Ride Director Comments

This ride will be offered again in September 2025 as a connecting tour with 2025 Southern Portugal in October.

Ride Description

Overview

Come discover northern France with us: from the streets of Paris to the beaches of Normandy along the beautiful Seine à Vélo cycle route. We will experience the thrill of riding through central Paris and enjoy wooded pathways as we ride to Versailles and back through the surprising greenery of Paris and its parks. 

Our journey then truly begins as we follow the Seine River west out of Paris towards the beautiful fishing port of Honfleur, riding on the Seine à Vélo cycle route using a variety of paths and roads closely following the loops of the river. En route we will visit large cities like Rouen and smaller villages like Jumiėges, all with fascinating history and charm. From Honfleur we will venture inland to the lesser-known parts of Normandy, riding on narrow backroads and bike paths through forest and farmland. We visit some of the most beautiful villages of France on this section. This is a land of cider, cream, cheese, Calvados, butter, seafood and apples, and we will take the opportunity to partake in the culinary riches of the area. Our cycling concludes in Bayeux after a ride along the Normandy beaches to the D-Day landing sites. We will have plenty of time when we leave Bayeux to explore and enjoy central Paris en route back to our airport hotel.

This tour was carefully planned by ride leaders who are collaborating from opposite ends of the world: Graeme from Australia and Sue from Canada. That said, both are experienced leaders who will be hoping to show you best kind of fun and Adventure!

The tour starts Monday Sep. 16th and finishes Thursday Oct. 3rd, 2024. Arrival one day before tour start is recommended.

Ride Rating 

The tour is rated 2B with an average daily distance of 43 miles and average elevation gain of 1,633’ on required riding days. Two days exceed the 2B rating: the longest day is Day 6 with 61 miles and 2,057’ and Day 12 with 48 miles has 2,733‘ of climbing. On Day 14 the descent into Arromanches has grades as high as 20%.

Most of the riding will be on dedicated cycle paths or on minor agricultural roads. Some sections of the Seine à Vélo are unpaved hard packed dirt/gravel and some short sections require riding on main roads. Riders must be comfortable riding in traffic as we spend 3 days riding the streets of Paris where riding skills are essential.

The trip has not been physically scouted but has been ‘ridden’ in detail on Google Earth and detailed route notes and Streetview route images for each day’s ride will be provided (for a sample please contact the ride co-leader). 

Logistics

The ride starts on Monday Sep. 16th, 2024 at the Holiday Inn Paris–Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport hotel, 61 Rue Houdart, Roissy-en-France, located 3 miles from CDG Terminal 2 via a free shuttle. Other options to get to the hotel include Taxi from Terminal 2 ( €15) ) and local bus from Terminal 3 bus station “gare routiere” (€2). We will assemble our bikes upon arrival and meet for our first happy hour at 6 pm at the hotel bar. 

Riders arriving early or staying late will need to make their own reservations. Transportation into the city involves a hotel shuttle to Terminal 2 TGV Station then the RER B train (40 minutes).

On Day 16 in Bayeaux we will pack our bikes into our bike boxes and load them into the van. On Day 17 we will load luggage with the possibility that riders may need to carry a piece of luggage with them if the van is too full. We'll then take the train from Bayeux back to the Holiday Inn Paris–CDG Airport hotel with train changes at Caen, Paris St. Lazare and Gare du Nord. The trip to our airport hotel can be done in just over 3 hours so there will be ample time to explore Paris during the day before catching the RER B  to the hotel. Riders are on their own for dinner. Our tour ends after breakfast the next morning on Oct. 3rd, 2024. 

Riders with rental bikes are responsible for making their own return arrangements with their rental company. SCNF trains from Bayeux to Paris St. Lazare station do take bikes with advance reservations. However from Paris St. Lazare station bikes will have to be ridden 3- 4 km to the Gare du Nord station because bikes are not allowed on the Metro. From Gare du Nord station the RER B train to the airport does allow bikes outside of rush hour on designated cars.

Lodging & Meals

The tour cost includes 17 nights of lodging, 17 breakfasts, 6 group dinners, and 17 daily  happy hours with a glass of wine, beer, or a soft drink. You will be on your own for all lunches, and all dinners other than the group dinners. Our hotels will be a mix of chain hotels (Holiday Inn, Best Western, Radisson) and small family-owned inns.  We are in France and Normandy, in particular, so expect classic French meals featuring cream sauces, pork, veal and seafood!

Weather

Average temperatures are around 65°F/20°C high and 55°F/12°C low with rainfall expected about 8 days in the month. Riders should be prepared for all types of weather.

Van Support 

The luggage van will transport the luggage each move day. Each rider is expected to load and unload their own luggage each day and to help the driver whenever possible.

Participants are expected to cycle the entire route to Bayeux and will be transported only in the case of injury or illness. Participants should be able to handle their own bike repairs and at a minimum know how to change a tire. If you have a major equipment failure, we will assist in transporting you to the nearest town with a bike shop.

Luggage

Due to limited space and handling requirements, we limit everyone to two pieces of luggage. Each piece of luggage must not exceed 25 lbs. Two small duffel bags work well.

Bikes and Bike Rentals

Bikes: We recommend a minimum 28 mm tire size and portable fenders for the wet days. All bikes in France must have front and rear lights and a warning device (bell). All riders must bring a lock (if possible, a combination lock) for their bikes.

Tandems are welcome on this tour. If you are planning on renting an E-Bike please contact the ride leader.

Bike Boxes: We anticipate traveling with our bike boxes but if this is not possible, we will leave some bike boxes at our airport hotel and transfer them to Bayeux.

Bike Rentals are the responsibility of the participant. All rental contracts will be between the participant and the rental company. We know of only 1 rental company at this time with no information on their quality of bikes or service: Paris Bike Company: www.parisbikeco.com Email: parisbikeco@gmail.com. They are in located in Malakoff, a suburb just south of the Paris ring road and are owned by an American company.

Cue sheets, maps, GPS files

RWGPS routes will be provided approximately 1 month prior to the start of the tour. Participants will receive an email containing a link to the EVENT file. Participants will need to have downloaded (at the minimum) the free version of the RWGPS app to receive the voice turn-by-turn directions. RWGPS can be run on a Garmin device and/or smartphone. Participants wanting cue sheets will need to print their own from the file provided. 

Cost & Administration 

The tour cost is $3,150 which also includes van support. The ride cost does not include cost of transportation to and from any airports, the Bayeux – airport train fare, or any museum admissions or tour charges.

The cost is based on an exchange rate of €1 = $1.18 USD. The $1,800 deposit is due within 7 days of being accepted onto the ride. The second payment of $950 is due January 15th, 2024, and the third payment of $400 is due April 30th, 2024. The third payment may be adjusted depending upon the USD/Euro currency exchange rate. After being moved onto the tour Pending List, participants have 1 week to pay their deposit. If they have not paid their deposit within 1 week they will be removed from the Pending List and put back onto the Waitlist. 

COVID Requirements

Participants should be vaccinated for Covid and be prepared to present vaccination documentation for viewing by the Ride Leader, if requested.

Participants are expected to come to the tour in good health and ready to ride. Prior to the final payment for the tour, an infectious disease plan will be developed and communicated. The plan will identify possible actions for dealing with persons with an infectious disease on the tour that could affect their ability to ride or the health of others in the group. The plan will include items such as isolation protocols, testing, masking, distancing, and leaving the tour.      

Singles & Solos Policy

Due to limited hotel capacity, this tour is not able to accept solo riders.

Singles are a great addition to a ride, and they are most welcome to join. However, it is highly recommended that singles find their own roommate prior to signing up. The Ride Leader will assist in matching up singles who apply for the ride. 

If a single rider applies for the ride and there is space available and the rider is accepted by the Ride Leader, they will be moved from the Waitlist to the Pending list and instructed to disregard BAC’s automated payment requests. The Ride Leader will then reserve a spot for the single rider for 14 days. If a single roommate is not found in this time frame, the single rider will be moved from the Pending list back to the Waitlist.   

If a roommate is found, both single riders will then be put on the Pending list and their deposits and all other payments due will be required at that time.

Cancellation Policy

The BAC Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled because the number of participants registered is less than the minimum established for the tour. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs onto the tour and what costs 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 cannot 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 additional costs incurred by a single occupying a double room. 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 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. We ask all participants not to 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 might have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

Medical Coverage

Before participating in any BAC tour, you should assess whether your medical and travel insurance coverage is sufficient. BAC maintains insurance that covers expenses related to accidents, medical emergencies such as sudden and unexpected sickness, and repatriation. This coverage applies when touring outside the US and your home country, regardless of your nationality. It will cover you door-to-door for a maximum of 90 days but will expire if you make a side trip not related to the BAC tour for more than 7 days before or after. There is limited coverage for a family member to join a covered person in an emergency. The policy covers the cost of treatment for Covid and other unexpected illnesses, but not quarantine. You should ensure that your vaccinations are up to date. Coverage is subject to a $1000 deductible.

Sign-up To register for this ride, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally accept the terms of the Release of Liability (ROL) and pay the Tour Deposit and non-refundable BAC Ride Registration Fee by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description.