The Toronto Bicycling Network Inc.

Choose your level

The detailed information below is a guide for deciding which of the ride programs are best suited to you.

Program-X rides may be any one of these Classes - see the individual Program-X event for classification of that ride.

More wheels - Faster rides. Details below. Consider a slower level for your first ride, then move up. Click on the class name for a list of upcoming rides offered for that class.

Ride Classifications

Class	Description	Programs
Leisure Wheeler	Entry-level rides for novices, seniors, or riders returning after a significant absence. Distances of 20 to 40 km, typical speed of 14 to 18 km/h for a leisurely pace. Rides generally start in the city and take place on a mix of paved trails and streets. Leisure Wheeler rides generally have sweeps and regrouping points to keep the group together.	Tuesday Ravine Sunday Leisure Wheeler
No Drop Country Rider	Designed for intermediate level riders who want to relax and ride longer distance (45 to 70km) outside the city at a leisurely speed of 14 to 18kph. No-Drop: Riders must be team players willing to make every effort to depart, ride, and return together as a group (no riding far ahead beyond 0.4km). Strong riders must reduce their pace to accommodate slower riders within reason. Purpose of ride is recreational rather than athletic. Major focus is to enjoy the scenery, with breaks to take pictures or just rest. Owing to the non-rush nature of this ride, a typical no-drop country ride will generally last almost a full day. Terrain: some hills. Road or hybrid bikes are strongly recommended. Regrouping is mandatory at the top of big hills, major intersections, all turns and traffic lights. Timing: typically weekend or public holiday rides scheduled based on weather conditions, supported via notifications to a "No-Drop" email subscriptions list.	No Drop Country Rides
Urban Roller	For riders with some experience. Distances of 30 to 70 km, at a typical speed of 18 to 24 km/h. Rides generally start in the city and take place on a mixture of paved recreational trails and streets Occasionally Urban Roller rides are longer, faster, or hillier, but still aim at falling close to the Urban Roller typical speed range. Urban Roller rides usually have sweeps and regrouping points to keep the group together.	Wednesday Evening Friday Night Rides Saturday Morning Sunday Urban Roller
Tourist	For more experienced cyclists. Distances of 50 to 110 (and occasionally longer), at a typical speed of 20 to 26 km/h. These rides explore the lovely rural countryside outside of the city. The Sunday Tourist rides start at TTC stations, while the other tourist programs require a vehicle to get to the start. Many Tourist rides average about 100m of climbing per 10km of riding, resulting in 500m to 1100m of climbing for a typical ride. Tourist rides vary with respect to sweep and regrouping practices. Most Tourist rides do not have sweeps, and the ride frequently splits into sub-groups of 2-5 riders. Riders are expected to be self-supporting: Are "Self navigating" (has GPS or cue sheet, and can follow it) Can fix their own minor mechanical issues such as flat tires, dropped chains, etc. Has cell phone for emergencies	Wednesday Wheelie Freedom Friday Backroad Rambles Sunday Tourist Sunday Country Cruise
Sportif	Sportif riders do the same rides as Tourists, but at a faster 26+ to 35 km/h pace. Our rides labeled as Tourist are often frequented by a small group of Sportif pace riders. The Sportif group will quickly drop the Tourist group on the rides. Occasionally, a ride will be labeled as a Sportif level ride, with the expectation that all riders will ride tightly together at the faster pace.	Wednesday Wheelie Freedom Fridays Backroad Rambles Sunday Tourist Sunday Country Cruise

General questions about Toronto Bicycling Network Cycling programs? Email info@tbn.ca