September 30, 2020

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Next year's membership is free for paid-up members


We lost most of our 2020 riding season because of COVID19, so as a big thank you for bearing with us, TBN will automatically extend membership by 365 days for all members in good standing (those who have paid their dues in full). You lost your 2020 season with TBN, so we’re giving you another one. Examples: if your membership renewal date was October 13, 2020, it will be extended to October 13, 2021; if it was May 13, 2021, it will be changed to May 13, 2022.


The background: TBN was unable to operate at all from March through July, and our schedule has been limited since August. And with a second wave coming, we know we won't be offering our normal slate of winter activities. Nobody knows when things will be back to normal. We’ll take another look at membership dues as we continue through these challenging times and will do our utmost to continue to offer great value to all our members.

If you have questions or comments about membership, please email us at membership@tbn.ca or experience@tbn.ca.




Save the date for an outdoor (?) AGM

TBN is considering an outdoor AGM this year, a lunchtime event where we can see each other but still practice physical distancing. The Saturday, November 7 event (rain date Sunday, November 8) is planned for the back patio of the Miller Beer Pub in the Distillery District. The pub offers a fireplace, heat lamps and heaters, as well as dividers to create a private space and a wireless microphone for speakers. A $50 attendance charge will cover up to $40 for food/drinks from the venue, and $10 for taxes and gratuity. More details coming next week on the TBN website.

The Annual General Meeting is an important event in TBN's Calendar. Members must approve the Club’s financial statements and nominate and vote on the Board of Directors for 2020/2021.

TBN rides are open, but register early



TBN rides are open to registered members only, and our rides are filling up fast in this perfect fall weather. Rider numbers vary depending on the program and the preference of the ride leader. You must bring a mask and hand sanitizer, and you must wear that mask when you can't keep a safe distance from others. Please cancel your registration if you change your mind, so your space can go to someone in the waitlist. 

Details available on the upcoming events section of the TBN home page and on the calendar: COVID-era ride rules are on the website.

Details available on the upcoming events section of the TBN home page and on the calendar: COVID-era ride rules are on the website.

Details available on the upcoming events section of the TBN home page and on the calendar: COVID-era ride rules are on the website.


TBN hikes start October 25


TBN's fall hiking schedule gets under way October 25 with a 13-km stroll in the beautiful Hockley Valley. Hikes will take place on Sundays throughout the fall while weather allows. Remember, TBN's COVID-19 rules apply to hikes in the same manner as they apply to cycling: You must register in advance by selecting your hike from the website calendar, you must cancel your registration if you choose not to go, a maximum of 25 hikers will be allowed (others attempting to register will be on a wait list), non-members may not take part, all participants must have masks and hand sanitizer, and everyone must comply with social distancing requirements. Enjoy the fall colours!


Zwift through the winter


Zwift Meetups are TBN's new cycling program as the fall skies darken and it becomes harder to get out on the "real life" road. If you've got an indoor smart trainer, join fellow TBN riders in virtual London, New York, Paris, Innsbruck and a host of other places, as well as in Zwift's virtual world Watopia, and chat while you pedal using the Discord app. This is the closest you can get to a real world ride with friends, and you don't even have to leave home.



If you are interested in Zwift rides, either as a participant or as a volunteer virtual ride leader, please email virtualrides@tbn.ca with your preferences for day, time, distance and duration, and whether you are willing to host an event.





Celebrate the Danforth Bloor bike lanes


Join your fellow Toronto riders on Sunday to celebrate the newly connected Bloor-Danforth bikeway - a big win for safe cycling in Toronto. Starting at 11 am on Sunday, October 4 cyclists are invited to converge on the Bloor-Danforth corridor and experience the lanes for themselves. You can ride the whole 15 km stretch from end to end or just a shorter section. As with any celebration, costumes, bells, music and party accessories are welcome!


Respecting public health precautions, this is a decentralized and unmarshalled event. For more information, please see https://www.facebook.com/events/333217064785311





Travel with TBN


COVID has wreaked havoc with TBN's 2020 trips, but we're hoping for better times ahead. To join TBN's Trips Committee, which plans new adventures for TBN members, please email Lora at weekendtrips@tbn.ca. Let's start thinking about next year.











Winter at Wolf Den   Jan 29-31 2021     REGISTRATION OPENS IN NOV. 8 


Enjoy skiing, snowshoeing and skating at the rustic Wolf Den lodge, near the entrance to Algonquin Park. Registration will open November 8th.


This trip will only go ahead if the COVID situation allows.




Reminders




Did you take a bike trip you want to share?


TBN offers occasional virtual travelogues, where members host presentations, with photos, on travel by bike. Email Lora at weekendtrips@tbn.ca if you would like to deliver a travelogue. The travelogues, like our virtual movie nights, take place via Zoom, a free and easy-to-use video call app where you can see and hear other participants on the call.



Join a research study on active cyclists


The University of Toronto is looking for healthy, recreational cyclists to join a study on whether you are working as hard as you think you are -- measuring the gap between your view on your workout and your actual performance, which will be based on objective measures like heart rate. You need to be aged between 40 and 69, ride an average of 150km a week and own a road bike and shoes/cleats for Look Keo pedals. More details here.


TBN routes: one of our most prized assets


You asked for a library of TBN routes. We listened.


A new work-in-progress page on the TBN website offers a convenient way to find some of our routes, which are stored on RideWithGPS. We have over 1,000 routes in total, including many duplicates and obsolete rides, so this will become an easier way to find a specific ride than scouring our online calendar. Check it out.






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.

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