Your Weekday Plans

Road Riding

Weekday Morning Regular Group Rides

Participants usually ride as one group at a pace of approximately 17-23kph. Routes are determined by the attending riders and usually covered within a 3½ hour timeframe, including a short break. As fitness levels and endurance improve throughout the season, more challenging rides are often planned depending on the participating riders.
Monday/Wednesday/Friday Group Rides leave from west side of Kingsway Plaza near Townline & Highway #2 in Oshawa at 9:00 a.m.

Wednesday at the Orono Bakery

Tuesday Evening Group Training Rides

These rides are classified as training rides, suitable for those riders looking for a challenge. Routes are determined by the participants, and will cover approximately 50km within a 1½ hour timeframe due to limited daylight time.
Tuesday Evening Group Training Rides leave from Courtice Community Complex on Courtice Road just north of Highway #2 at 6:00 p.m. every Tuesday (weather permitting) starting the 1st Tuesday of May.

This ride usually has mixed attendance. This year a bigger effort will be made by OCC members to support this ride. It's best to confirm with other members on the Ride Board prior to your meeting. The Rookie Ride takes place at the same time and place, so say hello to our rookie members before you race away.

Tuesday Evening R&R (Rookie and Recreational) Rides

These "R&R" rides are for beginners, new members and recreational riders. These rides will feature instruction on the basics of road cycling, group riding and equipment. The pace will be dictated by the riders that attend. This is a No Drop ride meaning no one gets left behind on their own.
Tuesday "R&R" Rides leave from the Courtice Community Complex on Courtice Road just north of Highway #2 at 6:00 p.m. every Tuesday (weather permitting) starting the 1st Tuesday of May.

Some of our 2009 Rookie Riders

Apres Rookie Ride

A Note From Our President

Hi R & R Riders;

First of all I want to welcome all new riders to the Oshawa Cycling Clubs's rookie rides,
I have been most impressed with the attendance at this new ride we call the rookie ride. It was originally thought this ride might bring out a few new riders who would like to ride in a group but may be a little intimidated about keeping up to a faster paced, more experienced group of riders. Also to offer a evening ride to those who cannot make the mid-week daytime rides or as some may put it actually have to "work for a living" lol!! However the attendance has surpassed my expectations which is very encouraging. Thanks to many of the "regulars" who have been coming out to help support the new riders

The goals in this ride would be to help teach newer riders how to ride in a group, basic bike maintenance, tips for riding up/down hill, what gears to be in and then and of course to have fun , meet new friends who have the same interests, socialize and to explore the roads of Durham region taking in the beauty our landscape holds. Of course don't forget while doing all this you are expanding your fitness level and burning lots of calories and who doesn't want to do that!!!

Group Riding;
So far you have all got a taste of riding in a group and how we interact with traffic. Safety is important, in a group you can look out for each other, there is "safety in numbers" which gives you more of a road presence to vehicles. You are getting use to riding with the awareness of other riders around you sometimes in front of you sometimes beside you. Everyone has a different comfort level and over time you will get use to other bikes and vehicles being so close, I realize at first this might be scary to some.
It is important to communicate to those around you when you are turning, stopping, slowing, potholes, gravel etc. you can do this with hand signals and verbal words. You have probably already seen some say "stopping" when coming to a stop sign, heard "all clear" if there are no cars coming and the group can continue through an intersection. Pointing or calling out Potholes helps alert riders to avoid these nasty road lesions. Gravel is called out because thin tires can easily wipe out and possibly cause those behind you to go down on top of you. We also call out vehicles approaching such as "car up" and "car back".
As experience gains we may grow "tighter" as a group. What this means is we will be staying close (a few inches/centimetres) behind the wheel in front of you and close beside them when appropriate. The benefits of this is to take up less of the road which helps vehicles to pass, will give you a drafting effect. Drafting causes you to be "sucked in" by the air movement of the rider in front of you which means you work less by the feeling of being pulled along. Once you catch onto this it is amazing!!! I realize we are all at different riding levels and it will take time to achieve.

Bike maintenance;
You should all carry a bike sized(hand) air pump and a tire tube specific to your tire size, this info can be found on the side wall of your tire(note the type of valve there are 2 types) you can keep tubes and tools in a bag which can fit under your seat. Flats DO happen and if it happens to you it is important that you have the equipment to take care of a flat, if you can't change a flat yet, there will always be a "regular" who can help you. Once you can do this yourself it is a great feeling to know you are independent and won't get stranded somewhere out on the road.
Your tires need to be regularly checked for tire pressure you should have a floor pump (available at all bike shops) to do this The PSI (pounds per square inch) is also on the side wall of your tire. For road riding you can keep them at maximum or close to maximum tire pressure.
Lubricating and cleaning your chain is also important, overtime your chain will become caked with grit from the road more about that later

Other Tid Bits;
Clothing; of course you can wear anything you like while riding but for long distances there are bicycle specific clothing that will make your ride much more comfortable.
Most think of spandex when they think of cyclists and many such as myself were reluctant to wearing it, until you find out it has a purpose.
Jerseys are tops you will see many of us wearing they are made of moisture wicking, breathable fabric which is usually bright in colour for safety, keeping you visible on the road, they usually have large pockets in the back which is useful for carrying small items such as money,cell phone/identification.
Shorts or tights have a chamois(padding) in them for seat comfort and are spandex which is breathable and cool not to mention aerodynamic(cuts through air). Usually shorts are black which you will find is great once you have to put your chain on or change a tube in a pinch its a great place to wipe your hands!!! This clothing helps keep you cool and not overheated. Once the heat of summer is upon is you will appreciate these benefits. This clothing can be expensive but it does last a long time and if you ride a lot it is worth it.
Of course a helmet is required for safety, lots of air vents help keep you cool not to mention keep the sun off your head. I personally like a visor on mine to help keep the sun off my face.
Eye glasses are also a good idea, in case a bug hits you in the eye and also will prevent tearing when going down hills at high speeds, again there are bicycle specific glasses which fit snug to stop the airflow when going down hills also sun protection is very important when spending time outdoors.
Pedals; you can you use flat pedals or buy pedals that your shoes with cleats clip into (there are a few different systems)Those who don't have these may have noticed others clipping in and out of our pedals. Many are reluctant at first, however there are benefits, you gain more control when going up hills because you have a "pulling" and "pushing" motion and feel secure that your shoe won't slip off the pedal. Once you have these type of pedals you soon feel the difference. However this is not mandatory and I would much rather you get comfortable with riding first.

Any of these items can be purchased at a bike shop remember 10% off with your club membership at our 2 local shops.

One of the other reasons I love to ride is I "ride to eat" or is it "eat to ride" well which ever, so I am hoping that we can incorporate some stops during our rides or gather for a drink and some social time at a nearby spot afterward, so bring a couple of dollars on our rides for this purpose as the nights stay light longer into June we should be able to do this. Speaking of light, for safety it is a good idea to carry a battery powered rear red light, very inexpensive and can attach onto your seat bag in case we are out and it starts to get dim.

Also as mentioned, we do require you to be a member of the club after 1-2 trial rides for insurance reasons and it is a nominal fee, forms and waiver are on our web site.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask if I don't know I will find out for you or get you in touch with someone who knows. Hopefully, weather permitting, see you all next Tues.

M. Claxton-Oldfield
Oshawa Cycling Club President

Thursday Evening Group Social Rides

2010 is the first year for the Thursday Evening Social Ride. These rides leave from Courtice Community Complex on Courtice Road just north of Highway #2 at 6:00 p.m. every Thursday (weather permitting) starting the 1st Thursday of May. These rides are suitable for all participants. Participants will break into groups determined by skill level and set their own route and speed. This ride is a social ride with emphasis being placed upon camaraderie and getting to know other members of the club.

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Mountain Biking

Weekday Morning Rides

Participants usually meet at either Long Sault, Ganaraska Forest or Durham Forest at 9:00 a.m. Rides take place on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings beginning in October when the weather makes it too cold to ride on the road.

Make Your Own Ride

The OCC Ride Board is a good place to check for ongoing ride information or to make your own ride. If you want to ride at a time when there is no organized group ride, post a message on the board and create your own ride and make some new friends.

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