FROM NIAGARA WINE COUNTRY

TO NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY....

Country Cruises (CCs) are tourist class rides typically in the range of 60, 75, or 90+ kms.  There are two, often three, route options and distances for each CC Event.  The speed of riders varies, depending on a number of factors, including weather conditions and terrain, but on average the pace is 20 - 26 km/hr.  Riders should feel comfortable cycling in a small group but also be able to independently follow route instructions if they are unexpectedly separated from a group.  Regrouping of riders during the rides is encouraged but is not a requirement on CCs. See TIPS  for information on cycling safety etc.

All CCs have one or two designated ride leaders but there are no designated sweeps.  At the beginning of each ride, the ride leader(s) will announce which route / distance they will ride.  When there are two route options, ride leaders usually opt to ride the longer distance route; when there are three route options, they typically choose the medium distance route.  As such, often the shorter routes do not have a ride leader accompanying riders. Regardless, all participants, whether new to CCs or seasoned CCers, will always be welcomed by fellow riders on any of the ride options offered. 

START TIMES FOR 2025 ARE AS FOLLOWS: (Please note the monthly variability.) 

March, April & May: 10:00am

June: 9:30am

July & Aug.: 9:00am, to beat the summer heat

Sept.: 9:30am

Oct.: 10:00am

Please check this web-page regularly to plan your rides and for any updates.  Cancellations or changes to the schedule will be noted in the "Upcoming Events" section at least 18 hrs. in advance of the ride.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

All riders - TBN members and non-TBN members i.e. 30-Day-Trial members (guests) - must register to participate in CCs.  30-Day-Trial riders are required to pay $10 when registering for their first TBN ride. For details see Membership. 

Registration will be open from Tuesday to Sunday (6 days) during the week before each ride. 

All registrants are asked to please register with their name rather than as "Anonymous".  This will enable the ride leader to have a record of all registrants, in the event of an emergency.  As well, new members and / or non-members (guests) can be more easily identified and welcomed by ride leaders and participants.  If you are new, please feel free to introduce yourselves at the beginning of the ride as well!

If, after you have registered, you learn you will be unable to attend a CC, please cancel no later than 12:00 noon on Saturday, i.e. the day before the scheduled CC, to open a spot for someone else.  This is especially appreciated when there is a waitlist.  

NEED TO KNOW:

All riders must wear a helmet to participate in any TBN ride.

Country Cruise ride leaders no longer provide paper maps and cue sheets for riders. Please print and bring your own. Routes can also be downloaded to smartphones or GPS devices.

COUNTRY CRUISE COORDINATORS: 

We are a team of three:

- Barry Pinsky coordinates ride leadership

- Marie Ferguson handles the routes mapped on RWGPS

- Rowena Maclure manages the CC webpage. 

Please feel free to contact us at countrycruise@tbn.ca for more information on CCs, to volunteer as a Country Cruise ride leader and / or to provide feedback on any aspect of the CC program. We welcome your comments and input!

Safe cycling everyone!