November 2024 Newsbrief

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The Cross Canada Cycle Tour Society Nov 2024,  Volume 42, Issue #10

Banner Image for the Remembrance Day event

HUB AND SPOKE DIRECTOR’S REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 2024 NEWSLETTER

Happy fall everyone! We are enjoying late summer sunshine here in Ottawa, while hoping for early winter snow at Silver Star for our December cross-country ski hub and spoke. So what’s up for 2025 in the world of Hub and Spokes? The line-up includes a Hub and Spoke in Palm Springs in March and two Hub and Spokes in Puget Sound, based out of Seattle, in June. In addition, we have several other potential Hub and Spokes in the idea and planning stage: Saturna Island May 27-31; Comox June 17-21; Kelowna in mid-September and also possibly Vancouver (timing TBD). A huge thank you to those leaders who have come forward with their ideas and willingness to do the work to bring us more exciting cycling adventures!

For someone thinking of organizing a multi-day bike trip, consider starting with a Hub and Spoke. Not only are these extremely popular with members, but they are also easier to organize. Simply follow these 3 steps:

  1. Pick a location that you are familiar with, or interested in exploring, where there are things to see and safe and interesting cycling options;
  2. Find a hotel that can accommodate a group – rooms with 2 separate beds are helpful, and it’s great to have a common area where the group can gather for happy hour and briefings;
  3. Map out your routes using RWGPS – get input from those who know the area, talk to local cycle clubs, use RWGPS heat maps to figure out where the popular cycling roads are, and think about special stops for coffee or lunch.

When you have these basics figured out, prepare your proposal for board approval, run your lottery, advise the registrants, etc. If you haven’t done this before, we have many experienced leaders willing and ready to mentor new ride leaders. And don’t hesitate to call your Hub and Spoke Director to discuss an idea or get help putting together your board proposal.

As we approach the end of the 2024 cycling season, I am struck by what a wonderful year this has been for sharing cycling experiences across this great country of ours. Our chapter hosted 24 club members from across Canada and the U.S. at our Ottawa Hub and Spoke in May. And we’ve even occasionally had CCCTS visitors from outside of Ontario join us for a day ride! So I encourage you to think about this club “perk”. When you’re travelling anywhere that CCCTS members live and ride, why not contact them and ask to join them for a ride? If you’re going to be in Ottawa, Vancouver, Victoria, Comox, Fraser Valley or the B.C. Interior, check out the club ride schedule on our website under the name of the chapter for details of upcoming rides.

The picture below was taken in Gatineau Park on a beautiful fall day when the Ottawa chapter had the pleasure of riding with two Vancouver CCCTS members, Lynda and Heye, who were visiting family in Ottawa. Doors are always open for a fellow CCCTS member traveller! It’s one of the things that makes our club so special.

Linda Graupner

Hub and Spoke Director, CCCTS

Ask Richard: Bike Tech Talk

Last month, we posted the updated presentation on using RideWithGPS, available on the CCCTS website under RideWithGPS – A Primer after logging in. Thanks for your feedback and questions about the presentation!

Here are a couple of questions that arose in discussion with members:

1. I was invited to a CCCTS ride and successfully downloaded the route, but the app wouldn’t navigate on my phone. It kept redirecting me to the subscription page, asking me to subscribe for turn-by-turn navigation. What went wrong?”

This turned out to be less complicated than I at first assumed. At first, I assumed there was an issue with the member’s account. However, after confirming the member was registered on the RWGPS website as a CCCTS member, I took a closer look at the route. That’s when I realized the issue: the route was authored (and thus owned) by an individual club member, not by Cross Canada Cycle Tour Society. This matters because only routes authored by the club (that is, posted on our site) give members access to premium features, such as turn-by-turn navigation, through the club’s paid RWGPS subscription. So, always ensure the route author is listed as Cross Canada Cycle Tour Society to enjoy all membership privileges.

2. I often miss turn instructions on my phone due to road or traffic noise. How can I improve this, and is there a way to see upcoming turns more clearly?

To improve audio clarity, you can carry your phone in a chest pocket or use a handlebar mount like Quad Lock to keep it closer to your ears. However, the best solution is to connect your phone to a Bluetooth device. If you wear hearing aids, pairing them with your phone can give you the instructions right in your ears (this works well for me). If you don’t, bone conduction headphones like Shokz are a great alternative, as they let you hear your surroundings while listening to navigation cues. I don’t recommend using noise-cancelling earbuds that block out most of the traffic and conversation sounds.

To take navigation to the next level, I recommend using a dedicated GPS bike computer. Top options include the Garmin Edge series, as well as models from Wahoo and Hammerhead. These devices display your route and upcoming turns clearly and often audibly. Once you try a GPS computer, you may find it hard to go back to using a phone for navigation.

I hope these answers help! I encourage you to share your feedback or ask any new questions you’d like me to address in future columns.

Richard Tobin

CCCTS RideWithGPS Administrator

rstobin20@gmail.com

Upcoming tours

  • 2025 Slovenia Tour – on the Sunny Side of the Alps
    Status: Registration opens Sun, 10 Nov 2024 5:00 PM
    Dates: Sun, 11 May 2025 ‐‐ Sun, 25 May 2025

    Slovenia offers stunning scenery for cyclists, with lush landscapes, picturesque villages, and breathtaking mountain views. 

  • 2025 Hokkaido North Island Adventure
    Status: 20 slots are available.
    Dates: Mon, 25 Aug 2025 ‐‐ Thu, 11 Sep 2025

    This AWESOME tour will be the last word in cycling the Japanese island of Hokkaido. Travel traditional trade routes and country roads through The Volcanic Mountain range of Daisetsuzan National Park “translated from Japanese as the Playground of the Gods” to the Pacific Ocean and the Japan Sea. This tour features Farm experiences, Ainu Villages, Cultural interaction and local community support.  Don’t miss out!

  • 2025 Tour of BC’s Discovery Islands and the Sunshine Coast
    Status: 4 slots are available.
    Dates: Sun, 21 Sep 2025 ‐‐ Sun, 28 Sep 2025

    British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast is one of Canada’s most beautiful destinations for a bicycle tour, offering stunning coastal scenery, charming towns, and lush forests. The combination of coastal beauty and charming communities promises to make this traditional bike tour a memorable experience.

  • 2025 Seattle and Eastside Suburbs Mini-Tour
    Status: Registration opens Mon, 6 Jan 2025 5:00 PM
    Dates: Sun, 28 Sep 2025 ‐‐ Sat, 4 Oct 2025

    A pannier ride exploring suburbs to the east of Seattle and several city neighborhoods too. We will have many fun stops, outings, and group meals.

  • 2025 Central Europe Tour
    Status: Ride is full, wait list only.
    Dates: Mon, 18 Aug 2025 ‐‐ Fri, 5 Sep 2025

    Cycle through the heart of Europe on this 18 day tour. Starting in Prague, we will ride through parts of the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia and end in Budapest, Hungary. Our route meanders by castles, through rustic villages, and along waterways and winerys – as we enjoy the former territories of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Highlights include UNESCO heritage sites, national parks, and wine making regions.

  • UPDATE! 2025 The Sand Dunes of PEI and Cabot Trail Tour
    Status: 7 slots are available.
    Dates: Sat, 19 Jul 2025 ‐‐ Sat, 2 Aug 2025

    Come and explore PEI and Cape Breton N.S. as it should be experienced — by bicycle! The tour begins in PEI on routes that will have us cycling through a riot of colour: verdant pastures that stretch out to scarlet cliffs, which drop into azure waters, red sandstone cliffs, scenic fishing villages and towering sand dunes as we cycle the island from one side to the other. We then transfer to Badeck N.S. to cycle the Cabot Trail! One of the world’s most beautiful bicycle routes. The Cabot Trail winds through glorious valleys and hills, along an expansive coast as it traverses the Highlands. Pods of whales can be seen just off the coast, while bald eagles soar on the breezes.

  • 2025 Croatian Adriatic As it Used To Be
    Status: Ride is full, wait list only.
    Dates: Sun, 1 Jun 2025 ‐‐ Tue, 17 Jun 2025

    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.

Upcoming Hub and Spokes

 

 

  • Palm Springs Hub and Spoke 2025
    Status: Ride is full, wait list only.
    Dates: Sun, 16 Mar 2025 ‐‐ Sun, 23 Mar 2025

    Let’s get on that bike for some spring riding in Palm Springs, California. Join other CCCTS cyclists March 16-23, 2025 for great riding through Greater Palm Springs, a desert resort city surrounded by four gorgeous mountain ranges with plenty of bike lanes and coffee shops to explore. We will enjoy 5 days of riding near and around Indio while enjoying a comfortable stay in fully furnished rental homes. Then off to spend the last two nights exploring Palm Springs.

Trip Reports

Chapter News

It’s Baaaaaack!   The legendary Victoria Chapter Christmas Party.  Same venue…same band.

Victoria Chapter Christmas Party Tickets for Dec 12 at Cedar Hill Club House

 
Tickets can be purchased from Brian/Dianne Collier, Ute Grayson and Diane Swindell. Good news! We can now accept e-transfer of funds. Send it to:
Johnlpritchard47@gmail.com (automatically deposited). When you have done your e–transfer, please forward the email that shows the money has been taken to either Brian Collier, Dianne Collier or Ute Grayson or Diane Swindell
 
Emails: brian.g.collier@gmail.com  Diannecollier2@gmail.com  jasute@shaw.ca or dswindell53@gmail.com The recipient of your email will put your name(s) on the ticket(s) and you can pick them up at the door. (there will be a record there).
 
 

 

New Members

Number Name   City Chapter
3571 Lissa Seymore Nepean  
3570

 
 Carl Smith Kanata The National Capital Region

 

Published at least ten times a year by The Cross Canada Cycle Tour Society, a non – profit organization for retired people and others who enjoy recreational cycling. 

Items for the NEWSBRIEF must be received by the 28th of the month. The Editor reserves the right to edit for clarity, brevity and suitability of publication. The views expressed in the “NEWSBRIEF” are not necessarily those of the CCCTS or the Editor.

Submissions for NEWSBRIEF should be emailed to alaird212@gmail.com