Ready to ride?

The first rides of 2014 are just over a month away, so it's time to at least think about pumping up tires, digging the bike gear out of storage and retiring the trainer. And while you're at it, why not put in your order for the new TBN cycling jersey at the special early bird price of $40. You know you want it - see below for details.

TBN Cycling Jersey 

In just the first few days, TBN has sold 50 of our new cycling jerseys, with Robin Silverstein's contest-winning cool bicycle cog design.

The first orders went into production on Monday for delivery in mid April, and a second order will go into production in early March for delivery in May. From then on, every 10 orders will trigger another production run, with about eight weeks between when the production run starts and delivery.

Until March 31, the new jersey is available to members at the almost giveaway price of just $40! But why wait that long. Order now to shorten your wait time, and to improve your chance of winning a prize by being photographed on a TBN ride in your new jersey.

(Special note: The online store may be closed temporarily between production runs; if so, just check back every day or so until the store re-opens.)

Bike Show time

We're just over a week away from The  Toronto International Bicycle Show, where you'll find a TBN booth as well as exhibits from bike shops, manufacturers, tour operators and much more.

For the first time, TBN is also hosting a seminar series during the show, offering 20-minute information sessions on topics ranging from flat tire fixes to camping and GO Train excursions. Take a look at the Education Page for the tentative schedule. 

Reminders

Ride coordinators

You must register for events and trips through the TBN web site and pay with Visa, MasterCard, PayPal or with an e-cheque (by providing banking information to PayPal on a one-off basis), although as a last resort you can also mail a cheque to the TBN office. 

You do not have to be a PayPal member to pay through the PayPal site. 

Day ski trips are the only exception. You pay for the bus in advance, but pay cash for the trail pass fee.

Cancellations

TBN wants to maximize the number of people who can sign up for trips and events, so the club has introduced a nominal cancellation fee for anyone who signs up for a paid event but later cancels. This helps those who want to register, but cannot do so because the event appears to be sold out, and it helps offset administrative costs. The cancellation fee varies by event and will be indicated as you register. This policy does not apply to free events like Education, Spring Kick-off and the summer Picnic.

If TBN cancels an event, you will receive a full refund and there will be no cancellation fee.

Discounts, offers and spring madness sale

Cyclepath Toronto, one of many GTA retailers and services that offer discounts to TBN members, is having a spring madness sale from March 1-8, with 30 percent off everything in the store. Cyclepath is one of a growing number of participants in the discount program, which give you a chance to save money on bikes and accessories, as well as services such as tours, training sessions or a subscription to Pedal Magazine. 

Organizers of the Epic Tour Halton are offering TBN members a $25 discount to register for their Sept. 7 ride, which offers routes of up to 170km in a GTA Gran Fondo. Register before March 11th to get a personalized PwC Epic Tour Biemme Jersey with your name, and country flag of your choice on the side panels (not included in the 50K or 10K Family events), and use the code TBN2014 to get your discount.

Tips and Training

TBN's ever-expanding Education Program includes helpful tips about events we sponsor and support, as well as tips and events  on things like travel and staying fit. If you have suggestions for the Education page or ideas for events, please contact education@tbn.ca.

Everything else

Check the calendar of events for everything that's coming up.

Spinning classes continue on Wednesdays, Skating on Fridays, and Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe trips on weekends.

Unofficial events

Be sure to check the TBN Forum for unofficial events organized by TBN members.  All members are welcome to organize an unofficial hike, bike ride, ski trip, skate, yoga, pub night or anything at all. You can post details to the Forum and on the TBN Facebook page.

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Diversions

For the latest must-have bicycle gizmo, take a look at the Laserlight, which not only lights up the road ahead of you, but projects a green image of a bicycle onto the pavement, to give you an extra chance of being seen. We have no clue if it works as advertised, but it does look cool.