Your Ticket to Ride -
TourBC 2010
Mountains & Oceans
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PageQ: What does it cost?
A: The cost of the tour is Cdn $1,020.00. The registration fee includes all meals, camping fees, support, and a souvenir DVD. The cost does not include the TourBC jersey, which is an additional fee of Cdn $80.00. A Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 5% is added to the registration fee and all participants must pay this (please note - as of July 1, 2010, a new tax (HST) of 12% will apply to the TourBC registration).
Prior to March 15th, we offer a discounted rate to anyone who has been on the tour before or is on our mailing list. To get on the mailing list, go to the Registration page, click to be put on the early bird list .
Participants
are expected to provide their own bicycles, helmets, and camping
equipment. Rentals of bicycles can be arranged in
Q: Can a non-rider join the group?
A: We do offer a reduced non-rider rate for those who want personal support or have a partner who would like to come along on the trip. This person should have their own transportation. Contact Danelle at tourbc at tourbc.net (replace at with @) for details.
Q: Can I pay in US $s?
A: You
can certainly pay in US Dollars. Because of the fluctuating exchange
rate, determine the
Q:
If I
have to cancel, can I get a refund?
A: TourBC offers a 90% refund up until May 15th. In some cases, we may be able to defer your registration to the following year with only a small penalty. There is no refund after May 15th, even though your reason for pulling out is out of your control.
Q: Where Does the Tour Start?
A:
TourBC will be starting in
We will have registration set up between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 10th, and 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 11th at one of the resident townhouses where the staff will be staying. You will be able to collect your registration package, including jersey, if you ordered one. Included in your package will be your Tour Handbook with maps, directions, profiles, and information for each day of the tour, information about some of the areas we will be cycling through, and some sponsor samples and information.
Before you can pick up your registration package, you will need to go through a mandatory bicycle check which will be set up in the same vicinity.
Complete directions on how to get to the start will be sent to you once you register.
Q: How Do I Get There?
A:
Greyhound Bus - 1-800-661-TRIP (8747); www.greyhound.ca. The bus does take bikes as luggage if they are boxed. Bikes can also be shipped by Greyhound Courier. The bikes must be boxed and the prices depend on size of the box and distance being shipped. The downtown terminus connects to the SkyTrain and the transit system.
The Via Rail train station is in the same location as the bus terminus and linked to SkyTrain. www.viarail.ca
For
participants coming from the west coast of the
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Q: Is
carpooling available?
A: Yes,
contact us for a list of participants from your area. In early June,
a carpooling request will go out to all participants. If you are
driving and have space to take another participant, please let us know at
that time. Or if you need a ride, please contact us and we will try
and link you up. It is expected that participants will share costs
if they are carpooling.
Q: Where
Can I Stay The Night Before and After?
A: We
have arranged for accommodation on the university campus for the night
before the tour starts and the night you return at the end of the
tour. When you register, a list of motels will be sent to you.
This list will identify motels which are located close to our campsites
during the tour, and there will also be information on how to contact the
university.
Q: When
and where do I pick up my participant package?
A: We
will have registration set up between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, July
10th, and 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 11th in one of the
resident townhouses at the university where the staff will be staying.
You will be able to collect your registration package, including jersey,
if you ordered one. Included in your package will be your Tour
Handbook with maps, directions, profiles, and information for each day of
the tour, information about some of the areas we will be cycling through,
and some sponsor samples and information.
Before
you can pick up your registration package, you will need to go through a
mandatory bicycle check which will be set up in the same vicinity.
If you are only going to arrive on Sunday morning, you will need to have
your bicycle inspection completed by your local mechanic. I have a
form that needs to be signed by your mechanic to certify that an
inspection of your bike has taken place. I must have this form
before you start the ride.
Q: Is
There Parking Available at the start?
A: Parking
will be available at the university. There is a weekly charge
for those staying in the university residence and a daily charge for those
who are not. Also, the parking locations will be different depending
on whether or not you are staying at the residence.
Q: Is
there a motel option?
A: In
2010, TourBC will offer a list of motels which are located as close as
possible to the campgrounds we will be using. A list of the motels
will be sent to participants after they register for the Tour. In
many cases, we will have block-booked rooms in these motels for a limited
time.
Participants
who choose to stay in motels are responsible for advising our
luggage truck driver, in writing, of the dates they are staying in motels,
and which motels they are staying in. To avoid any mix-ups, please
prepare a written list to give to the driver, and put the same information
on your luggage. We will provide you with coloured luggage tags to
put on your luggage so it can be easily identified. Luggage for
motels is separated in the luggage truck to ensure it gets delivered to
your motel.
In
cases where motels are located at some distance from the campground, we
will pick up and drop off luggage, but any other transportational needs
will be on an "if available" basis.
Q: What
will the Weather be like?
A: Mountains
& Oceans is travelling through some of the hottest areas of the
province and we will be in and around the mountains the whole time.
It is wise to come prepared for a variety of weather, including some
inclement weather, and some hot days. We also suggest checking
a website like www.theweathernetwork.com
for the long range forecast just before departing for TourBC.
Q: Will
I be able to do laundry along the route?
A: Yes,
there will be laundry facilities at several locations along the route.
Q: What
Should I Bring?
A: TourBC's
Suggested What To Bring List
You
will probably have done some cycle touring before or will have seen these
types of lists. This is Danelle's preferred lightweight list.
Participants
are expected to have the following items:
- cycling helmet (Mandatory by law in
BC)
- sunglasses or some form of eye
protection
- cycling gloves
- flashing red rear light - required
in 2010
- water/windproof jacket for
unexpected weather and stops
- appropriate riding clothing (cycling
shorts, jersey*)
- appropriate "off-the-bike"
clothing**
- cycling shoes (stiff soled shoes)
- water bottles (2) and a hydration
pack
- snacks or energy bars (provided by
TourBC)
- map (provided by TourBC)
- spare cash for souvenirs, etc.
- sunscreen
- tool kit
- camping gear (transported by TourBC)
- lock for your bicycle - required
Although
our mechanic escorts the tour, and our tour leaders are skilled at road
side repairs, the following is a sample tool kit which all participants
should carry:
- pump
- patch repair kit (including glue,
patches, emery paper)
- spare inner tube
- tire irons
- adjustable crescent wrench
- selection of allen keys
- screwdriver
Optional
items might include:
- Fenders (to keep rain off other
participants)
- A rear view mirror
- camera
- fly repellent ***
- first aid kit (see below)
- swimsuit
- handkerchief
- hand cleaner
In my
small first aid kit, I carry:
- Ibuprofen for pain or fever
- triple antibiotic ointment (eg.
Neosporin) for cuts or scrapes
- bandages
- Micatin for athlete's foot
- antihistamines for itching from
bites
- Tums for upset stomach
- disinfectant swabs for cleansing
- Aloe Vera gel for sunburn (carry in
a film canister)
- Bag Balm for saddle sores (carry in
a film canister)
The
following camping equipment is recommended (participants must supply their
own camping gear):
- Tent, preferably a 3-4 season with
rain cover. ****
- Sleeping bag
- Therma-Rest or other suitable
inflatable sleeping pad
- Plastic thongs or sandals for
wearing around the campsite
- Toiletries (Soap, toothbrush,
shampoo, etc...)
- Flashlight
*
Every rider has their own preferences of how much clothing they
like to bring along. I have found that 2 of
everything works well. I also
always carry a pair of lightweight tights and a long sleeved jersey (Capilene)
regardless of when I am travelling,
not only for the cold, but in case of sunburn or anything else. I usually
carry my Gore-Tex jacket or a good rain jacket, long fingered glove liners
and some light weight booties. And I bring an extra pair of shoes.
**
I like to have one pair of baggy shorts, one pair of long pants, 1 short
sleeved shirt, a long-sleeved shirt, a light weight jacket and a cycling
cap. I keep these for off the bike and keep them dry (no exceptions). I
carry a separate pair of shoes for off the bike.
***
A simple, but effective way to keep bugs from bothering you is by wearing
a bandana soaked in bug juice loosely around your neck. This keeps you
from directly applying the chemicals to your skin, but does keep the
skeeters away.
****
Whether buying a new or used tent, or pulling your tent out of storage for
the season, it's a good idea to pitch it and break it down well before the
tour. As well, you should develop and practice a "quick unfold"
method of folding your tent so that you can put up your shelter quickly in
inclement weather.
When
buying a tent, make sure to seal the seams. If taking your tent out of
storage, check the seams for cracks in the sealer. Regardless, give the
tent a once over for holes, punctures, or leaks.
Q: How
Should I Bring My Gear?
A: All
this stuff, how to carry it? Well...
Remember,
everything you bring has to be loaded on and off the truck twice daily,
for the duration of the tour. We limit the amount you can bring to
65 lbs total, and the number of pieces to 2. We recommend an army
style duffle bag into which all your gear can be stuffed but also ask you
to limit the weight of each piece to 35 lbs.
We
will not accept hard luggage cases, large bags without end handles, any
piece over 35
lbs, or luggage in green garbage bags. Please bear in mind when packing
your bag, these bags can get thrown around, rained on, stepped on, etc...
We ask that you take responsibility for putting your luggage on the truck
each morning.
While
we try and take good care of the your luggage, pack your gear the same way
you would if you were going to put it on an airline.
Q: What
Type of Bike should I use?
A: I
always say that you should bring the bike you are most comfortable riding.
TourBC is a road tour and for the most part stays on paved roads. I
recommend a touring bike or a sportif bike (both have longer wheelbases
than a racing bike).
If you
opt to bring a mountain bike, then I recommend city or slick tires, and
possibly racing style handlebars. Riding 150 km or 40 km uphill in
one position can be challenging.
Q: What
Support Do I Get?
A: TourBC
provides you with medical and mechanical support along the route and at
the campsite. Our medical support is there for injuries and ailments
which occur on the tour. However, please advise us of any
pre-existing medical conditions on the medical form that you are required
to return to us.
The
mechanical support is provided on a charge-out basis. Our mechanic
will assess the problem and tell you what the charges are likely to be.
Pre-tour bike tune-ups are advised and you should come to the tour with a
road-worthy bike.
Our
massage therapy team provides massages for a fee and massages can be
pre-booked. You will be sent an email before the start of the ride
advising you how to pre-book.
We do
not provide sag support except for participants who are injured or ill or
those who have a mechanical problem which can not be fixed on the road.
If you are injured or ill and unable to continue on the tour, we will
provide support only until we can get you to the nearest transportation
point which will take you back to the start of the tour (bus, etc).
Our
vehicles, where possible, are equipped with ATOC
Topper Racks to ensure we can transport you and your bicycle to camp,
in case of injury or illness, or mechanical failure. We carry all
your luggage, except what you need for the day. You should have a bag with
you that you can carry on the bike for the days when you want to take
along your bathing suit and a towel or extra clothing. The complete
route is signed for you, and you are given detailed route descriptions and
maps in your participant handbook. We have tour leaders on bikes to
help you with any problems you may have or just to keep you company.
We
have two photographers who will be shooting video and snapping photos
along the route. A souvenir DVD is part of your registration fee.
We
provide you with three full meals each day, plus, where possible, a water
stop in the morning and one in the afternoon. Please note - on all of our
tours, breakfast on the day the tour starts and dinner on the day the tour
ends are not included. At the water stops we provide fruit, water,
juice, sports drinks, and snacks. You will be advised if there is
any change to this format.
In
appropriate locations, we liaise with the local community to provide some
sort of cultural experience. And, where appropriate, at the end of
the ride each day, before dinner "apres tour" refreshments are
available at the TourBC luggage van once it is unloaded. There is a
small charge for this.
Q: How
fit do I need to be?
A: TourBC
can be a challenging ride and 2010 is no exception. TourBC is
not a tour for the rank beginner. You will enjoy it more if you have
some experience with cyclotouring and if you are in good physical shape.
Having
said that, participants are always surprised by what they can do.
Fitness is such a personal thing, it is hard to answer this question well.
You will need to train for TourBC. And, in general, your training
should consist of doing 50 - 70 km rides starting at least 4 months before
the tour. I recommend building up from shorter rides three times a
week (this could be a commute to work) to adding in a weekend ride once or
twice a month of 50 - 70 km. Before the tour, do at least one 120 km
ride. At least once before the start of the Tour, cycle 70 km - 100
km for three days in a row to see what it feels like. Also, it is
important to incorporate varied terrain into your pre-Tour rides.
I am
willing to work with participants to make sure they are ready for the
tour. Contact me at
tourbc at tourbc.net (replace at with @) if you would like more
detailed information on how to prepare for a 7-day tour or for more
details on what type of riding and traffic conditions to expect on the
Tour.
The
bottom line is, in order to enjoy TourBC, you have to have done some
training and come prepared.
Q: Is
there a sag wagon?
A: Yes,
we have a sag wagon for medical emergencies and mechanical breakdowns.
Where possible, our vehicles are equipped with ATOC Topper Racks to be
able to carry you and your bicycle back to camp, if necessary.
I encourage participants to come prepared to do the entire ride and not to
plan on being sagged. Where it is necessary, however, we will
provide a shuttle service for participants who are unable to continue
riding. If riders are unable to continue with the Tour, we will get
them to the nearest transportation point (bus station, etc.) which allows
them to return to the start of the ride. Riders are responsible for
any costs incurred if they are unable to continue with the Tour.
Q: Can
I bring/send my child(ren) on TourBC?
A: Adolescents
who are capable of doing the distance and who are accompanied by a parent
or guardian are welcome on TourBC. We have found that
adolescents under the age of 14 generally find the trip too hard both
mentally and physically.
Q: Can
I bring/send my dog on TourBC?
A: Dogs
will need to be transported from campsite to campsite. We are unable
to provide this service. However if you have a non-riding companion
who has their own transport, or you wish to pull a trailer, we have no
objection to this. You would need to provide food for the dog.
Also, some campsites do not allow dogs which might mean staying in a motel
and leaving the dog there while you join the group to eat.
Q: What
if I am pestered by someone on the tour?
A:
TourBC provides an open, welcoming environment
for all participants. We will not tolerate harassment. If anyone has a
complaint of harassment, please advise the TourBC staff and we will take
it seriously.
Q: What
Are The Laws Relating to Bicycles In BC?
A: In
BC, the bicycle is considered a vehicle and therefore subject to the same
regulations and responsibilities of other road users.
There
are a few laws which differ between the
In BC,
traffic is allowed to turn right on red lights unless otherwise posted.
The
basic rules of the road apply in BC.
Ride
on the right side of the road.
Ride
in single file when there is traffic behind you.
Stop
at all signaled and signed intersections. Remember to use hand signals if
and when appropriate and safe.
Bicycle
helmets are mandatory in the
Q: What Else Do I Need To Know?
A: Good Question. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact Danelle at 1-877-606-BIKE (2453), or tourbc at tourbc.net (replace at with @)