A Taste of France's Central Massif

† 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

We first offered this ride in 2017 to great reviews (click here for the Tripper report from the tour). Participants were thrilled to discover a different region of France with its small roads, story book houses and castles, and cattle, cheeses, and food specialties unique to the region.  We are pleased to offer this ride again and have made a few small changes to improve the previous itinerary. 

The ride starts and ends in Toulouse, beginning with a meeting and social hour at 6:30 pm on Thursday September 12, 2019 and ending with breakfast on Thursday, September 26, 2019.  We have created a loop which features beautiful & quiet roads lovely for cycling, amazing scenery and an introduction to a part of France which is rarely visited.  

RIDE RATING
The ride fits the 2B requirements and is a region of high plateaus and river gorges. Average daily distance and climbing is 60 km (37 miles) and 700 meters (2300 feet). Daily rides range from 40 to 80 kilometers (25 – 50 miles).  Every day includes climbs of 600 to 800 meters (2000' to 2600') at elevations of 500 to 1200 meters (1,600’ to 3,950’). The exceptions outside of the 2B rating are 3 days which exceed the elevation gain: from Saint Geniez d'Olt to Laguiole has a gain of 1200 meters (3,950'), from Cubières to the Gorges du Tarn has a gain of 1250 meters (4,100') and returning to Saint Geniez d'Olt there is a gain of 1200 meters (3,950').  We will be primarily on small country roads, but will occasionally have to link these roads with a few kilometers or so along a busier road.  Because this is a mountainous area, almost every day has a couple of short climbs (200-500 meters) of grades anywhere from 5%-12%.   

WEATHER
Temperatures should be in the 10-20 degree C (50 to 68 degree F) range.  Wind and rain are always possible and can be cold during the weather event. Like many places, a beautiful Indian summer occurs in this region and we’ve tried to hit the sweet spot in September weather-wise.

LODGING & MEALS
We will be staying in mostly 3 star hotels, with several 4 stars and one a 2 star.  We tried to select hotels with good restaurants and have allowed the chefs to propose menus featuring regional specialties and fresh seasonal dishes.  Because of this, vegetarians and people with food allergies are discouraged from participating.  

LOGISTICS
We've found a very nice chateau just outside Blagnac which is not far from the Toulouse airport that will provide for a great first and last stay and an opportunity for some riding for those arriving early.  Bikes are to be assembled prior to the opening meeting and dinner (bike boxes to be stored at the chateau for the duration). After breakfast the next day we will travel by luxury motor coach to Saint Geniez d’Olt, then explore a couple of Frances "most beautiful villages" for a shake down cruise on our bikes. 

Next day we ride to Laguiole, and the following day takes us into the mountains with a 2 night stay in Paiherols.  From here we ride to St. Flour on our way to Pont d'Alleryas featuring a 4 star hotel and Michelin star restaurant.

Next is Langogne for 2 nights to be able to explore the Cevennes region.  We will ride to Cubières, followed by 2 nights in the Gorges du Tarn before heading back to Saint Geniez d'Olt, and then the next day a bus ride back to our hotel outside Toulouse.

We will have a daily social hour with beverages before dinner to discuss the day, and the next day's route. Maps, cue sheets and GPX tracks will be provided.  Participants are encouraged to use smart phones or GPS units for easier navigation.  You will need to bring your own smart phone or GPS unit. Your smart phone or GPS should have general road maps of the area pre-loaded, and participants should know how to use their units before arrival.  On the lay over days there will be cue sheets and GPX tracks for optional rides.

Canoeing down the Gorge du Tarn is a wonderful side trip and will be an option for the layover day spent there (costs of canoeing not included in ride costs.)

Bike rentals on this tour present difficult logistics; participants are encouraged to bring their own bikes.

COST & ADMINISTRATION
The cost estimate for the ride is $3500.00 per person, plus the non-refundable $100 BAC ride fee, and includes 14 nights in hotels, 14 buffet breakfasts, 14 dinners, (including three Michelin star dinners), bus transfers, social hours with one drink at each, maps, cue sheets and GPX tracks, and storage of bike boxes. Beverages with dinner meals (wine, beer, soda, etc.) are not included in the cost. You will be on your own for lunch each day.  The cost of this tour is budgeted at 1 Euro = 1.20 dollar exchange rate. A deposit of $500 is required upon being accepted on the ride.  A second payment of $2,000 will be due March 1, 2019.  The final payment of $1000 is due on July 15, 2019.  The final payment may be adjusted based on currency fluctuations.

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY
Singles are welcome and encouraged to find compatible roommates. The Ride Directors will introduce and assist singles to find roommates, but singles must make their own rooming decision.  Those singles who wish to have a room to themselves (solo) will be asked to pay a solo supplement of $1,500 which will be due May 1, 2019. The solo supplement is payable directly to BAC by check with the ride name noted on the check. The BAC office address is: P.O. 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. We expect to fill the ride however we will make a final decision by March 1st if the ride does not fill to the minimum number of riders. Refunds of individual cancellations of ride 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, space is limited in the van for additional passengers and will be available to those who are sick or injured as a first priority. The van is intended to carry the baggage from hotel to hotel and the van driver will then be riding for the remainder of the day. 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. If you decide to deviate from the planned daily ride, please inform the Ride Leader and if for some reason you will be late coming in, a text or phone call to the Ride Leader is greatly appreciated.

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 tour deposit and non-refundable BAC ride registration fee online. 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.