The Cross Canada Cycle Tour Society October 2025,  Volume 43, Issue #10

Happy Halloween

Hub & Spoke Director’s Report by Rhonda Ryan

Comox Valley Hub & Spoke 2025

2025 has been another great cycling season with seven Hub & Spokes starting with Palm Springs in March and ending with one in Vancouver in August. A big thank you to all the leaders and volunteers for organizing and making your events a great success this year. You can read all about these events and enjoy the photos on the CCCTS website under Hub & Spoke Trip Reports.

Over the next few months I will be contacting all of our chapters and regions to discuss ideas and start planning for next year’s riding season. We have started work on a couple of events for 2026 and are looking for more leaders to come forward. What a great opportunity to share your favorite cycling routes with other members of CCCTS. If you are looking for ideas a good place to start is on our CCCTS website under Hub & Spokes and review all the Hub & Spokes from previous cycling seasons.

Our Hub and Spokes don’t need to be just a cycling event. The Saturna Island event this year included hiking and kayaking in addition to cycling. Thank you Diane Swindell and co-leaders for organizing this successful event. Linda Graupner from the National Capital Region organized a cross country ski event at Silver Star in 2024.

Some of the ideas for Hub & Spokes that have come forward are:

• Spring time garden tour
• Fall foliage tour
• Wine tour & tasting
• Island Hopping
• Exploring trails
• Snow Shoeing

Please contact me directly at ccctshubspokedirector@gmail.com to help you get started and check out our new (released earlier this year) Ride Guidelines for Leaders and Participants .

Central Europe Tour by Dianne Schneidmiller

A group of sixteen strong, enthusiastic cyclists enjoyed touring Central Europe’s extensive bike paths, despite Air Canada’s best strike efforts to make some stay home. About a third of the group spent a few long and stressful days finding alternate flights. Fortunately, all met with success. No one was missing the opportunity to explore this beautiful landscape and architecture as well as learn its extensive and often heart wrenching history.

Alen Augustin did another fantastic job of selecting routes that highlighted fascinating Unesco sites, historic towns, and medieval castles, often following tree canopied country roads and trails. As our amazing leader Maureen Angen expressed, Central Europe is like falling into a fairy tale. The magical lands of castles, monasteries, lush forests, and mountain backdrops along with stories of beautiful royalty and power hungry villains completes the picture.

This was another memorable CCCTS tour, forging new friendships and building on old ones, sharing unique experiences, and coming home with a new appreciation for a culture and its history.

 

Tours

• CANCELLED DUE TO LOW REGISTRATION NUMBERS – 2026 Cross Canada part 1 – Victoria to Winnipeg
  Status: Registration closed
  Dates: Fri, 17 Jul 2026 ‐‐ Sat, 29 Aug 2026

  This is the ultimate way to see your country – or at least the western third of it. Begin at the beaches of western British Columbia, move into mountain territory, then the Okanagan, the stunning Rocky Mountains, and drop down into a rural landscape of the farmlands and small towns of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, as well as the big cities of Calgary, Regina and Winnipeg. This tour is a six-week camping tour with 12 hotel nights. (This is the first section of the Cross Canada ride in what we hope will be a three-series ride.)

• 2026 Portugal – The Alentejo, Atlantic, and Algarve
  Status: Ride is full, wait list only.
  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: Completed

  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: Ride is full, wait list only.
  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: Ride is full, wait list only.
  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: Completed

  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: Completed

  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: Completed

  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: Registration closed
  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: Completed

  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: Completed

  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.

Trip Reports

 

• Veloroute des Bleuets and Quebec City Tour

  Veloroute des Bleuets and Quebec City Tour – 8th to 15th of September 2025 Submitted by Richard Hatherill* Day 1 – Introduction The Veloroute des Bleuets tour took place for four days around Lac Saint-Jean in the Saguenay region of Quebec. Sixteen riders from Ottawa and seven riders from the Vancouver area traveled mainly from … Continue reading Veloroute des Bleuets and Quebec City Tour→

• Central Europe 2025

  Central Europe CCCTS Ride 2025 – Prague to Bratislava then onto Budapest . A wonderfully memorable trip. Many thanks to Maureen Angen and the Sitnica group for creating such an adventurous tour of Central Europe. Castles, culture, cycling and connecting with our local hosts, a great design for a rich and exciting tour. Photo: (Sitnika … Continue reading Central Europe 2025→

• 2025 Croatian Adriatic as it Used To Be.

  Final Report 2025 Croatian Adriatic As it Used To Be -Trip Summary

• 2025 Maritimes Camping And Cycling Tour

  The Maritimes Cycling And Camping Tour ran from July 7 – July 23, 2025. 17 members started in Charlottetown, PEI, made their way across the island and then took a ferry to Nova Scotia where they spent time riding the Cabot Trail.

• Notes From the Camino Primitivo

  Notes From The Camino:  The Challenges, Lessons and Rewards!  Spring 2025  So here we are, seven of the finest and fittest members of the CCCTS assembled together at the Hotel Carreño, designated as the official start of the Camino Primitivo in Oviedo Spain. At our first introductory meet and mingle in our delightful (read comfortable) … Continue reading Notes From the Camino Primitivo→

• 2025 Sand Dunes Of PEI And The Cabot Trail

  This Canadian east coast tour ran from July 19 – August 2, 2025. Members Danielle Amerongen and Audrey Sonnenberg organized this event with tour operators Pedal and Sea.

• 2025 Vancouver H&S

  VANCOUVER HUB & SPOKE, August 11-14, 2025   Orientation Ride UBC – CCCTS Vancouver Hub & Spoke staying @ UBC Pacific Spirit Hostel, 5 days cycling 45 participants            Day 2 Vancouver Neighbourhoods –  Shaughnessy – the old money mansions, False Creek, Kitsilano. Yaletown CCCTS Vancouver Hub & Spoke staying @ … Continue reading 2025 Vancouver H&S→

• 2025 Puget Sound H&S’s

  Read all about the two H&S’s held in Puget Sound WA in 2025.

• 2025 Comox Valley H&S

  The 2025 Comox Valley H&S took place on Vancouver Island from June 16 -20, 2025.

 

Chapter News

Victoria and Fraser Valley Riders Share the Saanich Peninsula Trails

On Wednesday, August 20, more than sixty-five riders from the Victoria and Fraser Valley chapters enjoyed a day out on the Saanich Peninsula. Ride leaders Deb C, Donna B-B, Donna K, Paul Q, Bob L, and Mary F guided the groups along quiet country roads and local trails, many of which were new to the Fraser Valley riders and much appreciated for their scenery.

The event came together through strong coordination. Clark and Maggie from the Fraser Valley worked with Mary to align plans, while Sharlane and Maureen organized the picnic. They managed dozens of baked items and laid them out so riders could easily refuel. Behind them stood a large team effort of family members, friends, and Victoria riders who baked and pitched in to make it work.

The Fraser Valley riders loved the day. Several even hinted that it should become a tradition. Their own comments captured the spirit best: “a great day all around,” “a successful day,” and “a community event that showed the energy and love of cycling.”

Thanks go to:

• Coordinators: Mary (Victoria), Clark and Maggie (Fraser Valley)

• Ride leaders: Deb C, Donna B-B, Donna K, Paul Q, Bob L, and Mary F

• Picnic leads: Sharlane and Maureen

• All the bakers and helpers who contributed

It was a fine example of what CCCTS does best: bringing riders together, sharing the load, and enjoying the day both on and off the bike.

Gerry Porter Ride Victoria CCCTS/Grandmothers for Africa 2025

This year’s ride to honour Gerry Porter, a former Canadian Navy P.E. Instructor and long time CCCTS member took place on July 30. Gerry had originally initiated the ‘Century Ride’ which has continued in some form each year since his passing.

The 2025 Ride took a fresh focus as we determined to use the occasion to demonstrate our support for the Victoria chapter of the Grandmothers for Africa. These cyclists hold an annual month long ‘Cycle Tour’ during which they raise funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s work in Africa. Thirteen of the Grandmothers joined us for this year’s ride and we had about 35 riders in all.

The route took us from the Brentwood Bay ferry to Mill Bay and from there to Bright Angel Park where we enjoyed a superb and unique lunch prepared by chef Bob Louie and the team of Dianne Collier, Donna Kerkhoven and Jim Grayson. The menu featured the much acclaimed ‘Cow Bay Dog’ (Saskatchewan Mennonite sausage in pita bread) served on a platter and complemented with a delicate accompaniment of fresh fruit salad and exquisitely crispy potato chips of the finest quality. Delicious home-made baked goodies and soft drinks rounded out these sumptuous offerings. Funding for the provisions came from an anonymous and very generous CCCTS donor. (Thank you!) All of the cyclists were provided the lunch gratis, but CCCTS members donated a total of over $1400 to the Grandmothers’ cause. A wonderful and worthwhile result and thank you to everyone!

Thanks as well to Maureen Weston, Ride Leader Extraordinaire, who led the brigade with the assistance of Brian Collier, Stefa Katamay, Tory Stevens, Mary Freeman and Don Mais. The cycling groups were very safely and ably led along the lovely pastoral roadways of the Cowichan Valley on a lovely day for a good cause and in fine company. All of which would please Gerry Porter very much.

( P.S. and final Thanks to The Udder Guys Ice Cream and Coffee Shop in Cowichan Bay. They opened up early and were all prepared for our rest and coffee stop en route. Thank you, Udder Guys!)

Submitted by Don Mais

New Members

first_name	last_name	city	province
Alexander	Gray	Surrey	BC
Deborah	Allain	Gibsons	BC
Dwayne	Weidendorf	Langley, B.C	BC
Bronwyn	Masson	Vancouver	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