Chain of Events
June 28, 2017
We're close to the Cyclon deadline
Cyclon registration closes on July 17, just over 2 weeks from now. Don't miss out on a long weekend of exciting rides, meals and partying in charming and historic Kingston, including comfortable university accommodation and a gala dinner with dancing. See below for a few more details, and check out the website for everything you need to know on routes, food and pricing and other information. The Kingston area is a great place to ride, combining quiet roads and gentle scenery, as well as a few big, challenging hills. Just ask last year's participants about the Big Hill on the Sydenham Slide, a long, straight wall of asphalt that never seems to end.
Volunteers of the year
TBN wouldn't exist without its volunteers, and we want to be sure that we're not missing any of them when it comes to our thank you messages for the year. So now's the time to put forward any groups or individuals as our Volunteers of the Year, a nomination that the board will consider in the fall season. Please email Ian Rankin at president@tbn.ca with your suggestions. We will present our award(s) at a volunteers' party in the fall -- there is no task or individual too small to be considered.
Ready to picnic?
August may seem a long way away, but it's never too early to be thinking about our summer picnic ride. Interested in an exciting ride, followed by a barbecue lunch by the lake? How can you say no? Check out the website for details of TBN's annual summer picnic, which takes place at Toogood Pond in Markham on Sunday, August 13. The picnic is free, but we do ask you to register ahead of time so we know how much food to order.
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
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
Registration closes on July 17 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. Check the TBN website for more details of the event, including breakfast menus at the comfortable residence, which is an easy walk (or ride) from Kingston's town centre. For a small extra charge, you can add a fridge to your room, to store iced drinks, snacks and other things.
Or take a look at Kingston's website to see how the historic city is celebrating Canada's 150th birthday.
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. For more information about Cyclon, check out the Cyclon page on the TBN website, or email cyclon@tbn.ca
Reminders:
TBN has an 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.
Free on Fridays?
Our Freedom Friday rides have started, the latest addition to TBN's stable of rides. These early morning rides use start locations within an hour's drive from central Toronto, and aim 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, so the pace will be slower than for a regular tourist 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.
Remember you must present your valid TBN membership card for a discount at Hoopdriver or at any other TBN discount partner.
Suspending jersey sales
Our first order of 2017 was a success, but 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.
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