Our tours are designed to fit the needs of both skilled and novice cyclists. Tours are researched, organized and led by experienced and committed volunteers who enable us to provide tour opportunities at cost.

To participate you must:

• be a member, sign a waiver and agree to the financial rules;
• be in proper physical condition to undertake the tour;
• have your bicycle properly maintained;
• wear an approved helmet when cycling.

The weekly day rides and most tours are suitable for novice or more casual cyclists with ordinary bicycles, while other tours may need more experience and physical fitness, and a proper touring bicycle. If in doubt, please call the organizer.

Participants are responsible for their own actions during tours and are also expected to offer assistance to the coordinator in sharing work and assuring harmony.

1. Go to http://tinyurl.com/m9dw6g Click on the 'Sign-Up' box adjacent to the tour you want, then on the 'Sign Up Now' box in the tour description on the next screen.
2. Please DO NOT select the option to register without your own login & password.
3. Choose the instructions for either entering your login (if you have one with 'Karelo') or creating one in the section 'I Am New to Karelo'.
4. If NEW, complete your 'Profile'.
5. Complete the Registration page. Be sure to complete all lines and boxes marked with a red ( * ). ('couples' should register at the same time; click on the 'add person' box at bottom of page) .
6. Pay the appropriate fee by either MasterCard or Visa.

Karelo will send you a confirming email.

For information on specific tours contact the tour coordinator.

2010 SLATE OF APPROVED CCCTS TOURS

Modified Monday, August 9, 2010

Participants: Unlimited

Cost:$10

Description:This often talked about event will be "headquartered" on the pictureque University of B.C. campus. Each day will offer a rich variety of rides, from fewer than 50 km to over 100 km. We will tour along the many bicycle routes of the Lower Mainland and enjoy both the natural beauty of the area as well as many areas of interest - both historical and contemporary, including the Olympic sites. In your "non-ride" time slot, the newly renovated Museum of Anthropology may be a "must" (Tuesday, 5-9 p.m. admission is $5) or the UBC Aquatic centre is available at a nominal cost. Other sites and sounds will be mentioned later.

This can be a "heads down" event where you can have some very challenging rides or more relaxed rides that will enhance your visit to the City and its environs. For those residing in the area why not be a tourist in your own City and stop and see sites that you probably cycle past and don't even know they exist!!!

Social Hours will probably follow each day's rides while other Social Function(s) will be announced at a later date.

Registration:Please pre-register via Karelo with a DEADLINE OF AUGUST 6th. All tour sign-ups and the distribution of route maps/ commentaries will be in the foyer of Totem Park. 2525 West Mall, from 1-3 p.m. A short ride or a walking tour of the campus will follow. For those not staying on campus the starting location will be in front of the Kitsilano Community Centre (10th and Larch - on the bike route - parking is adjacent to the centre) at 9:00 a.m. Those coming from out of town and using public transport, the buses have bike racks and stop at the UBC bus loop. This is a ten minute walk to the "headquarters" at Totem Park. Further details at a later date.

Accommodations:The University offers rooms at $35, per person, including breakfast. (Double occupancy rooms are available.) Parking is available at $7/day. A 12% sales tax must be added to these prices. Rooms within the CCCTS "cluster" MUST BE COMPLETED BY JULY 9th. Participants may book their accommodation online, using UBC's secure website. https://reserve.ubcconferences.com/GROUP/availability.asp? hotelCode=UBC&sdl=Check+In&startDate=08%2F09% 2F2010&edl=Check+Out&endDate=08%2F12% 2F2010&adults=1&children=&rooms=1&requesttype=invBlo ckCode&code=T100809A

You may also contact the Reservations Office at (Toll-Free) 1 888 822 1030 to make a reservation. Please inform the staff that you are guests of Cross Canada Cycle Tour Society.

Leaders:Sonia and Frank Ward, phone (604) 929-3059, soniaward@telus.net.

Participants: Minumum 12, maximum 20 persons.

Cost:Total tour fee is Cdn $400. Deposit of Cdn $200 required at time of sign-up - use the Karelo system as noted on the Tours section of the CCCTS website (http://tinyurl.com/m9dw6g). If you are accepted as a participant on the tour, some of the deposit may be non-refundable if costs are incurred on your behalf and cannot be recovered. Balance of $200 is due by July 1, 2010. Tour fee covers lodging (7 nights double occupancy), maps, a farewell BBQ dinner in Qualicum Beach and the cost of one leader's tour fee to a maximum of 5%. Tour members are on their own for the remaining meals, transportation to and from the starting point and ferry charges. Most ferry travel is on weekdays so for seniors cost will be limited to the small fee for transporting bicycles.

In the event of over-subscription, selection of participants will be by lottery, taking into account rooming arrangements, at the end of February, 2010. Please contact leaders with questions, but tour sign-up must be done via the Karelo system.

Description:This is an eight day, seven night, self-contained bike tour with all motel accommodation. After the first night, we spend two nights at each motel, with out-and-back rides planned for every second day. The tour starts at Horseshoe Bay, BC, where ample long-term parking is available, and ends at Nanaimo. The route takes us by ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Gibsons, then north on the Sunshine Coast to Pender Harbour. We then continue north to Powell River where we spend two nights, allowing a choice of out-and-back day trips on Day 3 to the little-visited but beautiful village of Lund and the former gold mining town of Vananda on Texada Island. We then cross by ferry to Comox on Vancouver Island and cycle north to Campbell River. On Day 5 we visit Quadra Island for an out-and-back tour of Cape Mudge and Rebecca Spit.

On Day 6 we return south along the Old Island Highway to overnight at Qualicum Beach, where we again spend two nights. On Day 7 we cycle inland to visit Horne Lake Caves and Little Qualicum Falls and return to a BBQ farewell dinner on the beach. From there, it's an easy ride next day to Nanaimo and (for the mainland participants) the ferry back to Horseshoe Bay.

Daily cycling distances range between 50 and 90 kms. There are some hills. This tour is rated as intermediate and a comfortable, unstressed tour for those who wish to increase their experience in fully-loaded cycle touring. We hope you will join us!

Tour Itinerary:

Leaders:Hilda Munro, phone (604) 855-7744, hmunro9@shaw.ca .

Participants: Minumum 6, maximum 16 persons.

Cost:Total tour fee is Cdn $400. Deposit of Cdn $200 required at time of sign-up - use the Karelo system as noted on the Tours section of the CCCTS website (http://tinyurl.com/m9dw6g). To allow for those receiving their Newsbrief by regular mail, no registration will be accepted prior to August 10. Registration will close on August 31. If you are accepted as a participant on the tour, some of the deposit may be non-refundable if costs are incurred on your behalf and cannot be recovered. Balance of $200 is due by Sept 1, 2010. Tour fee covers lodging (7 nights double occupancy), maps, a farewell BBQ dinner in Qualicum Beach and the cost of one leader's tour fee to a maximum of 5%. Tour members are on their own for the remaining meals, transportation to and from the starting point and ferry charges. Most ferry travel is on weekdays so for seniors cost will be limited to the small fee for transporting bicycles.

In the event of over-subscription, selection of participants will be on first-come first-served basis, taking into account rooming arrangements.

Those on the existing wait list for the original Salish Sea tour will be given preference, provided they advise both Hilda and Sonia Ward immediately of their decision to switch tours. No additional registration through Karelo will be necessary.

Tour sign-up for all others must be done via the Karelo system. Please contact leader with questions.

Description:Due to excess demand for the original Salish Sea Loop tour, this second and identical tour is proposed to take place a week later than the first. This is an eight day, seven night, self-contained bike tour with all motel accommodation. After the first night, you will spend two nights at each motel, with out-and-back rides planned for every second day. The tour starts at Horseshoe Bay, BC, where ample long-term parking is available, and ends at Nanaimo. The route takes you by ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Gibsons, then north on the Sunshine Coast to Pender Harbour. You then continue north to Powell River to spend two nights, allowing a choice of out-and-back day trips on Day 3 to the little-visited but beautiful village of Lund and the former gold mining town of Vananda on Texada Island. You then cross by ferry to Comox on Vancouver Island and cycle north to Campbell River. On Day 5 you visit Quadra Island for an out-and-back tour of Cape Mudge and Rebecca Spit.

On Day 6 you return south along the Old Island Highway to overnight at Qualicum Beach to again spend two nights. On Day 7 you cycle inland to visit Horne Lake Caves and Little Qualicum Falls and return to a BBQ farewell dinner on the beach. From there, it's an easy ride next day to Nanaimo and the ferry back to Horseshoe Bay (for the mainland participants), or on to Victoria for the island pareticipants.

Daily cycling distances range between 50 and 90 kms. There are some hills. This tour is rated as intermediate and a comfortable, unstressed tour for those who wish to increase their experience in fully-loaded cycle touring. Come join us!

Tour Itinerary:

Latest news: Click here for the Dec. 22 news update.

Participants: Minimum 16, maximum 30 persons.

Cost: Total tour fee is US $2,350, currently estimated at Cdn $2500. Deposit of Cdn $600 is required at time of sign-up, the balance by September 15, 2010. Registration for the tour is to be made through the Karelo site using the method described on the Tours section of the CCCTS website (contact the office if help is needed) with a $5 payment to cover registration and incidental office costs. The $600 deposit is to be mailed to the CCCTS office where it will be held pending selection by lottery of those going on the tour. Participants will be reimbursed (or charged) for any variance in the exchange rate immediately prior to departure. Tour fee covers 21 nights accommodation, all meals except lunch and dinner on rest days, English-speaking local Vietnamese drivers, guides, and cycle mechanics, minibuses/support vehicles, one in-country flight Hue to Hanoi, one overnight train Lao Cai to Hanoi, all maps, cultural events, all tips. If requested, single room supplement will cost an additional US $695 (Cdn $750). There will be no charge for forced single supplement. If requested, Pedaltours will rent good quality bicycles at US $365.00 each (Cdn $400). They come equipped with 27 gears, a rear carrier, a handlebar bag or trunk bag, a cycle computer, two drink bottles and helmet. Advance booking is essential.

It is recommended, but not compulsory, that participants set out a day earlier than indicated above and spend an extra day in Ho Chi Minh City to acclimatize and overcome jet lag. The extra charge for lodging and breakfast will be US $65 per room, including breakfast ($32.50 per person double occupancy), billed separately by Pedaltours.

Final selection of participants will be made by lottery on January 15, 2010.

The cancellation policy of Pedaltours is as follows: Cancellation for any reason more than 12 weeks prior to trip departure will result in loss of 50% of deposit (US $250). Cancellation between 12 and 6 weeks prior to departure will result in forfeiture of full deposit amount (US $500). Cancellation within 6 weeks of departure will result in forfeiture of full payment.

CCCTS will not advance any funds to Pedaltours until the minimum of 16 participants is reached. Subsequent cancellations which do not reduce the group to below the minimum 16 participants will incur a $50 cancellation fee. If your cancellation reduces the group to below the 16 minimum participants and you are able to find a replacement for yourself, you will still only incur the $50 cancellation fee. Otherwise full cancellation fees will apply.

Description: This 22 day, 21 night tour of former South and North Vietnam has been tailor-made by Pedaltours of New Zealand to meet CCCTS requirements. It spans the full length of the country from Ho Chi Minh City to the Chinese border, combining the best of Pedaltours' southern "Grand Tour" and Far North tours, described on their website (www.pedaltours.co.nz).

About Pedaltours: The Company has been running cycle tours since 1985. They have a well-earned reputation for running excellent bike tours and for meticulous attention to detail. They were recently rated by Bicycling magazine (Dec., '08) as running one of the best 15 cycle tours in the world.

How to get there: Vietnam can be reached from Vancouver via Cathay Pacific, rated best airline in 2009, through Hong Kong, for about Cdn $1,500.

Weather: Day-time temperatures in November are 28 ¸ 32 C in the south, 23 ¸ 25 C in the North. Total monthly rainfall in November ranges 5-15 cms.

Difficulty: This tour is rated intermediate+, with daily cycling distances up to 115 kms. There is a serious climb between Hoi An and Hue in the South and many hills in the Far North. Participants should be capable of cycling at least 50 kms per day on a continual basis.

Accommodation: 3 to 4 star hotels and beach resorts, many with swimming pools and internet access.

Meals: Vietnamese food is not very spicy. Along the coast we'll be eating lots of seafood. Vegetarians can be accommodated.

Leaders, Guides, Mechanics and Sags: Pedaltours will provide one support vehicle for up to nine cyclists. For a group of 16 cyclists there will be two support vehicles (air conditioned Mercedes), two drivers, two guides and a cycle mechanic; all will have a good command of English. For a group of 30 cyclists there will be four minibuses, four drivers, two guides and two cycle mechanics.

Road, cycling conditions: The Vietnam tour is different from other tours in that it is not possible to cycle from door to door. We drive part way to avoid the busy towns, cities and highways and to reduce the long cycle distance between some of our hotels. For the most part we'll be cycling quiet secondary roads with seal-coat surfaces. Road surfaces may be rougher than to what we are accustomed, and we will encounter two stretches of unpaved road, 30 kms in total, both very rideable says Pedaltours. In the Far North, long stretches of road works can be expected.

Cycling distance: 1,120 kms. Cycling distance per day will range from 50 to 115 kms, with four cycle days in excess of 100 kms. Rest days are scheduled every fourth day.

Recommended bicycle: A hybrid or mountain bike with minimum 35 mm tires is ideal. Road bikes with narrow tires are not recommended.

Maps: Vietnamese maps are poor by Western standards'and there is a distinct lack of road signs. Pedaltours will ensure that there is someone on all important road junctions to direct us. They will also supply daily maps with distances and profiles but these are only as good as the admittedly poor originals.

Insurance: Travel, accident, medical, baggage and cancellation insurance is compulsory in Vietnam. Discounted airfares that carry restrictions are not advised.

Tour Itinerary:

We depart North America on Nov 2, arriving Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) on Nov. 3, having crossed the dateline.

Nov. 4 will be our first cycle day. Our route takes us northward from Ho Chi Minh City for about 800kms to the imperial city of Hue, located about halfway between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. En route we take in beach resorts, rubber, cashew and pepper plantations, rice plantations, fishing villages and offshore islands, villages in the Central Highlands, historic Hoi An, the memorial at Mai Lai and the Imperial city of Hue. On Nov. 13 we take a mid-day one-hour flight from Hue to Hanoi and sightsee the rest of that day. Bikes will be trucked to Hanoi, so only minimal packing required.

Northern Vietnam is very different from the south and home to many distinct ethnic minorities. This is the roof of Vietnam where scenery is breathtaking and the Hoang Lien Mountains soar to over 3,000m. We travel by bike and boat as we follow the rugged northwest route right to the Chinese border. This is the road less travelled as we cycle through traditional villages and stay in towns with modest lodgings. Among many other highlights, we visit Dien Bien Phu where the French colonial forces met their come-uppance in 1954, the hill town of Sapa with an interesting craft market and Coc Ly where we enjoy a relaxing two hour longboat ride passing limestone cliffs and water buffalo. The route ends at Lao Cai where we can look across the river to China. From Lao Cai we take an overnight 10-hour sleeper train back to Hanoi on Nov 23. In Hanoi, before our return flight back to North America the following day (Nov 24), time-permitting, we can enjoy a side trip to the resort beach of Halong Bay.

The above is a much abbreviated version of the itinerary. Please refer to the CCCTS website for an extended description and some photos provided by Pedaltours.

Participants: Minimum 16, maximum 24. Note this increase from 20 in the previous tour announcement.

Cost: Total tour fee is Cdn $1,100. A deposit of Cdn $600 is required at time of sign-up, payable by credit card using the Karelo system (http://tinyurl.com/m9dw6g).

Please note: Sign-ups will not be accepted prior to July 10 to allow those receiving their Newsbrief by surface mail an equal opportunity to register for the tour.

In the event of oversubscription, selection will be by lottery on September 15th, taking into account rooming arrangements. Balance of Cdn $500 is due September 25th, 2010.

Tour fee covers lodging (14 nights, double occupancy), maps, picnic lunches, sag support to transport our luggage and the cost of one leader's tour fee to a maximum of 5% of tour costs.

All but one night's stay will include breakfast. Tour members are on their own for remaining meals and transportation to and from Phoenix. Please contact leader with questions, but tour sign-up must be done through Karelo.

If you are accepted as a participant on the tour, some of the deposit may be non-refundable if costs are incurred on your behalf and cannot be recovered.

Description: This is a sag-supported tour with all motel accommodation. The 14-night, 15-day tour starts and ends in Phoenix, Arizona, and includes 11 ride days, 2 rest days and 2 travel days. The tour follows a circle route similar to that the club has done in the past: from Phoenix to Tucson, Tombstone, Bisbee, Nogales and back to Phoenix. Great scenery, warm days, lots of sun and wild-west history.

Participants will each take a turn in driving the van. The van will have limited capacity for luggage, coolers, riders and bicycles, so pack lightly and don't rely on being carried on ride days. We'll be eating dinners in restaurants and packing picnic lunches.

The tour is rated intermediate with five daily rides in excess of 60 miles (100 kms), the maximum being 67 miles (122 kms). The route is dead flat for the most part. Total tour distance is 550 miles (900 km) excluding optional rides on rest days. Riding is entirely on pavement. You will enjoy this trip more if you bring your road or hybrid bike with smooth tires no wider than 28mm. No mountain bikes. If in doubt, contact Warner.

Note: all participants will need to carry their passport to cycle through a military base and to cross the Mexican border for shopping. At the moment we are not sure Canadians can ride through Fort Huachuca; however, distance is the same via an alternative route.

Itinerary:

November 6: Arrive in Phoenix on an early flight. The first and last night's lodging are at Sleep Inn, which has a shuttle service to/from the airport. Warner will pick you up for a lasagna dinner at his home.

November 7: Phoenix to Florence, 64 miles (103 kms). In Tempe we pass by Grady Gammage Auditorium, one of Frank Lloyd Wright's famous works.

November 8: Florence to Catalina, 48 miles (77 kms). This ride heads due south with a gradual climb. Catalina is home to the famous Biosphere.

November 9: Catalina to Tucson, 29 miles (47kms), a short downhill ride into Tucson. For those who want more riding today, we can test our gears climbing Mtn Lemmon.

November 10: A rest day, but with many things to do and see in Tucson.

November 11: Tucson to Benson, 43 miles (69kms). We will avoid Hwy 10 (a major highway) except for a few miles where a wide shoulder is present.

November 12: Benson to Tombstone, 25 miles (40kms). Warner highly recommends an optional side trip to Karchner Caverns for an additional 17 miles (27 kms). The tour takes 1.5 hours and cost $22. Also, there is much to explore in Wyatt Earp's Tombstone.

November 13: Tombstone to Bisbee, 25 miles (40 kms), with its famous mining history.

November 14: A rest day, with the option of cycling to the border town of Naco, AZ (20 miles or 33 kms round trip).

November 15: Bisbee to Sierra Vista, 25 miles (40 kms) or 34 miles (55 kms) depending on route. Sierra Vista is home to Fort Huachuca ("wa chu ka"), an active army military base.

November 16: Sierra Vista to Nogales, 67 miles (110kms). We hope to travel back roads through Fort Huachuca Military Reservation. Passports will be required. For the birders in the crowd, there is a nice bird reserve just outside Patagonia (~$5).

November 17: Nogales to Tucson, 67 miles (110 kms), a relatively flat down hill ride along a frontage road.

November 18: Tucson to Casa Grande, 76 miles (122 kms), a long but flat ride on a quiet frontage road.

November 19: Casa Grande to Phoenix, 76 miles (122 kms), on secondary roads and by Warner's house where we can stop for a cold one. After boxing our bikes and showering, we'll return to Warner's place for a final BBQ dinner.

November 20: Head home.

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