Bike Shorts 15 May 2012

My apologies for the tardiness of this message

Lots of activity this week.  This week in Bike Shorts:

• The Rides

• Thank you for BIkefest support from Tom

• Safety tip from Monna

• CAN BIKE presentation Kanata

• MS Wear yoiur cycling Jersey to work day

1.  This week's rides

Wed, 16 May, 09:00 – 09:00

Where 260 Centrepointe Dr, Nepean, ON (map)

Description9:00am start at Centrepointe Park, 260 Centrepointe Dr. NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT THE USUAL CENTREPOINTE START POINT. Plus a 9:45am pick-up at Moussette Park. Join the group preparing for the trip to France in June to cycle the climbs and descents of Gatineau Park. Gather at Les Saisons in Old Chelsea for a quick lunch before returning directly to Centrepointe. Monna McElveny, ph. 613-599-1258

Wed, 16 May, 18:15 – 18:15

Where 101 Centrepointe Dr, Nepean, ON (map)

DescriptionJoin us on Wednesday evenings at 6:15pm at Centrepointe for impromptu tours of 90 to 120 minutes followed by socializing at the new Royal Oak pub. S1, S2 and S3/S4 speed groups arranged at the start depending on turnout

Fri, 18 May, 09:00 – 09:00

Where 260 Centrepointe Dr, Nepean, ON (map)

Description9:00am start at Centrepointe Park, 260 Centrepointe Dr. NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT THE USUAL CENTREPOINTE START POINT. Plus a 9:45am pick-up at Moussette Park. Join the group preparing for the trip to France in June to cycle the climbs and descents of Gatineau Park. Gather at Les Saisons in Old Chelsea for a quick lunch before returning directly to Centrepointe.  Steve Caron 613-286-3598

Saturday 19 May 2012: Champlain Lookout, ~70 km, S210:00am start at Centrepointe. Cycle along bike paths to the Champlain bridge then to Moussette Park. Climb to Champlain Lookout along Gatineau Parkway and Champlain Parkway. Descend on Fortune Parkway to the north loop. Lunch in Old Chelsea. Return to Moussette Park along Notch Rd and Mine Rd, and then back over the Champlain bridge to Centrepointe. Carole Laflamme 613  721-0109

Saturday 19 May 2012: Buckingham, 116 km, S4  10:00am start at Centrepointe. Cycle along the rolling hills of western Quebec to Perkins then on to Buckingham for lunch. Return to Gatineau partly along the Route Verte of Rte 148.  Linda Kennedy, ph. 613-878-3802

Sunday 20 May 2012: Gatineau Park loop*, 42 km, all speeds

9:00am start at Gamelin (P3) parking lot at the welcome centre. Ride the parkways free of vehicular traffic on Sunday mornings. Open to all, from those who want to get comfortable with hills and the ones who already enjoy them. Pleasant car-free ride that will improve your cycling in a safe environment.

S1 → S2: Caroline Delisle, ph. 613-276-7231

S3 → S4: Tom Seniuk, ph. 613-276-3257

*Remote start. Contact tour leader if you plan to go on this ride.

Sunday 20 May 2012: Wakefield*, ~85 km/~110 km, S2 & S3

9:00am start at KTC or 10:15am start at Moussette Park. Cycle on bike paths and back roads to Old Chelsea and then along Hwy 105 and Riverside Dr to Wakefield. Bring or buy a picnic lunch at the great local bakery to enjoy on the shore of the Gatineau River.

S2: Mary Aaftink, ph. 613-591-880

S3: Tim Sparling, ph. 613-839-1594

*Remote start. Contact tour leader if you plan to go on this ride.

Monday 21 May 2012 (Victoria Day): Pinhey's Point, 58 km, S1

10:00am start at KTC. Cycle a loop through Carp and along Carp Rd and Thomas A. Dolan Pkwy to Pinhey's Point. Enjoy a picnic lunch at Pinhey's Point Historic Site or at Heart and Soul Café (2471 Dunrobin Rd, ph. 613-832-9942, www.heartandsoulcafe.ca). Return to the city along Second Line Rd and Terry Fox Dr.

Joanne Boisjoli, ph. 613-435-3658

Monday 21 May 2012 (Victoria Day): W. A. Taylor Conservation Area, ~85 km, S3

9:30am start at KTC. Cycle to W. A. Taylor Conservation Area through Richmond and Manotick for a picnic lunch. Return through North Gower and Twin Elm.

Nel Ahmed, ph. 613-592-2891

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2.  Thank You To KNBC Volunteers At MEC BikeFest Sunday 13 May 2012

Caroline, Monna, Carole and Susan M all came out this past Sunday to set up, staff, and tear down the KNBC table at the MEC BikeFest on Sunday, May 13th from before 11am to 4pm.  Thank you ladies!  And thank you to the group who developed the display board for Bushtukah's recent S.W.E.E.T. event that we re-used at the BikeFest; it is excellent.  We distributed 46 copies of the first-half tour brochures and four membership applications, and had a fun time doing it, so it was definitely worthwhile.  I also think we did much better business than the OBC tent next to us!

 3.  Monna's Safety Tip

See – Be Aware

When riding alone or in a group – it is important to be aware of your surroundings to be able to anticipate any problems or challenges and plan accordingly. Riding in a group in traffic is not a time for zoning out or being inattentive.

Stay alert, keep your eyes on the road ahead and ask yourself questions:

          Is the bus picking up 2 or 20? (Do I really have time to pass safely?)

          Is the dog lose or secured?

          Is the car really turning – or has its signal been stuck on for the past 10 minutes?

          Is the intersection really clear – or is someone running the red light?

Watch out for and both shout it out (ie “hole”) and point to the problem – thus alerting cyclists behind you and averting collisions and/or flat tires:

-          wet leaves (especially if there is a puddle underneath);

-          big puddles;

-          changes in the road surface (ie pot holes);

-          glass;

-          fallen obstacles;

-          storm grates;

-          gravel, rocks or sand; and

-          railroad tracks (slow down and cross at right angles).

4. CANBIKE Cycling Presentation

As part of Bike to Work Month in Ottawa, EnviroCentre has organized a series of free evening presentations on commuter cycling presented by a certified CAN-BIKE instructor. The goal is to encourage both new and seasoned cyclists to commute to work by providing tips on how to ride safely in traffic, plan the best route, and choose appropriate gear.

 Topics include:
- Lane positioning and visibility
- Communicating with drivers
- Route planning and efficient ways to navigate the city
- Safe and secure bike parking
- A quick guide to “gear” for the commuter cyclist
- General tips for safe cycling

 Topics include:
- Lane positioning and visibility
- Communicating with drivers
- Route planning and efficient ways to navigate the city
- Safe and secure bike parking
- A quick guide to “gear” for the commuter cyclist
- General tips for safe cycling

Next Wednesday, May 16, there will be a presentation at the John G. Mlacak Centre from 7:30 to 8:30PM 

5. MS Cycling awareness campaign