Thursday, November 27, 2014

SYDNEY WALK EVENT - CHRITMAS LIGHTS WALK

SYDNEY PERMANENT TRAIL EVENT:
 
Cape Breton Island Hoppers on our last official Group Guided Walk Event for the 2014 season.
Our Walk Leader (in the red hat) for today was Lucy Nardini.
These photos were taken within the Baille Ard Trail system and we then ventured along the Sydney harbour board walk and Wentworth Park areas.
Great weather conditions, coffee with friends after the 10k walk event

Lucy Nardini leads the CBIH along the Sydney Permanent Trail



Walking along the brook at the Baille Ard Trail

SPECIAL NOTICE - CHRISTMAS LIGHTS WALK EVENT:

Our regular CBIH Annual Schedule for 2014 has ended, however, depending on weather conditions the trails Committee has asked Don MacKenzie to prepare a one hour/5K Christmas Lights Walk Event on Sunday 14 December @ 6pm starting from the Cambridge Suites.

( A similar walk event is scheduled for the 2015 schedule)

Don will use our 5k route with short diversions to see some of the spectacular Christmas Lights on some of the more well known private homes and business establishments in the area.

Judy Lorway has volunteered to provide hot refreshments after the walk event! Location and more details will be provided at the walk!

Friday, November 21, 2014

WALKING UP AND DOWN HILLS



WALKING FOR THE HEALTH OF IT!

Walking is the best exercise for your feet and is also good for your overall health. It also contributes to your general health by improving circulation, contributing to weight control and promoting all-around well being.
Source:  The Peoples Almanac





Good Foot Wear is important as well!



HIKING/WALKING UP AND DOWN HILLS

Here are some helpful hints found on the website:


Up Steep Hills: The biggest mistake climbing the hills is to get up on their toes. Keep your heels down; this will stretch out your calf muscles and Achilles tendons and reduce cramping and strains and keep your soles on the ground where they belong for more traction.  Slow down by shortening your steps, don’t try to race up the hill, slow down and enjoy the view.

Down Steep Hills: Like going uphill, shorten your stride and slow your pace. Bend your knees slightly to lower your center of gravity downward but not back. Too much leaning back and your feet will slide out from under you.  Be careful not to turn your feet at an angle to the trail; it will increase your chances of rolling over on your ankle.  Keep your toes pointed down for the best grip and stability.

At least one walking stick or pole is important along rough and undulating terrain as seen in this photo.


Monday, November 17, 2014

WHAT DO I DO WITH MY DISTANCE BOOKS




WHAT DO I DO WITH MY DISTANCE BOOKS

Marion Boom, CVF Awards Coordinator

At the CVF Convention in Banff, I was asked by President Ethel if I could do an article for the newsletter on how I would like to see people doing their CVF Award books, mainly the Distance books which for some unknown reason (at least to me) seem to give many people headaches. During my 2+ years as the CVF Awards Coordinator I have processed many books, both for distance and events, and have seen many things. The first thing anyone should do when acquiring a new award book is to write their name and address on it. This is mainly in case it gets misplaced (we won’t use the word lost). This also
goes for anyone including inserts with their books – put your name or CVF Passport number (which you get when you send in your first book) on the front and staple it to your book. Loose sheets have a habit of falling when they shouldn’t and if there is no name on it well it could belong to anyone.
For new walkers, when you start your first book have someone explain what the process is. When starting out you require at least 500 kms in your book; extra distance is always better than not enough. Don’t worry; you never lose your extra distance. You earned it so it goes with you to your next book. Read the back of your CVF Award books for an explanation on the award levels and books. When stamping your books please make sure the distance can be read. If you have made an error completely cross out the in-correct distance and write the new distance beside it. Remember to put a distance beside each event stamp; yes I have received books with no distance beside an event stamp or if you are someone who does the same YRE everyday just because today you did 10kms that does not necessarily mean you will do the
same tomorrow. To get credit there must be a distance written for each stamp.
When clubs register for an event there is a distance that goes with it. Usually this is 5 or 10 kms. If you pre-walk or check a trail out for the club to make sure it meets all the criteria, and do each route twice you must stamp your book four (4) times, twice for the 5 km route and twice for the 10 kms. You
cannot put one stamp and write 30 kms as the route has not been sanctioned for this distance. Although this does not happen often, it has occurred.
If you belong to a club that sanctions cycling events, you are allowed to put up to 100kms in your walking book each year. Anything over that must go in the Cycling book. Please add each page up and write the total on the bottom (see
diagram below). If there is a difference between my total (yes, I need to add every page in each book I get which is a lot of fun when the book is for 5,000 kms) and what you show, I need to know where the difference is; did I make an error in adding or did the member. Although some people may think they
are perfect, everyone makes mistakes now and then, even those of us who have been walking for many years (you know who you are).

At the end of your book please make sure there is a total for your book (it should equal all the pages added together). This is the distance you will start your next book with. Each book you send in for an award should show a
level on the front. The levels correspond with the levels shown in your red CVF Passport. Do not put the distance you have in your book as your level. Each time you send an award book for processing be sure to include your CVF Passport so it can be up-dated. Please remember, for the most part there is no right or wrong way to do your books. The main thing is the stamps
must be legible, there must be a distance with each stamp, you must have
enough distance for the level you are completing and your total should be correct. Below is an example of a distance book showing the pages from start to finish.
Happy Trails Everyone.


a. 1100 On the first page enter the distance total from your last booklet and on each subsequent page enter the total from the previous page page plus the total of the current page. I.e. : 890 (top) + 210 (bottom= 1100kms

b.105 Total of walks done on this page 105 plus 1100kms from the top = 1205 km is entered on the first page of your next booklet.

c.Note that Item 8 explains the distance to be accumulated in each book and Item 9 explains when to purchase your next booklet.

d.1000 Enter the distance you will have completed when this booklet is full. 1000

e. Always enter your current information

Send completed event and distance books to:

Marion Boom, CVF Awards Coordinator
42 Billingham Cr
Ottawa, ON  K2K 2T7

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - WALK EVENT - PHOTO GALLERY


Cal Thistle welcomes Karen Mac Neil to the walk event at Ben Eoin

Cal Thistle, President of Cape Breton Island Hoppers Volkssport Club invites all members to attend

The Annual General Meeting:

DATE: SATURDAY 22 NOVEMBER
TIME: 10:00 AM
LOCATION: SCHOONER CURLING CLUB (former Sydney Radar Base, Lingan Road)


LAST ORGANIZED GUIDED WALK FOR THE SEASON, SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER!!


 
CBIH Members in front of the Cambridge Suites on the Esplanade, Sydney NS


 SYDNEY


Location:
380 Esplanade, Sydney
Cambridge Suites


Depending on weather conditions the Walk Leader will select one of our alternate routes, Baille Ard Trail or the Rotary Park Green Links trails as highlights of this walk event.

Sunday, 23 November 2014
Registration: 1:30pm
Start Time: 2:00pm


Walk Leader: Lucy Nardini
Guided Walk Event

Distance: Choice of 5 or 10k
Trail Rating: 2B

Please note that the event begins and ends at Cambridge Suites and paid parking is now enforced at the hotel parking lot unless you are booked in the hotel or use the dinning room facilities


 SKI BEN EOIN / THE LAKES GOLF CLUB

Thank you to Phyllis Macleod and her son Eric for a fantastic  day at the Ski and Golf Club resort area. The 30 members and guest had a wonderful time exploring the footpaths along the East Bay Hills in Ben Eoin.
PHYLLIS MACLEOD LEADS THE ISLAND HOPPERS ALONG THE FOOTPATHS AT THE LAKES GOLF COURSE


Photos are now published in our "Photo Gallery Section"





Tuesday, November 11, 2014

WALK EVENT BEN EOIN - ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING RADAR BASE

Phyllis Macleod and friends are excited to introduce the CB Island Hoppers to a brand new walk event at "The Lakes Golf Course" in Ben Eoin!

Maureen MacKenzie, Don MacKenzie, Phyllis MacLeod, Diane MacDonald


 BEN EOIN

Location:
The Lakes Golf Course and Ben Eoin Ski Resort area on Hwy 4 B1J 1P1
Meet Up in the parking lot, Phyllis will direct us to the Registration Area!

 
[This event is not on our original 2014 paper copy]

Sunday, 16 November 2014
Registration: 1:30pm

Start Time: 2:00pm


Walk Leader: Phyllis MacLeod
Guided Walk Event

Distance: Choice of 5 or 10k

Trail Rating: 2B/2C


 SPECIAL NOTICE FROM CBIH PRESIDENT CAL THISTLE:

Cal Thistle President Cape Breton Island Hoppers
 "ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - CHANGE OF VENUE!!!"

"Meet up at the Schooner Curling Club, Lingan Road - the former Sydney Radar Base"

The AGM will take place on Saturday 22 November 10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon"