Cancelled Pacific Coast, Redwoods and Silicon Valley

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

Redwood forest, Pacific Coast, Monterey, Carnel, 17-Mile Drive and Silicon Valley. Join us for this tour of  awe-inspiring Northern and Central California. 

We start in the charming and historic Silicon Valley town of Los Gatos situated at the foot of the Santa Cruz Mountains. On the first, and optional, day you can choose from a few local rides like climbing historic Mt Umunhum towering over Silicon Valley at 3,490 feet or other less challenging options that will be prepared. You can also catch a taxi or Uber to visit the famous HP or Intel museums.  We will then ride through the redwoods of the Santa Cruz mountains to the quintessential beach city of Santa Cruz for a one night stay. Next day, we will ride to enchanting Monterey, nestled against the stunning Pacific coast, where we will spend 4 nights and choose from multiple optional rides to the 17-Mile Drive surrounding world renowned Pebble Beach golf course, to Big Sur on the famous HWY1, and to lovely Carmel Valley. On our return, we stop one night in the fresh berry capital of Watsonville and finish with a scenic climb back to Los Gatos. 

RIDE RATING - 2B

All mandatory rides are 2B with an exception on the return day to Los Gatos where the climb is 2650 feet. The optional ride to Mt Umunhum is a bit over 4,000 feet. Since it is up and down you can always ride a partial climb and the view will still be great. The optional ride to Big Sur is 62 miles and 3700 feet. This one is also out and back and has wonderful views even if you choose a partial route.

Getting out and back into Los Gatos has about 1 mile of hard pack gravel road. It’s easy to ride on with an exception of a very short (30 yards) hill  that some people prefer to walk. 

Some of the routes have limited services, so extra water is highly recommended.

Weather

The average temps in October are a low of 50 at night and high of 75 in the day. An average of two days of rain. In October, it is possible to have heat waves which will be dry air and in the 90s. This would most likely affect us in Los Gatos. Once we go over to the coast side cooler temperatures are likely. It is more normal to have morning fog, usually in the shape of low clouds but not ground fog.

Lodging and Meals

In Los Gatos we will stay at the Toll House Hotel, a popular local establishment. In Santa Cruz we will spend one night at Hotel Chaminade, set in a beautiful natural setting. In Monterey we will stay at the Spindrift Inn next to the famous Monterey Aquarium. On the way back we will stay one night at a Holiday Inn Express finishing with the last night back at the Toll House in Los Gatos.

Six dinners will be included; on arrival day in Los Gatos, in Santa Cruz, two in Monterey, one in Watsonville and the last one back in Los Gatos. We will be on our own dining in Los Gatos on day two, Oct. 5th.  One option of many great choices in Los Gatos is Manresa, a 3-Star Michelin restaurant. We will NOT eat there as a group. If interested, make reservations as early as possible. Their website is https://www.manresarestaurant.com/

Logistics

The ride starts on Sunday October 4th in Los Gatos. The closest airport is San Jose (SJC). SFO and OAK are okay options but since there is no practical public transportation in the area, flying into SJC will be the least expensive Uber/Lyft/Taxi ride of about 15 miles. The tour will end after breakfast on Tuesday October 13th. Bike cases will stay at the hotel. Please pack light, no bags over 20lb. Tandems and electric bikes are welcome. Bike rentals are available at 2 nearby bike shops; Mike’s Bikes (408) 402-5550 and Summit Bicycles (408) 399-9142. 

Cost & Administration

Estimated cost per person is $2350, plus the non-refundable BAC registration fee of $50.  At the time of the initial deposit, the BAC ride registration fee is also due. The estimated cost includes nine nights lodging, six dinners, nine breakfasts, nine happy hours, luggage vehicle, and links to maps, route sheets and GPS routing sheets.  A deposit of $1200 is due at sign up and the remaining payment of $1150 is due March 1, 2020. The solo supplement is $1200.

Singles & Solo Policy

Singles who want a roommate should 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 1, 2020, to find a roommate.  If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a refund (minus the BAC fee and payment processing fee) or pay the $1200 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 this ride. Send solo supplement payments to the BAC office. Make out checks to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check. Mail the check to: Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92123.

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.

Ride Participant Responsibility

Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and 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 the Ride Leaders.  While on the ride, support your Ride Leaders 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 Leaders informed of any special requests 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 a release of liability from and pay the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee and the initial tour deposit of $1250 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 Leaders, “click” the name at the top of this Ride Description.