Friends For Life Bike Rally - Training Ride Info

Training Ride Info

Introduction
Training Routes
Qualifying Rides
What you need to bring
What else you need to know
The Role of the Sweep
Cancellation Policy
Subscribe to the Calendar

Introduction

The training rides are developed and organized by returning riders and are a fantastic way to:

tap into a training schedule to get in shape for the ride
meet fellow riders and make new friends
learn and practice safe and efficient riding
help other riders by sharing your knowledge
support and encourage all riders, especially new riders

More than half of the riders at training rides are new riders, so please don't worry that you don't know anyone or you're brand new to riding -- come out to the first few training rides and meet new riders like yourself and take advantage of the knowledge and support of returning riders.

If you are not registered with the Bike Rally, you are still welcome to join us provided you follow our rules outlined on this page.

Training Routes

The first training ride is 34 km and then we gradually work up the distances from there. Learn about the routes here in the Training Ride Maps archive. Download and print the map in advance of each ride. Check the Calendar for the training ride schedule. We do expect you to bring a copy of the route map each week - if you forget, we do have a few extra. Departure points alternate between Kipling, Finch and Warden subway stations. We will survey the confirmed routes ahead of time and update the maps with any changes.

Please check the Calendar and maps before you go out for a ride!

Qualifying Rides

All riders must finish a qualifying

50 km training ride by Sunday, May 19, 2013
100 km training ride by Sunday, June 23, 2013
2 back-to-back 100 km rides (i.e., on 2 consectutive days) by Sunday, July 7, 2013.

This is to ensure that all riders get working on their distances early and allows us to identify and work with riders in need of support.

What you need to bring

It is mandatory that you WEAR A HELMET on all training rides. Bring some nutritious snacks on the longer rides, as there will be long stretches of country roads where there are no convenience stores. When the routes get longer than 35k, plan your own 5-10 minute break about the halfway point and stop to eat and drink. You don't need to stick around at the end of the ride, though people often do to chat and welcome finishing riders.

Unless you really need to secure your bike somewhere, we don't recommend bringing a lock – they weigh a lot and will just slow you down. And don't forget to apply sunscreen – cycling is not a good way to develop a tanline, and even a short time in the saddle can expose you to a lot of UV rays.

Here's a list of what to bring on a ride:

Esential

helmet (mandatory)
cycling gloves
portable tire pump, set to fit your valve type
spare tube
patch kit
tire levers (plastic)
water bottle(s) and/or a Camelback hydration system, filled with water and/or a fluid replacement drink
banana, energy bar, fig newtons or some other snacks
money, credit card, identification (also written on the inside of your helmet)
sunglasses
lightweight waterproof jacket if there is any chance of rain
sunscreen to reapply on hot days

Optional

multitool
cell phone
small section of wire (handy for fixing things)
compass and/or Toronto map (just in case...)
pressure gauge

What else you need to know

If you are unsure on how to fix a flat, please review and practice these instructions. Always perform a safety check, oil your chain and pump up your tires before riding. New riders must attend one of the bike repair seminars before we leave for Montreal.

You must follow the rules of Safety and Cycling Etiquette on all training rides and on the ride to Montreal – Riders who don't may be removed from the ride, for their own safety as well as that of others.

We encourage riders to set up additional group training rides in our discussion forum. Crew members and the general public are welcome to bring their bikes and helmets and join us!

The Role of the Sweeps

The very last riders are the two team leaders who organized that day's training ride – referred to as the Sweeps. A Sweep is the final fall-back person and is there to assist and encourage those riding at the back of the pack. Riders should be aware that having Sweeps on the rides is a courtesy - they will do their best to help you with technical and physical difficulties but they are not mechanics or doctors. They are volunteering their time to assist you in training. Ultimately, we want to foster an environment where all riders can learn to take care of themselves on the road.

Cancellation Policy

The safety of our participants will always be our first priority and there may be times when a training ride will have to be cancelled. This will be at the discretion of the Team Leaders leading that day's ride. If a training ride is cancelled it will be posted to the Bike Rally face book page as well as being sent out via twitter. As well the team leaders will go to the starting point to ensure that all riders are aware that the ride is cancelled. Rides can be cancelled based on the following criteria: