† 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.
NOT JUST A FLAT NETHERLANDS - 3 COUNTRY TOUR
Whoever thinks that the Netherlands only has flat landscapes to explore, should join our 12 day 3 country partial fixed base tour to experience the sloping hills of Limburg, Belgium and Germany, picturesque villages, green nature reserves, castles, monasteries, breweries, archeological sites, national parks, Roman history, WWll history and more. We have kept distances as low as possible to maximize personal exploration time.
Experience a circular bike tour starting and ending in Maastricht in the southern area of the Netherlands. We will ride on a section of the little-known Vennbahn rail trail, through a landscape dotted with ancient abbeys and quaint old world villages of whitewashed brick and half-timbered homes. The region has been a key player during Roman times, the Carolingian Dynasty, the Industrial revolution, and WWll up to the present. Most routes are on sections of an extensive numbered bike route system well marked with signs, for easy route finding. We'll follow sections of Eurovelo routes, Meuse (Maas) cycle route, Archeo-route Limburg, German Rur Radweg and others.
As of the posting date of this tour, no physical scouting has been done. The ride leader will be visiting the area for 10 days in August 2023 to review the routes between cities, and to confirm various other details.
ITINERARY
Day 1
We will meet for a 'get to know you' social hour at 6 pm at the NH Maastricht hotel in Maastricht. Maastricht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, settled by Romans at the beginning of the first century.
Day 2 66 km(41 mi) /330 m from hotel in Maastricht
Today will be an educational, scenic and varied ride following sections of the LF Maasroute (https://www.lfmaasroute.nl/en) , Eurovelo 19 (Meuse Cycle Route https://en.eurovelo.com/ev19) and the Archeo-Route Limburg (https://archeoroutelimburg.nl/en)
The landscape along the Maas river bears many traces of the battle between man and water.
Day 3 27 km(17 mi)/565 m from hotel in Maastricht
A shorter distance today, but with some hills cycling through the countryside between the bustling city of Maastricht to the popular community of Valkenburg.
You will have time to climb to the Castle Ruins, the only castle built on a hill in the Netherlands and to view the Velvet Caves, a maze of 12th century passageways beneath the Castle Ruins and wander through the Old Town where you'll find many restaurants and cafes to enjoy.
Day 4 53 km(33 mi)/565 m Maastricht to Eupen, Belgium
As you leave Maastricht follow the Maas River once again. You will pass through the picturesque town of Eijsden, before heading away from the river.
After 28 km you will come to the Abbey of Val Dieu, near Aubel , which was founded in 1216 by Cistercian monks. This abbey is a haven of peace in the heart of the land of Herve. You have time to visit the abbey before cycling on to today's destination: Eupen in Belgium.
Day 5 85 km (53 m) / 662 m Eupen to Duren, Germany
A steady climb out of Eupen and then downhill most of the way. Much of today's ride is right on the border between Germany and Belgium, following a section of the little known rail trail the Venn Bahn.
Day 6 48 km (29 mi) /687 m Duren to Vaals, Netherlands. Your destination is Vaals, a small city straddling both Belgian and German borders.
Day 7 Rest day in Vaals
Your destination today is Vaals, a small city straddling both Belgian and German borders. Vaals is known for the nearby Drielandenpunt , the tripoint on the Dutch, German and Belgian borders, the only place in the Netherlands, where the 3 points touch and it's only a few minutes from the town center.
Day 8 64 km (40 mi) /676 m Vaals to Monschau
If you didn't have time to cycle to the Drielandenpunt (Tripoint) yesterday, you will be cycling through it again today when we leave Vaals. Some gradual climbing today, while following sections of Eurovelo 3 route and the Venn Bahn rail trail through varied landscapes to Monschau.
Day 9
Rest day in the charming resort town of Monschau, known for it's medieval center, with half timbered houses and narrow cobblestone streets and the river Rur running through it. Moschau is also a historical center for wool production, cloth and trade. An optional ride will be provided.
Day 10 Monschau to Maastricht options
Day 11 A day in Maastricht where you will learn about the significance of the underground tunnels during WWll.
Day 12 51 km (30 mi)/335 m Maastricht to Tongeren, Belgium. An optional ride today.
Day 13 Departure Day
Return of rental bikes today.
RIDE RATING
The ride rating of this tour is 2A, with 9 ride days ( 7 mandatory) with an average distance of 56 km (35 mi). and 1500 ft (457m) elevation. The longest distance is on mandatory day 8, at 64 km (40 mi) and 676 m elevation (2217 ft). Some routes have short, steep grades.
Most of the riding will be on dedicated cycle paths or on quiet farm roads. Some sections are unpaved on hard packed gravel or dirt, some sections are on main roads with a bicycle lane.
All routes have been planned with RideWithGPS, following designated international routes and regional and local routes.
LOGISTICS
The tour starts and ends in Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands. We will arrange for storage of your bike box at the hotel if that is applicable, please confirm with the ride leader if you need storage .
To get to the centrally located NH Maastricht hotel from Schiphol Amsterdam airport , there are direct trains to Maastricht Central station which leave regularly; then there is another short train ride or taxi to the hotel.
Arrival one night before the start date is recommended for those who have rented a bicycle. It is the participant's responsibility to book the extra night. The ride leader will arrange for a 12 pm delivery of the bicycles to the hotel.
On day 10 (Sept 13,2024) the itinerary includes a 26 km cycle from Monschau to Eupen to catch a 2 hr train ride to the next destination, Tongeren in Belgium. Trains leave regularly and you can check here https://bikeontrain.belgiantrain.be/ to see which train is most suitable for bikes. At time of writing this, the website is being tested.
Participants will purchase their own tickets (approx. $20)
LODGING AND MEALS
The tour cost includes 12 nights accommodation in 3-4 star hotels, including breakfast, 12 happy hours with a glass of wine/beer or soft drink and 8 group dinners where participants will be responsible for their own drinks. Lunches and daytime snacks will be on your own with many options to choose from along the routes.
WEATHER
September average high temperatures are shown to be approximately 65 F (18 C) and lows of 49F (9C) and being in the mountains there is likely to be some rain. Riders should be prepared for all types of weather.
LUGGAGE
The luggage van will transport the luggage each move day. Each rider is expected to drop off their luggage at the posted time.
Participants are expected to handle their own luggage and to help with loading and unloading the van. 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 tend to work well.
BIKES AND BIKE RENTALS
Rental bikes will be available through COURTENS BIKE SPORTS in Maastricht. Participants are responsible for and must pay separately for their bike rentals and pick up the rented bikes at the bike shop which is a 3 km walk from the hotel.
If you choose to bring your own bike, it should have at least 32 mm tires. Although we will be riding mostly on paved trails, we may also be riding for short periods of time on dirt or crushed rock packed paths, roads, and cobblestones. If you are renting a bike, it should also have at least 32 mm tires.
Please advise the ride leader if you have a bike box to store at the hotel in Maastricht.
Road bikes really are not suitable for this tour. E-bikes are acceptable. Tandems are not recommended due to limited space on the required train ride.
CUE SHEETS, MAPS AND 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 AND ADMIN
The tour cost is USD $2700, which also includes luggage transfers on all mandatory ride days. The cost
is based on an exchange rate of 1 Euro = 1.19 USD.
A deposit of $1700 is due within 7 days of being accepted on the ride. The final payment of USD $1000 is due March 1, 2024. The final payment may be adjusted depending on the USD/Euro currency exchange rate.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
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 AND SOLO
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 canceled 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 canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the canceling 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 canceling 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.
Bicycle Adventure Club
PO BOX 23998 San Diego, CA 92193
Telephone (858) 715-9510 office@bicycleadventureclub.org