Ride Coordinator Comments

Ride Description

OVERVIEW. With its mild climate, 3000 hours of sunshine per year and 850 kms of splendid beaches bathed by the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal is a perfect year round destination. Enjoy later season cycling on quiet country roads bordered by cork, olive, lemon and orange groves in the sunniest part of Europe - the Algarve and neighboring Alentejo regions of southern Portugal.

Our tour starts in historic Evora east of Lisbon and the heart of the Alentejo region:  Portugal’s agricultural breadbasket . We spend 6 days exploring this sunny dry rolling tableland of olives, cork, and fields of sunflowers. We'll view hillside vineyards of Touriga and Aragones grapes grown for the production of red wines and the heat loving workhorse white wine grape Arinto .

We’ll then ride south and west to the towering cliffs and windswept beaches of the remote Alentejo coast then will follow the Atlantic coastline south for several days until we enter the Algarve.

With azure skies and surf pounded rugged Atlantic shores, the Algarve boasts more shades of blue than you can imagine. We'll pedal past ever-changing ocean views: tiny fishing villages, colorful harbors, towering sea cliffs, and golden sand dunes. Along the way, we'll take time to savor the Algarve's treasures, from seafood specialties to Moorish history - not to mention some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe!  At tour's end, we'll bask in Mediterranean ambiance in seaside Tavira, exploring its Moorish and medieval monuments, gardens and sidewalk bistros, and inviting ocean waters.

Sitnica commercial tour owner (Alen Augustin) has been leading cycling tours in Croatia and W. Europe for many years and is excellent, as are his routes for keeping us on quiet scenic roads.  He and his assistant both speak English and one of them will ride with us each day. Club members uniformly rave about the quality of Sitnica tours.

LODGING AND MEALS This  tour includes 16 nights lodging at 3- 4 star hotels, B&B's or historical inns known as pousadas; 16 full breakfasts;  4 lunches,  8 dinners and 16 happy hours with a beverage and where possible a snack.   For lunches the van will be carrying water, fruit, snacks, and energy bars and will have planned van stops en route often adjacent to  grocery stores where riders will be able to purchase food. There will also be coffee shops along the way.

RIDE RATING.  There are 11 days of required point to point riding on this tour. While the average distance and elevation gain over 11 days is 68 km (42 miles) and 731 metres  (2,398' ) and so at the extreme high end of a 2 B ride, Days 3, 7,  and 8 are Level 3 climbing days and Day 12 is a  Level 4 climbing day at just under 1,100 meters (3,608')  of climbing. Our longest riding day is 97 km (60 miles)  Therefore this is more appropriately rated as a 3 B ride and at that level only Day 12 exceeds the ride rating. Riders who recently did this tour reported that Portuguese drivers are generally courteous  and friendly on the road .

Off days in Evora, Sagres and Tavira :  these 3 towns have lots to see and do and there are no scouted riding routes for the 3 rest days, however unscouted routes may be developed for these days prior to tour start.

BIKES:  E-bikes and tandems are welcome on this tour however please contact the ride coordinator if you are planning on bringing a tandem or if your e-bike will have a non-removeable battery.  For those bringing their own bikes, Sitnica will store and then transport bike boxes to Tavira at tours end.  There are many town centers on our route that are paved in cobblestones therefore 28 mm tires (or larger) are recommended for both improved ride comfort and road handling.

Rental bikes including e-bikes may be available through GALACIO BIKES of Evora.  All arrangements for bike rentals are between the participant and the bike shop :  galacio-bike@hotmail.com   (+351) 266 785 672 landline or  (+351) 967 335 734 cell.

VAN SUPPORT  Van support and rider pick-up is restricted to emergencies only.  Emergencies are defined as major mechanical breakdowns (not flat tires), medical problems, and weather deemed to be too dangerous for riding.  You must be able to carry supplies for and be able to fix a flat and you must be able to follow a cue sheet and map, or GPS track.

LUGGAGE  If you can, use a soft sided suitcase as it is easier to fit into the luggage van. Due to limited space and handling requirements everyone is limited  to one large bag measuring 18x26x10 or an equal linear dimension (54 inches total) and one small carry-on per person. The weight limit is 35 pounds for the large bag and 15 for the small.

RWGPS FILES:  The ride leader will send an email containing a link to the RWGPS Event file approximately 1 month prior to the start of the tour. Participants will need to have downloaded (at the minimum) the free Starter version of the RWGPS app to receive the voice turn by turn directions.   Participants wanting cue sheets will need to print their own from the file provided.  

WEATHER    You can expect very pleasant temperatures during the day in October. The average maximum daytime temperature in Evora is 72°F. The average minimum temperature goes down to around 56.°F at night. Tavira is slightly warmer with an average high of 76 °F. However rains are starting by October  typically with 10 - 12 days of rain  totalling around 3 inches for the month.  There could also be chilling winds on the windswept Atlantic coast.

COST AND ADMINISTRATION.  The estimated tour cost not including the $100 non refundable BAC ride fee  is $ 4,170 based on a currency exchange rate of €1 = $1.18 .  The price includes 16 nights of lodging (double occupancy) with full breakfast each day; 4 lunches, 8 group dinners , a BAC social hour with wine, beer, soft drinks and snacks when possible each evening; luggage transport & emergency sag support; bike box storage; maps, cue sheets and GPS files; a tip for the guide; ride coordinator's tour cost, and a contingency in the event of unanticipated expenses or emergencies. It does not include: lunches or meals other than as stated above, museum admissions, bike rental, airfare, or transport to the starting hotel or from the final hotel.

The initial deposit of $2,100 plus the $100 BAC Ride Fee is due within 7 days of being accepted onto the tour.  The final payment of $2,070 is due on May 1st,  2024.   Depending on future currency exchange rates, there may be an adjustment in the amount of the final payment (i.e. up or down). After the tour there will be a report of all expenses and any excess wil be refunded to participants.

LOGISTICS  The tour starts at a 5:30 pm orientation meeting / happy hour on Friday October 4th, 2024 at our as yet unnamed hotel in Evora, Alentejo region, Portugal. Most riders will likely be arriving via Lisbon (LIS) airport : Evora is a 1.5 hour train ride east of Lisbon.  Alternatively Faro (FAO) airport in the Algarve is another major aiport and a hub for budget airlines Ryanair and EasyJet, and there are frequent train connections between FAO and Lisbon Oriente train station (3-4 hrs).   S. Portugal Trains

From Lisbon Airport (LIS): Follow the signs in the airport for the Lisbon Metro. Once you have arrived at Aeroporto station on the airport grounds,take the Red Line (`Linha Vermelha`) to Oriente station, approximately ten minutes away. The fare costs less than €2. From Oriente station,  purchase a ticket to Evora train station on Comboios de Portugal`s `Intercidades` train. (there are 5 per day ) One-way tickets cost between €15 and €20 (an hour and 40 minutes). If purchased online and in advance, special Internet-only fares discount the ticket even more. For more information, visit venda.cp.pt (website in both Portuguese and English). There will be taxis queuing outside the Evora station waiting to take you to your hotel and taxi fare will cost you less than €10 from Evora station to nearly anywhere you want to go in the Evora city limits.                                 

Our tour will end after breakfast on Sunday October 20, 2024 in Tavira, Algarve, Portugal.

From Tavira to Lisbon Airport (LIS) and Faro Airport (FAO): The are 5 train departures a day from Tavira to Lisboa Oriente station. a trip of 4 - 5 hours. From Oriente station transfer to the Red Line (`Linha Vermelha`) to Lisbon airport, a 10 minute trip.  For departures from nearby from Faro (FAO)  airport, EVA Transportes (www.eva-bus.com) operates a daily bus which runs frequently to Faro Bus Station from Tavira a trip of approximately one hour. Then take the city bus 'Proximo' line 16 to FAO airport., a 20 minute trip  Trains leave Tavira to Faro apx. every 90 minutes and also connect with the Line 16 city bus to FAO.

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY   Singles should try to find their own roommate prior to signing up. . However we will assist you in  your search to find  a roommate.  After payment of the tour deposit, a single without a roommate will be drawn into the ride and given a limited timeframe to find a roommate.   If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a refund  of the tour deposit (minus the non refundable  $100 BAC ride fee and payment processing fee) or pay the $ 1,144 USD  Solo Supplement fee and stay on the ride as a solo.  If the single finds a roommate, the solo supplement will be returned. Solo supplement payments should be paid by check mailed to: Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 9219 with the tour name noted on the check, and should be paid by April 1, 2024                      

HEALTH & SAFETY. Participants should be vaccinated for Covid and be prepared to present their most recent vaccination / booster 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.

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 Coordinator. While on the ride, support your Ride Coordinator with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and cleanup. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour. Please keep the Coordinator informed of any special request you might have and respect their decisions.

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.

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.

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  $2100 Tour Deposit and $100  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 any questions may contact the Ride Director by clicking the name at the top of this Ride Description or by emailing Sue Bunten at sue@bunten.ca.