The Cross Canada Cycle Tour Society Sept 2024, Volume 42, Issue #9
TOUR DIRECTOR’S CORNER
Tour Director’s job split in two.
You may have noticed that the club is running quite a few tours now. As long as we can get enough people to meet our tour minimums, we are happy to run as many tours as our volunteer leaders are willing to lead. But, as with everything else in our club, the Tour Director position is a volunteer one and until last month, this was an administrative labor force of one. Plus, of course, all of our great volunteer Leaders and Coordinators! Hence, it gives me incredible happiness to announce that we just multiplied ourselves into a staff of two. Robin Howe will continue to handle International Tours and Janet Whitehead will become our new Director of North American Tours. Janet is a longtime CCCTS member, experienced cycle tour leader, and all-around super competent person. Robin is thrilled to be partnering with Janet, along with Linda Graupner, our excellent Director of Hub & Spokes. Just in case you don’t already know Janet, please read about her below.
Janet Whitehead, New Director of North American Tours
Janet started touring by bike in the 1980’s when airline travel was easy and all one needed was a map and panniers. She was introduced to CCCTS by her ski buddies and was encouraged to join the club and register for the Vietnam Tour. She was hooked and for the rest of her working career put aside vacation time to cycle tour. She has been a CCCTS Director for several years and was involved in getting the Fraser Valley Chapter on its feet. Janet is delighted to be working with Robin, Linda and all the volunteers who plan and coordinate the North America tours.
From the International Tour Director’s Desk – October 2024
Kamnik gelato stop in Slovenia – Why some of us cycle
Three tours have just completed this month – Slovenia, Ireland, and Spokane to Coeur d’Alene. We hope all these tours were lots of fun for everyone. See some photos from each one inserted in this article. This completes our 2024 tour schedule, except for the Sri Lanka tour beginning on October 15. There is still room if you are interested in joining this one, which will explore Sri Lanka from the north to the south of the island.
Spokane to Coeur d’Alenes tour group
Tour Postings
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; all members will be notified via email when a new tour posts. Tour plans are always changing; as of today, this is the best information we have on the tours that will be offered for the remainder of 2024 and for 2025. We’ll start posting the draft list of ideas for 2026 a bit later. 
Ireland Ride Leaders – Maureen, Gino, and Margaret
2024
- Italian Dolomites Cross Country Ski – Completed
- Portugal – Alentejo and Algarve – Completed
- South Korea – Completed
- Rideau Canal Pannier – Completed
- Grand Coulee Dam Loop – Completed
- Spokane to Coeur d’Alenes via Hiawatha Trail – Completed
- Ireland – Mizen to Malin – Completed
- Slovenia – Completed
- Sri Lanka – October 15-November 6 – lots of space is still available
Tunnel on Spokane to Coeur d’Alene’s tour
2025 – Draft list
- Camino Primitivo Walk – Spain– April 22 thru May 7 – Walking tour
- Slovenia – May
- Morocco – Atlas to Atlantic – May 18-June 3
- Oregon TBD – spring, summer, or fall
- Croatia – June 1-17
- Cape Breton and PEI – July 19-August 2
(Scouting for first leg of the Cross Canada – summertime.)
- Maritimes Camping Tour – July or August
- Prague to Budapest – August 18-September 5
- Japan – Hokkaido – August 25-September 11
- Veloroute de Bleuet – September
- Vancouver Island – Port Alice to Victoria – September 7-20
- Discovery Islands and the Sunshine Coast – September 21-28 – camping tour
- Seattle Mini-Tour #1 – City & Eastside Suburbs – September 28-October 4 – pannier tour
- Albania – fall
- Northern and Central Thailand – November 18-December 11
Two of our stylish men in their rainwear cycling outfits in Slovenia
2026 – Much more to come later
- Partial Cross Canada Tour – Vancouver to Winnipeg (first section of Cross Canada) – summer (August-mid-September)
Slovenia Tour Coordinators – Jill and Larry Weldon – on Vrsic Pass
Please give us a call or send an email if there is a tour you would like to lead. We are open to considering any tour idea you have as long as it is a safe place for cycling. (International Tours = Robin Howe, robincooksandsews@gmail.com, 206.899.7255; North American Tours = Janet Whitehead, jmwhitehead55@gmail.com, 604-516-9455)
Enjoy your summer cycling and adventures!
Robin Howe, CCCTS Director of International Tours and Janet Whitehead, CCCTS Director of North American Tours
Ireland Tour – white cottages by the sea
Introducing a New Column about Ride with GPS.
Ask Richard: Bike Tech Talk
As the CCCTS RideWithGPS (RWGPS) Administrator, I’m always excited to talk about GPS technology with our club members. Since my appointment in late 2021, I’ve received many inquiries about using RWGPS software on various devices and accessing our extensive database of routes. With encouragement from our Hub and Spoke Director, Linda Graupner, I’m launching this column to address tech issues that are of interest to you.
For those unfamiliar, RideWithGPS is a powerful tool that helps cyclists plan, navigate, and analyze their rides. It’s an essential resource for our club, offering features like voice directions during rides and access to our club’s curated routes.
My first initiative for this column was to update our online presentation on RWGPS and its benefits for the Club. The previous presentation has been on the CCCTS website for a few years, but much has changed in the software and devices since then. The new version is available here. I encourage you to take a look and let me know if anything is unclear or needs correction. Please send me any questions you have about RWGPS, and I’ll do my best to address them in this column or by email. You can reach me by email at rstobin20@gmail.com
To kick off the question-and-answer portion, here’s a common question we receive:
Do I need to buy a subscription to RWGPS?
Answer: CCCTS has a club account that provides most of the benefits of an individual membership. If you only download routes from our database for your rides, you won’t need to purchase an individual membership. (See page 4 of the presentation for details.) For example, you can get voice directions during your ride using your phone. However, if you enjoy creating your own routes and want access to all the route-making tools, you might consider a Basic (60USD/year) or Premium (80USD/year) membership. Personally, I find the tools in the Premium membership to be very useful.
Stay tuned for more tips and insights in future columns. I look forward to hearing from you!
Richard Tobin
CCCTS RideWithGPS Administrator
rstobin20@gmail.com
In Search Of.
1” threaded fork with a steer tube at least 20cm long, with cantilever brake posts, 700c wheel with tire clearance for a wide ish tire + fenders, and mid mount accessory holes that need to be through holes not single sided.
Upcoming Tours
- 2025 Hokkaido North Island Adventure
Status: 20 slots are available.
Dates: Mon, 25 Aug 2025 ‐‐ Thu, 11 Sep 2025This 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 2025British 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 2025A 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 2025Cycle 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: 8 slots are available.
Dates: Sat, 19 Jul 2025 ‐‐ Sat, 2 Aug 2025Come 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: 1 slots are available.
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.
Upcoming Hub and Spokes
- 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: Ride is full, wait list only.
Dates: Sun, 22 Jun 2025 ‐‐ Sat, 28 Jun 2025
- 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: 9 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
- 2024 Grand Coulee Dam Loop
2024 Grand Coulee Dam Loop By Deb Chamitoff If I were to use one word to describe this 13 Day Bicycle Tour, it would be VARIETY! Eleven days of touring with only one designated rest day, Doris, our leader did a great job of designing a fun and challenging tour. The … Continue reading 2024 Grand Coulee Dam Loop
- 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
Some Sights and Sounds of Sri Lanka.
Still some places left for this tour.
New Members
| racey | Kavanagh | Courtenay | BC |
| Elizabeth | Prsala | Victoria | BC |
| Michael | Fitton | Edmonton | AB |
| Chris | Preshing | Edmonton | AB |
| Peggy | Hunter | Victoria | BC |
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