Cancelled - Hamburg to Dresden-A Classic Tour Along

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

OVERVIEW: Come cycle a classic—Hamburg to Dresden along the Elbe River Cycle Path and visit historical communities of Germany, many dating to the 1st millennium. Hamburg, the second largest city in Germany, with its port is known as the “Gateway to Europe.”  Largely destroyed by firebombs during World War II, it has rebuilt to a splendorous metropolis.   Our last city, Dresden, located in the Free State of Saxony, is known for having the best museums in Germany.

We cycle through dreamy villages and broad floodplains.  Along the way, we will see Lauenburg, founded in 1182, with a number of historic buildings, and further the UNESCO biosphere “Flusslandschaft Elbe.” In Hitzhacker, we stay in a four-star hotel, and we can see the historic timber-framed houses,   the 1589 Customs house and the city’s historic dome with built-in Gothic elements.  We spend two nights in  In Magdeburg, which was founded by Charlemagne in 805 A.D,  While there we can see a number of historic buildings such as the Lutheran Cathedral of Saints, the tallest church building of eastern Germany.  In Wittenberg, the birthplace of the Protestant Reformation by Martin Luther, we will visit the historic center, the site of a number of UNESCO World Heritage buildings. In Dessau, the birthplace of modernism architecture, we will see the Bauhaus Dessau Building, one of the buildings of a UNESCO World Heritage site, and many other buildings of modernistic design. 

The route is well-known and follows the Elbe River Cycle Path. 

Consult with your favorite guidebook about arriving early in Hamburg to tour the city before the tour or staying in Dresden after the tour.  Both cities are well-worth a longer visit then outlined in this tour. 

A day-by-day itinerary and a spreadsheet detailing the daily mileage and elevation is available by contacting the Ride Coordinator.

RIDE RATING:  The tour is rated a 1A with an average daily distance of 34 miles, and an average elevation gain of 786 feet.  The following dates exceed the distance rating for an "A": Day 2-42 miles; Day 4-48 miles; Day 7-42 miles;Day 9-40 miles and Day 11-37 miles. Routes are on paved roads in good condition and most have little traffic.  Most are on trails along the Elbe River Cycle Path.  At the start of the day, you have the freedom to leave at any time, since we do not ride as a “stay together group.”  

While Pedaltours will transfer luggage and be available for emergency support due to injury, illness or major mechanical problems, it is expected that riders will cycle the entire ride. BAC tours are designed for serious cyclists who are able to ride independently.

WEATHER:  In August, the average high temperature is 71 degrees F and the average low is 52 degrees F.  In August, an average of 2.75 inches of rain falls, spread over 11 days.  Be prepared for rain. 

LODGING & MEALS:  Hotels are 3- and 4-star level. Pedaltours will provide daily breakfasts and 12 group dinners. Vegetarian options are available at most dinners. 

LOGISTICS:   Tour starts in Hamburg  with an afternoon meeting on August 10, 2020. Tour ends after breakfast in Dresden on August 23.  The start tour city Hamburg has an international airport as well as the end tour city of Dresden. Pedaltours will make hotel and group dinner arrangements and will provide emergency sag service. The Bikeline Guide for this particular route  which is accurate and extremely detailed will be mailed shortly before the start of the tour.  The entire route is posted with signs  and practically all turns are signed.  Maps and cue sheets will also be provided at the initial meeting. GPS links will be available on ride leader docs to download to your device prior to the start of the trip.  

BIKES:  Pedaltours has  a limited number of Trek 7.5 hybrids and Trek 2.1 road touring bikes, in a range of sizes. Bikes are supplied with a trunk bag, water bottles, bike computer, helmet and SPD pedals if required. Hybrid bikes rent for 225 Euros while road bikes rent for 325 Euros.  Participants must arrange bike rentals directly with Pedaltours. See the Pedaltours website www.pedaltours.com for full specification. Reserve your bike early to ensure your rental. You may also bring your own bike.  Tandems will be allowed on this tour. For those who wish to rent an E-bike, please contact the Ride Coordinator.

BIKE BOXES: For those bringing their own bikes, your bike boxes will be transported from Hamburg  to Dresden. The cost of transporting the bike boxes to the last hotel will vary from between free and 50€ per box. The cost has yet to be determined and will depend on the number of bike boxes to be shipped. Participants who need their bike boxes transported are responsible for the charges which will be paid directly to Pedaltours.

COST & ADMINISTRATION: The tour’s estimated cost is $4100.00 and does not include the $100 BAC fee.  The cost is  based on an exchange rate of $1.25 per Euro. The final payment may need to be adjusted if the exchange rate is less or more favorable. As always, any funds not used will be refunded to participants.  The first payment  of $2050.00 plus the BAC fee of $100.00 is due when signing up for the tour. The second and final payment of $2050.00 is due on March 1, 2020. The  payments are made on-line by credit card at the BAC website.  The cost includes 13 nights of  accommodation with 13 breakfasts and 12 group dinners. It does not include lunch. Included in the overall costs are daily happy hours including alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, luggage transfer, and emergency sag service. The gratuity for the guide is also included. Transportation of bike boxes from Hamburg to Dresden is not covered by the tour costs.

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY:   This tour is able to accept solos.  We recommend that singles who would like a roommate should try to find their own. However, after the receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the tour and will be given until March 1, 2020 to find a roommate. If unable to find a roommate, the single will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC fee and payment processing fees) or pay the $775 solo supplement and stay on the tour.  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 Coordinator will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride. Solo supplement payments need to be sent to the BAC Office and are due by March 1, 2020. 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, minus BAC fee and payment processing fees.   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.  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 tour deposit, $2050, 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