A               19.4           1082'

Buena Vista & Granite                   3C               56.0           2906'

Centerville                                      1A               15.3             913'

Salida                                             2B               42.8           2259'

Buena Vista & Arkansas River       2B               42.9           1931'  (wide tires required)

Cottonwood Pass                           4C               53.0           5132'

We will be riding mostly on paved back country roads with very little traffic.

WEATHER: The average high temperature for the month of August is 76 degrees, and the average low is 49 degrees, with an average rainfall of 1.4 inches for the month.

LODGING & MEALS: We will stay for 5 nights at the Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort in Nathrop, Colorado. You can check out the resort website at www.mtprinceton.com. The resort earned a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence in 2018. We will check in on Sunday, August 25, 2019, and check out on Friday, August 30, 2019. The rooms will have 2 Queen sized beds each. We will have 5 breakfast buffets, and 3 dinners included in a private dinning room at the Resort restaurant. The other 2 dinners will be on your own, which will give you an opportunity to try restaurants in nearby Buena Vista & Salida. You will be able to purchase lunches on the road most days, and "grab and go" food items can also be purchased at the resort convience store.

LOGISTICS: The Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort is located about 3 hours southwest of Denver International Airport, between the towns of Buena Vista and Salida in the Upper Arkansas River Valley. The easiest way to get there is to drive, or fly into Denver or Colorado Springs, and rent a car. There is a bus that goes from Denver to Buena Vista & Salida, but you would then need to take a 20 to 25 minute taxi ride to the resort.  Complimentary parking is available on site.

COST & ADMINISTRATION: In addition to the $50 non-refundable BAC fee, the estimated tour cost of the ride is $1200, based on double occupancy, and includes 5 nights lodging, 5 breakfasts, and 3 dinners. Also included are cue sheets, route maps, gps tracks, and  BAC happy hours with drinks and appetizers each evening.  It is assumed that the individual participants have operational knowledge of their respective GPS units.  The mininimum number of riders is 22 and the maximum is 30. A deposit of $600 will be due when you sign up, and the remaining $600 will be due on March 25, 2019. Solo supplements will be available for $600.

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 March 25, 2019 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 $600 solo supplement and stay on the ride.  If a single pays the 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.  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 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 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 POLICY:  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 $600 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.