July 2025 Newsbrief

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The Cross Canada Cycle Tour Society July 2025,  Volume 43, Issue #7.

Happy Canada Day

 

2,444 Bike Canadian Stock Photos - Free & Royalty-Free Stock ...

 

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER

by Paul Hough

For the past couple of years, my wife, Nancy, and I have been talking about getting out to B.C. again as the last time we went west was in 2008 to do the CCCTS CanMex camping tour from Vancouver to San Diego, a fabulous experience. So, last January Nancy suggested that I register for the Comox hub & spoke as this would give us a target date and event for us to drive our Roadtrek from Ottawa to Comox. Not having driven across the country before, I thought it might be a tad ambitious but on May 26th we set out and we are really happy that we made the journey.

The Comox hub & spoke was a delightful, very well-organized event – Lawrence Vea and his many helpers really know how to put on a great event. They made it look easy as everyone was relaxed but I know that they all did a tremendous amount of planning and work over many weeks to make it such a success. The fact that we had very good weather for the whole event was indeed a bonus.

Personally, I benefited greatly as I was able to meet in person all but one of the other Board members whom I knew only through Zoom, as well as a number of tour leaders and others whose names have been known to me for some time – meeting them in person was a real treat.

All that to say that I’m really glad we made the trek to Comox and we return to Ottawa with great memories, new friends and more tales to tell.

I have included a few photos to give a sense of things. Many thanks to Lawrence and his crew for such great hospitality and for putting on such a good event.

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Hub and Spoke Report  July 2025

By Rhonda Ryan, Hub and Spoke Director

 

This has been a very busy first half of the cycling season with 6 Hub & Spokes, starting with the Palm Springs (Report in the April CCCTS Newsbrief) in March, followed by  Quebec’s Cantons-de-l’Est, Saturna Island, Puget Sound (2 Hub & Spokes)  and the Comox Valley.  

 

Following are their stories….

 

Quebec’s Cantons-de-l’Est 

Leader: David Featherstonhaugh

 

Report by David Featherstonhaugh

 

The Sherbrooke Hub and Spoke proves once again that CCCTS members know how to have a good time regardless of the weather! Our group of 36 riders had unusually cool temperatures and two rainy days where hiking and sightseeing replaced cycling, but we did ride four days (and the sun even came out for a while on two days!). Fortunately the tornado and torrential rain that hit the Sherbrooke area was the day before we arrived. Our hotel was strategically placed at the top of a hill, making for easy morning departures and not so easy returns! We had some great rides in the beautiful Eastern Townships of Quebec, enjoying some excellent bike paths, trails and country roads (as well as our happy hours!).

 

Saturna Island 

Leader: Diane Swindell

 

Report by Chris Hodgson

 

Our group of 35 members just completed (in late May) 3 1/2 days of biking, hiking and kayaking on Saturna and Mayne islands. The roads were hilly and the hiking trails were strenuous. Kayak routes were a trifle soggy as extreme low tides turned our Boot Cove harbour almost dry.

But challenges were overcome, routes completed and all made it back to our Saturna home base without mishap. Our hikers spotted feral goats. Our kayakers glided over smooth waters and our bikers found peaceful, empty roads. Photo shows our cycle group returning to Lyell Harbour on Saturna Island at 10:45 pm after a full-day tour of Mayne Island.

 

Puget Sound

Leader: Jim Cilek

Report by Linda Graupner

Ocean, mountain views, ferries, seafood dinners…a taste of west coast paradise! Eight cyclists from BC, Alberta, Ontario, Oregon and Virginia spent 5 wonderful days exploring Seattle bike paths and taking ferries to nearby Bainbridge and Vashon Islands.  Our hotel in West Seattle was perfectly situated a short ride from the ferry terminal, although the long climb back to the hotel at the end of each day tired some of us out, especially after daily climbs of over 1000 metres!   Besides the hills and incredible views, other highlights included the bike path around Lake Washington, the Boeing plant, the Jimmy Hendrix tribute, lunch and cycling with CCCTS members Gary and Janice, the lush vegetation of Vashon Island and the beautiful gardens everywhere.  The tour started off with 3 warm and sunny days, offering outstanding views of Mt Rainier. The next few days were cool and cloudy so coffee stops became a priority.  There might even have been a wine tasting stop there too! Thanks to our leader Jim for his capable organization and leadership and for his flexibility and understanding over the many Canadian cancellations. Those of us who braved the trip had a wonderful time and were warmly welcomed in Seattle!

Comox Valley

Leader: Lawrence Vea

Report by Sheila Ord

 

Over 5 cool days in June, 68 participants and 28 volunteers from the Comox Valley Chapter explored the Comox Valley and beyond.  The event brought together old friends and the opportunity to make new ones. On the first day we began with cycle tours around Courtenay followed by an evening feast overlooking the Comox Harbour, featuring salmon caught locally by some of our chapter members.. 

Cyclists could choose from a list of 26 rides, each accompanied by a leader and 2 sweeps. There was something for everyone, including a 1200 metre climb up Mt Washington, Garden and History tours, cruising along quiet farm roads and beaches, taking in views of the Beaufort mountains from Comox Lake, and rides over to Denman, Hornby and Quadra islands.

We closed out with a Thursday celebratory evening, enjoying a delicious Bratwurst BBQ at the Puntledge RV Campground followed by a bonus ride Friday morning for coffee at the Airport. 

 

See additional Comox Valley Photos and stories.

 

The Vancouver Hub and Spoke, headquartered on the picturesque University of British Columbia campus is scheduled to run  August 11- 14.  There are still spots available if you are interested in exploring the many bike routes around Vancouver.

Tours

  • 2026 Portugal – The Alentejo, Atlantic, and Algarve
    Status: 1 slots are available.
    Dates: Wed, 15 Apr 2026 ‐‐ Fri, 1 May 2026

    Enjoy early season cycling on quiet, country roads bordered by cork, olive, lemon, and orange groves in the sunniest part of Europe, the Alentejo and neighboring Algarve regions of southern Portugal.

  • 2025 Veloroute des Bleuets
    Status: Registration closed
    Dates: Mon, 8 Sep 2025 ‐‐ Mon, 15 Sep 2025

    The Veloroute des Bleuets (Blueberry Cycling Route) pannier tour is 256 km of pure cycling fun that loops around Lac Saint-Jean in Quebec’s Saguenay region (about 230 km north of Quebec City). We will cycle around Lac Saint-Jean over 4 days then drive to Quebec City for 2 more full days of riding.

  • 2026 The Frozen Triangle Ski Tour
    Status: Registration opens Mon, 15 Sep 2025 8:00 AM
    Dates: Tue, 6 Jan 2026 ‐‐ Thu, 15 Jan 2026

    Enjoy wintertime in Canada! Join us for cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, and/or snowshoeing. We will stay in three locations for three nights at each, with two days for winter activities at each spot: Lake Louise, Radium, and Golden. 

  • 2026 Japan’s Setouchi Islands – A Cyclist’s Paradise
    Status: Registration opens Mon, 28 Jul 2025 6:00 AM
    Dates: Tue, 31 Mar 2026 ‐‐ Wed, 15 Apr 2026

    The coastal area of the Setouchi is one of Japan’s major tourist destinations and there’s no better way to enjoy it than by bike. It is a virtual utopia for cyclists. One of cyclists’ many touring options is the 70-kilometer Shimanami Kaido highway linking the city of Onomichi and Imabari. We will also cycle the Kamijima Islands, Kakishima Kaido and Tobishima Kaido, three other popular chains of islands for cyclists.

  • 2025 Maritimes Camping Tour
    Status: Registration closed
    Dates: Mon, 7 Jul 2025 ‐‐ Wed, 23 Jul 2025

    Charlottetown, PEI to Sidney, NS.
    Riding the backroads of Prince Edward Island, Northumberland Strait of Nova Scotia and the Cabot Trail of Cape Breton Island.

  • TOUR POSTPONED UNTIL 2026 – Updated Ultimate Vietnam Tour
    Status: Registration closed
    Dates: Mon, 3 Nov 2025 ‐‐ Thu, 27 Nov 2025

    The Ultimate Vietnam tour will be a smorgasbord of cultural and historical delights, and at the end you’ll feel that perhaps you might better understand this sliver of a country just south of mighty China. Cycle in both the north and the south of Vietnam with a flight in between.

  • 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: Completed

    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 – CANCELLED
    Status: Registration closed
    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: 9 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: Completed

    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: Ride is full, wait list only.
    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.

  • CANCELLED – 2025 Seattle and Eastside Suburbs Mini-Tour – Canceled due to Low Registration
    Status: Registration closed
    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: 2 slots are available.
    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.

Hub and Spokes

  • Vancouver Hub and Spoke 2025
    Status: Ride is full, wait list only.
    Dates: Mon, 11 Aug 2025 ‐‐ Thu, 14 Aug 2025

    This often talked about Vancouver Hub and Spoke will be headquartered on the picturesque University of British Columbia campus. 

Trip Reports

  • 2025 Slovenia Tour

    2025 Slovenia Tour – on the Sunny Side of the Alps This tour took place from May 11 to May 25, 2025. Nine people participated: Jim Cilek, Charlene Dorward, Bonita Douglas, Lynda Edmonds, Heye Klaver, Ramona Lee, Bob Myrick, Annemieke Quinn and Deanna Simmons. Being a small group, we bonded quickly. The tour operator, Alen … Continue reading 2025 Slovenia Tour→

  • 2024 Sri Lanka – Trip Report

    Nine CCCTS toured Sri Lanka in 2024 guided by tour company Spice Roads. Here is their story in words and stunning photos.

New Members

first_name last_name city province
Graeme Stephens Ottawa ON
Janet Riopel Edmonton AB
Tihisha Vaccaiah Carson City NV
Jackie Brace Camrose AB
Dale Harrison Comox BC
Daniel Barer Victoria BC
Helen Salter Vancouver BC
Jan Hobbis Delta BC
Peter Skepasts Surrey BC
Sandy White Courtenay BC