The Cross Canada Cycle Tour Society       March 2023,  Volume 40, Issue #3

 

From the Tour Director’s Desk – March 2023

Elementary school students in Thailand reciting their ‘ABC’s’ for us

Gratitude Gratitude is my theme for the month. Gratitude that everyone returned safe and sound from the Thailand tour and that they all seemed to have a good time too. Gratitude for our guides and drivers who took such good care of us and for the tour members who all looked out for each other. I am grateful for the 20 years my husband Dan and I have been members of this club, for all the wonderful adventures, and most of all for the friendships. Gratitude for the cycle tours to far-flung regions of Canada, especially Haida Gwaii, the Yukon, Dempster Highway and the Northwest Territory, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Cape Breton, New Brunswick, and best of all Newfoundland. I am grateful we are allowed to belong to this fabulous Canadian cycling club and I can serve as your Tour Director, even though we are not Canadians. And, I am incredibly grateful to be working in partnership with Linda Graupner, CCCTS Hub & Spokes Director, who I rely upon for her steadfast support and sound judgment.

Here’s the current update for CCCTS Tours in 2023.

• We have three tours leaving in the next couple of months – Mallorca and Arizona depart in March and Portugal departs in April. These tours should be grand.
• The Ottawa group posted a new June tour to Georgian Bay and it oversubscribed in two days.
• The Central Europe tour in August/September filled up right away and has a small waitlist.
• To my great surprise, the October Japan – Kyoto and Noto Peninsula tour oversubscribed during the lottery period and has a small waitlist.
• We posted our first confirmed 2024 tour to the west coast of Ireland and registration will begin in April.

Eating another great Thai lunch

Details for each tour will be posted when tour proposals and budgets are finalized and have been approved by the Board. 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, here is the best information that I have on the tours that will be offered in 2023 (and one for 2024):

• Thailand – Bangkok to Phuket – Completed – January
• Arizona (March 22 thru 31)
• Mallorca (March 24 thru April 4)
• Portugal – Alentejo and Algarve – (April 17-May 5)
• Georgian Bay (May 28 – June 4)
• Okanagan (June 3-12)
• Central Europe – Prague to Budapest – (August 21-September 5)
• Columbia River Loop – (early to mid-September)
• Croatia (September 18 thru October 4)
• Japan – Kyoto and Noto Peninsula (October 8-23)
• Ireland – Mizen to Malin (September 6-20)

I hope there will be more tours coming for 2023, especially tours closer to home for many of our members. If you will volunteer to lead them, we will run them. Please give me a call or send an email if there is a tour you would like to lead. I am open to any tour idea you have as long as it is a safe place for cycling. (robincooksandsews@gmail.com, 206.899.7255)

Temple with many buddhas

Hopes to Revive the Cross Canada Tour in 2025

The Board has long hoped to revive the Cross Canada tour, which is our club’s heritage and the reason for its founding in 1983. In 2023, we will begin working on this enormous project with a 3-year plan. Below is a very rough plan and more details will be forthcoming every month as we start on this journey.

• 2023 – Survey the club membership this spring to determine if there is sufficient interest to proceed.

If there are enough club members who express a serious interest in doing the ride, we will move forward with this project.

• 2024 – Form committees and plan the tour. (If possible, pre-drive the route and scout campgrounds and accommodations.)
• 2025 – Execute the ride in the summertime.

Take care and enjoy some early spring cycling!

Robin Howe, CCCTS Tour Director.

 

A Message From Maureen Weston Director of Safety

Safety Update

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the CCCTS Board of Directors has implemented plans to protect the health safety of members while participating in club activities. These plans have been posted on our website in the form of two documents, The CCCTS National COVID-19 Safety Plan, and Staying Safe Guidelines.

Sadly, the pandemic is still with us as we begin 2023. With the introduction of vaccines, however, most people who contract COVID do not get seriously ill. Provincial Health Authorities have removed restrictions regarding travel and masking. Life, in some ways, feels almost back to normal. COVID has joined the list of other viruses in general circulation, including the flu and the common cold.

With that in mind, we have updated our health safety plan to include other viruses. The new CCCTS Communicable Illnesses Plan 2023 replaces the two COVID documents and outlines best practice for limiting the spread of communicable illnesses for members participating in tours and Hub & Spoke events. Staying healthy while traveling and riding with a group will benefit all participants. Please take the time to review the new plan, especially if you have signed up for future tours and/or H&S events.

As always, your comments and feedback are most welcome.

Safe cycling, 

Maureen Weston

Tours

• 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: Ride is full, wait list only.
  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: Ride is full, wait list only.
  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: 3 slots are available.
  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!) 

Hub and Spokes

• 2023 Fraser River Canyons and Grasslands Hub and Spoke
  Status: Registration opens Sun, 5 Mar 2023 5:00 PM
  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: Registration opens Mon, 6 Mar 2023 5:00 PM
  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).

  Trip Reports

              thailand-trip-report-2023

 

Videos

Cycling the west coast of Ireland

 

New Members for February

First Name	Last Name	City	Province
Mark	Roznicki	Vernon	B.C.
Swee	Lee	Vernon	B.C.
George	Harris	Puslinch	Ont.
Deborah	Duffy	Perth	Ont.
Glen	Bloom	Perth	Ont.
Barbara	Carver	Victoria	B.C.
Kathleen	Beaton	Delta	B.C.
Sheri	King	Ottawa	Ont.
Arlene	Decaire	Vancouver	B.c.

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