APRIL 6, 2020

TBN rides canceled through end of April

Stay safe, stay solo and wash your hands

This is a difficult and challenging time for TBN members. We wish you good health and urge everyone to comply with the important public health guidelines for social distancing. Stay strong, train as much as you can indoors and we will all get through this and enjoy club rides and other events later this summer.

Please watch the website for updates about when TBN rides will get under way again. All TBN events have been canceled through the end of June, including the Victoria Day Niagara Bike and Hike trip and TNTO, our weekend trip to Niagara Falls and back. It may be possible to reschedule certain rides for later in the summer, depending on how the situation evolves.

Kickoff breakfast canceled for this year

Next month's kickoff breakfast is canceled as we adhere to Toronto's social distancing rules and respect the city's decision to cancel permits at its parks. We'll miss you all.

Cyclon also canceled

With heavy heart, TBN's Cyclon Committee has decided that it's not realistic for the 2020 Cyclon to go ahead. There are too many unknowns for us to plan TBN's flagship annual event, including the availability of restaurants and accommodation, and the possibility of continued disruptions to the Canadian medical system, especially if there's a second wave of infections later in the year. We ask for your understanding, and look forward to seeing you at our 2021 event.

TBN memberships to be extended

TBN is working on a way to extend all non-lapsed member renewal dates based on the length of time that our season is delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. In other words we will add days to your next renewal date after you pay for your 2020 renewal. Since we don't, at this time, know when the lockdown will be lifted, you must renew your membership when it expires so that your membership does not lapse.

Zwift riders take note

While members can ride alone outside as the weather improves, solo rides do not have the social aspect that we all enjoy on a TBN ride. To win that back, you can now join other TBNers in the virtual world of the online platform Zwift. We ride "together," and chat using the Discord app. Riders can join a meetup and ride for as long they want. You must be a Zwift rider and use Discord in order to participate.

If you are interested in joining the group, please email technical@tbn.ca with your Zwift account name. Martin Lansche will send you a follow request, and you will have to follow Martin back. Then he will add you to the invitation list.

Travel virtually with TBN

TBN plans a series of virtual coffee dates, where members can watch presentations focusing on education or bicycle travel and have a chance to connect and chat with other members. The presentations won't be long - perhaps 10 or 20 minutes for travelogues or longer for the educational sessions. If you are interested in being a speaker, please email Lora Flanagan at weekendtrips@tbn.ca.

The presentations will use Zoom, a free and easy-to-use video call app where you can see and hear other participants on the call. Details on the presentations will be available on the TBN website.

TBN introduced its popular ambassador role last year, pairing new members with club volunteers who will help them meet new people and enjoy new rides. The program will continue once we start this year's season. Please contact member experience director

The official TBN cycling season is canceled through the end of April as we adhere to social distancing guidelines mandated by the COVID-19 crisis. While cycling seems a stay-apart activity, there are too many times that riders are unacceptably close to each other for our rides to go ahead in safety. We hope you find ways to keep fit and to stay safe in these difficult times.

Please watch the website for updates about when TBN rides will get under way.

Travel with TBN

All trip planning for 2020 is subject to the travel and social distancing requirements of COVID-19. That means that registrations are on hold and the schedule is subject to change. Updates will be available on TBN's Facebook page, through this Chain of Events newsletter and on the TBN website.

Please email Lora at weekendtrips@tbn.ca if you have questions.

Niagara Hike and Bike May 15-18 REGISTRATION ON HOLD

We are monitoring the COVID-19 situation very closely and will make a decision about this trip in April/early May. If the situation improves, we will reopen registration. If we have to cancel the trip, all registrants will receive full refunds. More details on the TBN website.

Bass Lake Boogie July 17-19 REGISTRATION OPENS MAY 10

Registration for our July 17-19 weekend camping trip to popular Bass Lake for two days of cycling in the Lake Simcoe area is postponed, probably to May 10, while we monitor the situation with COVID-19. Details are on the TBN website.

Cyclon July 31-August 1 REGISTRATION OPENS APRIL 23

This year's Cyclon takes place at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario, on the August long weekend, with a selection of routes to ride and a number of evening events. Early bird registration opens on April 23.

Tecumseth Tranquilizer August 14-16 REGISTRATION OPENS MAY 10

We hope to open registration on May 10 for a 2-day camping/cycling trip to Earl Rowe provincial park. Details on the website.

Mont Tremblant September 4-7 REGISTRATION TO REOPEN IN MAY OR JUNE

Check the website for details of our Labour Day weekend in Mont Tremblant, Quebec, with bike rides, evening adventures and free time to hike, kayak and canoe. We'll be sharing a cottage 20 minutes from the Tremblant pedestrian village and there will be a chance to explore Montreal by bike on your way back to Toronto.

Cyclon July 31-August 1 REGISTRATION OPENS APRIL 23

Remember to visit the TBN calendar of events to find out more about what's coming up. The little TTC logo below will help alert you to any subway closures.