Bike Train & Welcome Cyclists Update |
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PEDAL MAGAZINE
Special Offer - 30%
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As one of our e-news subscribers, receive 30% off regular subscription prices - or try a Pedal/Ski Trax combo deal.
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New Cycling Map:
The Great Waterway
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Included on the first edition of this map are 11 new cycling route maps and suggested itineraries to help you plan a cycling tour this summer in south eastern Ontario.
Order your own colourful and glossy copy by sending us an email with your mailing address. Or view routes on-line
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Ottawa Parkbus
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Departing from Ottawa for the first time on June 21, Parkbus will be offering transportation from Ottawa to Algonquin Park this summer. So get on board or help us spread the word, as we look forward to a busy season ahead.
The express bus service with more frequent departures from Toronto to Algonquin, Killarney, Bruce Peninsula and more, has limited space for bikes, so book ahead. Schedule and booking info at: www.parkbus.ca
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With Thanks to
our 2013 Sponsors
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Great Places to Cycle: Simcoe County
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Shaped by some spectacular natural features, Lake Simcoe to the south and Georgian Bay to the north, the Niagara Escarpment on the west and the Severn River connecting to the Trent Severn Waterway to the east, Simcoe County covers a large area, and has plenty of great places to visit. Where there are great places to visit there are always great places to cycle, and Simcoe is no exception.
With the added bonus of being so close to the greater Toronto Hamilton area, accessible by highways and GO Transit to Barrie, cyclists can quickly get away from it all, finding routes along quiet country roads. In fact, on any given weekend you are likely to see cyclists in small and large groups pedalling hard, training for one of the two annual Centurion events held in the area.
As well, trail riders will not be disappointed as there are multiple rail trails and routes through conservation areas and parks, with stops along the way to learn more about the rich agricultural and cultural heritage of the area. Mountain bikers of all skill levels can enjoy the trails and facilities at Hardwood Ski & Bike. Selected to host the Canadian Cross Country Mountain Biking Championships this year and next, and the 2015 mountain biking events for the Pan Am Games, what better guarantee do you need.
Wherever you choose to bike in Simcoe, the distance to bicycle-friendly businesses and communities is never too far. Whether you are looking for a place to stay the night or a rest stop to refuel, there are plenty of options. Visit the new Simcoe County 'Great Places to Cycle' page on our website, now and again in the fall, as we expand the Network from Simcoe east and Oro-Medonte, to the rest of the County.
www.welcomecyclists.ca/simcoe
Additional information from Tourism Simcoe County at www.experience.simcoe.ca
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PEDAL Magazine - Featured Partner
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Whether you're an avid road rider, mountain biker or recreational trail rider - Pedal has something for every
one. Covering all aspects of the sport including the latest local and international cycling news, new gear, racing, touring and adventure cycling features from across Canada and around the world, Pedal Magazine is a great read both in print and on-line.
As a long time supporter of our initiatives, plus many other organizations and events that work in various ways, all collectively contributing to further develop cycling across Canada, we would like to say a big thank you to Pedal.
First published in 1986, Pedal went national soon after, changing format several times along the way as it evolved into the full colour magazine that it is today. Also publishing SkiTrax, the largest cross-country ski magazine, with both these magazines you are covered year-round through all four seasons.
Stay connected - read more - cycle more - support our partner - and subscribe today. See special offer on sidebar. www.pedalmag.com
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Greenbelt Cycling Route 2015
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In case you missed the good news and recent announcement in the Toronto Star, the development of the 600km Greenbelt Cycling Route caught the attention of a lot of cyclists. We are pleased to be part of the project team, along with the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, that will be working hard over the next 2.5 years to create a continuous signed route through the Greenbelt areas, stretching from Cobourg to Niagara. Funded by the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation, the primarily on-road route will wind its way through and celebrate the greenspace, farmlands, forests, communities and watersheds across the Golden Horseshoe. Stay tuned for progress updates and a 2015 route launch.
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Getting to the Next Level
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With the explosion of cycling events across Ontario you may be inspired to push yourself to a new level, riding further or faster, raising money for a worthy cause, or simply getting out there with friends and family.
If you are entering new territory, you may want to consider a few of the following tips:
Create a 'training' schedule. Make sure you work your way up to, and have ridden the same distance several times in the weeks prior to event. Combine cardio and core exercises and if you are going hard, schedule some rest days.
Consider what you eat, and eat right. Important throughout our lives, this is even more so if planning for multi-day rides. Stay well hydrated, carry enough H20 during rides and drink plenty of water post-ride. It's all in the shorts! If you are planning to be in the saddle for any length of time, a good pair of cycling shorts with quality padding can really add to your comfort level. If you are not into showing your spandex, simply wear your regular shorts on top of the cycling shorts and only you are the wiser for it. Find more training tips on-line, or ask your local bike retailer about professional trainers or clinics in your area. |
Cycling With Friends: Tour de Grand 2013
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By Vicky Laurens
I do not recall how I first found out about the Tour de Grand but since 2009 it has become an annual event for my friends and I. The event organization is superb and the routes are scenic and extremely well signed. The signs even include reminders to drivers about cyclists ahead and often include some humor, which I always look forward to reading as I pedal by. An example of event organizers and volunteers going above and beyond is from the one year that was raining, and volunteers put carpets on top of the train tracks we had to cross to ensure our safety. These same volunteers made sure they were there next to the tracks to move the carpets if a train was coming. To make things even better, all cycling levels are welcome as they keep adding distances to the choices, starting from 10km up to 160 km. This year, we had a teenager join our group, so we opted for the 50km route that had a good combination of quiet country roads, residential streets, and some not so quiet roads but with wide shoulders. Not surprisingly, people from the area are embracing the event and we were cheered on at different places along the ride. The first time we rode this event several years back there was somewhere around +500 participants. I was told this year there were +2500 people riding and it was every bit as enjoyable. Tour de Grand starts and finishes in Cambridge. Consider joining the ride in next year, June 2014. www.cambridgetourdegrand.com |
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As you cycle into summer we hope you will take the time to stop and 'smell the roses,' or whatever your version of taking a break is. Worthy reasons include stops for: a sample at a winery or cold post ride draft on a patio; butter tarts, bakeries and ice creams; checking out the cycling gear at a local bike store; a cool down and dip at a lakeside beach; a look into a local museum or gallery; a power fuel stop mid event; or really any reason you like, as it is your ride to enjoy.
Keep pedalling,
From Louisa, Joanne, Robert
Welcome Cyclists Network & Bike Train Team
Projects of Transportation Options
850 Coxwell Ave ~ Toronto, ON ~ M4C 5R1
Office: 416-827-2774
Toll-Free: 1-866-701-2774
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Funding PartnersRail Partners Plus over 100 destination partners and supporters.
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