The Toronto Bicycling Network Inc.

Chain of Events
May 17, 2017

Order your jersey now

Time is running out for your summer order of TBN jerseys, vests, jackets and shorts, so order by May 21 for a July 1 delivery. This may be our last order this summer, so don't delay. Check here for all the exciting options.

Free on Fridays?

Check out the website for details of our Freedom Friday rides, the latest addition to TBN's stable of rides. The early morning rides begin on June 2, from start locations within an hour's drive from central Toronto, and they are designed to let you get home before the weekend traffic builds up.These are tourist class rides -- there's no sweep and no regrouping. But some are on paved trails, suitable for an Urban Roller rider who has access to a car (or a friend with a car) and who wants to try a rural ride.

How's your draft?

Watch the website for details of our new safety session, which will offer tips on group riding and learning how to draft. Do you know where to position your wheel for safety? What to watch for? How to signal problems ahead? The education session takes place on June 10th at 8am. Details coming soon on the Education section of the TBN website.

As always, check the website for details of all the rides and other events that are coming up, and remember to check back a couple of hours before a ride in case it's changed or cancelled because of poor weather, or other factors beyond our control.

Getting out of town

TNTO weekend challenge

There's still space on our traditional Toronto-Niagara Falls-Toronto Overnight adventure, which takes place on the weekend of June 17-18. Start in Toronto and finish in Niagara Falls, riding 100+ miles on both Saturday and Sunday, or start in Stoney Creek for shorter routes -- just under 100km each day. Click here to register.

Is this your Hairshirt year?

Registration is open for the Toronto-Niagara-Toronto double century Hairshirt, which takes you to Niagara Falls and back -- in just one day. Riders will leave from Mississauga at 6am on June 25, and return to the start place at the end of the day. Check out the website for detailed tips on how to tackle this challenging ride.

Canada's prettiest town

Sign up now for our July 14-16 camping weekend in the scenic Falls River Conservation area, near the pretty Ontario town of Goderich (Canada's prettiest town, they say). It's an area that offers great cycling, hiking and swimming, and the price includes two pancake breakfasts and the trimmings for two sandwich style lunches. Check the website to register.

Enjoy Cyclon in Kingston

Registration is open for Cyclon, our annual August weekend away from the big city. This year's Cyclon takes place from August 4-7 in Kingston, with comfortable accommodation in Queens University residences and rides to suit everyone. Here's what past attendees have to say:

“Whether you’re a hard core rider or just getting into cycling, you’ll find rides for every level of rider, with the right distance and pace for you.”
Dan Richards, 2-time attendee

“Cyclon is huge fun and terrific value … people are incredibly friendly, even if you don’t know anyone you quickly make friends with other riders.”
Carole Sovran, 5 time attendee

"I loved that I got to try new routes in the country and also that I met tons of other riders”

Cathleen Sullivan, first time attendee

Fall hiking

Join a small group for an Oct 13-15 hiking trip to the Bruce Peninsula. We'll stay in the tiny Fitz Hostel, near Lion's Head and set out from there to enjoy hikes through the fall colours.

Contact Jeannie at weekendtrips@tbn.ca if you have any suggestions for a trip or if you wish to lead one. Trip leaders have their fees paid by TBN

Still some Velodrome slots

We still have a few spaces on our exclusive evening at the Milton Velodrome, with its impressive banked curves. Full instructions and rental bikes will be supplied. See the website for details and to register for this adventure, which takes place on the evening of May 27. The two-hour session costs $61 for TBN members and $66 for non-members. The folks who went last year are still talking about it, so don't miss out!

Help with Ride for Heart

TBN is still looking for volunteer Ambassadors to help at the annual Ride for Heart, when cyclists take over the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway to raise money for a good cause. The Ambassadors will be on duty from 7am on the June 4 ride day. You will help riders with flat tires or basic mechanical problems, and alert medical staff to emergencies. Click here to register.

If you're not that mechanically minded, or if you just don't want to get up that early, you can also volunteer to help staff the TBN booth at the ride, which is one of Toronto's biggest mass cycling events of the year. Contact publicity@tbn.ca to help.

Dress to be seen

We all know how easy it is to be virtually invisible on a bike, especially in poor weather and when the light is low. To help the drivers see you, try to wear highly visible bright colours, and reflector strips on your clothes and bike. Make sure there's nothing dangling from your bike or your clothing that could tangle up in the wheels and cause an accident, and consider using a flashing rear light that drivers will notice. Be bright, be safe.

Reminders:

Valuable volunteers

About 50 of the respondents to our recent survey about TBN expressed an interest in volunteering, and we are following up with each and every one of you. Our top priority right now is a volunteer to coordinate volunteer activity. If you think you can help, please contact Ian Rankin at president@tbn.ca.

New coordinator

TBN is looking for a new coordinator for our popular Friday night rides. Contact Dave Mader at touring@tbn.ca if you can help.

RWGPS

1. You must be a member of the club account at RWGPS to take advantage of some of the features outlined below. First, create your own personal account (either a free one, or a paid one) and then go to the club page (https://ridewithgps.com/clubs/27-toronto-bicycling-network), and submit a request to join. Membership gives you access to 300+ club rides, and you can filter those down to find the ride you want.

2. Check this comprehensive summary of how to use the TBN account on RWGPS to load a map and route onto your Garmin or to generate a printable map and cue sheet. As mentioned above, you must be a member of the club account at RWGPS to use these facilities.

3. Visit YouTube for an instructional video on how to create and print a customized map and cue sheet using TBN's RideWithGPS account.

4. And check out this video for details on how to load a TBN ride onto your smartphone -- a useful tool for people who don't own a separate GPS device.

Deals and special offers on bike stuff, tours, rides, and so on

TBN partners offer great deals for our members. Newer entries include a couple of bike shops, special bike tours outside Ontario, charity ride registration discounts, and much more. Please support TBN's great partners. There are so many new businesses out there that its tough to keep up and so If someone can help to keep this list up to date, please contact publicity@tbn.ca.

TBN supports charity rides

TBN is once again promoting numerous charity rides throughout Ontario, some of which offer special discounts to TBN members. The club is also the training partner for the annual Ride To Conquer Cancer -- all TBN rides through first week of June will be posted on the RTCC website and so you may see some RTCC participants on our rides. Please welcome the RTCC riders and help them prepare for their memorable journey.

Remember to visit the TBN calendar of events to find out more about what's coming up. That little TTC logo below will alert you to any subway closures, of which there may be many in 2017.

Chain of Events May 17, 2017