The Cross Canada Cycle Tour Society January 2025,  Volume 43, Issue #2

Meet the Club’s New Hub & Spoke Director – Rhonda Ryan

CCCTS has a new Hub & Spoke (H&S) Director. Meet Rhonda Ryan from Comox. Rhonda has graciously volunteered for the H&S Director post because she wanted to become more active in the club at the national level.

Rhonda has been cycling for many years. She and her husband Eamonn (CCCTS Webmaster) took up mountain biking when they lived in the Hamilton, Ontario area during their working lives. They did self-guided cycle tours in eastern Canada, Europe, and the US. Rhonda also loves skiing, golf, and hiking. Rhonda and Eamonn decided to retire in the west when they were on a vacation to Vancouver Island. It seemed like Comox was the perfect spot – with lots of hiking, skiing, golfing, and biking opportunities close by. When their two daughters announced they were moving west, and the perfect house suddenly appeared, the decision to move across the country was easy.

Rhonda is a nutritionist by training and later worked in Research & Development and Business Development for several large multinational companies. She traveled all over the world for her work. The club is super lucky to get a volunteer with Rhonda’s organizational and business skills.

Shortly after moving to Comox, Rhonda met Lawrence Vea on a “newcomer’s ride” and Lawrence urged her to join CCCTS. That was 2015 and Rhonda has been active with the club ever since. She has participated in 11 Hub & Spokes and tours, including being a co-leader for the Big Island of Hawaii and Southwest Ireland tours. She is active in the Comox Valley Chapter, serving as Secretary and Social Coordinator, on the organizing committee for the Comox Valley Hub & Spoke, and frequently leads weekly road and mountain bike rides.

Please give Rhonda a big Thank You the next time you see her for volunteering. The Hub & Spoke Director job is very important to the success of the club. Everyone loves the Hub & Spokes. They are hands down the most popular undertaking of our club and they are one of the most accessible cycling options for club members. It is how many of us start before we might opt to move on to venturing further afield with our cycling tours.

Rhonda is jumping into the “deep end” straight off. There are six confirmed H&S’s for 2025 and another one on the table. This includes the huge seventy-person Comox H&S. We should all do whatever we can to assist her with this big responsibility.

The club also owes a huge Thank You to Linda Graupner, our departing H&S Director. Linda did an incredible job in bringing life back to our H&S line up after the COVID pandemic shut everything down. Linda also completed a comprehensive review and refresh of our Ride Guidelines for Participants and Leaders. That was a task that was long overdue and it was a LOT of work. Linda has kindly offered to support Rhonda in her new position, as needed, as we pass the torch.

Welcome, Rhonda, to your new job!

 

Ask Richard: Bike Tech Talk

Ask Richard: Bike Tech Talk

Winter is a good time to ensure that you have all of your GPS devices working well for the Spring season. Some of you are preparing for cycling and have sent me more questions. I appreciate your questions and want to cover a couple of them here as they are of general interest.

Question: Dear Richard, I read your Ask Richard: Bike Tech Talk in the November 2024 CCCTS Newsletter. Am glad you posted the question regarding not being able to navigate a route on your phone. It confirmed what a few of us had suspected recently. I have been on club rides where I was unable to navigate from my phone. It is most likely because they were not on the club database. I would like to know if this is this only occurs when you use RideWithGPS (RWGPS) on your phone? Are you able to avoid this problem by using Wahoo or Garmin GPS devices?

Answer: That is a great question. Agreed, you will be unable to navigate with a phone if the club is not the author of the route unless you have a paid membership. However, if you have a paid RWGPS membership (Basic level costs 59.99 USD per year), you can use any of the routes on the RWGPS database from around the world.

You are right to think that using a different system, such as a stand-alone bike computer (Garmin, Wahoo, etc.) would avoid this issue since they take the RWGPS file and put it into their own system for navigation.

To test this out, I used a free RWGPS account to find a route that does not belong to our club. I downloaded the route as a .fit file (the format recommended by RWGPS for Garmin devices) to my computer and connected my Garmin Edge 1030 to the computer by USB cord. I transferred the file to the /Garmin/NewFiles area of the Garmin and then unplugged it from the computer and turned the Garmin off and on again. The new route was there and ready to navigate and did not require a paid membership! This is a nice (but expensive) solution to this problem.

Question: Many of us use an iPhone or other mobile phone to get RWGPS directions during a ride. If I want to be able to see the route on the phone while cycling, how can I ensure that I will have enough battery life for the whole ride?

Answer: To set up the phone for viewing the map during the ride, first load the route as usual, then start by tapping Navigate. Then tap the Tools icon near the bottom and then Settings. Turn on Handlebar Mode and Keep Screen On. That gets you started. In Android you can also specify that the screen only comes on while navigating. In both iOS (iPhone) and Android phones you will now be using the battery at an accelerated rate. The following can help reduce the rate of battery usage:

1. Before starting the ride, download the route and save it to your phone so it does not require data to show you where you are on the map. There are many ways to download your route but the easiest is to PIN the route on a computer and then go to the RWGPS app on the phone and go to your Library/Pinned. Tap the route and when it comes up, Save/Download for Offline. From then on you can find that route in the Library/Offline before you go for a ride.
2. Reduce searching for phone signals by turning off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (unless Bluetooth is desired to connect to headphones or hearing aids to hear the turn instructions). You can also turn on Airplane Mode to stop searching for phone signal in isolated areas with little or no phone signal. However, I do not normally recommend using Airplane Mode since you may miss urgent text or phone messages from other riders during a Club ride.
3. Turn on Low Power Mode in iOS or Battery Saver Mode in Android in the Battery Settings (this is found on the phone settings, not the RWGPS app settings). This reduces battery use by your mail and other apps that require data from time to time. It may also lower the screen intensity. It does allow you to continue to receive messages and calls and may extend your screen use time by 20% (my rough estimate).
4. Disable Live Logging (the feature that sends out your current location to those you have authorized to receive the updates of where you are).
5. Carry a battery pack to connect to your phone while navigating or at lunch stops. This can easily double the battery capacity for longer rides.
6. Make sure your phone battery is in good condition before using it as a cycling GPS device. Your battery total capacity should be greater than 80% or it should be replaced. Also start out the ride with a fully-charged battery (so if driving for a remote start, plug in your phone in the car if you are using it for navigation).
7. I would also caution you to remove your phone from the bike any time you are not close to the bike. If you have the screen on, a passer-by could take your phone and access all of the apps and data on your phone. That is a serious security risk.

Thanks for reading! Don’t hesitate to contact me if you are having problems with navigation. I will respond as quickly as possible and may also use your question as part of a later column.

Richard Tobin

CCCTS RideWithGPS Administrator

rstobin20@gmail.com

Chapter News

This should have gone in last month but better late than never.

Tours

• 2025 Albania UNESCO Tour
  Status: Ride is full, wait list only.
  Dates: Fri, 29 Aug 2025 ‐‐ Thu, 11 Sep 2025

  Albania…one of the least developed countries in Europe with much to offer!

• 2025 Walking the Camino Primitivo, the Original Camino de Santiago
  Status: Ride is full, wait list only.
  Dates: Tue, 22 Apr 2025 ‐‐ Wed, 7 May 2025

  Come and walk the Camino Primitivo in Spain with CCCTS! While not the easiest Camino, it is a beautiful route of 235 km with time and space for contemplation and great views. At Santiago de Compostela, you will present your credencial to receive your official certificate of completion, the Compostela .

• 2025-Oregon Scenic Bikeways – REVISED
  Status: 10 slots are available.
  Dates: Thu, 4 Sep 2025 ‐‐ Thu, 18 Sep 2025

  This 15-day tour will take us along the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway from Portland south to Eugene then carry on to Cottage Grove and the Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway. Next, we will cycle the Historic Columbia River Highway 30 and Historic Highway State Trail  along the Columbia River Gorge. The Waterfall Corridor in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is home to dozens of magical waterfalls. Don’t miss this one!

• 2025 Northern and Central Thailand
  Status: 10 slots are available.
  Dates: Tue, 18 Nov 2025 ‐‐ Thu, 11 Dec 2025

  This is a Thailand bike tour for the ages from Chiang Mai to Bangkok. We trace the routes shaped by Siamese kingdom builders over millennia and delve deep into the diverse cultural fabric of modern Thailand, from small hill tribe villages in the northern highlands to the skyscrapers of Bangkok. Over 24 exhilarating days, we leave no stone unturned as we discover the rich heritage and natural beauty of the “Land of Smiles”. 

• 2025 Slovenia Tour – on the Sunny Side of the Alps
  Status: 8 slots are available.
  Dates: Sun, 11 May 2025 ‐‐ Sun, 25 May 2025

  Slovenia offers stunning scenery for cyclists, with lush landscapes, picturesque villages, and breathtaking mountain views.  Slovenians are a friendly people – and very proud of their country, its long history, its natural beauty, the fine wines, their unique cuisine.
  The tour begins in Croatia (Zagreb) and travels to the lovely, small country of Slovenia. Tour destinations include Slovenia’s capital city of Ljubljana, Lake Bled, the Julian Alps, and the seaside port of Piran. Enjoy lovely and unique hotels and accommodations, including the underground rooms on a wine estate (windows on the ceiling), beautiful alpine and coastal scenery, visiting and passing through vineyards. Spring is such a beautiful time to be cycling in Europe, not only before the busy season, with new babies being born in the fields, lamb, goats, calves. Storks are nesting, trees are in blossom!

• Reduced price!! 2025 Hokkaido North Island Adventure
  Status: Ride is full, wait list only.
  Dates: Mon, 25 Aug 2025 ‐‐ Sun, 7 Sep 2025

  REDUCED PRICE!! 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: 1 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: 12 slots are available.
  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: 1 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.

Hub and Spokes

• Comox Hub and Spoke 2025
  Status: Ride is full, wait list only.
  Dates: Mon, 16 Jun 2025 ‐‐ Fri, 20 Jun 2025
• Pedal the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island as well as Denman, Hornby and Quadra Islands
• Saturna Island Hub & Spoke 2025
  Status: Ride is full, wait list only.
  Dates: Tue, 27 May 2025 ‐‐ Sat, 31 May 2025
• Puget Sound Hub and Spoke June 8 2025
  Status: Ride is full, wait list only.
  Dates: Sun, 8 Jun 2025 ‐‐ Sat, 14 Jun 2025
• Puget Sound Hub and Spoke 2025
  Status: 3 slots are available.
  Dates: Sun, 22 Jun 2025 ‐‐ Sat, 28 Jun 2025
• Palm Springs Hub and Spoke 202
  Status: Registration closed
  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.

New Members

Some of these folks are not new members and some are.  System playing games with me.

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