Post by max on Sept 12, 2015 18:32:19 GMT
CLUB TOUR 2016
Mallorca has been an ideal base for our club tour for the past 4 years. Although difficult to beat, the committee feels that some of us have now experienced getting lost in Alcudia and going round the roundabout in Sa Pobla too many times, so investigations into an alternative have been undertaken.
Getting the right package to include a mix of suitable routes, good well priced hotels, bike hire, flights and suitability of local facilities is quite difficult. Several locations have been investigated and the proposal is to return to the same area which the club visited 5 years ago, in a small resort called Albir, some 7 miles from Benidorm.
Although this note may seem early, flight prices are currently being made available by airlines and they are rising rapidly. Also accommodation and cycle hire needs booking early as there is limited availability at the right price.
We have had great cycling and craic on tour in the past and I would encourage you to risk bankruptcy and/or divorce to try and go.
DATES AND FLIGHTS
Planned to depart from Belfast on Saturday 7th May and return on 14th May. Currently cheapest flight is Jet2.com leaving Belfast at 9 am and arriving Alicante at 13.05 and returning at 13.50 from Alicante to arrive at Belfast at 16.00. Current price including hold-bag is £210. Bike cost £60. Members would book flights themselves. If you do not have travel insurance, this can be purchased from airline. Strongly recommended to have a European Health Insurance Card.
HOTEL
Accommodation would be at Albir Playa and Sport Hotel www.albirplayahotel.com rated 4 star with swimming pool and all the facilities you would expect of that class hotel. Breakfast and evening meals are all included. It is close to the beach area with plenty of bars which hopefully sell the local speciality black orange juice with a creamy head. The town is a relatively quiet resort town and the bright lights and “attractions” of Benidorm are a short bus ride away. It is a different hotel to that used by club in the past.
A group booking price will cost at current price/exchange rate approx. £220 per head for shared double and £360 for single for the 7 nights. A deposit of £30 would be required now and you can cancel up to 30 days before departure without further penalty. Transport to and from hotel by private coach will depend on numbers but around £15 each way with a similar surcharge for a bike.
CYCLING
There is a cycle shop on the hotel site. www.ciclocostabrava.com They supply full carbon Cannondale or BMC with 11/32 and 50/34 gearing. Bookings need to be made early to secure required bike. I can make an initial block booking but will require full payment of approx. £110 including insurance prior to booking.
I will try and get routes from shop in advance, there are flat coastal routes and mountain routes used by Vuelta. We would normally split into 2 or 3 groups and meet where possible for coffees and lunch. Probably quicker group going at pace and a steadier group doing similar route and a more leisurely group doing shorter and slower run. All depends on the mix going and how people are feeling. We have 6 days cycling this year which affords opportunity for rest days by the pool or sightseeing.
TOTAL COSTS
Budget an approximate cost of Flight with bag £210 + Hotel ( Double Room) £220 + Cycle hire £110 + Transport £30 = £570.
Immediate costs are Hotel deposit £30 + Cycle hire £110 + Flights £210 = £350
Lunches and evening orange juice as extras.
WHAT NOW
With rising price and limited availability I would like to confirm hotel/cycles. Please let me know asap If you are definite and are prepared to pay deposits now, I will confirm details with the suppliers, so please also let me know bike size needs and whether single or double room. Also if you are possible but wish to delay decision also let me know, but you will have to take a chance on future price and availability. I will be doing a handout of this but would be grateful if you would let non IT users know about this. Happy to help with any questions.
Many Thanks Max
Mallorca has been an ideal base for our club tour for the past 4 years. Although difficult to beat, the committee feels that some of us have now experienced getting lost in Alcudia and going round the roundabout in Sa Pobla too many times, so investigations into an alternative have been undertaken.
Getting the right package to include a mix of suitable routes, good well priced hotels, bike hire, flights and suitability of local facilities is quite difficult. Several locations have been investigated and the proposal is to return to the same area which the club visited 5 years ago, in a small resort called Albir, some 7 miles from Benidorm.
Although this note may seem early, flight prices are currently being made available by airlines and they are rising rapidly. Also accommodation and cycle hire needs booking early as there is limited availability at the right price.
We have had great cycling and craic on tour in the past and I would encourage you to risk bankruptcy and/or divorce to try and go.
DATES AND FLIGHTS
Planned to depart from Belfast on Saturday 7th May and return on 14th May. Currently cheapest flight is Jet2.com leaving Belfast at 9 am and arriving Alicante at 13.05 and returning at 13.50 from Alicante to arrive at Belfast at 16.00. Current price including hold-bag is £210. Bike cost £60. Members would book flights themselves. If you do not have travel insurance, this can be purchased from airline. Strongly recommended to have a European Health Insurance Card.
HOTEL
Accommodation would be at Albir Playa and Sport Hotel www.albirplayahotel.com rated 4 star with swimming pool and all the facilities you would expect of that class hotel. Breakfast and evening meals are all included. It is close to the beach area with plenty of bars which hopefully sell the local speciality black orange juice with a creamy head. The town is a relatively quiet resort town and the bright lights and “attractions” of Benidorm are a short bus ride away. It is a different hotel to that used by club in the past.
A group booking price will cost at current price/exchange rate approx. £220 per head for shared double and £360 for single for the 7 nights. A deposit of £30 would be required now and you can cancel up to 30 days before departure without further penalty. Transport to and from hotel by private coach will depend on numbers but around £15 each way with a similar surcharge for a bike.
CYCLING
There is a cycle shop on the hotel site. www.ciclocostabrava.com They supply full carbon Cannondale or BMC with 11/32 and 50/34 gearing. Bookings need to be made early to secure required bike. I can make an initial block booking but will require full payment of approx. £110 including insurance prior to booking.
I will try and get routes from shop in advance, there are flat coastal routes and mountain routes used by Vuelta. We would normally split into 2 or 3 groups and meet where possible for coffees and lunch. Probably quicker group going at pace and a steadier group doing similar route and a more leisurely group doing shorter and slower run. All depends on the mix going and how people are feeling. We have 6 days cycling this year which affords opportunity for rest days by the pool or sightseeing.
TOTAL COSTS
Budget an approximate cost of Flight with bag £210 + Hotel ( Double Room) £220 + Cycle hire £110 + Transport £30 = £570.
Immediate costs are Hotel deposit £30 + Cycle hire £110 + Flights £210 = £350
Lunches and evening orange juice as extras.
WHAT NOW
With rising price and limited availability I would like to confirm hotel/cycles. Please let me know asap If you are definite and are prepared to pay deposits now, I will confirm details with the suppliers, so please also let me know bike size needs and whether single or double room. Also if you are possible but wish to delay decision also let me know, but you will have to take a chance on future price and availability. I will be doing a handout of this but would be grateful if you would let non IT users know about this. Happy to help with any questions.
Many Thanks Max