Ride Coordinator Comments

Ride Description

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 east of Lisbon in the UNESCO World Heritage City Evora with a welcome dinner based on Portuguese delicacies and time to explore the city’s Moorish streets and architectural treasures including the Roman temple of Diana, the Cathedral, and the Lóios Convent.

We’ll spend the first six days of our tour in Alentejo, the south-central region between Lisbon and Spain. The cork trade is king here, but the region also holds ancient megaliths, marble quarries, whitewashed villages, fields of sunflowers and olive groves. We'll ride past 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 headlands 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. We’ll turn slightly inland riding through orchards of carob, almond, and oranges. Then we’ll climb inland to the Algarve’s rooftop: the Serra da Monchique and cool forests of chestnut and pine to Mediterranean lowlands of oak, palmetto, and grasses. We’ll then descend to the coast at Fuzeta harbor, with its colorful fishing boats, nets, and octopus pots and follow the coastal Ecovia bike path through marshlands, salt pans, and nesting waterfowl. Our tour will end with a two-night stay in Tavira at in the the Pousada Convento da Graça, built from a former monastery. We’ll have time to wander the riverfront, enjoy inviting plazas and cycle a backcountry route to the Spanish border spinning past river gorges, and orchards, and returning along the Coastal Ecovia route before a final dinner together.

Sitnica Tourist Agency 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.

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 can be 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.

RIDE RATING.   There are 11 days of required riding , with a daily average of 68 km (42 miles) and 731 meters (2,398' ). However, days 3, 7, and 8 are Level  3 climbing days, and Day 12 is a Level 4 climbing day at just under 1,100 m (3,608'). Our longest distance occurs on Day 7 at 97 km (60 miles). Therefore, this is more appropriately rated as a 3B ride and at that level only Day 12 exceeds the ride rating.Total tour distances: 464 miles and 26,400’.  Riders who have done this tour report that Portuguese drivers are generally courteous and friendly.

BIKES:  E-bikes with removeable batteries and tandems are welcome on this tour, however please contact the ride coordinator if you are planning on bringing a tandem. E-bikes with non removable batteries are not acceptable. Bike boxes will be transported to Tavira at tour’s 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 and the ride coordinator does not get involved with bike rentals. Contact Galicio at : galacio-bike@hotmail.com   (+351) 266 785 672 landline or  (+351) 967 335 734 cell.  

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 quaint coffee shops/bars scattered all along the way with true local Portuguese snacks and meals.

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 with a maximum weight of 35 lbs. and one small backpack style or sided piece with a maximum weight of 15 lbs. Luggage weights will be checked.

VAN SUPPORT  Van support is not SAG 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 GPS track or map and cue sheets  (cue sheet files will be provided but not printed cue sheets) . The van will stay generally with the group and stop at various points along the way each day.

COST AND ADMINISTRATION.  The estimated tour cost not including the $100 non refundable BAC ride fee is  $4,270  based on a currency exchange rate of €1 = $1.20. The price includes 16 nights of lodging (double occupancy) with full breakfast each day; 4 lunches, 8 group dinners and a BAC social hour with wine, beer, soft drinks and snacks each evening; a 95 - 100 Euro tip per tour participant to our guides;  luggage transport & emergency sag support; bike box storage; maps, cue sheets and GPS files; 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 $ 1200  plus the $100 BAC Ride Fee is due within 7 days of being accepted onto the tour.  The next payment of $2600 is due on August 1, 2025.  The final payment of $470 is due October 1, 2025. 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 all unused funds will be refunded to participants.

If a paritipant cancels and a replacement cannot be found. per the contract BAC has with Sitnica, the following policy applies:

If cancelled 60-45 days before the tour starts- (8/5/2025 - 8/19/2025)  10% of the tour cost

If cancelled 45-29 days before the tour starts- ( 8/20/2025- 9/5/2025)   30% of the tour cost

If cancelled 28-25 days before the tour starts- ( 9/6/2025- 9/19/2025)   40% of the tour cost

If cancelled 15 days before the tour starts- ( 9/20/2025- arrival)            100% of the tour cost

LOGISTICS  The tour starts at a 5:30 pm with an orientation meeting / happy hour on Sat. October 4, 2025 at Hotel Albergaria do Calvario 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 leaving from Lisbon Oriente train station near Lisbon airport.  Alternatively Faro (FAO) airport in the Algarve is another major airport 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. Train tickets can be purchased 2 months prior to travel.The tour will end after breakfast on Mon. October 20, 2025 in Tavira, Algarve, Portugal.

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  $1150 USD Solo Supplement fee and stay on the ride as a Solo.  If the single finds a roommate, the solo supplement will be returned. The $ 1150 solo supplement payment  is due July 1, 2025 and can be paid by check or Zelle.

To Pay by Check : 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 by no later than July 1st, 2025.

To pay using Zelle: In your bank's website, add Bicycle Adventure Club as a new recipient, with email address treasurer@bicycleadventureclub.org. Initiate a payment. In the Message block, enter the name of your ride. In your bank's website, add Bicycle Adventure Club as a new recipient, with email address treasurer@bicycleadventureclub.org. If you have questions, contact Nancy Bohnett nbohnett@bicycleadventureclub.org

HEALTH & SAFETY.  Vaccinations for Covid are recommended but not required.Participants are expected to come to the tour in good health and ready to ride. Should someone's health become compromised and the group’s health and safety placed in jeopardy, a plan will be developed by the ride coordinator and communicated to all individuals. The expectation is for the group to work together to mitigate any spread of infection or illness as a means to ensure the tour can continue as planned. 

Mitigation measures to deal with the risk of infection on tour could include sharing information on the most recent covid booster shots, testing, isolation protocols,  masking, distancing, and leaving the tour.  As a general guideline, we would anticipate the following to keep the group safe:     

-  Participants could be requested to bring with them on tour antigen tests and N95 or KN95 masks.

-  Participants could  be required to report symptoms or if feeling unwell to the ride leader and if requested could be expected to mask  and could be asked to take one or more covid antigen tests; and

- Participants with a suspected infectious disease or testing positive for Covid could be allowed to stay on tour, but would have to mask at all times when outside their room and isolate from the group and not attend meals or social hours while the group is at same. They could not be allowed in the group tour van and could have to arrange their own transport if unable to ride . An infectious single rider with a roommate must be prepared to take a separate room if requested by their roommate. CDC protocols would  determine when they could rejoin the group and in what manner.

ETIAS TRAVEL AUTHORISATION. ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It is a visa waiver for short-term stays in Europe and has been in the works for almost a decade. ETIAS is not a visa but it will be required for some travelers to the EU, including Americans and Canadians. The roll-out date has again been delayed and MAY begin in mid-2025.  More information can be found here:  https://etias.com.

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 Ride Coordinator informed of any special request you might have and respect their 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.

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  $1200 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 Coordinator by clicking the name at the top of this Ride Description or by emailing Sue Bunten at sue@bunten.ca.