The Toronto Bicycling Network Inc.

Chain of Events
May 31, 2017

Trip deadlines

You're running out of time to register for our annual TNTO weekend (June 17-18), and to grab early-bird pricing for Cyclon in Kingston (August 4-7). TNTO registration closes on June 3, and Cyclon prices go up on June 6. What are you waiting for? You know you want to go.

How's your draft?

Register now for our special safety session on group riding and learning how to draft. Do you know where to position your wheel for safety? What to watch for? How to signal problems ahead? The education session takes place at 8am on June 10th at Birchmount Stadium in the east end of Toronto, with an hour of training followed by a group ride. Check the website for more details of this event, which is targeted to intermediate riders: Tourist and strong Urban Roller riders only.

Introducing the TBN iPhone app

TBN has a brand new iPhone app, so you can see what rides are coming up with a single click. Just open up the AppStore and look for "Toronto Bicycling Network." We'll have an Android app soon as well, but for now if you don't have an iPhone, please bookmark our mobile friendly site -- you can reach the mobile site on www.tbn.ca/mobile.

As always, check the website for details of all the rides and other events that are coming up, and remember to check back a couple of hours before a ride in case it's changed or cancelled because of poor weather, or other factors beyond our control.

Getting out of town

TNTO weekend challenge

Registration closes on June 3 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.

Canada's prettiest town sold out

Our July 14-16 camping weekend in the scenic Falls River Conservation area, near the pretty Ontario town of Goderich is sold out and the waiting list is closed. You have to register fast for these exciting adventures.

Enjoy Cyclon in Kingston

Time is running out for the early bird discount for Cyclon, our annual weekend away from the big city. This year's Cyclon takes place from August 4-7 in Kingston, with comfortable accommodation in Queens University residences and rides to suit everyone. Early bird pricing ends on June 3.

Check out Kingston's website to see how the historic city is celebrating Canada's 150th birthday.

Here's what past attendees have to say:

“Cylon had beautiful rides, a convenient location and excellent food … overall I gave it an A+”
Hallan Pajuoman, first time attendee

“I’ve attended Cyclon 15 times … it has terrific rides and a chance to connect with other cyclists.”
Sam Bootsma

“I like the rides at Cyclon but love the social aspect and the chance to meet new people and ride new routes”
Dan Hamden, 10 time attendee

Wending Awenda

Registration is open for our fall camping weekend in Awenda Provincial Park, with cycling along glorious Georgian Bay. Check the website for more details of the event, which takes place on Sept 15-17.

Fall hiking

Join a small group for an Oct 13-15 hiking trip to the Bruce Peninsula. We'll stay in the tiny Fitz Hostel, near Lion's Head and set out from there to enjoy hikes through the fall colours. Registration opens on August 1.

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

Help with Ride for Heart

TBN is still looking for volunteer Ambassadors to help at the annual Ride for Heart, when cyclists take over the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway to raise money for a good cause. The Ambassadors will be on duty from 7am on the June 4 ride day. You will help riders with flat tires or basic mechanical problems, and alert medical staff to emergencies. Click here to register.

If you're not that mechanically minded, or if you just don't want to get up that early, you can also volunteer to help staff the TBN booth at the ride, which is one of Toronto's biggest mass cycling events of the year. Contact publicity@tbn.ca to help.

Reminders:

Free on Fridays?

Our first Freedom Friday ride is coming up this week, the latest addition to TBN's stable of rides. The early morning rides use start locations within an hour's drive from central Toronto, and they are designed to let you get home before the weekend traffic builds up.These are tourist class rides -- there's no sweep and no regrouping. But some are on paved trails, suitable for an Urban Roller rider who has access to a car (or a friend with a car) and who wants to try a rural ride.

New coordinator

TBN is looking for a new coordinator for our popular Friday night rides. Contact Dave Mader at touring@tbn.ca if you can help.

RWGPS

1. You must be a member of the club account at RWGPS to take advantage of some of the features outlined below. First, create your own personal account (either a free one, or a paid one) and then go to the club page (https://ridewithgps.com/clubs/27-toronto-bicycling-network), and submit a request to join. Membership gives you access to 300+ club rides, and you can filter those down to find the ride you want.

2. Check this comprehensive summary of how to use the TBN account on RWGPS to load a map and route onto your Garmin or to generate a printable map and cue sheet. As mentioned above, you must be a member of the club account at RWGPS to use these facilities.

3. Visit YouTube for an instructional video on how to create and print a customized map and cue sheet using TBN's RideWithGPS account.

4. And 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 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. The club is also the training partner for the annual 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 RTCC participants on our rides. Please welcome the RTCC riders and help them prepare for their memorable journey.

Suspending jersey sales

Our first order of 2017 was quite a success, however, sales dropped off with the second order and so we are suspending TBN jersey sales for the year. If demand picks up again, we may set up a wait list and open up a new production order for late summer.

Remember to visit the TBN calendar of events to find out more about what's coming up. That little TTC logo below will help alert you to any subway closures, of which there may be many in 2017.

Chain of Events May 31, 2017