Ride Coordinator Comments

Ride Description

Overview

Come join us as we discover the rich cultural heritage and dramatic landscapes of Czech Republick, Austria , Hungary and Slovakia . These central European countries abound with ancient chateaus, historical sites, and the opportunity to cycle through the countryside, the wine regions, and along the myriad of lakes and rivers that decorate these beautiful areas. You will be physically challenged as well as culturally enriched. Be sure to read the detailed itinerary below!

This new ride will begin in Prague, Czech Republick (Czechia) and ends in Budapest Hungary.

Sitnica commercial tour owner (Alen Augustin) has been leading cycling tours in Europe for over 10 years and is excellent, as are his routes for keeping us on quiet scenic roads as much as possible. He and his assistant both speak English. One of them will ride with us each day to guide us and to provide the history of the area.  A detailed tour itinerary may be found at the end of the tour description, which will tell you more about scenic things we will see and experience!

RIDE RATING - This ride is a 3B!  One day exceeds the ride rating with elevation gains of 3,708’.’  Three days exceed 50 miles though just by 8 miles or less.  There are 37 miles of unpaved trails.

WEATHER - Riders should plan on cool (58º F) mornings and temperatures turning warm (76º -78º F) mid-day along with the probability of precipitation, which averages ~50% of the days in Czechia.  The rain is light, and averages less than 4/100”.  Early September temperatures in Budapest range from (55º -73º). 

LODGING AND MEALS - Included in the price are 19 nights lodging, all breakfasts, no lunches, 19 Happy Hours and 7 dinners. 

LOGISTICS - The trip starts August,18th, 2024 in Prague, Czechia and ends September 6th, 2024 in Budapest, Hungary.  Prague’s airport code is (PRG).  Budapest's airport code is BUD like the beer! The hotel can help you arrange transport to the airport.  First meeting time which is on day 2 of the tour will be communicated when starting  and ending hotel has been secured.

LUGGAGE - Two pieces no larger than what you'd be able to carry on a plane, and not over 25 lbs each. Attaching a back pack to your luggage isn't acceptable.

VAN SUPPORT - There is no sag support. However, if a health issue arises, space can be made available for one rider in the van. 

BICYCLES You may bring your own bicycle or rent one for €300 hybrid or for €735 an E-bike from Sitnica) with payment in Euros directly to Sitnica upon arrival. Those who wish to make other bike rental arrangements you need to be aware of the logistics involved with returning the bike back to Prague.  Bring lower gears and wider tires (28mm) minimum.  There are 37 miles of un-paved roads according to RideWithGPS.  For those bringing their own bikes, your bike boxes will be transported from Prague to the final hotel in Budapest and tandems are welcome.

COST & ADMINISTRATION The cost for the 20-day tour is $ 4,200 based on an exchange rate of $1.20 to the Euro.

1st Payment $2,000 + $100 registration fee due when moved to Pending List.  This payment is due within 7 days of being placed on the pending list. 

2nd Payment $1,800 due February 1, 2024

3rd payment $400 due May 1, 2024

Included in the price are 19 nights lodging, all breakfasts, no lunches, 19 Happy Hour drinks and 7 dinners. Also included are RideWithGPS and GPX files route files for downloading to your smartphone and /or GPS devices. .

Please make sure you read and understand the BAC Cancellation Policy below

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.

SINGLES POLICY – It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. The ride leader will help by posting information on the ride and in the BAC monthly letter.  An accepted single (accepted by the ride leader) has a choice (1) to be on the waitlist and look for a single to join them, or (2) ask to be placed on the pending list.  If the single rider wants to be on the pending list, they will then be required to pay the BAC fee of $100, the first deposit of $2,000 (both online), and pay the solo supplement of $1,440, which would require the single to send a check to the BAC office for the $1,440 on the day the participant is moved to the pending list.  However, if a roommate is found the $1,440 would be returned.  

SOLO POLICY.  An accepted Solo rider (accepted by the ride leader), who wishes to have their own room, will be moved to pending list, and be required to pay the BAC fee of $100, the first deposit of $2,000 (both online), and the solo supplement of $1,440, which would require sending a check to the BAC Office on the day the participant is moved to the pending list.

Solo riders and single riders may be credited back a percentage of the shared ride leader costs based on the overall number of participants on the tour.

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.

ETIAS Pre Screening

Effective May 2023 travelers to Europe must complete the new mandatory pre-screening security questionnaire ETIAS. Without ETIAS approval, travelers from the US, Canada, and many other countries will not be able to book travel into Europe. The program will have a 180-day introductory grace period but will be mandatory by 2024. Approvals can be issued quickly and once issued are valid for 3 years. ETIAS applications can be completed online here:  https://etias.com/etias-application

Health & Safety

Vaccinations for Covid are recommended, but not required.  However, it is the rider’s responsibility to ensure they meet the EU’s Covid entrance requirements.

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.

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY Please remember that BAC Ride Coordinators 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 Coordinator. While on the ride, support your Ride Coordinator 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 Coordinator informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Coordinator’s decisions. 

INSURANCE. 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. 

None of the policies maintained by BAC will cover costs associated with self-quarantines that may be government mandated. Members should also ensure that vaccinations are up to date (e.g., annual influenza, tetanus, etc.). When travelling outside your home country you may wish to consult with a travel physician or nurse to ensure that the appropriate vaccinations are up to date.

SIGN-UP Register by clicking on the ‘Sign Up’ link above the Ride Description.  After the Ride Coordinator has accepted your application, you will be moved from the Wait List 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 $100 BAC ride registration fee and the initial tour deposit of $2000 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 Coordinator, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description.

DETAILED ITINERARY:

Arrival Day (-1): Sunday August 18, 2024 - Non-Commercial Tour day – arrive in Prague, City of a 100 Spires, a UNESCO monument and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Get to know it in person! DAY (-1) and DAY (1) of the CAT tour are at the same hotel.  This hotel and the last night's hotel are not confirmed yet.  Once they are, they will be posted to the ride, there is no meeting on Day (-1).

Day 1 of CAT Tour: Monday August 19, 2024 - First official day of the commercial Tour.  Briefing, sorting out the bikes + WELCOME DINNER - traditional Czech food. First meeting time will be communicated when known.

Day 2: Tuesday August 20, 2024. Prague – Benesov (~44 miles and 2,494’ - 6% unpaved) Central Bohemia, a region where splendid castles and chateaux await you, the valleys of several rivers, mining museums, silver mines and enchanting countryside!  Benesov , the town known for Konopiste castle . DINNER INCLUDED.

Day 3: Wednesday August 21, 2024.  Benesov – Tabor, (~51 miles / 3,708’ - 2% unpaved) Experience Tábor – an ideal medieval city . A labyrinth of medieval streets, monumental city walls, and a fascinating history. You’ll find all this in the South Bohemian city of Tábor, founded in the 15th century as a model of the perfect city, where everyone is equal. DINNER NOT INCLUDED.

Day 4: Thursday, August 22, 2024. Tabor - Hluboka nad Vltavou (~36 miles / 2,165’ - 1% unpaved) South Bohemia is a dream paradise.  The countryside offers endless natural beauty and historical monuments.  DINNER NOT INCLUDED.

Day 5: Friday, August 23, 2024. Hluboka - Cesky Krumlov (~39 miles / 2,559’ - 0% unpaved) The Czech Renaissance gem is the medieval Ceský Krumlov, which is included on the UNESCO list. Get to know Krumlov and fall in love with it. DINNER INCLUDED

Day 6: Saturday, August 24, 2024. Free Day in Krumlov DINNER NOT INCLUDED.

Day 7: Sunday, August 25, 2024.  Cesky Krumlov – Jindrichuv Hradec (~50 miles / 2,395’ - 4% unpaved) The elegant Renaissance chateau mirrored in the Vajgar Pond has been the symbol of Jindřichův Hradec for hundreds of years. DINNER INCLUDED 

Day 8: Monday August 26, 2024. Jindrichuv Hradec – Telc (`28 miles / 2,083’ – 1% unpaved) Telc is not only a city of unique historical monuments, but it is like a fairy tale-like town.  It is also part of UNESCO World Heritage.  DINNER NOT INCLUDED, but an option for beer tasting.Day 

9 : Tuesday, August 27, 2024. Telc – Znojmo (~56 miles / 3,412 - 3% unpaved) The Znojmo wine region lies in the rain shadow and on the foothills of the Bohemia-Moravian Highland, whose stony soils are excellent for the cultivation of Riesling, Grüner Veltliner.   The historic town centre with its numerous churches, all surrounded by medieval city walls, has preserved its Renaissance look and is full of crooked lanes, romantic views and picturesque nooks and crannies. DINNER NOT INCLUDED.

Day 10: Wednesday,August 28, 2024. Znojmo – Mikulov (~45 miles / 1,132’ - 2% unpaved) Mikulov is a wine region near the Austrian border. The vineyards predominantly produce white wines with distinctive fruit driven aroma, minerality and refreshing acidity. DINNER NOT INCLUDED.

Day 11: Thursday, August 29, 2024.  Mikulov – Polysdorf, Austria (~27 miles / 1,739’ - 7% unpaved).  Poysdorf in Austria, our destination for tonight is the center of the Weinviertel triangle, and is not only a wine metropolis, but also a paradise for recreational athletes.  DINNER and WINE TASTING INCLUDED.

Day 12: Friday, Austus 30, 2024.  Polysdorf – Bratislava in Slovak Republic (~59 miles / 1,969’ - 21% unpaved) Today we travel to our third county.  Bratislava is the Capital of the Slovak Republic, and is referred to as the Beauty on the Danube.  It is a modern city on the Danube in which old history combines with an exciting present. DINNER NOT INCLUDED. 

Day 13: Saturday, August 31, 2024.  Free day in Bratislava. DINNER NOT INCLUDED.

Day 14: Sunday, September 1, 2024.  Bratislava – Gols (Austria) (~47 miles / 1,148’ - 7% unpaved) Back to Austria, and cycling along Neeusiedler Lake.  DINNER NOT INCLUDED.

Day 15: Monday, September 2, 2024.  Gols Austria – Gyor Hungary (~45 miles / 1,148’ - 0% unpaved) Today we ride to our fourth country - Hungary. The old town of  Győr and the the historical town centre is situated at the junction of the Danube and Rába rivers. The town centre has managed to protect its historical character. DINNER NOT INCLUDED.

Day 16: Tuesday September 3, 2024.  Gyor – Tata, Hungary (~44 miles / 919’ - 16% unpaved) In the city of Tata, there are two large lakes in the city.  Besides the large lakes, streams, channels and hot water springs color the city, and you can have a great walk among them, admiring the water-mills and dams built on the water. DINNER INCLUDED.

Day 17: Wednesday August 4, 2024. Tata – Visegrad (~46 miles / 1,604’ - 3% unpaved) Today we ride down river on the Danube Cycle Path.  This afternoon or night, we may have the opportunity to watch a knight tournament at the Renaissance palace of King Mattias. DINNER NOT INCLUDED.

Day 18: Thursday, September 5, 2024.  Visegrad – Budapest (~31 miles / 820’ - 6% unpaved) A short day into Budapest, which allows us the afternoon to visit Budapest in a stunning natural setting with a rich architectural and historical heritage, offering an unmatched combination of culture, fine cuisine and thermal baths. FAREWELL DINNER INCLUDED.

Day 19: Friday, September 6, 2024.  DEPARTURES