July 2024 Newsbrief
The Cross Canada Cycle Tour Society July 2024, Volume 41, Issue #7
From the Tour Director’s Desk – July 2024
Rideau Canal Pannier Tour Cyclists on Bridge
Two more of our 2024 tours have completed since I last checked in with you – the Rideau Canal Pannier Tour and the Grand Coulee tour. Both tours have been reported to be successful and loads of fun and we can’t ask for more than that. There are some photos from each tour included in this article.
CCCTS Friendships
I don’t know about you but the most important thing I get from this club are the long-lasting friendships. Some date as far back as 22 years for us, when my husband and I first joined the club. I cherish my “old” club buddies and continue to meet newer members and make new friends. This summer, we have two club friends visiting us on the west coast from Ottawa, a friend coming from Arizona, and a tour contractor friend from Japan stopping by while he’s in town. All of these visits are especially welcome this summer since we are stuck at home while I rehab my first total knee replacement. I sincerely hope that someday when we may feel too old to cycle, we will still get together with our CCCTS buddies for motorized travel or just reminiscing about all our past cycle trips.
Locks on the Rideau Canal Tour
The 2024 season is now half-way completed and all remaining tours are fully registered except for one. Please check out the Sri Lanka tour in October if you’re interested in this incredible tour. It still is not too late for someone to step forward with a new 2024 tour idea. Meanwhile, the club’s tour leaders and I are hard at work preparing for the 2025 tour season. We have some super exciting tours on the horizon for 2025, including Tuscany, Morocco, and Hokkaido just to name a few. I’m also already thinking about the 2026 tour season.
Details for each tour will be posted when tour proposals and budgets are finalized and have been approved by the Board. This list in the Newsbrief is meant to give you a heads-up for your travel planning purposes until the final tour details are ready for publication. So, please watch your CCCTS emails and the website since tours will be posted one at a time as they are ready, and all members will be notified via email when a new tour posts. Tour plans are always changing. As of today, the best information I have on the tours that will be offered for the remainder of 2024 and for 2025 is below. The list of ideas for 2026 is more tentative and just meant to give you an idea of what could happen.
Grand Coulee tour group on the road
2024
- Italian Dolomites Cross Country Ski – Completed
- Portugal – Alentejo and Algarve – Completed
- South Korea – April 22-May 6 – Completed
- Rideau Canal Pannier – Completed
- Grand Coulee Dam Loop – Completed
- Spokane-Coeur d’Alene via Hiawatha Trail – September 3-12
- Ireland – Mizen to Malin – September 6-20
- Veloroute de Bleuet – September – waiting for details to post this one
- Slovenia – September 10-24
- Sri Lanka – October 15-November 6 – lots of space is still available
2025 – Draft list
- Tuscany – beginning April 21
- Morocco – Atlas to Atlantic – May
- Croatia – June 1-17
- Seattle Mini-Tour #1 – City & Eastside Suburbs – June
(Scouting for first leg of the Cross Canada – summertime.)
- Maritimes Camping Tour – July or August
- Prague to Budapest – beginning August 18
- Japan – Hokkaido – September 1-20
- Sunshine Coast Bicycle Route from Lund to Horseshoe Bay, Nanaimo to Courtenay/Comox – mid–September to mid-October
- Albania – fall
- Northern and Central Thailand – November 17-December 10
Scenery from Grand Coulee tour
2026 – Idea stage only
- Italian Tyrol X-C – January or February
- Leavenworth, Plain, and Methow Valley (Washington) – January or February
- Taiwan – spring
- Sitnica Tour in Europe – spring– destination could be Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Munich to Venice, Tuscany, etc.
- Walla Walla, Dayton, and Richland – spring or fall
- Seattle Mini-Tour #2 – Puget Sound Islands – June
- Peru – From the Andes to the Amazon – summer or fall
- Partial Cross Canada Tour – Vancouver to Winnipeg (first section of Cross Canada) – summer (August-mid-September)
- Sitnica Tour in Europe – fall – destination could be Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Munich to Venice, Tuscany, etc.
- Japan’s Seto Inland Sea and Shikoko – October or early November
- Philippines –December
Grand Coulee tour group
Please give me a call or send an email if there is a tour you would like to lead. I am open to considering any tour idea you have as long as it is a safe place for cycling. (Robin Howe, robincooksandsews@gmail.com, 206.899.7255)
Enjoy your summer cycling and adventures!
Robin Howe, CCCTS Tour Director
Happy Cyclist on Rideau Canal Tour
Upcoming Tours
- 2025 Croatian Adriatic As it Used To Be
Status: Registration opens Mon, 8 Jul 2024 5:00 PM
Dates: Sun, 1 Jun 2025 ‐‐ Tue, 17 Jun 2025Come 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.
- 2024 Slovenia – On The Sunny Side of The Alps
Status: Ride is full, wait list only.
Dates: Tue, 10 Sep 2024 ‐‐ Tue, 24 Sep 2024Join us in September, a perfect time to discover this special little country of Slovenia, a green jem squeezed between Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia! On a bike is a great way to do it! Turquoise lakes, the Adriatic Sea, the Julian Alps, alpine and medieval villages, the capital Ljubljana guarded over by its castle, turquoise rivers, mountain valleys, terraced vineyards….. We will have two weeks to sample it all, especially Slovenia’s native wines and wonderful cuisine!
- 2024 Trail of the Coeur D’Alene’s including Route of the Hiawatha
Status: Ride is full, wait list only.
Dates: Tue, 3 Sep 2024 ‐‐ Thu, 12 Sep 2024This tour involves three cycling segments. It begins in Harrison Idaho with two days of cycling, then moves on to Wallace, Idaho for two more day rides, including the Hiawatha trail, and ends in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho with a two-night pannier ride on the Centennial trail to Spokane, Washington. The scenery will be lovely all along the way.
2024 Sri Lanka Tour – Negombo to Colombo
Status: 15 slots are available.
Dates: Tue, 15 Oct 2024 ‐‐ Wed, 6 Nov 2024 -
This adventure is the final word in Sri Lanka cycling tours! Over the course of 23 exhilarating days we explore the island’s pristine beaches, ancient rock fortresses, temple-studded cities, lush national parks, and tea field-covered mountains. We leave no stone unturned as we delve deep into Sri Lanka’s rich heritage and natural beauty. We will also spend 1-2 days dedicated to a service project for a local Sri Lankan community.
- 2024 Ireland Mizen to Malin
Status: 1 slots are available.
Dates: Fri, 6 Sep 2024 ‐‐ Fri, 20 Sep 2024The 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!
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 2025Let’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.
- Silver Star Cross-country Ski 2024
Status: 13 slots are available.
Dates: Tue, 3 Dec 2024 ‐‐ Tue, 10 Dec 2024Get an early start to the ski season with our 2nd CCCTS cross-country ski event! Silver Star is known for its early snow and its excellent network of groomed trails winding through the hills. Join us for an “east meets west” chapter-wide event which will include plenty of opportunity for apres-ski socializing with your CCCTS friends from across the country.
Trip Reports
- May, 2024 Ottawa to Kingston Tour along the Rideau Canal
It was a beautiful spring jaunt through rural eastern Ontario following the early 19th century Rideau Canal. Such a pleasure with 21 of us, mostly Ottawans, six from BC and one from Virginia, cycling from Ottawa to Kingston and back. And under perfect weather except for one morning shower. Linda Graupner led the convoy, … Continue reading May, 2024 Ottawa to Kingston Tour along the Rideau Canal
- 2024 CCCTS South Korea Tour Review
In April of 2024, 15 keen cyclists from across North America embarked on a cycling tour of South Korea, taking us through bustling cities, beautiful valleys, and along stunning coastlines. Over the course of 15 days, we grew closer to each other, made lasting memories, and deepened our knowledge of South Korea and its … Continue reading 2024 CCCTS South Korea Tour Review
- Dolomites Cross Country Ski Trip, 2024
by Linda Graupner We were very lucky with the weather. Day after day of sunny blue skies. Temperatures would drop at night, keeping the snow in good shape and then we had clear sunshine until mid-afternoon when shade would cause the the temperature to drop like a stone. Everything was well groomed and well signed. … Continue reading Dolomites Cross Country Ski Trip, 2024
- Nicola Valley Grasslands Gravel Roads Hub and Spoke: June 9-16, 2024
CCCTS BC’s Nicola Valley Grasslands Gravel Roads Hub and Spoke: June 9-16, 2024 by Maureen Angen 18 CCCTS Member cyclists spent 7 days exploring the beautiful grasslands of the Nicola Valley with the guidance of trip organizer George Zorn, helped by co-leaders Craig McBride, Pat Hutchins, Nancy Knight, Lorne Hunter and Judy Murray. See the … Continue reading Nicola Valley Grasslands Gravel Roads Hub and Spoke: June 9-16, 2024
- CCCTS May 2024 Ottawa Hub and Spoke
CCCTS May 2024 Ottawa Hub and Spoke Once again, the Capital region put on an excellent Hub and Spoke. The trip ran from May 12 – 18. We were based in the Kanata area of Ottawa at the Comfort Inn. The hotel was very accommodating to our large group of cyclists. There were quite a … Continue reading CCCTS May 2024 Ottawa Hub and Spoke
- 2024 Everett H&S
2024 Everett H&S Written by Swee Lee Cycling to Snohomish Sunday, May 19: A large enthusiastic group of us CCCTS members met at the lobby of the Hampton Inn in downtown Everett for the “Everett to Snohomish” pre-ride arranged by our leaders, Elaine and Dick Carpenter. Old and new members alike chatted with excitement, hopped … Continue reading 2024 Everett H&S
- Napanee Hub and Spoke 2023
The National Capital chapter had yet another successful Hub and Spoke the third week of September based out of the Fox Motor Inn in Napanee, Ontario. The weather was great and everyone had an excellent time! Many thanks go to Nel Ahmed and Geoff Kennedy for the planning, organization, and leading; and to Linda Graupner … Continue reading Napanee Hub and Spoke 2023
- CCCTS 2023 St. Augustine Florida Tour
November 7-15, 2023 Prepared by Chris Hayes, critiqued by 21 riders First, a quick timeline of notable St. Augustine periods: The First Spanish Period, 1565-1763 The British Period, 1763-1783 The Second Spanish Period, 1783-1821 The U.S. Territorial Period, 1821-1845 The CCCTS Period, November 7-15, 2023 Cast of characters: Linda, Tim, Chris H, Donna, Geoff, … Continue reading CCCTS 2023 St. Augustine Florida Tour
Buy And Sell
Thule Bike Rack
I have a slightly used Thule bike rack (holds two e-bikes) bought originally in 2018 but seldom used. It is a Thule Doubletrack Pro 9054, beautifully constructed and compatible with either a 2” or 1.25” hitch. Complete with instruction manual. $250 firm.
Barrie Webster
Victoria
250 858-9187 cell
Trek Road Bike
Devinci Road Bike
Tacx Trainer
$25.00.
Tuno Fluid trainer
Serratus Pannier – Day Pack
Two wheel bags
Approach Bike Seat
Panniers
Malone Seawing Kayak Car Rack
V-cradle kayak carrier. Only used twice.
Car rack seating kayak carrier plus rope.
Measure 71.12x 20.32×15.24 cm. OBO $150.00
Contact Aline Lavoie
lavoiealine@shaw.ca
Fraser Valley
Bulls E-Bike
Gently used German made Bulls step through e-bike size small. Asking $3500 ($5500 new). Pedals and specialized water bottle included. Project 529 registration will be transferred to new owner.
Contact Margaret 
Kavanagh
kavanaghmf@gmail.com
Victoria Area
Yak Bob Trailer
Bob Trailer , model Yak with dry sac for sale.
New listed cost is $1,151.52 and I am selling mine for 33% of that price which is $380.00.
I have the original box that the trailer came in and I am willing to ship to the new owner at their expense.
If anyone is interested contact me at greyfelix18@gmail.com
Les Hudgins
Victoria Area
Title: women’s Shimano SPD biking shoes, size 37
Description: Size 37, never worn, still in the box. Black with fluorescent
orange trim with Crank Brother cleats included.Price: $110
brian.money@telus.net
Brian’s cell #250-886-9782
New Members
first_name last_name city province Rina Young Ottawa ON Stan Czemerynski Langford BC Stuart Nicholls New Westminster BC Andrew Jacob Toronto ON Elaine Donohoe North Vancouver BC Jeffery Pugh Nanaimo BC Greg Bartlett Fort Saskatchewan AB
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