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 $50 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.
OVERVIEW: Join us in October, 2021 when the BAC returns to Cooperstown for the 5th time. We'll ride rural roads with little traffic and fall foliage should be at its peak. Cooperstown is famous on two counts; many of you will recognize it as the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame, but long before baseball became popular Cooperstown was home to James Fenimore Cooper, author of the Leatherstocking Tales (think Daniel Day Lewis in The Last of the Mohicans). Nothing has changed much – Cooperstown is often called America's Most Perfect Village. The Ride Director is a native of the area, and brings a unique perspective to the tour.
THE RIDES: Each participant will be given a book, written by a local cycling advocate, which contains over fifty rides. Most offer variations in both length and difficulty, plus suggestions on how to combine two (or three) rides to create your own adventure.
ATTRACTIONS: You will not be at a loss for things to do if it rains. Everyone wants to go to the Baseball Hall of Fame --that's a given. Less well known is that Cooperstown is home to several World Class museums – The Farmers Museum, Fenimore Art Museum, and Hyde Hall. Nearly everything is within walking distance. The area also boasts two breweries, a distillery, several vineyards, and the historic water-powered Fly Creek Cider Mill (just a few miles out of town). It's handy to have a car, but not necessary. We will be in town over the Columbus Day Weekend, and there are lots of special events going on.
RIDE RATING: While we list this ride as 2B, the truth is that it can be whatever you want. Each day we'll have a suggested ride that falls into the 2B range but, since this is a fixed base ride, people often decide to do their own thing. No rides are mandatory.
WEATHER: It is impossible to predict weather in upstate New York in the fall. On our four previous visits we've had mostly sunny weather with temperatures ranging from the high seventies to the mid-forties.
LODGING & MEALS: Our home for the week will be the luxurious and famous Otesaga Hotel, one of the Historic Hotels of America, and overlooking Otsego Lake. The Otesaga offers many amenities -- outdoor heated pool, tennis courts, golf course, spa and (a personal favorite) a grand porch for breakfast, afternoon tea or just relaxing in a rocker after your ride. Included in our room rate is a sumptuous, more than you can eat, full breakfast buffet. Our two (included) group dinners will also be held at the Otesaga, where the dining room is large enough to allow social distancing for thirty participants. Cooperstown is also home to many great restaurants. You won't go hungry on your nights off.
LOGISTICS: One of the reasons Cooperstown is so attractive is that it's hard to get to. The nearest airports are at Albany (70 Miles) and Syracuse (95 miles). There is also twice daily bus service (a three- hour trip) from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City. Most people fly into Albany and rent a car. There is free parking at the hotel for the week and there is a separate room on the ground floor at the hotel to store bike boxes. You can also store them in your car or in your room. The Ride Director will share participant’s arrival information so that people arriving at the same time can car-pool if they wish. Rental bikes are available from nearby Woodland Cycles, in Milford, New York. (www.woodlandcycles.com/rentals). Contact the shop for current prices. Arrangements must be made directly with Woodland Cycles. The tour officially begins with Happy Hour on Friday, October 8, 2021, and ends after breakfast on Friday, October 15, 2021.
COST & ADMINISTRATION: The estimated cost for this tour is $1250 and does not include the $50 non-refundable BAC registration fee. Included in the $1250 tour costs are 7 nights’ accommodation, all breakfasts, 2 group dinners, nightly happy hour, and a book of over 50 rides in the area. Lunches are on your own, and there is no shortage of good restaurants within walking distance. Final payment of $750 is due no later than April 1, 2021.
SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY: Singles are a great addition to a ride, and we welcome them. We do not discourage singles from registering. You will be added to the ride roster as soon as your deposit is processed. If you can't find your own roommate, we'll try to help you find one. If you are unable to find a roommate, you will be given the choice of withdrawing from the ride without penalty (other than the non-refundable $50 BAC registration and payment processing fees) or remaining on the ride and paying the $800 Solo supplement. Solo supplement payments are due with the final payment (by April 1,2021) and should be sent directly to the BAC office. 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 the stated minimum requirements. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider can be found, and on other costs that cannot 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 your cancellation. If the canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the canceling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense reports are completed. If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found for his or her roommate, the canceling roommate may also be liable for the single supplement fee of the remaining rider.
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 the 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 requests 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 log in 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 of $500 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.
Covid Considerations: This tour will only take place if it is safe to do so. If that is not the case, you will receive a full refund, minus the $50 BAC Registration and the credit card processing fees. The club will no longer return your registration fees, even if the entire tour is canceled. The ride director will be able to recoup all other expenses.
Bicycle Adventure Club
PO BOX 23998 San Diego, CA 92193
Telephone (858) 715-9510 office@bicycleadventureclub.org