Ride Director Comments

This tour has been designed to connect with the full/ waitlisted 2026 Alentejo, Atlantic and Algarve 3A's Portugal tour Sept.30-Oct, 16, 2026 therefore participants on the connecting Portugal 3 A's tour will have priority on this tour at sign-up

Ride Description

Tour Overview 

Last offered in 2013 when co-leader Graeme Thomson did the tour, this newly updated 18-night roaming tour offers an in-depth look at two of France’s most scenic and culturally rich regions: Alsace and Burgundy. Both are renowned for their exceptional foods and world-class wines, yet each has its own distinct character, traditions, and landscapes to discover.

We'll have 12 required ride days, with daily routes ranging from shorter 35-mile rides to more challenging days of 60 to 70 miles, and 5 rest days. On some rest days, optional rides will also be available for those who want to do more exploring by bike.  Along the way, there will be plenty of time to visit charming towns, sample regional wines and beers, and experience the local cuisine that makes each area unique. 

Our first two nights will be spent in Strasbourg: capital of the Alsace, one of France’s most underrated regions where French and German influences blend seamlessly. The unique Alsation tarte flambée & choucroute are  not to be missed. Strasbourg was the first city to have its entire city center to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has a network of canals and riverboats and 400 miles of bike paths. As a vital political center for the European Union, it also has excellent international airport and train connections.

After leaving Strasbourg, we'll enjoy two ride days and a rest day along the Route des Vins d’Alsace, a scenic wine road that winds through rolling hills and postcard-perfect villages. These colorful, half-timbered towns - distinctly German in appearance - are known for their flower-filled window boxes and countless degustation (tastings) signs inviting you to sample the many varieties of Alsatian wines.

Leaving the Alsace valley, we’ll follow a peaceful canal path through a series of quiet valleys and wooded hills that form the border between Alsace and Franche-Comté - now part of Burgundy since 2016 - and the home of Comté, France’s top AOC cheese produced by volume.

This leg of the tour includes four riding days, one of which is our longest at 70 miles with 2,700 feet of climbing, plus one well-earned rest day to relax and take in the countryside along the lushly vegetated valley. Much of the riding will be on the tranquil towpath of the Rhine–Rhône Canal. With an early start and a short mostly flat ride into Dijon, we’ll arrive early enough to buy lunch treats at the Eiffel- built indoor Saturday market, one of the best in France.

We'll enjoy a full rest day in Dijon, the ancient Burgundian 'City of Dukes.' From there, we’ll set out on a day and a half of spectacular riding through vineyards along the Voie des Vignes, passing through the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune—home to the four most valuable vineyards in the world.

We’ll then have 4 gorgeous days of riding through the beautiful forested Bazois region on both quiet country roads and peaceful forested canal tow paths. On our last riding day as we approach the outskirts of Auxerre we’ll ride by some interesting wineries with tour and tasting  opportunities. Rental bikes will be picked up and bike boxes dropped off mid to late afternoon that day.

On our final day, we will do a group visit to the one castle in France like no other:  Château de Guédelon. Here a team of volunteers and paid craftsmen have been building a genuine 13th-century castle since 1997 using only medieval tools and methods and local materials. Visitors are encouraged to engage with the smock-wearing craftspeople.   

We’ll have a final group dinner in Auxerre before our next morning bus transfer to Paris CDG airport Terminal 2 arriving by noon.

Ride Rating

This ride is rated 2C. While mathematically it is a 2B based on an average of 47 miles per day and 1,700 feet of daily climbing over 12 required riding days—that rating doesn’t tell the full story. Although four of the days are relatively short (35 miles or less), five others are 50 miles or more, including three longer days of 60, 60, and 70 miles with some hills.

All roads on the route are paved, and gradients rarely exceed 8%. Most towpaths are also paved; where they are not, they consist of hard-packed surface, fine for 28 mm tires. Some of our roads are narrow, have no shoulders and are in rolling densely forested terrain. Most are very quiet and easy to navigate except where we go through medieval town centres.  

Cue sheets, maps, GPS

Rides come with detailed ride descriptions and audio cue enabled, Ride with GPS routes, with notes /cues for water stops, toilets, food options, and points of interest along the route.

Participants will receive an email containing a link to the EVENT file. That link will also be posted in Ride Leader docs . Participants will need to have downloaded (at the minimum) the basic version of the Ride with GPS app to receive audio cues which will be an important  element of our tour as we use audio cues to alert you to many historical and other points of interest along each day’s route.  Participants wanting cue sheets will need to print their own from the files provided. Note: It is up to the rider to know how to use his or her GPS device before the trip begins.

Weather

The weather in Alsace in September is generally mild and pleasant with September daytime highs of 65°F to 75°F. Morning fog can be present but burns off. Days are still fairly long in early September, with sunrise around 7:00 AM and sunset around 7:45 PM earlier in the month. Rain typically comes in brief spurts rather than prolonged periods.

Burgundy has similar average rainfall to Alsace, both with about 2 inches of rain over the month mostly in light scattered showers. Burgundy is a bit cooler with slightly lower average temperatures.  They are in the upper 60’s during the daytime normally. Evenings drop to the low 50’s and sometimes cooler by late September. However, Europe is warming and recent temperatures in Auxerre in September have reached as high as 90 degrees. Plan for the possibility of rain and high heat, and hope for a mild mostly dry September.

Lodging and Meals

We will be staying at 13, mostly 3-star family-owned hotels usually near or in town center. Included will be 18 nights lodging, 18 breakfasts, no lunches, 4 group dinners, and social hours with snacks on at least 12 days. We recommend boulangeries for take-out lunches: baguette sandwiches, quiches etc. so we’ll mark them en route on our route maps. Most of our hotels have plenty of restaurant options nearby. We’ll also mark markets and grocery stores near our hotels for grocery store grazing, which in France is still pretty fabulous. 

Bike Rentals & Bikes

Rental bikes will be available through Bourgogne Randonnées (www.bourgogne-randonnees.fr) who will deliver the bikes to our first hotel and pick them up from our last hotel.  The cost for delivery and pickup of the rental bikes will be shared amongst those renting. Ride leaders will make best efforts to ensure that at least 10 participants will be renting bikes thereby sharing transport costs amongst at least 10 people. With 10  participants renting bikes, the transport cost per person will be € 113.

Bourgogne Randonnées bike rental costs for this tour -  see website   www.bourgogne-randonnees.fr) :

- € 430 for a carbon full aero Wilier GT road bike ;

-  € 510 for a carbon gravel bike with (upon request) 32 mm tires; 

- € 585 for a basic 50 lb. e-Bike or € 689 for a smoother shifting  premium 50 lb e-Bike

For  rental road & gravel bikes you must bring your own pedals. For rental e-Bikes heavier saddles could easily be swapped out if you bring your own lighter saddle. 

 If you are planning to rent a bike , please let the ride leader know as soon as possible by email to  sue@bunten.ca

Tandems will be accepted on a case-by-case basis.  Please contact the ride leaders in advance of signing up.

Logistics

Our tour will begin in Strasbourg on Thursday, September 10th at the Best Western Hotel Monopole Métropole located a 5 minute walk from the Strasbourg Gare. Rental bikes will arrive and empty bike boxes will be picked up between 3:00 and 5:00 PM. We'll then gather for our orientation meeting at 5:30 PM in the hotel lobby. The following day we’ll have a shakedown ride in Strasbourg giving everyone time to test their bikes and address any mechanical issues, delayed luggage, or other concerns before we hit the road.

Rental bikes will be picked up and bike boxes returned in Auxerre on September 26th between 3:00 and 5:00 PM. We will have one further day in Auxerre and then will catch a morning bus to Paris CDG airport Terminal 2 where riders will be dropped off with their luggage and bike boxes by noon Monday September 28th.

There are three different options for travel to Strasbourg:  fly into Charles de Gaulle (CDG) in Paris and take the train to Strasbourg (a direct train is available from CDG with a travel time of less than two hours); fly into Frankfurt (FRA) and take the train to Strasbourg (at least one transfer will be required); or fly into Strasbourg’s Entzheim Airport (SXB) and then take a train to the Strasbourg Gare in city centre.  More details on the different options will be provided to participants as we get closer to the date of the ride.

Our tour will end with a bus transfer from Auxerre to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport arriving by noon on Monday September 28, 2026.

ETIAS is likely to be in effect for our tour. 

Van Support 

The luggage van will transport the luggage each move day. Riders are expected to load and unload their own luggage each day and to help the driver whenever possible. Often, either the ride leaders or several of the tour participants end up unloading the group’s luggage. To minimize the risk of injury we require that no single piece of luggage exceed 35 lbs at any time on tour. This is a STRICT LIMIT and heavier luggage will be weighed. Better to have two lighter bags, preferably soft-sided to better fit into the tour van.

Participants are expected to cycle the entire route to Auxerre and will be transported in the van 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 an equipment failure, we will try to assist in transporting you to the nearest town with a bike shop.

Cost & Administration

The estimated cost for this tour based on an exchange rate of €1 = $1.29, is $ 3,650 per person double occupancy. The fee covers 18 nights accomodation, 18 breakfasts, 4 group dinners  and 13 happy hours with a drink and snack, luggage transfer, scouted routes, GPS files, sightseeing information, a group excursion to Château de Guédelon near Auxerre, and coach transfer to the Paris CDG Airport by noon on Monday September 28th, 2026.

Not included are any other tour costs such as bike rentals, tastings, museum admissions, or train or air fares.

The  $1,850  deposit will be due within 7 days of being accepted onto the ride. The second payment of $1,400 will be due April 1st, 2026, and the final payment of $400 will be due August 1st, 2026. The final payment may be adjusted depending upon Euro /USD currency exchange rate.

Health and Safety 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 during a group Zoom call.  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.      

As a general guideline, we would anticipate the following to keep the group safe: 

-  Participants will be asked to bring at least two covid antigen tests if covid is still circulating and two N95 or KN95 masks. If masking is required cloth or surgical masks are not acceptable;

-  Participants will be required to report cold-like symptoms or any other symptoms associated with feeling unwell to the ride leader.  If requested by the ride leader, they will be expected to mask around other participants until symptoms disappear or they may be asked to take a covid antigen test at a certain time interval after symptoms first appeared; and

- Participants with a suspected infectious disease or testing positive for Covid will be allowed to stay on tour, but will have to mask at all times when outside their room and isolate from the group and not attend group meals or social hours. They will not be allowed in the group tour van or any group shuttles and would have to arrange their own transport if unable to ride. They must also be prepared to take a separate room during the isolation period if requested by their roommate. 

Insurance Statement

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.

Singles and Solos 

Due to limited accommodations this ride is not able to accept solos. Singles willing to share a room are welcome.  It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single rider without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until Jan 1st  to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fee or pay the $2,078 Extended Solo Supplement and stay on the ride . The Extended Solo Supplement covers the cost of a canceled and unreplaced participant and includes 1/24 of fixed costs, solo lodging costs plus a 7% solo supplement contingency. The Ride Leader will assist matching singles who apply for the ride. 

The Solo Supplement payment of  $2,078 is due by April 1st, 2026 and can be paid by Zelle or check. 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.
If you have questions, contact Nancy Bohnett nbohnett@bicycleadventureclub.org. 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. 

 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 cleanup. Please do not 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 Leaders' decisions.

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 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 canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the canceling 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 canceling 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.

How to Sign Up

If you plan to register for this ride please send a short note to the ride leader regarding your intentions to either rent a bike or to bring your own before signing 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 the non-refundable $150.00 international 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.