Did you know…
Distance and Elevation increase throughout the season?
Saturday rides increase in distance/elevation throughout the season, changing every three weeks, so the earlier in the season you start riding with us, the more you will grow with us throughout the season.
Rides are only active and appear on the Ride Board and in the App once Ride Leaders are signed up to lead them.
When does the season start?
We get asked this question all the time. Sadly there is no clear answer as it is weather dependant and varies each year. We monitor the weather apps and will select our official start once the temperature is hovering consistently around +5ºC for a week or two.
In a typical year, this happens mid-April and our season usually launches on a Saturday.
Keep watch of your email if you’re a Member, our Ride Board (calendar) and social media for our announcement in spring.
When does the season end?
Again, our season is dependant on the weather. In a typical year, planned club rides come to a close around the end of October. That said, there have been years where the weather remains mild enough to continue club rides longer into the season and years when club rides are getting cancelled due to poor weather arriving in the autumn. It all hinges on the comfort levels of our members and particularly of our Ride Leaders.
Can I come on a try-out ride before joining?
Details on 2023 Club Try-Out Days will be updated as the season approaches. Our focus currently is on getting our season rolling for club members. Try-Out days typically start up towards the end of May/early June once the weather is more stable and there is less chance of cancellation.
can i listen to music while i ride?
Ear buds, music, speakers and phone calls are not permitted on club rides. Safety, spatial awareness, communication and respect for your fellow riders all take precedence. If you have arrived at a club ride with ear buds in, please remove them and put them in your back pocket. If you need to conduct a phone call, please remove yourself from the ride to do so.
CAN I JOIN ON A FIXED GEAR/SINGLE SPEED BIKE?
While you could ride with us on a freewheel single-speed (with brake), it will be difficult to maintain certain speeds with the group at various grades. All of our members ride geared bikes, so it’s likely not an ideal fit.
Fixed gear bikes are not appropriate as the group relies on having geared bikes to stay together and accomplish corners as a group—a fixed gear would accomplish the same corner in a different line at a different speed. Based on the distances we do and all the stop and go in traffic, a fixed gear bike is not reasonable or safe.
Why are aero bars not allowed on group rides?
Group rides are all about safety, trust and etiquette. Riding with aero bars in a pack is dangerous. You have less stability and are unable to react to changes in the pack, road conditions, hazards and pace. We want your hands close to your controls… specifically your brakes. There are reasons triathlons and time trials are individual events and do not allow drafting. So bring a road bike and enjoy the group tactics and draft. Have clip on aero bars attached to your road bike? Please remove them before joining a club ride.
it’s late in the year/season, can i still join?
No new members are accepted after September 30.
during covid-19, do i have to wear a mask on a club ride?
No, you do not have to wear a mask while riding, but we require all riders to carry a mask with them for any instances where they might need to venture indoors at any time.
DO I NEED TO BE VACCINATED TO PARTICIPATE?
Following Public Health guidelines, we encourage all participants to be vaccinated against Covid-19. If you are not feeling 100% (even with just a sniffle), please stay home.