Chain of Events
April 5, 2017
What do you think of TBN?
Thank you to the almost 200 TBN members who have already replied to our survey about TBN activities. Your responses will help us set priorities going forward and tailor future events to members' preferences. If you haven't replied yet, please check your email for a personalized link to this important questionnaire. And there are great prizes for survey participants. Don't delay. (Survey was emailed to current members only. If you did not receive the email, please check your spam folder. If not there, login to your account or contact membership@tbn.ca to confirm your status)
As we're sure you know, TBN's 2017 rides are up and running, so you have plenty of outdoor activities to choose from. Don't forget to check the website before you head out, in case the ride is cancelled because of poor weather, blocked roads or other unexpected developments.
Full team kit
Shopping by TBN is again open for business, with exciting new options including branded shorts and bib shorts. Order by April 17 to get your order by June 1. Check here for all the exciting options, including jackets, jerseys (long sleeves, short sleeved and sleeveless) and winter wear.
Getting out of town
Niagara long weekend - WAITLIST
Our May 19-22 weekend in the Niagara area is full. Click here to join the waiting list for the trip, which includes rides along the Welland Canal, a visit to pretty Niagara-on-the-Lake, and a hike along part of the Bruce Trail.TNTO weekend challenge
There's still plenty of room for our traditional Toronto-Niagara Falls-Toronto Overnight adventure, which takes place on the weekend of June 17-18. Start in Toronto and finish in Niagara Falls, riding 100+ miles on both Saturday and Sunday, or start in Stoney Creek for shorter routes -- just under 100km each day. Click here to register.
Is this your Hairshirt year?
Registration is open for the Toronto-Niagara-Toronto double century Hairshirt, which takes you to Niagara Falls and back -- in just one day. Riders will leave from Mississauga at 6am on June 25, and return to the start place at the end of the day. Check out the website for detailed tips on how to tackle this challenging ride.
Other travel news
We're also planning two weekend camping trips, one in July and one in August, and a hiking trip to the Bruce Peninsula in October.
And of course, Cyclon will be back in Kingston in August for a second year.
Watch the website for details of all these trips.
Contact Jeannie at 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
Ready to kick things off?
Register now for TBN's May 13 kickoff breakfast in scenic Etienne Brule Park. Catch up with old friends and meet new ones at this popular annual event. Breakfast starts at 9am, followed by rides at different levels -- we're waiving our non-member fees for these rides, so bring your friends and encourage them to try out the rides that TBN has to offer.
Registration is free, but we do ask you to sign up, so we know how much food to order.
Leisurely Wheeling
If you fancy a gentle-paced ride with plenty of stops to chat and regroup, come out to enjoy out the camaraderie of the Leisure Wheeler rides, which discover quiet streets and trails within the city. The next Leisure Wheeler ride is on Sunday, starting from the King Edward statue in Queen's park, and heading down to the Lakeshore.
Check out the Leisure Wheeler page of the TBN website for more details on these social rides.
Safety matters
TBN is again running a series of two workshops on safety and cycling skills. Learn how to be a safer and more confident rider with in-classroom and on-the road instruction. You must commit to two two-hour sessions, to be held on successive Saturday mornings, on April 24 and on May 1.
Check out the Education section of the TBN website for details and to register for these two hugely informative events.
How to RideWithGPS
Many TBN members use a Garmin or other GPS device to track their rides, but you would be surprised at how many of us get confused when it comes to downloading a route, checking out a map or printing out a map and cue sheet (yes, some of us still want a printed cue sheet as a backup to a what-if-it-fails Garmin). If you are one of them, or even if you are not, take a look at Joey Schwartz's comprehensive summary of how to use the TBN account on RWGPS to load a map onto your Garmin or to generate a printable map and cue sheet. Enjoy.
Reminders
Lead that ride
It's not too late to register for TBN's April 6 Ride Leaders' Clinic, a refresher for returning ride leaders, and a primer for newcomers. Topics include safety, how to prepare for your ride leader responsibilities, and how to complete the online ride report. And of course it's an opportunity to meet your fellow ride leaders. You can also sign up to lead a ride in 2017 -- bring your calendar.
The session takes place at 7pm at Ralph Thornton Hall on Queen Street East, just a few blocks east of the Don Valley.
Decoding TBN rides
Check out the website for an explanation of TBN's ride classifications. The Tourist and Sportif rides are the fastest, and the Urban Roller and Leisure Wheeler rides are no-drop rides at a gentler pace. There's something for everybody.
And even more on RWGPS
Visit YouTube for a special instructional video on how to create and print a customized map and cue sheet using TBN's RideWithGPS account. This is the latest in a planned series of videos on how to use RideWithGPS. You can also check out this video for details on how to load a TBN ride onto your smartphone -- a useful tool for people who don't own a separate GPS device.
Deals and special offers on bike stuff, tours, rides, and so on
TBN partners offer great deals for our members. Newer entries include a couple of bike shops, special bike tours outside Ontario, charity ride registration discounts, and much more. Please support TBN's great partners. There are so many new businesses out there that its tough to keep up and so If someone can help to keep this list up to date, please contact Ed at publicity@tbn.ca.
TBN supports charity rides
TBN is once again promoting numerous charity rides throughout Ontario, some of which offer special discounts to TBN members. TBN takes special pride in once again supporting Ride for Heart, and will soon be reaching out for road ambassadors to help out that day.
TBN is also the training partner for Ride To Conquer Cancer. All TBN rides through first week of June will be posted on the RTCC website and so you may see some participants join our rides. Let's welcome the riders and help them prepare for their memorable journey.
Remember to visit the TBN calendar of events to find out more about what's coming up. That little TTC logo below will alert you to any subway closures, of which there may be many in 2017.
