Touring Rides

What is Touring?

There are many definitions of touring but for our purposes it means a bike ride along a planned route with a pre-arranged starting point and time. Touring is an ideal option for beginners, or riders who are more interested in being in nature with a great bunch of people than in getting ready for this year’s Tour de France.

We usually ride in groups, but some people by choice may end up finishing the ride alone due to current fitness levels or wanting to start with the group but finish at a different pace. For some rides there are rest stops en route, often these are in a cafe or pub, so refreshments are available.

We have two types of touring rides: Easy Pace and Leisure Pace

Easy Pace: 50-75 km in length at 20-25 km/hour on Sunday rides, shorter on Tuesday nights
Leisure Pace: 25-40 km in length at 15-20 km/hour on Sunday rides, shorter on Tuesday nights

Bikes

Since we ride at a moderate pace it is not necessary to have a high-end racing bike. A touring bike, mountain bike or a hybrid bike are all suitable for touring.

Rules of the Road

The basic rule is that nobody gets abandoned out on the road. Your ride leader will try to ensure that the pace is suitable for all. If some of the stronger riders want to go ahead, they can do that, and the leader will stay with the main ride. But this must be communicated to the others in the group. If a rider or a few riders are dropping off the back the leader will initially slow the entire ride down, and also make sure that the group waits at the top of the hills. If the slower riders decide that they want to turn back they will be accompanied by a designated Club rider to make sure that they do not get lost on the way home. You should not leave the ride without letting the tour leader know. Also, the group stays together in case of a tire puncture or other accident. A helmet must be worn during the ride and all traffic laws must be obeyed (yes, that means stopping at stop signs).

Tips

Check the weather forecast and make sure that you have the right kind of clothing with you to remain comfortable throughout the ride. Although some rides will have planned stops for refreshments, you should make sure you bring plenty of water with you and also some high energy snacks. A spare tube and tools to change a tire are also a very good idea, as is a tire pump. Be sure to check the condition and pressure of your tires before you leave the house!

2008 Ride Schedule

Sunday Rides (starting at 9am)

Date	Ride Name	Meeting Place	Distance
April 20	Oakville - Milton	Neyagawa Tim Hortons	25 or 40
April 27	Oakville - Milton	Neyagawa Tim Hortons	25 or 40
May 4	Oakville - Milton	Neyagawa Tim Hortons	30 or 60
May 11	Milton - Cambelleville	Boyne Community Center	30 or 60
May 18	Oakville - Milton	Neyagawa Tim Hortons	30 or 60
May 25	Milton - Carlisle	Boyne Community Center	30 or 60
June 1	Oakville - Milton	Neyagawa Tim Hortons	30 or 60
June 8	Oakville - Georgetown	Neyagawa Tim Hortons	30 or 60
June 15	Milton - Limehouse	Hornby (6th Ln & Steeles)	30 or 60
June 22	Oakville - Milton	Neyagawa Tim Hortons	30 or 60
June 29	Oakville - Milton	Neyagawa Tim Hortons	30 or 60
July 6	Guelph - Elora	Details to follow	TBA

Tuesday Rides (starting at 6pm)

Date	Ride Name	Meeting Place	Distance
April 22	Oakville - Milton	Neyagawa Tim Hortons	25
April 29	Milton	Boyne Community Center	35
May 6	Oakville - Milton	Neyagawa Tim Hortons	25
May 13	Milton	Boyne Community Center	30
May 20	Oakville - Milton	Neyagawa Tim Hortons	25
May 27	Milton	Boyne Community Center	30
June 3	Oakville - Milton	Neyagawa Tim Hortons	25
June 10	Milton	Boyne Community Center	35
June 17	Oakville - Milton	Neyagawa Tim Hortons	25
June 24	Milton	Boyne Community Center	35
July 1	Oakville - Milton	Neyagawa Tim Hortons	35
July 8	Milton	Boyne Community Center	35

For more information on these rides, click here to email Bent.