Cancelled - From Basel to Amsterdam: The Rhine

This Ride has been Cancelled

This ride is a fixed-base or semi-fixed-base ride, please read the ride description for more details.

† 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 tour captures all the beauty and treasures of the Rhine River. Touching Switzerland, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, it allows for you to experience the best the Rhine has to offer, from the contemporary art mecca of Basel to the leafy canals of Amsterdam.  We will be cycling along some of the Rhine's most popular cycle paths, enjoying the history and beauty of the historic cities, towns and countryside, all linked by the Rhine. This tour utilizes the CrosiEurope river cruise ship “Douce-France” as our traveling hotel while we explore the delights of traveling a long cross-section of Europe.

From Basel to Amsterdam, we sail the Rhine river while riding our bikes through charming cities and towns. Discover Colmar and its surrounding area, revealing a diversity of landscapes from plains to mountains and vineyards.  Enjoy villages like Eguisheim and Riquewihr, known as some of the most beautiful in France.  Explore Cologne and it's majestic cathedral.

Between Rüdesheim and Koblenz, the Rhine cuts deeply through the Rhenish slate mountains, meandering between hillside castles and steep fields of wine-producing grapes. This is Germany’s landscape at its most dramatic.  Forested hillsides alternate with craggy cliffs and near-vertical terraced vineyards. Idyllic villages appear around each bend, their half-timbered houses and Gothic church steeples seemingly plucked from the world of fairy tales.

Medieval castles perch high above the river. Most were built by local robber barons, knights, princes and bishops, who extorted tolls from merchant ships by blocking their passage with iron chains.  French troops under Louis XIV laid waste to many of the castles, but several were restored in the 19th century, when Prussian kings, German poets and British painters discovered the area’s beauty.   In 2002, UNESCO designated this stretch of river, known as the Oberes Mittelrheintal, as a World Heritage Site.

RIDE RATING: The trip is rated a 1B with an average of 36 miles/day and 1,060 feet of climbing. No riding days are mandatory.   Riders may stay aboard the ship anytime they prefer, and most riding days offer several distance options.

WEATHER: Weather is usually cooler in the mornings, turning warmer toward the middle of the day.  In late May and early June, expect an average high temperature of 67 F, and an average low of 47 F. Also in late May, you can expect rain on ten or so days.  When it does rain, it can feel cold, so plan on bringing good quality rain gear. Since the cruise will take us through a long stretch of Europe, weather can vary, so dress accordingly.

LODGING & MEALS: Lodging will be aboard the CrosiEurope river boat “Douce-France”, with private cabins, dining room, separate bar/lounge area, and sun deck. The trip includes all meals including lunches while off the ship, and standard wine or beer with meals and at the bar. Premium wines and drinks aboard ship cost extra.  

LOGISTICS:  The vessel is sized for 106 passengers, 24 crew, and we will be the only cyclists on board alongside other passengers aboard. The trip begins in Basel Switzerland on May 27, 2020 embarking at 6 pm. Basel is served by EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg (BSL). Basel can also be reached by train or car from Zurich. The trip ends in Amsterdam on June 4 at 9 am. We disembark after breakfast.  Amsterdam Schipol (AMS) is easily reached by taxi or shuttle from the ship.

Bikes must be rented directly from CrosiEurope for the trip.  Bike rental fee is $200 payable to the vendor in additon to the trip cost described here. E-bikes are available at additional cost (inquire separately for pricing and quantity available).  Personal bikes are not allowed on this tour due to storage limitations on the vessel.  Bikes are Unisex hybrid bikes that can be used by both men and women (flat handlebars), similar or equivalent to the Alpenchallenge AC01 with Shimano 105 or Ultegra derailleurs and pouch for accessories.

Each bike is equipped with a GPS that is programmed with the day's itinerary so that everyone can bike at their own pace.  GPX files will be published prior to the tour so that participants wanting paper maps or cues may print them at home prior to departure. 

You can bring your own cycling shoes, but you must then also bring your own pedals.

We only bike on paved roads and bike paths, and will not bike on mountain bike routes.  Since we will be renting the bikes from CrosiEurope, a minivan with  mechanic will follow the group of cyclists.  In the case of a mechanical, the mechanic will either repair the bike or replace it.  Bikes will be stored in the minivan and picked up each day by passengers.

Details of the daily itinerary may be found at this URL:   https://www.croisieuroperivercruises.com/cruise/basel-amsterdam-treasures-celebrated-rhine-river-biking?edition=2020#cruise

COST & ADMINISTRATION: Included in the price are 8 nights lodging aboard the river vessel, all meals (BLD), happy hour refreshments, GPS, free Wi-Fi in lounge and bar, and tips for onboard staff and cycling support team. Not included are bicycle rental fees (see above), drinks from the premium lists, or drinks ordered during excursions or transfers - cancellation and baggage insurance - transfers/travel to and from departure/arrival points.

In addition to the $100 non-refundable BAC fee, the estimated cost is $3,200, for a total of $3,300. The payments are made on-line by credit card at the BAC website. The initial deposit of $1,000 plus BAC fee is due on being accepted onto this tour. The second payment of $1,000, is due October 1, 2019. The final payment of $1,200 is due on January 15, 2020. The Solo Supplement of $850 is also due on January 15, 2020, payable by check as noted under Solos below.

SINGLES: It is recommended that singles wanting to share a room try to find their own roommate. When a single rider applies for the ride, you will be placed on the waitlist and a room will be reserved for a limited time. Once a roommate is found, both riders are added to the tour. If a single rider cannot find a roommate, they may be added to the ride on a “space available” basis.

SOLOS: Space for solo rooms with a solo supplement of $850.  ON THIS CRUISE THERE ARE 3 SMALLER CABINS AVAILABLE FOR SOLOS, WITHOUT THE SOLO SUPPLEMENT CHARGE. These will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. Other solos will pay the supplement charge and be assigned a full sized double room. Solo supplement payments are made by check and sent to BAC. Checks should be made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check and mailed to:  Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.

CANCELLATION POLICY: The BAC ride registration fee and payment processing fee is 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.

In addition to the above possible penalties for cancellation if a replacement cannot be found, the CroisiEurope / Cruise Escapes cancellation policy will also apply. If no replacement participant is found the following penalties will apply:

From November 30, 2019 - January 28, 2020 – a $137.50 penalty

From January 29, 2020 - February 26, 2020 – a $412.50 penalty

From February 27, 2020 - April 6, 2020 – a $1,375 penalty

From April 7, 2020 - April 27, 2020 – a $1,650 penalty

From April 28, 2020 until sailing – a $2,750 penalty

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 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 $1000 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.