If you are an OBC member and you have little or no experience riding in an organized group, you must attend a Group Riding Clinic before joining club road rides. Our experienced instructors teach practical skills so you can ride confidently in a group and in traffic.
What to expect (about 2 hours, outdoors)
First, we cover the basics in a short ground school.
Next, we practice key techniques on foot.
Then, we ride on the quiet roads of the Experimental Farm.
Topics covered
Group riding principles, terminology, and etiquette
Also, communication skills (hand signals, voice calls, and shoulder checks)
Single paceline riding and rotations
Double paceline riding and rotations
Then, riding in traffic (intersections, left turns, and more)
Finally, how to handle common issues and safety concerns
Dates, location, and questions
Dates: we announce clinics in a club post, and we list them in the OBC Calendar.
Location: we usually meet in front of the Museum at the Experimental Farm on the NCC Driveway, about 200 metres west of the Prince of Wales Drive traffic circle. However, each calendar entry confirms the exact meeting location.
Questions: contact the Education Director.
How to prepare
First, make sure you are an OBC member. Insurance requires it. You can register online.
- Next, pre-register for the Group Riding Clinic. Follow the instructions in the OBC calendar entry and clinic announcement.
Also, bring a ready-to-ride bike:
Brakes and shifting working
Tires inflated
Spare tube or patch kit
Water bottle filled
Kickstand removed
Dress for the weather. Early clinics can be chilly, so dress in layers.
Finally, read the OBC Ride Guidelines before you attend.