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Hints for First Time Easy Rollers
Thinking of joining the Easy Rollers? That's great!
We want to make sure that your first ride is so pleasant that you'll keep coming back for years. That's why we ask you to read over the following points which detail the kinds of things that, if ignored, can make your first ride less enjoyable for you and the rest of the group.
Fitness
Regardless of whether you show up in April or in August, we expect anyone joining us to the able to do at least 40km at a pace of around 20km/h. If you have been exercising once or twice a week to maintain moderate aerobic fitness, you shouldn't have any trouble keeping up.
Joining Us For The First Time?
New riders are strongly encouraged to contact the VP Touring by telephone or e-mail prior to their first planned ride so that we can ensure that you are directed towards the group that best suits your requirements.
Equipment
The Brampton Cycling Club is a road cycling club and the Easy Roller routes are planned accordingly. Unless you are very fit and have a bit of a masochistic streak, trying to do our tours on a mountain bike or even an upright hybrid is not recommended.
All riders must have an approved helmet and are expected to carry a spare tube, a pump and tools for removing and reinstalling a tire on the rim. It is not essential that you be able to fix your own flats – there are usually a number of very experienced riders who can help you with that. However, we do encourage all inexperienced riders to take a basic maintenance course sometime in their first year to learn how to replace and patch a tube and make basic adjustments to their bicycles – but you don't need to do that before joining us.
You should bring at least one bottle of water and an energy bar or banana to sustain you during the ride.
Got new equipment or had work done on your bike?
If you have new equipment, e.g. a new bike, new pedals, please don't use an Easy Roller Ride to test it out. Instead, go out on your own in a safe venue like paved bike trails to familiarize yourself with your equipment. This is especially important for gear shifting and clip-in pedals. In fact, any time you have had work done to your bike, even a tune up, it's a good idea to at least take it around the block before heading out to a group ride.
Lunch money
Most of our rides include a stop for a light lunch at a Timmy's or a café. Please bring along enough cash ($10 is plenty) to be get yourself a drink and some food.
Riding in a group
For efficiency and safety's sake we ride in a two-abreast group, except on busy roads or certain hills where the leader will ask riders to "single up". We know that riding close together is an intimidating prospect for new riders and we do not insist that you do it right from the start. New riders usually stay at the back of the group with one of the leaders where they can keep greater distances between each other. As you become more comfortable you will inch closer to the other riders and experience the benefit of riding in their slipstreams.
Punctuality
It's always a good idea to show up before the published ride start time to give yourself time to get ready. This is especially true when you are joining us for the first time. Please arrive 15 minutes early and identify yourself to the tour leader and inform him or her of any special request, e.g. a shorter distance.
See you soon at one of our Easy Roller Rides!
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