Unlock the Secrets of Sonoma County

† 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
Join us as we unveil all the secrets that make Sonoma County the best place to ride a bike. Spend 11 days/nights touring the beautiful hills, redwood forests, valleys, vineyards, and coastlines of Sonoma County, California. The ride includes multiple overnight stays in three locations: Santa Rosa, Windsor and Geyserville. The trip will kick off with 5 nights in Santa Rosa at the Courtyard Marriott hotel located in historic “Railroad Square.” The hotel is within walking distance to numerous restaurants and shops and just a short walk to the “newer” portion of downtown Santa Rosa. Ride options include routes to the Sonoma Valley, the Russian River Valley and the Sonoma Coast. We will be close to the SMART train station, which is “bike friendly,” so you can hop on the train and head to Petaluma or Marin County for a ride to the coast, redwood forests, and even over the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. After that, we head to Windsor for 3 nights, where additional routes in the Russian river valley and Santa Rosa plains are available. After that, we head further north to Geyserville for our last 3 nights where you can explore rides in the Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys or go through Knights Valley into Napa County and Calistoga. At each location, there are flat and rolling terrain options as well as options to take on some of the biggest climbs in California, like the deceptively named “Pine Flat.” In each location, participants will have opportunities to taste fine wine, local cheeses and other delicacies, and experience the County’s renowned micro-breweries, including Russian River Brewing, home of the infamous “Pliny the Elder.”

RIDE RATING
This ride is listed as 2B, but ride options will be offered ranging from 1A to 4D or more. The route options on the mandatory riding days (when we move locations) can be as little as 20 miles and generally flat or rolling. On average, rides will be 25 to 45 miles with 1,000 to 2,500 ft of elevation. For most rides, the maximum grade is 10% or less, but if you want a challenge, you can tackle routes with short sections of 22% grade. As we will have multiple fixed locations, riders not only have the option of a variety of rides, but can opt to take a day off the bike and plan another activity like a hike, visit local museums/attractions, taste wine or beer, kayak, or zip-line.

PRELIMINARY ITINERARY

• Day 1, Sat. 6/19: all arrive in Santa Rosa
• Days 2-5, 6/20-23: rides to the coast, Sonoma Valley and more – you choose, flat and rolling or hilly
• Day 6, Thursday 6/24: ride to Windsor
• Days 7-8, 6/25-26: rides from Windsor (mainly valleys, rolling hills)
• Day 9, Sun 6/27: ride to Geyserville
• Day 10-11, 6/28-29: rides from Geyserville (more valleys & rolling hills or spectacular climbs)
• Day 12, Wed 5/30: all depart

WEATHER
June is one of the best months to visit Sonoma County. Weather is typically quite pleasant with temperatures ranging from 77°F to 83°F, rarely falling below 68°F or exceeding 94°F with the low rarely dropping below 45 degrees at night. Rainfall is rare in late June (about a 1% chance!).

LODGING & MEALS

The Courtyard Marriott in Santa Rosa is our first location; the other hotels include the Holiday Express in Windsor and the Geyserville Inn. Breakfast will either be provided by the hotel, or we will bring in fresh local pastries, fruit and other treats each day. There will be two group dinners and one group lunch. Happy hours will be provided most evenings (at least 9). There will be no shortage of local gastronomic delights to explore and tastings of local cheese, wine, and/or beer will be provided. Restaurants are available walking distance from each hotel and coffee and lunch stops are available along the routes. All hotels have swimming pools.  Note that one of the hotels (Geyserville Inn) has a limited number of rooms with two beds – these will be first come first serve at ride registration. 

• Courtyard Marriott (3 star): https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/stscy-courtyard-santa-rosa
• Holiday Inn Express Windsor Sonoma Wine Country(2.5 star): https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/windsor/winca/hoteldetail
• Geyserville Inn (3.5 star): geyservilleinn.com

LOGISTICS

Santa Rosa has an airport serviced by several of the major airlines, but flights in and out are limited. You can also fly to San Francisco or Oakland and take the airport shuttle to Santa Rosa (note, not currently operating but hopefully will reopen by June). At the end of the ride, we will facilitate transportation to Santa Rosa airport where you can fly out, take a shuttle or rent a car. For those that drive to the start, we will provide a safe location for vehicle parking and get you back to that location after the tour. We will have a van driver whose primary role will be to transport luggage and supplies. While it will be available to assist with any emergencies, it will not serve as a SAG vehicle and participants are expected to complete all mandatory rides. BAC rides are designed for serious cyclists who are able to ride independently.

Bike boxes will be stored at no additional fee for those who plan to bring their own bike. Information on bike rentals will be made available to those interested in renting; there are several options in the area. All participants renting bike will need to arrange and pay for their own bike rentals. High quality road bikes are available for rent, although ebikes and hybrids are available and will be allowed on this ride. Hybrid bikes are not suitable for the more challenging route options. There is no limit on tandems but if you plan to bring a tandem, please notify the ride leader via email when you apply for the ride. If you need to chip your bike, we will provide a shipping address.

COST & ADMINISTRATION
Cost estimate is $2,100 per person (in addition to the non-refundable $50 BAC ride registration fee). Cost includes double occupancy lodging for 12 nights; 11 breakfasts; 2 group dinners; 1 group lunch; 2 special events; happy hour drinks and snacks most afternoons (at least 9); daily route review, maps, route sheets and sightseeing information; and luggage transfer on 2 days. We will also provide some snacks for people to take on the road each day. GPS tracks will be provided for those who want them, but it is up to the rider to know how to use his or her GPS before the trip begins. The initial deposit is $1,100 with the final payment of $1,000 due January 4, 2021.

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 (October 1, 2020) 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 $1,300 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 by October 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 is not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled due to participation below stated minimum requirements.  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 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 ($1,100) 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.