Help for heart

TBN is again asking for volunteers to act as ambassadors at the annual Ride for Heart this coming Sunday, June 5. 

TBN Ambassadors help riders with flats and basic mechanical problems, as well as alerting medical staff to emergencies, guiding traffic, helping distressed cyclists, and being the overall "eyes and ears" of the event.

Register here as an ambassador and help to continue a 20-year tradition.

We still need 1 or 2 volunteers at the booth to help promote TBN; please contact  publicity@tbn.ca to volunteer.

Ride safe

Join TBN for a special session on that all-important pre-ride safety check. Most riders often skip that step, but a 30-second check of your bike could save you a walk home. The session, offered by Velofix, will teach you how to catch a worn part that's about to break, a loose connection that can cause excessive wear, or a low pressure tire that will slow you down. The session takes place on Monday June 13 at Wallace-Emerson Community Centre on Dufferin Avenue. Click here to register.

Check out Charlie's

Join us on the evening of June 23 at Charlie's FreeWheels for some light refreshments, a tour of their space and some stories about the impact that TBN has made in the lives of young people. You'll see a brief slideshow of pictures from the last year, paired with some stories about the impact on the lives of the kids that we've seen in the program. Past participants of the program will speak as well. Social gathering afterwards. Check the TBN website for details.

Sunday Tourists at 9am

As of last Sunday, Tourist rides begin at 9am. This enables us to avoid the peak of the summer heat, and takes advantage of the subway now beginning service at 8am on Sundays. 10am starts will return in Fall. 

Note that there is no Tourist ride this coming Sunday due to Ride For Heart. If you do wish to ride, feel free to organize an unofficial ride via the TBN Forum or Facebook.

Win for work

TBN is pairing up with Velofix, Toronto's bike repair shop on wheels to offer a grand prize to a TBN member -- a Velofix visit to your workplace for a one-hour session on basic maintenance and safety tips for you and your workmates. Click here, and enter your name, email address and the name and location of your workplace for a chance to win this prize, valued at $175.

This contest is open to fully paid up TBN members, those who's membership status is "Active".

GOOD LUCK!

Win for volunteers

We are always blathering on about our volunteers, and how you give back to the club and make our programs possible. Now the club is giving back to volunteers with two special prizes of free registration to the Halton Epic Tour, valued at $200 apiece. A separate email will be deployed to all current TBN volunteers with instructions on how to enter. If you are currently not a volunteer, but wish to become one, please contact Ian at president@tbn.ca. New volunteers will not qualify for a grand prize this year, but we hope to be offering similarly valued prizes in future.

Carpool there

TBN offers both "urban" rides, which usually start near a subway station, and "rural" rides that begin in the country. So why not share a ride with a fellow TBN rider. It lowers the driver's costs (and carbon footprint), and it helps TBNers who don't have cars. Check out our TBN Forum where members can post both offers and requests for a ride. You can post at tbn.ca/carpool. You must be logged in to your TBN account to post to the Forum.

TBN on the Go

Re-introducing TBN's mobile app. This new app displays all upcoming rides and events and allow you to check the most current details in advance of the event or while on route. If you have any comments or suggestions about the app, please contact TBN's Technical Director Sandra.wong@tbn.ca.

Reminders

Getting good with GPS

As you may recall, TBN has a club account with Ride With GPS (RWGPS), which means TBN members can enjoy all the benefits without paying for a premium account. All you need to do is click on this link, and follow the instructions. If you already have n RWGPS  account, you're good to go. If you do not have an account, it takes about a minute to set-up a free account.

As long as the ride is listed in the TBN Club section, you will get the following benefits:

1. One-click loading of the route to your Garmin device.
2. Customize the layout and font-size of the cue sheet PDF to the way you like it.
3. Get turn-by-turn directions from the mobile app on your iPhone or select Android smartphones.
4. RSVP to rides.

If you have questions, please contact Joey at tourist@tbn.ca. 

Jersey waiting list - Just 3 more to go

Our manufacturer changed its minimum order requirements, so we suspend TBN Jersey sales for now. If you would like to join the waiting list for a jersey, please enter your name and email address here. Once we have 10 registrants, we will follow up with further instructions. We now have 7 on the list, so be part of the last 3 to get us to 10.

And of course it's not just jerseys (top quality ones as well). TBN also offers a wide range of branded cycling gear, including wind vests, jackets and long sleeved jerseys. We'll put in an order as soon as we have enough names.

Are you up to date?

Last week, an important email was sent to all "Tourists" about a time change. This was a good reminder for everyone to check your profile on the TBN website to ensure its up to date. If you move, or change any other information including email address, phone number, emergency contacts or anything else, please take a couple of minutes to edit your profile. Also remember to check-off or update the activities and rides you typically do. You can check multiple boxes, for example: Tourist, Wed Wheelie, Country Cruise, Urban Roller. Log on to your account, click "view profile" at the top right of the screen, and edit away. Please also ensure you have checked off the box for Terms & Conditions.

On your profile, you can also offer to volunteer.

Save with TBN

Dozens of firms, stores and services offer discounts to TBN members, so look at the list here and remember to mention TBN when you shop for gear. One popular offer for this year is a $25 discount on the Halton Epic ride. So even if you don't win the volunteer contest, you get a chance to ride at lower than normal cost. Check the website for details of this and other discounts.

Remember to re-visit the TBN website before you head out in case your activity is cancelled or changed on short notice. Coordinators will always put safety first and cancel a ride if weather conditions pose a danger.

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.

Bring out a friend; non members pay $5.

Remember to visit the TBN calendar of events to find out more about what's coming up.