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Overnight trips
Please remember that we are urgently looking for someone to oversee TBN's Overnight Trips program, coordinating with trip leaders and then working with the board to implement the biking and other adventures we all enjoy. Contact weekendtrips@tbn.ca to learn more about how you can participate in this important board position.
Without a director (or two co-directors?), the program could be in jeopardy; lets not let that happen.
Here are some upcoming trips our out-going director arranged for you.
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Jan. 15 -17
Wanakita Ski Weekend
Spend two nights on beautiful Koshlong Lake near Haliburton. Package includes 5 meals and activities such as classic skiing on 25 km of onsite groomed trails, snowshoeing, ice-skating on the lake, toboganning, a night ski to a bonfire and lots more. Only $213 (member rate). Registration for members opens November 7; non members November 20.
Feb. 19 - 21
Arrowhead Ski & Snowshoe Extravaganza
The package includes two nights at the Tulip Inn near Huntstville, daily ski tickets and breakfasts. Enjoy various levels and lengths of ski, snowshoe and hiking trails and then warm up by the fireplace with complimentary mulled apple cider. A welcome social on Friday night with snacks and refreshments is followed by a potlock dinner on Saturday. All this for only $180. Registration opens November 11 for members, two weeks later for non-members.
Feb. 26 - 28: Wolf Den Details are still being ironed out, save the date for now
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Contact 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. We are also seeking a new Overnight Trips Director, please contact us to learn more.
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Last call for dinner and dance
You only have until Thursday (November 5) to register for TBN's exciting annual dinner, dance and annual general meeting, to be held at Whistler's Bar and Grill this Saturday. We once again have some great prizes this year - arm warmers, leg warmers, gloves, movie and concert tickets, and gift certificates from some of TBN's partner retailers and services. The bar opens at 6, dinner follows at 7 and the annual meeting starts at 830. By 9, we'll start the music, so bring your dancing shoes. Register now for a fun evening. Tickets are $42 for TBN members.
The meeting is also your chance to have your say in how the club is run, to find out who wins "Volunteer of the Year" and to elect a new board of directors. Click here for more details.
 For those who missed out on a TBN Cycling jersey, we'll have the fit-kit with us so that you can check your size and get your order in well before the 2016 season begins.
Parking is available behind Whistlers, and there's free parking on the north side of Mortimer Avenue.
What's WattsUp?
WattsUp Cycling Studio in Etobicoke is offering valuable complimentary introductory sessions for TBN members. The first session, on November 25, gives riders a chance to compete against each other on a computer-simulated course. Learn how fast you're riding, what your power output is and how you rank against your cycling buddies, and all on your very own bicycle.
On December 4 and January 24 you will have the chance to experience the WattsUp program in action, with instructor-led sessions that allow you to measure your actual exertion on the bike. It's like a Spin class, but much more informative.
Watch the Education page of the TBN website for details on how to register for these great events. There are only 16 spaces per session, and a minimum of 8 registrants is required for each session to proceed.
Enjoy the Fall colours
We have rides, spinning and the City Walks and fall hiking programs for your enjoyment this month. Check tbn.ca for all the activities, including our usual array of education, social and other events that keep TBN members active all year long.
Get your jersey before the price hike
Sales of TBN cycling jerseys have resumed, with a range of different items starting from $59.  Prices will increase 4-7 percent sometime in December, so get your order in as soon as possible. We need 10 orders to start a production run, and then it's about 8-10 weeks delivery, so you can have your new jersey long before the spring biking season starts.
Vote for TBN as best bike club
Voting is now open  for the Get Out There Magazine Readers' Choice awards, so vote early (and often?) to help TBN keep its 2014 prize as the best bike club in Eastern Ontario. The link to vote is here.
Fall Quick Release 
The Fall/Winter edition of Quick Release is available on the TBN web site, so check out the newsletter for great pictures, reviews of events gone by, and a teaser of all the things to look forward to. You can also see all current and many prior Quick Release issues here. A printed version of the Fall issue has already been mailed out to those who opted in to receive the print copy.
Safety Tip of The Week
MOST VALUABLE PERSON CYCLES
The clocks fell back this week, which means more light in the morning, but it gets dark in the late afternoon. Both can be dangerous for motorists and cyclists, with bright morning sunlight, and poor twilight visibility. This is the time of year when most motor vehicle/bike collisions occur. More than at any other time of the year, you need to need to be visible and safe. Think of it this way: Maneuverability, Visibility, Predictability, and Communication, or better Most Valuable Person Cycles.
“M” – Maneuverability is about creating and maintaining ways to take evasive action if necessary. In practice this means riding at least one metre from the curb and/or from the door of a parked motor vehicle. That gives you room to divert to avoid wet leaves, drains and other road obstacles.
“V” – Visibility means ensuring other road users see you. Stay in the flow of traffic, no weaving in and out from between parked vehicles, to stay in the motorists’ field of of vision. A motorist will see you better if you are not hugging the curb, so keep that one-metre distance. At night, make sure your bike has proper lights and reflectors.
“P” – Predictability means ensuring that the other road users know where you are going, and how and when you are going to get there. That means ride in as straight a line as possible -- no weaving and keep that one metre from the curb. Stop at intersections. FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE ROAD.
“C” – Communication means letting other road users know what you are doing and what you are going to do. Use clear arm signals to indicate turns, slowing and stopping, make eye contact with motorists who are stopped at intersections, use your bell or voice to indicate your presence.
Late fall cycling in the city can be safe, just follow the Most Valuable Person Cycles rules, and you’ll enjoy your riding experience.
Updated TBN ConstitutionA reminder that member comments on the new, updated TBN constitution are available here, along with comments from your board. Members will vote on a motion to approve the new constitution at at the AGM on November 7.
Membership Committee
TBN is forming a membership committee to help grow the club. If you have some great ideas and would like to participate, please contact publicity@tbn.ca. Special call-out to our younger members under 30 to help grow this segment of the club; we'd love to hear your ideas!
TBN Day Ski/Snowshoe Program SuspendedAfter many years of declining attendance and running this program at a loss, the ski/snowshoe day program will be suspended for 2016. However, should someone wish to revive or re-invent the program, please contact info@tbn.ca with subject line "Ski Program".
Deals, deals, deals
As the cycling season winds down, there are special deals available at some of TBN's retail partners. Long-time partner Cyclepath Norco Yonge Eglington has a great selection of fall/winter cycling attire to keep you warm. Remember, TBN members get a 15 percent discount at Cyclepath -- simply show your membership card when you make your purchase.
Check out our other partners too for TBN member discounts and deals. There's something for everybody.
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Remember to re-visit the TBN website before you head out in case your activity is cancelled on short notice. Ride coordinators will always put safety first and cancel a ride if weather conditions pose a danger.
You can also check the ride schedule on your smartphone at www.tbn.ca/mobile.
You do not have to sign up for rides. Just show up at the start point and show your membership card to the ride leader.
Remember to visit the TBN calendar of events to find out more about what's coming up.
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