May 29, 2019

Guests ride free during Bike Week

Guest registration is free during Toronto's Bike Week (ending on June 3), giving non-members a chance to try out TBN rides without paying the $5 non-member fee. Check the website for details and to register for your ride. Your confirmation email is your ticket-to-ride: show it to the event leader on your mobile device or print out a copy to show.

Seeking feedback on Sunday/Holiday Tourist rides

TBN's long (and long-running) Sunday and Holiday Tourist rides are under threat because of falling turnout, and because we don't currently have a ride coordinator. But before we kill off these once-popular rides, we welcome your feedback on our ideas to revive them. Minimum speeds will likely be slightly higher than the Urban Roller rides, but distances will range from 70-110 km in two groups: a faster group and a stay-together slower group. But we need your input. Please answer this short questionnaire about your preferences. Please visit the website and help us make TBN better for everyone. 


Here's how to handle hills

Join TBN member Ray Gubala for a hands-on workshop on hill climbing, including practical tips on gears, shifting gears and where to position yourself on your bike as you climb. The small-group June 22 session will start at the Grenadier Cafe in High Park, so you can try your new skills on the park's steep ascents. There is a $15 charge for this session with Ray, who has extensive bicycle racing experience and is a many-time medal winner at track, sprint and team-trial events. Register now on the TBN website.


And how to handle flats

If hill climbing's not your thing, what about finding out more about fixing flats, with a special education session from TBN's Flat Tire Gang. The June 26 workshop will tell you all you need to know about replacing your inner tube, and then reinstalling the tire safely. We'll also offer tips on how to minimise flats, all for the bargain price of $5. Registration will open soon for the session, and the location will be announced at that time. More details on the TBN website.



Travel with TBN 

TNTO: June 15-16 REGISTER BY JUNE 1

Register by June 1 for the 26th edition of our Toronto-Niagara ride, which takes place on the June 15-16 weekend. Ride to Niagara Falls from Toronto for a hefty 160 km+ each way, or take the shorter routes from Stoney Creek in Hamilton. Check the website for details. After June 1, we can't guarantee that rooms will be available at our destination, the Rodeway Inn in Niagara Falls, so book now.


Pittsburg Cycling: June 27-July 1 REGISTER NOW

Sign up now for our inaugural trip to Pittsburgh, the steel hub that was dubbed Food City of the United States this year. We'll stay in AirBnB accommodation, and enjoy rides hosted by members of a Pittsburgh cycling club, at a price as low as $200 for four nights' accommodation including breakfast. Planned activities include a morning tour of Fallingwater, the over-the-river masterpiece from architect Frank Lloyd Wright.


Wending Awenda: July 12-14 REGISTER NOW 

Enjoy two days of cycling along Georgian Bay, based from the campsite at Awenda Provincial Park. There's hiking and swimming too, and a couple of pancake breakfasts are included in the (very moderate) $40 price. More details on the website.



CYCLON: August 2-5 EARLY BIRD PRICING ENDS MAY 31

Registration is open for Cyclon 2019, which takes place at Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo. Enjoy three days of riding on quiet country roads, and explore an area of Ontario that many of us don't know that well. Early Bird pricing is available until May 31.


Wolf Den: September 13-15

Our fall trip to Wolf Den nature retreat is open for registration. Enjoy quiet hikes and rides on the edge of Algonquin Park. More details on the website


Fitz Fall hiking: October 18-20

Enjoy fall colour hiking on parts of the Bruce Trail from our base at the quaint Fitz Hostel on Lion Head. Register now on the TBN website.


New trip ideas?

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


Summer picnic

Summer will arrive one day, so please save the date for the annual TBN picnic, which takes place on August 11 at Toogood Pond in Markham. Choose one of a number of routes to the picnic, and then enjoy a barbecue lunch, courtesy of TBN. Check the website for more details and to register for this always-popular event. 



New member night

Save July 5 as the date for our special welcome to new TBN members: anyone who joined in the last year, and anyone interested in joining. The New Member Evening will be a chance for newcomers to meet others from the club and to learn about various TBN rides and special events. We'll also offer tips about bike safety and road readiness, and about the fun and safety of group riding. Existing members are encouraged to attend and bring a guest. Contact member experience director Mary Newman if you are interested.


Reminders

Sign up for Hairshirt now

The Hairshirt, TBN's classic long-distance cycling event, is open for registration. Ride 322 km in a single day, starting and finishing near Square One in Mississauga. Full details, including training tips, are on the TBN website. This year's Hairshirt is on Sunday, June 23, so you have plenty of daylight to complete your marathon adventure.



Who will be member of the month?

We're seeking nominations for TBN’s Member of the Month. Please email our team at memberofthemonth@tbn.ca if you want to nominate a TBN member who went above and beyond the normal call of duty this month. Please include your name, the name of the member you are nominating and what that member did to justify your nomination. The winner gets a $50 gift certificate and the chance to be recognized as Member of the Year.

What sort of rider are you?

Check out TBN's ride classifications to find the ride that fits you best. Our Tourist and Sportif rides are the fastest, designed for riders who can keep up with the pack or are happy riding alone or in small groups. The Urban Roller and Leisure Wheeler rides are a little slower, often with a sweep to make sure riders don't get left behind. There's something for everybody.

What's coming up

During the cycling season, Chain of Events offers a quick summary of some events over the coming weeks and months. Please email the editor at coe@tbn.ca if there are cycling-related items you would like us to add.

June 1: Cycle Toronto session on safe riding 101

June 2: Ride for Heart. Join TBN's volunteers helping ensure the ride is safe.

June 11: Doctors for Safe Cycling session on cycling, health and safety

June 15-16TNTO

June 22: Hill climbing 101

June 23: Hairshirt

June 25: The Flat Tire Gang

June 27-July 1: Pittsburgh cycling weekend

July 5: New members night. 

July 12-14: Awenda camping/cycling weekend

August 2-August 5Cyclon in Waterloo

August 11: Toogood Pond picnic

August 24: Toronto Bicycle Music Festival

August TBD: Toronto to Niagara Falls GO Home

September 8: Alan Gordon Metric Century ride

September 13-15: Wolf Den cycling/hiking/kayaking weekend

October 18-20: Fitz Hostel fall hiking weekend

As always, check the TBN website for details of all rides and other events, 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.


Remember to visit the TBN calendar of events to find out more about what's coming up. That little TTC logo below will help alert you to any subway closures.


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