Ride with KNBC

The club welcomes riders with a wide range of ages, interests and abilities. Members self-select their riding level from L1-L5 based on preferred riding style, speed and endurance. Riders at the L1 level should be able to keep a pace of 18-20 kph on relatively flat terrain for a minimum of 3 hours, with frequent breaks. Find more details on all ride levels here.

Rides are organized by members on a voluntary basis, using vetted routes from the club library. Last year over 300 rides were offered during the season spanning mid-March to the end of October. Ride information is available through the club event calendars, with registration on a first-come, first-serve basis. Rides are offered by ride level, and ride sizes are set by individual tour leaders and typically range from 8 participants to 20 or more.

Members represent all areas of the city; however, many rides start from locations west of downtown, with Kanata, Stittsville, Richmond, Nepean, and Britannia serving as popular starting points.

KNBC adheres to a “no rider left behind” policy, ensuring that tour leaders and participants actively support and look out for one another.

Ride participants need a well-maintained bike (or bikes) suitable for their riding preferences. Hybrids, road bikes, and gravel bikes are most common within KNBC, while pedal-assist e-bikes are increasingly popular. Mountain bikes are not considered suitable for the club’s typical medium and long-distance tours. Helmets are mandatory for all riders.

Safety and Training

KNBC is committed to promoting safe cycling practices. Training rides are available throughout the season to introduce group riding skills for those new to riding in groups. Club routes are regularly reviewed to minimize exposure to busy or unsafe roads whenever possible. For safety reasons, novice to intermediate riders (L1 to L3) ride loosely spaced and broken into pods of no more than 8. Experienced riders at the L4/L5 level may ride in a pace line.

CAN-BIKE training is offered at a reduced rate for KNBC members. Other training opportunities may include First Aid, bike mechanics, hill climbing clinics, riding skills clinics and how to use RWGPS.

SOMETIMES AMBITIOUS, ALWAYS SOCIAL

While touring is the focus of our activities, KNBC is simultaneously a social club. Rides often include coffee stops, picnics or restaurant lunches. Wednesday night mystery rides start and finish in Centrepointe, with a stop at the Royal Oak afterwards. There are pub nights in the off season, a summer picnic and winter social. Events are published in the club calendar, with registration available for members and their guests.

Multi-Day Tours

Club membership offers access to member-organized multi-day cycling tours, typically three to five days in length. These tours may follow a hub-and-spoke format from a single location or a supported/pannier route from point A to point B. Recent destinations have included Elora, Two Rivers Pannier, Quebec City, Rice Lake, and P’Tit Train Nord. International trips are not offered due to insurance restrictions.

Multi-day rides may require a small contribution from participants to offset tour scouting costs not otherwise covered by the club. Members are responsible for the cost of their refreshments, meals, and accommodation. 

Relevant Documents