FROM NIAGARA WINE COUNTRY

TO NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY....

....Country Cruises (CCs) are Tourist class rides typically with a distance range of 60, 75, or 90+ kms.  There are two, often three, route options and distances for each CC Event.  The speed of riders varies, depending on a number of factors, including weather conditions and terrain, but on average the pace is 20 - 26 km/hr.  Riders should feel comfortable cycling in a small group but also be able to independently follow route instructions if they are unexpectedly separated from a group.  Regrouping of riders during the rides is encouraged but is not a requirement on CCs. See TIPS (in menu bar above) for information on cycling safety etc.

All CCs have one - and sometimes two - designated ride leaders but there are no designated sweeps.  At the beginning of each ride, the ride leader(s) will announce which route / distance they plan to ride.  When there are two route options, ride leaders usually opt to ride the longer distance route; when there are three route options, they typically choose the medium distance route.  As such, often the shorter routes do not have a ride leader accompanying riders.  Regardless, all participants, whether new to CCs or seasoned CCers, will always be welcomed by ride leaders and registrants on any of the routes offered. 

START TIMES FOR 2026 ARE AS FOLLOWS: (Please note the monthly variability.) 

March, April & May: 10:00am

June: 9:30am

July & Aug.: 9:00am, to beat the summer heat

Sept.: 9:30am

Oct.: 10:00am

Please check this web-page regularly to plan your rides and for any updates.  Cancellations or changes to the schedule will be noted in the "Upcoming Events" section at least 18 hrs. in advance of the ride.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

All riders - TBN members and non-TBN members i.e. 30-Day-Trial members - must register to participate in CCs.  30-Day-Trial riders are required to pay $15 when registering for their first TBN ride. For details click on . 

Registration will be open from Tuesday to Sunday (6 days) during the week before each ride. 

All riders are asked to please register with their name rather than as "Anonymous".  This will enable the ride leader to have a record of all registrants, in the event of an emergency.  As well, new members and / or 30-Day Trial members can be more easily identified and welcomed by ride leaders and participants.  If you are new, please feel free to introduce yourself at the beginning of the ride as well!

REGISTRATION CANCELLATION:

If you register for a CC and later determine you are unable to attend, please cancel your registration no later than 12:00 noon on Saturday, i.e. the day before the scheduled CC, to open a spot for someone else.  This is especially appreciated when there is a waitlist.  This also ensures the ride leader has an accurate list of participants.

NEED TO KNOW:

All riders must wear a helmet to participate in any TBN ride.

All Country Cruises (CCs) have links to "Ride With GPS" (RWGPS) on their respective Event pages, providing the relevant route maps and navigation cues / instructions.  These can be downloaded to smartphones and GPS devices.  Riders who like to have a copy of the route, are responsible for printing / bringing their own.  Ride leaders no longer provide paper maps and cue sheets. 

COUNTRY CRUISE COORDINATORS: 

We are a team of three:

- Barry Pinsky coordinates ride leadership

- Marie Ferguson handles the routes mapped on RWGPS

- Rowena Maclure manages the CC web- and event pages. 

Please feel free to contact us at countrycruise@tbn.ca for more information on CCs, to volunteer as a Country Cruise ride leader and / or to provide feedback on any aspect of the CC program. We welcome your comments and input!

Safe cycling everyone!