Approved tours:   Cross Canada Cycle Tour Society

Tours are researched, organized and led by experienced and committed volunteers, which enables the Society to provide them at cost.

To participate in a tour you must:

There are four tour ratings.  Some tours, often "Hub & Spokes" will be classified "Leisurely" for novice or casual cyclists with modest bicycles;  and others will be "Intermediate" with some experience recommended.   "Advanced" or "Strenuous" tours require experienced and more physically fit riders equipped with more specialized bicycles.  Doubts regarding fitness level or bicycle suitability can be discussed with the Tours Manager or the Tour Co-ordinator.  

Tour participants should offer assistance to tour leaders when required, share in the work, and maintain harmony.  Our tours are a social experience. 

SEE:  2012 Slate of tours



CCCTS Tour Participant Selection Policy and Procedure

Tours and Hub and Spokes participants are chosen on a first-come-first-served basis.   Exceptions are approved by the Board of Directors when the tour is submitted for approval. Procedures/ conditions are as follows:

  1. Date of registration will be delayed a minimum of 10 days from the date of publication of the tour in the Newsbrief. New tours will not be posted on the CCCTS Website until the month following publication in the Newsbrief.
  2. Members who wish to share accommodation should register at the same time, on the same online registration form, and indicate "share with" in the "Notes" section. By doing so the chances of touring together will be enhanced. This notwithstanding, where justified, consideration can be given by the Tour Organizer to pairs due to accommodation based on double occupancy.
  3. In consultation with the Tours Manager, the Tour Organizer may give priority to a member(s) with special skills, or who take on special tour responsibilities. He/she will also be permitted to query the participation of a tour applicant for health or safety reasons. Disqualification will only be done in consultation with the Tours Manager.
  4. Successful tour applicants, chosen as outlined above, will pay the tour deposit. Unsuccessful applicants, based on tour fullness, can, at their choosing, be placed on a wait list. The wait list will be treated, if space occurs, on a first-come-first-served basis. If a vacancy occurs the next applicant(s) in line will be notified, and given 72 hours to register using the online system.
  5. If a tour is split in two, participants will be given an opportunity to express choices regarding whom they would prefer to accompany. Here, the Tour Organizer will do his/her best to meet the desires of the tour participants, but the final decision will rest with the Tour Organizer.



To register for tours: — Go to http://tinyurl.com/m9dw6g, tick 'Sign-Up'on the tour, then 'Sign Up Now' on the next screen. If you have a Login Name and Password, enter these now, or create new ones in the 'I am new to Karelo.com' section, or select the 'box' 'I prefer not to create a login for Karelo.com'. The last two options will require completion of the 'contact info' section at bottom of page. Register on next page, using the 'Add Person' button at bottom of page if you want to share accommodation with that person or persons. You will need their Member Number to do this. When your payment details have been entered and processed on the next page, you will see a 'Registration Confirmation Page' which will also be sent to you by email. Contact the CCCTS Office if further details are required.

For specific tour information, beyond that published in the Newsbrief, or for information on how to organize a tour, please contact either the Society's Tours Manager or the CCCTS office to obtain a copy of the "Tour Co-ordinators Information Guidelines", or go to www.cccts.org/TourLeaderGuidelines.pdf".

Contact information:

Category Daily Distance kms (miles) Typical Speed on Flats km/ hr (m/hr) Stops Terrain
Leisurely <35 (20) 15 (10) Frequent mainly flat
Intermediate 35-90 (20- 55) 15-20 (10- 13) Occasional flat-rolling
Advanced 60-100 (35- 60) 20-25 (13- 16) V. Limited hilly
Strenuous 80 -160 (50-100) 25 (16) V. limited some serious climbs, mountain passes




2012 SLATE of approved  CCCTS tours

(Yellow background = tours;  blue background = hub and spokes; completed tours in grey)

Modified Feb. 1, 2012                

Name Dates (in sequence) Leader(s) (Coordinator) Nature of Tour Cost ($ Cdn) Category Max (min) participants Applied Waitlist
New Zealand East Jan 15-Feb 1 Eric O'Higgins Van-supported backpackers hostel $1800 Intermediate-advanced 12 9  

Victoria Hub & Spoke

May 21-24
Dave Charles       
Jean MacDonald  a
Yvonne McLean  
Picnic ($10) followed by rides
 of varying difficulty.
$5Intermediate No limit

Comox Valley
Hub & Spoke
May 28-31Gladys Schmidt
Margaret Harris
Dora Ellis
Four days of riding in
Comox Valley and beyond;
Lunch option $21.25
$25IntermediateNo limit
Glitter to Red Canyons  May 21-June 15
Warner Griswold
Camping/hotel w/ layovers
$1800
Intermediate-advanced
24 (20)
6

Kluane -Southern. Lakes   June 1-16
Jean MacDonald &
Brigitte Relling
5 d.motel/ 10 d. camping
$1500
Intermediate
24 (16)
24





















































































New Zealand East
Jan.15 (Sun.) – Feb. 11 (Sat.), 2012 Sign up at https://www.karelo.com/restdetail.php?&BT=10&BID=390 

Rating: Intermediate/Advanced

Leader: Eric O’Higgins  (250) 557-4774   email: ohiggins@qcislands.net.

Participants:  Maximum 12 because of accommodation constraints.

Cost:  Total tour fee is Cdn $1,800. No deposit until Aug. 4, 2011.

Description: This is a van-supported tour featuring the East Cape highway considered "one of the finest coastal cycling routes in the world." We will begin in Auckland with a visit to the old New Zealand at one of the world's most remarkable reclamation projects where invasive species have been eliminated, replaced with 300,000 native trees and home to 15 endangered bird species and two reptiles.

Riding stages of about 90km will be interspersed with day rides, hikes and other attractions. Two days of hub-and-spoke rides are planned in Gisborne and and again in Rotorua. The route avoids mountain ranges but is an intermediate/ advanced skill level tour with repeated 200-metre climbs. We will circle the Coromandel Peninsula before returning to Auckland via Waiheke Island, landing at the waterfront a few blocks from where our luggage is stored.

Nuts and Bolts: The van will transport bicycles to the starting city of Gisborne which we will reach by coach. The van will carry limited amounts of personal gear. Bike boxes and suitcases will be stored in downtown Auckland during the tour. Pack lightly and be prepared to carry any excess in panniers. Double occupancy accommodations (for the most part) will be at New Zealand’s excellent backpackers hostels. Group meals will be prepared by two person cook teams each day. Each participant will be expected to take his/her daily turn purchasing groceries and cooking. Tour fee covers accommodation, support vehicle, bus and ferry charges, all group meals, registration system fees and leader’s costs of 5%. Participants will pay for incidental costs including entrance fees and return airfare to New Zealand.

Questions are being recorded as they occur and the answers are available as an email FAQs file. Please contact leader for a copy.

Registration: Signup which must be done online through our on-line registration system at http://tinyurl.com/m9dw6g, commencing at 9 am, PDT on June 10. Participants will be selected, first come - first served, according to club policy on Aug. 1, 2011, taking into account rooming arrangements where no roommate preference has been stated. Unattached participants will be matched with same-sex roommates.

Accepted applicants will make their first deposit of $900 by Aug. 4, 2011, after they are notified. The balance of $900 is due by Sept. 15, 2011, also payable online.

If you are accepted as a participant and subsequently drop out, even for valid medical reasons, and no replacement is found, some of your deposit will be non-refundable for unrecoverable costs incurred on your behalf. If a replacement is found, you will be charged the registration fee.

Itinerary:

Jan 15: Depart late evening, arriving Auckland early on Tues, Jan 17 after crossing the Dateline. Pickup and early lunch.
Jan 18: Short waterfront and bistro lunch. Bike checks.
Jan 19: Walking tour of Tiritiri Matangi, 9 a.m.to 4:50 p.m., an island wildlife sanctuary open to a limited number of visitors.
Jan 20: Early departure from Auckland for Gisborne by motorcoach. Arrival about 5:30pm.
Jan 21-23: Hub and spoke rides centred on Gisborne. Group city tour.
Jan 24: Ride up SH35, 90km, to Brian’s Place at Tokamaru Bay.
Jan 25: Rest day, local attractions.
Jan 26: Ride to Hicks Bay, 89kms.
Jan 27: Day ride to East Cape and climb to the lighthouse on the easternmost point of New Zealand. About 45km round trip, partly on unsealed beachfront road and on the beach itself.
Jan 28: Ride to Whanarua Bay, 82km to Maraehako Bay Retreat.
Jan 29: Ride to Ohiwa, 80km.
Jan. 30: Day ride to Opotiki across the sand.
Jan 31: Ride to Kawerau, 71km
Feb. 1: Guided group hike up the extinct volcano.
Feb. 2: Ride to Rotorua, 55kms.
Feb. 3-4: Hub and spoke rides with pay-at-the-gate attractions.
Feb. 5: Ride to Matamata/ Okauia, 80 km.
Feb. 6: Ride to Waihi, 80km.
Feb. 7: Ride to Opoutere, 44km.
Feb. 8: Ride to Whitianga, 62km.
Feb. 9: Ride to Hannaford Wharf, 51km, board the 4:30pm ferry to Orapiu on Waiheke Island. Ride a further 21km to Oneroa.
Feb. 10: Day rides on island, vineyards, etc.
Sat., Feb. 11: Hourly ferry service from Mataita Harbor. Pack up in Auckland for 8 p.m. flight. The Saturday flight lands in Vancouver at 12:15 p.m. still on Saturday for those who have to be in the office on Monday. Or plan to stay longer!

Victoria Hub and Spoke
Monday to Thursday, May 21-24, 2012


Rating:  Intermediate and above
Leaders:
Dave Charles       250-655-9262    biketrekker@hotmail.com
Jean MacDonald  250-383-8648   jeanalex@shaw.ca
Yvonne McLean  250-361-4605   ymclean@shaw.ca

Participants: No limit

Cost and registration:
Go to the website and click on http://tinyurl.com/m9dw6g  
click on the event and register. Fee of $5 includes Karelo registration and maps. Picnic on Monday will be $10 payable at the picnic..
   
Suggested Accommodations:
1.    Accent Inn  250-475-7500 quote confirmation # 7155 or mention CCCTS
2.    University of Victoria: 250-721-8395  residence housing includes shared washroom, bed and breakfast
3    Hostel: (Ocean Island Backpackers Inn)1-888-888-    4180
       
    see http://tinyurl.com/8xatl53 for details
       
Itinerary:
Monday, May 21: registration and signing of waiver at the picnic site (11 - 1:30), Picnic and outline of rides for the following days. Cyclists on the 9 am ferry will be met and led to the picnic; after the event they will be led to Victoria.
Tuesday, May 22: at least 3 rides of varying length and difficulty.
Wednesday, May 23:  at least 3 rides of varying length and difficulty we have some new rides as well as some of the old favourite (Victoria Military Landmarks, Shawnigan Lake, cemetery tour, 3 ferries, etc.)
Thursday, May 24: some shorter rides as well as a ride back to the ferry.   

Windup Dinner: Wednesday night….a buffet dinner with individuals paying for their own dinner.

All rides start from Saanich Plaza as in the past.

COMOX VALLEY HUB AND SPOKE                                
May 28 – 31, 2012 (Mon. to Thur.)

Leaders:      Gladys Schmidt   250-338-8955  gladys.ken@shaw.ca                                                                                                           
                    Margaret Harris 250-897-0939  marg-harris@shaw.ca 
                    Dora Ellis         250-338-9751  debiker@shaw.ca

Participants: No limit
Registration deadline:  May 21st.
Cost & Registration:   
       
Go to our online site  http://tinyurl.com/m9dw6g

and  click on the tour event and then select one of the following fees:
-$25.00 which includes maps, hand-outs and a salmon BBQ            
- $46.25 which includes the above plus a closing lunch on Thur. in a private room at the Black Fin, overlooking the Comox harbour. 
The menu is limited to 7-8 choices and includes a non-alcoholic drink, meal and gratuity for $21.25.  There will be door prizes.

Description:  Four days of riding in the beautiful Comox Valley and beyond.

Accommodations:
Tent or RV at Puntledge RV Campground, 4624 Condensory Rd.  This is the “Hub” where all rides will begin and end. 
Reservations can be made any time.  Call 250-334-3773.

Recommended motels:
(1) Travelodge –2605 Cliffe Ave.  250-334-4491
(2) Shantz Haus Hostel, 520 5th St.   250-703-2060
(3) Anco (kitchenettes) -1885 Cliffe Ave.  250-334-2451
(4) Mt Washington Hostel 275 8th St.  250-331-0945
(5) Best Western, The Westerly Hotel 1590 Cliffe Ave.  250-338-7741

Itinerary:
Mon. May 28, 12:00 - 2:00: registration at Puntledge RV Campsite,                                                               
2:00 – briefing and sign up for rides, 3:00 - “Discover our town” rides including stops at bicycle shops,
5:30 - salmon barbecue at the campsite.
Tues. May 29 and
Wed. May 30: choice of 5-6 rides, ranging from challenging to easy-going.  
Thur. May31: “Search for Coffee” rides, 10 choices.  Discover some of our favourite resting spots.
                       12:30 – lunch at the Black Fin in Comox.

New this year:   A “Discover Comox” ride and a “Discover Mt Washington” ride

Glitter to Red Canyons       
Monday May 21 - June 15, 2012


Rating: Intermediate/Advanced
Tour Leader: Warner Griswold, 1-775-825-1938 (h), 1-775-843-3960 (cell)   jwarnergriswold@att.net

Participants: Min 20, Max 24 plus driver    Cost: $1800
Description: This 26-day, 25-night camping/hotel tour starts in Las Vegas, Nevada and ends in Grand Junction, Colorado, traveling through four states (Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado), Zion and Bryce National Parks, Valley of Fire State Park, Escalante State Petrified Park, Lake Powell and numerous other attractions as we work our way across the center of Utah into western Colorado. On move days, the maximum mileage will be 66 miles (100+ km) with hills. Total cycling distance is about 856 miles (1 380 km). There are seven layover days (bring your hiking shoes). There are eight dry camps, some of which are open/free camping without facilities. Five of these will be along a river or on a lake. Portable showers and johnny-pots (similar to those used on rafting trips) will be provided when rivers/lakes/outhouses are not available. Four-person cook teams will prepare dinner on camp nights. A shuttle service has been contracted to move riders and bikes through Zion National Park’s tunnels
(bikes are not allowed).  We’ll return to Las Vegas via rental cars at tour’s end.

Two spots will be reserved for club members who will directly assist the leader during the tour. The tour is rated intermediate/advanced, as participants must be able to ride a minimum of 66miles (110 km) with hills.  If you have questions about your cycling ability, health or safety issues, please discuss with the tour leader prior to registering.  If you email Warner, you may request that he calls you back from the US. 

The van will have limited capacity for luggage and camping gear, so pack lightly. All bikes will be loaded into the van on the move from Grand Junction to Las Vegas.  Don't rely on being carried on move days. As one would expect, these rides will be challenging. Riding is entirely on pavement except for one 15 mile (24 km) segment. You may enjoy this trip more if you bring a stripped down road bike (three chain rings preferred), without racks, fenders or panniers versus a hybrid bike. (The Tour Leader is not taking his carbon-fiber bike.) Mountain bikes are not advised. Weather at this time of year is ideal for cycling; however, bring clothing for all weather conditions, and a hydro pack given the potential for 100 degree F (38 C) weather under desert conditions. The Tour Leader has provided a detailed Q&A document, which is available at http://tinyurl.com/3qbsfas.

The tour fee includes camping and hotel accommodations; all meals except for hotel days where breakfasts only will be included; and the tour leader’s expenses of five percent (5%) of tour costs (to a maximum of one tour fee).

Designated driver, Larry McRae, will receive; his trip in exchange for driving, a rental fee for his camping and cooking equipment, and his expenses for moving his equipment to and from Reno, Nevada (~1 500km/950 miles). Larry’s duties are outlined in the Q&A document.

The tour fee does not include costs of individual travel to and from Las Vegas, Nevada; meals other than that mentioned above; parking fees; park fees; and other personal costs. 

Itinerary:
•    May 21st Arrive in Las Vegas, NV. Holiday Inn Express (Henderson, NV);
•    May 22nd - Las Vegas along Lake Mead to the Valley of Fire State Park. 75 mi/121 km;
•    May 23rd – Day off. To Lake Mead for a swim is possible;
•    May 24th - Valley of Fire to Mesquite, NV. 58 mi/94 km. 21 miles (~33 km) will be along Interstate 15. Best Western Hotel;
•    May 25th - Mesquite through Shivwits Indian Reservation to Quail Creek CG at St George, UT. 62 mi/100 km;
•    May 26th - Quail Creek CG to Zion National Park CG (Watchman Campground (individual entrance fees required). 33 mi/53 km.
•    May 27th – Day off to hike and see the sites of Zion National Park;
•    May 28th - Zion Nation Park to somewhere along the East Fork on the Virgin River. (Dry camp) 34 mi/51 km;
•    May 29th - East Fork to Bryce Canyon National Park (Sunset CG). 50 mi/81 km (individual entrance fees required);
•    May 30th – Day off to visit the park;
•    May 31st  -  Bryce Canyon- Escalante Petrified Forest via Dixie Nat. Forest and Grand Staircase Escalante Nat. Monument. 47 mi/76 km;
•    June 1st - Escalante to Deer Creek Recreation Area outside Boulder, UT (Dry camp). 33 mi/53 km;
•    June 2nd - Deer Creek to Bull Frog CG (Lake Powell). 65 mi/105 km with 15 mi/25 km of dirt road;
•    June 3rd - Bull Frog – Day off at beautiful Lake Powell;
•    June 4th - Bull Frog to Hite CG. 67 mi/108 km. (No Showers);
•    June 5th - Hite to Natural Bridges Nat. Monument CG. 42 mi/68 km;
•    June 6th - Natural Bridges. Day off to hike, etc. ;
•    June 7th - Natural Bridges to Recapture Res Lake/Blanding, Utah 42 mi/68 km. (Free camp - no facilities);
•    June 8th - Recapture Res Lake to Slick Rock, Colorado. 51 mi/95 km (Free camp, no facilities, but a river);
•    June 9th - Slick Rock to Naturita, CO. 41 mi/66 km. Private CG;
•    June 10th - Naturita to Gateway, CO. 51 mi/83 km – (Free camp, no facilities, but a river);
•    June 11th - Gateway to Grand Junction CO. 53 mi/86 km – Holiday Inn Express;
•    June 12th – Day off? You’ll want to cycle Rim Rock Monument Road featured in a Kevin Costner cycling movie.  40 mi/65 km;
•    June 13th - Grand Junction to Las Vegas (Holiday Inn) by car;
•    June 14th - Day off in Las Vegas to take in the sites and shows;
•    June 15th -  Head home.





Kluane to Southern Lakes            
Wed June 1 - June 16, 2012
Rating: Intermediate
Tour Leaders: Jean MacDonald, 1-250-383-8645    jeanalex@shaw.ca
                         Brigitte Relling, 1-604-926-8385     brelling@telus.net

Participants: Min 16, Max 24   Cost: $1,500


Description: This is a spectacular mountain route that takes cyclists on a grand tour from Whitehorse to Haines Junction, Yukon Territory; and to Haines, Alaska (you will require a valid passport). Participants will cycle through beautiful Kluane National Park, with the possibility of hikes on short days. A short ferry ride will be taken to Skagway. Here there will be a rest day with possibilities to explore the town, take a ride on the historic White Pass Scenic Railway to Lake Bennett, or cycle a short distance to Dyea, Alaska, the start of the historic Chilkoot trail, which was used by prospectors after the finding of gold in the Klondike in 1896 by Skookum Jim, Tagish Charlie, and George Washington Carmack. Then it will be on to Carcross, via the historic White Pass, and the Southern Lakes Country to Atlin, the Jewel of the North. The trip ends back in Whitehorse, two days later.  All roads, but a short piece on the Atlin road, are paved. Total distance is 822 km.

This is a physically demanding trip; we cross at least three major mountain passes, thus participants must be in excellent physical condition. Please contact one of the tour leaders with any queries on fitness.  Participants cannot rely on transport in the support truck as it will have limited passenger space. All participants are expected to help with driving the support truck (bring your drivers license) and help with camp chores.  Cooking teams for the camping days will be assigned. The listed “wild camps” have no facilities. And "bugs": We have been informed by Yukon residents not to worry about them in early June. However, there are no guarantees, thus come suitably prepared.

The tour fee includes five motel nights; 10 camping nights; park fees; all
breakfasts, lunches, and dinners on camping days; the “welcome” dinner in Whitehorse (June 1st), the last dinner in Whitehorse (June 15), and the cost of one leader’s tour expenses of 5% of total tour costs (to a maximum of one tour fee).

The tour fee does not include your transportation to and from
Whitehorse, parking arrangements for private vehicles, parking fees, meals when
staying in motels, and other personal costs.

Itinerary:
•    June 1st - meet in Whitehorse;
•    June 2nd - 57 km to a wild camp;
•    June 3rd - 61 km to Otter Falls;
•    June 4th - 85 km to Dezadeash Lake;
•    June 5th - 60km to Million Dollar Falls;
•    June 6th - 52 km to a wild camp;
•    June 7th - 90 km to Haines, Alaska;
•    June 8th - 8 km to Skagway, Alaska;
•    June 9th - Rest day;
•    June 10th - 65 km to a wild camp;
•    June 11th - 41 km to Carcross, Yukon;
•    June 12th - 76 km to Pride of Yukon Camp Ground;
•    June 13th - 76 km to Atlin, BC;
•    June 14th - 80 km to a camp ground (to be determined);
•    June 15th - 80 km to Whitehorse; and
•    June 16. Home.