The Cross Canada Cycle Tour Society       April 2023,  Volume 40, Issue #4

 

Kudos to Nel Ahmed!

 

In this edition of the CCCTS newsletter we are pleased to recognize one of our outstanding tour organizers.  Nel Ahmed has led more than 10 hub and spokes and pannier rides, enabling club members to experience popular cycling destinations all over Ontario and Quebec.  For 2023 she has already planned a pannier trip of the Georgian Bay region and has started planning for a fall hub and spoke in Napanee, Ontario.  She works hard to find good cycling destinations and bike-friendly accommodations, and brings other co-leaders on board to develop the routes and share the planning responsibilities.  Ottawa-based CCCTS members also have the good fortune to participate in many day rides organized and led by Nel. 

 

Nel’s passion for cycling goes back to her childhood roots.  She grew up in the Netherlands, where cycling is a way of life and used regularly as a means of transportation.  So the switch to recreational cycling after she moved to Canada seemed like a natural transition.  Besides cycling, Nel enjoys hiking and cross-country skiing, classical music and reading. 

 

So how did Nel get started organizing tours?  Her first hub and spoke as leader was in Stratford – it wasn’t Nel’s choice of destination and she felt that the cycling was not great, so she started researching cycling destinations across Ontario and Quebec.   When she discovered cycling destinations like Collingwood, Ontario and Victoriaville, Quebec, Nel was hooked!   When asked about her favourite CCCTS memories, Nel recalls an incident on the Victoria hub and spoke, where some of the group were struggling up on one of many hills, when suddenly a local cyclist started pushing one of the group up the hill, asking if she needed some help…the offer was politely declined. 

 

For other members considering organizing tours or hub and spokes, Nel offers the following advice:  “I think once you have led a tour or hub and spoke you will find it very rewarding and others in the club are always willing to lend a helping hand. Just give it a try”.

Upcoming Tours

• 2023 Columbia River Loop
  Status: Registration opens Mon, 17 Apr 2023 5:00 PM
  Dates: Tue, 5 Sep 2023 ‐‐ Wed, 13 Sep 2023

  Cycle in beautiful inland Washington and Oregon – through mountain, desert, and high-plateau farmland areas. Ride along the mighty Columbia River and through Washington wine country. Stay in the scenic towns of Hood River and The Dalles, Oregon. Weather is normally sunny and warm this time of year.

• 2024 Ireland Mizen to Malin
  Status: Registration opens Mon, 10 Apr 2023 5:00 PM
  Dates: Fri, 6 Sep 2024 ‐‐ Fri, 20 Sep 2024

  The west coast of Ireland is rich in awe-inspiring landscapes, fascinating characters, and foot-tapping music. Cycling Ireland End to End from the most southerly point to the most northerly will leave you with rich memories, new friends, and a thirst for more!

• 2023 Georgian Bay Pannier Tour
  Status: Ride is full, wait list only.
  Dates: Sun, 28 May 2023 ‐‐ Sun, 4 Jun 2023

  Self-supported tour that will take us through that section of Ontario south of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. We will explore several interesting regions; the western shore of Lake Simcoe and the city of Orillia, the historic Huronia region around Midland and Penetanguishene, the Georgian Bay/Wasaga Beach coastline, the Blue Mountain escarpment near Collingwood, and the Big Bay coastline near Owen Sound.

• Central Europe 2023
  Status: Registration closed
  Dates: Mon, 21 Aug 2023 ‐‐ Mon, 4 Sep 2023

  Cycle through the heart of Europe through parts of the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. Our route meanders by castles, through rustic villages, and along waterways as we enjoy the former territories of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

• 2023 Japan Tour – Kyoto and Noto Peninsula
  Status: Ride is full, wait list only.
  Dates: Sun, 8 Oct 2023 ‐‐ Mon, 23 Oct 2023

  This tour is about enjoying cycling, Japanese culture and heritage, stunning fall color, and Japanese cuisine! You surely will not want to miss it.

• POSTPONED TO 2024 – Going to the Sun Tour – Glacier and Waterton Parks
  Status: Registration closed
  Dates: Wed, 6 Sep 2023 ‐‐ Sat, 16 Sep 2023

  Cycle through some of the most fabulous mountain scenery on the planet. Tour visits both Glacier and Waterton National Parks. Self-supported tour.

• 2023 Portugal – Algarve and Alentejo
  Status: Ride is full, wait list only.
  Dates: Mon, 17 Apr 2023 ‐‐ Wed, 3 May 2023

  With its mild climate, 3000 hours of sunshine per year and 850 kms of splendid beaches bathed by the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal is the perfect holiday destination all year round.

• 2023 Arizona Tour
  Status: Registration closed
  Dates: Wed, 22 Mar 2023 ‐‐ Fri, 31 Mar 2023

  Enjoy Spring Break in the high range country of eastern Arizona.  Sunshine is guaranteed. Cycle through Tucson, Tombstone, Bisbee, and more. You cannot miss with this tour!

• 2023 Croatia Tour – Adriatic As It Used To Be
  Status: Ride is full, wait list only.
  Dates: Mon, 18 Sep 2023 ‐‐ Wed, 4 Oct 2023

  Come and cycle one of the most dramatic coastlines of the Mediterranean region. Enjoy the mountain vistas, coastal views, and medieval towns. This trip promises to be one you won’t want to miss.

• CANCELLED Due To Low Registration – 2023 Leavenworth & Methow Valley X-C Tour
  Status: Completed

  First official CCCTS winter cross-country ski tour. Ski your heart out in eastern Washington in two beautiful areas. Stay in two very nice hotels in small mountain towns –the Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth and Twisp, which is in the heart of the Methow Valley. The Methow Valley offers 200k of groomed cross-country ski trails.

• 2023 Mallorca Tour
  Status: Registration closed
  Dates: Fri, 24 Mar 2023 ‐‐ Tue, 4 Apr 2023

  Join us for a tour of one of the world’s best spring cycling destinations! Mallorca is well-known in the cycling world for iconic climbs to spectacular views, including the famous Sa Colabra and Cap Formentor rides. In addition to its stunning coastal roads, it boasts an endless network of peaceful and smooth secondary country roads. Best of all, you are never more than 10 km from the next charming little village with cafes, bars and bike-friendly restaurants. This fully-supported luxury tour will allow us to experience the hilly west coast of the island…with an included e-bike option for those who want a little boost up the hills.

• 2023 Okanagan Tour
  Status: Ride is full, wait list only.
  Dates: Sat, 3 Jun 2023 ‐‐ Mon, 12 Jun 2023

  Experience the Okanagan with 3 days in each of Vernon, Penticton and Oliver.  Quiet roads, scenic vistas, small town charm and Okanagan sunshine (hopefully!) 

Upcoming Hub and Spokes

• 2023 Fraser River Canyons and Grasslands Hub and Spoke
  Status: Ride is full, wait list only.
  Dates: Tue, 23 May 2023 ‐‐ Sun, 28 May 2023

  Explore five scenic areas following roads less travelled along and near the mighty Fraser River on the dry side of B.C.’s Coast Mountains. Building on our Club’s June 2022 Hub and Spoke gravel roads cycling experiences and September 2022 cycling recces, this group supported camping and four cycling days Hub and Spoke ride will be based from a campground hub in Clinton for three nights, followed by a 2-night hub based at Lillooet’s Seton Dam Campground. Bring your camera, binoculars and mountain bike, gravel bike or wide-tire hybrid bike for a BC backroads cycling adventure!

• Victoria Hub and Spoke 2023 VOLUNTEERS
  Status: No registration limit
  Dates: Mon, 1 May 2023 ‐‐ Fri, 5 May 2023

  Come and enjoy Canada’s most beautiful city during spring blossom time. Victoria has something for everyone: a network of walking and cycling trails, many on former railroad routes; history galore; gorgeous seascapes everywhere, magnificent gardens, and quaint old English charm (think double-decker buses and tea at The Empress Hotel).

  THIS REGISTRATION IS ONLY FOR VICTORIA CHAPTER CCCTS MEMBERS WHO WISH TO SERVE AS VOLUNTEERS FOR THE VICTORIA HUB AND SPOKE. THIS IS AN OPEN REGISTRATION PROCESS (NO LOTTERY).

• St. Augustine, Florida 2023 Hub and Spoke
  Status: 1 slots are available.
  Dates: Tue, 7 Nov 2023 ‐‐ Wed, 15 Nov 2023

  St. Augustine ranks as the oldest city in the US, and has plenty to offer the history buff and recreational cyclist, including Spanish architecture, sandy beaches and seafood feasts. Our 8-day hub and spoke will enable us to explore iconic landmarks such as Flagler College and the St. Augustine Lighthouse, and to take in sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean from our bicycle saddles.

• Victoria Hub and Spoke 2023
  Status: 8 slots are available.
  Dates: Mon, 1 May 2023 ‐‐ Fri, 5 May 2023

  Come and enjoy Canada’s most beautiful city during spring blossom time. Victoria has something for everyone: a network of walking and cycling trails, many on former railroad routes; history galore; gorgeous seascapes everywhere, magnificent gardens, and quaint old English charm (think double-decker buses and tea at The Empress Hotel).

Ride With GPS Tutorial

Using RideWithGPS

As we prepare for a new season of cycling it is time for an update of the Tutorial on “Using RideWithGPS”. I have updated the PowerPoint presentation to reference the latest versions of RWGPS on the web and on the mobile phone app. The new version is located at:

New Ride With GPS Tutorial

I would suggest that most of us could refresh our knowledge of the software by going over the presentation. There is also information on what to do if you run into problems and a comparison of the advantages of mobile phone vs Garmin (or another GPS device) on the bike.

In addition, I have received some questions specific to the club recently and thought it might be useful to include them here.

Q. I am a new CCCTS member and I want to know how to access the club routes.

A. Please sign up for at least a Starter Plan (free) account with RWGPS at:

https://ridewithgps.com/

Then click on this link and you will be automatically put on the club list with access to the site:

https://ridewithgps.com/auto_approve/Club/1903/IXdMCOIGQIThmcOX

Then you can look at all the routes the club has accumulated at:

https://ridewithgps.com/clubs/1903-cross-canada-cycle-tour-society/routes?

Q. I have created an event for the Club. How do I add it to the CCCTS routes and events?

A. You have to be authorized as a Route Manager to be able to add to the CCCTS database. Please request authorization from any Route Manager or R. Tobin. For example, route managers for regions are: Clark Woodland, Fraser Valley; Eamonn Ryan, Comox Valley; Gary Esau, Okanagan; Richard Tobin, National Capital Region. Once you have this authorization, the database allows you to post, edit, delete and create events.

Q. Sometimes when I click on a link to a route on my phone it does not seem to work properly.

A. Normally links on the phone will open in the RWGPS app and you can begin to use them immediately. However, once in a while you may receive a link from an email account that has a protected status (e.g. from some Outlook accounts) that will force it to open in your default browser rather than in the RWGPS app. This adds a couple of steps: Log into your account on that page and Pin the route (usually near the upper left of the screen). Then open the RWGPS app and go to the Library where you will find your Pinned Routes. Tap the route and download it to the phone.

Q. When I use non-club routes, I get nags to buy a paid subscription to RWGPS.

A. If you are only using CCCTS Club routes you will have all of the privileges of a paid membership. However, if you want to use other routes you will find that you are quite limited. For example, you cannot get audible turn-by-turn directions on your phone and no advanced turn information on your Garmin. I have found the RWGPS to be an excellent company, run by cyclists, and not part of some large conglomerate. They are very responsive to our questions and make regular improvements to their software, so I personally like to support them with a paid subscription and get the extra features.

Safe cycling!

Richard Tobin, CCCTS Administrator of RWGPS

rstobin20@gmail.com

In Memory Of Martine Donahue

 

Videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAoixahAbyw

We have never done a tour in this region.  Anyone keen to step up and organize a tour of the Baltic states.  It looks pretty great!

 

 

 

 

New Members

Welcome to the CCCTS.  

First Name	Last Name	City	Province
Norbert	Broda	Edmonton	Alta.
Karen	Broda	Edmonton	Alta.
Rob ‘	Rawlins	Comox	B.C.
Judy	Murray	Salmon Arm	B.C.
Chris	Hartman	Surrey	B.C.
Darrell	Fleming	Victoria	B.C.
Michael	Maitland	Victoria	B.C.
Jim	Galloway	Victoria	B.C.
Howard	Halpenny	North Saanich	B.C.
Lana	Halpenny	North Saanich	B.C.
Lincoln	Roseboom	Ottawa	B.C.
Bob	Saunders	Surrey	B.C.
Heather	MacNaughton	Surrey	B.C.
Bruce	Burns	Ottawa	Ont.
Karen	Scullion	Ottawa	Ont.
Roger	Gagnon	Ottawa	Ont.
Les	Crane	Vernon	B.C.