A 5BBC Vacation Trip to Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard

Here are more details about the Island Hopper trip. If you’re interested in signing up or have any questions, please contact Ted at folkpro@aol.com or Brian at communications@5bbc.org as soon as possible, to avoid a sell-out or the possibility of cancellation due to too few sign-ups.

TRIP COST: $575.00 per person
DEPOSIT: a $375.00 NON-REFUNDABLE deposit when signing up. You may sign up for the trip using the form in the Club newsletter or posted on the web site, and indicate the trip as "Island Hopper". Payment may be by check or money order via mail. If you must pay in cash, please do so in person at the Club office on Wednesday nites, during regular Club office hours. Credit Card signups via Active.Com will be accepted in the coming days. Deposits will be refunded in full if the trip is cancelled due to lack of enough participants.

The historic Robert B. Johnson Memorial Hostel, Nantucket

GROUP SIZE: We need a minimum of 8 people (including Brian and Ted) to make this trip happen; the maximum number is 10 (thus first come first served)

TRANSPORTATION: will be by passenger van, with bikes stowed either inside the van or outside on rear racks; luggage is stowed inside the van.

IMPORTANT SPECIAL NOTE: We will NOT take the van onto the ferries for either Island; it's way too expensive, and very difficult to obtain reservations. Instead, as we have done for prior Island Hopper trips, the van will be parked on the mainland, in the parking lots near Woods Hole, MA. Therefore, you MUST be prepared to transport your belongings via your bike and panniers, "self-contained" style from the Van to ferry terminal to hostel, etc. We will cycle from Woods Hole to Hyannis (approx 25 miles) to catch the direct Nantucket ferry; distance from the Nantucket terminal to the hostel is approx 5 miles. Distance from the Martha's Vineyard ferry terminal to the hostel varies depending on route, but figure 8-14 miles. Our return trip to the mainland will be direct to Woods Hole, for a final 3-4 mile route back to the parking lots. Other cycling is "luggage-free", since belongings remain at the hostel during our stay.

ANOTHER SPECIAL NOTE: We are considering converting transportation into a car pooling arrangement, whereby the drivers would be reimbursed by the Club for the cost of gas and parking. In either case, by van or by car, vehicles will be parked on the mainland.

FOOD: The trip cost and food budget has been planned on the basis of "community" style breakfasts and dinners, similar to other Club weekend trips, where the group prepares meals and shops for food, and enjoys one or two "special" meals at area restaurants. However, we may also split food costs into two categories: "community meals" which are considered pre-paid and included in the trip price, and "on your own", where you as the participant pay your own costs for meals taken at area restaurants. In this latter instance, we will keep a running tally of "community" food costs, and refund any balances left over at the end of the trip, share and share alike. Note that lunches are also included in the trip cost and would be subject to the same scenario.

Itinerary

Thurs, Aug 10, Day of Departure:
Please be prepared to LEAVE EARLY! We have not set a meeting time, but we are planning an early meeting time (possibly 6:00 am or 7:00 am). The reason is that there are only so many scheduled ferries to Nantucket, and driving time may be impacted by traffic. The earlier we can arrive at Wood's Hole and unload bikes etc, the more time we will have to enjoy biking. As noted, we will cycle from Wood's Hole to Hyannis. We will either take the "fast ferry" (one hour crossing) to Nantucket or the "slow ferry" (two hour crossing) depending on the time we arrive in Hyannis. Once in Nantucket, we will cycle to the hostel, although we may stop to purchase food for dinner/breakfast en route.

Friday and Sat, Aug 11-12:
Friday and Saturday will be spent exploring, biking, beaches etc. SPECIAL NOTE: We MAY bike to go to dinner on Saturday evening. Thus, we may ask that you bring Front and rear lights for night time riding. Nantucket has a number of fine bike lanes; however biking in the "downtown" area near the ferry terminals is with traffic.

Sunday, Aug 13:
After breakfast, we must pack gear and head to the "Inter-island" ferry for the crossing from Nantucket to Martha's Vineyard (about a 2-hour crossing). NOTE: THERE IS ONLY 1 SCHEDULED Inter-Island Ferry per day. WE MUST CATCH THAT FERRY or we will have to sleep on the docks. Once we arrive on MV, we will cycle to the hostel, possibly stopping again for food shopping.

Cliffs at Aquinnah, Martha's Vineyard

Wed, Aug 16, Day of Return:
We are planning on an early to mid afternoon return to Wood's Hole (ferry crossing is about 45 minutes); return to NYC is anticipated to be 9-10pm.

If you are interested in the trip, please sign up as soon as possible. If you have any questions, comments, concerns or simply want additional info, please contact Ted at folkpro@aol.com or Brian at communications@5bbc.org