Register now for the picnic

You have until this Thursday to register for TBN's May 12 kickoff breakfast, which takes place at Etienne Brule Park, on the popular Humber River bike trail. Please wear your TBN jersey ahead of our announcement of which jersey we will be producing next. We're expecting plenty of excitement:

• Be the first to find out which of our three new jersey designs TBN members prefer. Jersey sales will open on May 12, and special discount pricing will be available until May 31. Details coming on the TBN website.
• Try on sample Louis Garneau jerseys to see which fits you.
• Bring a friend -- it's a chance for would-be members to try a TBN ride at no cost. And you may be lucky and win a prize.
• Choose from one of four rides after the picnic -- there's bound to be a something that's right for you.
  

The event is free, but please register ahead of time so we know how much food to order.

Vaughan subway: shrink the sprawl (take two)

This Sunday sees our second attempt to start a Tourist ride from the TTC's new Vaughan terminus, a start point that will eliminate some 10km of suburban riding. For this briskly paced Tourist ride, we have three distances to choose from. Come along on Sunday and check things out.

Two ways to help at Ride for Heart

We've got just 19 slots left for “Ride Ambassadors” for the June 3 Ride for Heart, volunteers who will act as the "eyes and ears" of the ride on the Gardiner and the Don Valley Parkway. And new this year, we're also looking for about 30 volunteer tourist class riders who will act as Marshals on the ride,

 “policing” for unsafe activity and warning riders who are going too fast or behaving dangerously. otherwise dangerous behaviour. Contact either Joey or Dan if you can help.

Cyclon (and other TBN travel)

Cyclon, TBN's flagship three-day out-of-town event is open for registration. Ride quiet country roads past traditional Mennonite farms as we visit the Waterloo area from August 3-6, with comfortable accommodation on the Wilfred Laurier campus. Sign up by June 11 for early bird pricing. But act fast. Cyclon consistently sells out the first year that we move to a new city. See the website for more details.

And while we're talking travel, please note that Sunday, May 13 is your deadline for early-bird pricing for our all-new June 21-24 GO-to-GO tour from Brampton to Burlington via Stratford and the Halton Hills. 

How's your flat-fixing?

Join TBN experts at a special "Hands On" workshop on dealing with a flat tire. You'll learn how to change the inner tube in both your front and rear tires, then how to safely re-install the tire and replace the wheel. See the website for more details of this special May 16 clinic.

It's all about the gears

Come learn how to best use your bicycle's gears, the key to efficient hill climbing and easy riding. Hear about the latest developments in bicycle gearing and how to calculate gear ratios. The special education session takes place on May 22 at the Central Tech on Bathurst Street. Details on the website.

Travel with TBN Here are some of the out-of-town adventures that TBN is offering this year. Toronto-Niagara-Toronto, June 16-17  Sign up now for our 2-day ride from Toronto or Stony Creek to Niagara Falls, and back. GO to GO Tour , June 21-24  This weekend is your last chance to sign up for our new adventure from Brampton to Burlington via Stratford and the Halton Hills. See the website for more details.  Hairshirt, June 24 Challenge yourself on the annual Hairshirt ride, a ride from Toronto to Niagara Falls and back for a total one-day distance of 322km. Midland History Bike Tour, July 20 – 24 , 2018 A gentle 4-day trip starting from Barrie. A highlight: a lighthouse visit that now includes a short presentation by a representative of the Beausoleil First Nations on the history of the area. See the website for details. Cyclon Aug 3-6 Three days in bike-friendly Waterloo. Registration will open soon. Camping Weekend August 24-26 Watch the website for details of Paul and Brenda's annual camping/cycling weekend.  Eastern Townships/Vermont Sept 15 – 21  A fully supported organized tour with TBN and Velo Quebec. See the webiste for details and registration is open now. Wolf Den Sept 14 - 16 Details coming soon for our fall cycling trip to Wolf Den lodge, near Algonquin Park. New trip ideas? Contact Jeannie at weekendtrips@tbn.ca if you have suggestions for a trip or if you wish to lead one. Trip leaders have their fees paid by TBN.

New for May: member of the month

TBN is starting an experiment in May, aiming to recognize members who go above and beyond to make TBN cycling a good experience. To nominate someone, send a short email to memberofthemonth@tbn.ca with your name, the name of the member you’re nominating and what they did. The winner gets a $50 gift certificate and qualifies to be recognized as Member of the Year.

Friends ride free

Give your friends a free guest ride to introduce them to the club. Here's how to do it:

• Spring kickoff on May12: Non members ride free, and if you bring a friend who is not a member, who will both have a chance to win a $25 gift certificate
  

• Bike Month: All guests ride free for the first week of bike month -- between May 28 and June 3
  

• Sign up for Chain of Events: When your friends sign up for our e-newsletter, their first guest ride is free.

Five common cycling mistakes

Deals and special offers on bike stuff, tours, rides etc

TBN partners offer great deals for our members, with discounts at numerous bike stores, bike tours outside Ontario, charity ride registration, and much more. Please support TBN's great partners.

Remember you must present your valid TBN membership card for a discount at any TBN discount partner.

Save at MEC

TBN members can save 10 percent at Mountain Equipment Coop on two special member nights. The first is at MEC's downtown location on Wednesday May 23, and the second at its new North York store on Thursday May 24 in North York. Your save-money window runs from 5 pm to 9 pm.

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As always, check the TBN 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.

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.