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Enjoy
Cycling
with the Halton Outdoor Club |
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A quick stop by a group of Road Tourers during the Fingerlakes Tour 2009 |
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A group of Trail Riders above & below along a rail trail |
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| Road Cycling became a summer activity for
the Halton Outdoor Club back around 1980. In the first years there were
from five to fifteen different Sunday rides organized and often put
together by the same leaders. But within the fourth year of cycling in
the club, there were rides on every weekend from April until October.
The day-rides took riders over a variety of roads, often north of Burlington. Now the day rides use a wider territory and there are several starting points for these rides including Stoney Creek, Hamilton, Dundas, Campbellville and elsewhere. There are several distances available each day and riders are provided a map and usually step by step road directions for the tour. We stop for lunch and we ride at a pace that most people can keep up. Shortly after the start, the group breaks up into smaller groups and they each ride at different speeds. You will certainly find some riders that are going at your speed. The current road cycling group are now known as the Road Tourers. |
A group of Road Tourers |
| The Road Tourers now meet every Wednesday
evening for training rides through the near country side of the area.
In addition next to the Sunday day tours, there are
3 day weekend tours, that have taken riders to Letchworth Park, the
Finger Lakes etc., or on week long tours to exotic places such as British Columbia, Alberta. For several years in a row we
have had a 5 day excursion to Vermont. In Vermont, riders stay in Quaint
Cottages that are fully modernized. Many of the trip have sold out and no
wonder, we provide the same touring opportunities for several hundred
dollars as the "for profit" companies do for $1,500. About 10 years ago an other cycle group evolved within the ranks of the Club. They were known as "The Turtles". They were an intermediate group, suitable for beginners, because they didn't ride quite as fast or as far as the Road Tourers. They lasted maybe 10 years and then gave up operation. Then 2009 came around and once more we saw new cycling group emerge on the scene, replacing the "Turtles". There was something different about the new group. They dedicated themselves to "trail riding" to explore the many rail trails, cycling trails and multi-use trails of this area. For safety reasons they will not ride on motor roads, unless it serves to get from one trail to the next. They call themselves quite fittingly the "Trail Riders". They do consider themselves an intermediate group, quite suitable for beginners and may be riding 30 to 50 km. The Trail Riders have now enjoyed two successful seasons, riding every Sunday with a starting time of 10:00 a.m. Ride duration are usually 3 to 4 hrs. Trail Riders always ride as a group, employing a sweep. For more information on the Trail Riders, click on the link "Trail Riders Cycling" from the Club's home page. |
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