Hey Girls.
The season has begun!
First ride (weather dependant) is on Monday! Because we have new members joining all the time, it's difficult to ensure that the email distribution list is updated on a daily basis. I would therefore ask that you check the blog http://gearsgirls.blogspot.com for weather and ride updates. They're calling for rain tomorrow but nice the rest of the week. Let's hope we can get out there tomorrow though!
Gears Girls Facebook Group - Please join!
New this year...the Gears Girls Facebook group! Post rides, pictures, comments, questions, etc! The Gears Girls group will be the only way to post for rides outside of the organized and advertised Gears Girls rides; if you want to look for other members to ride with, to participate in cycling events, etc. the group page is exactly the place to do. Membership to the group is closed and is only available to Gears Girls club members and supporters. It might take me us a couple days to update all the requests, so if you're interested please go to Facebook and request membership to Gears Girls (group) as soon as possible. If you don't have a Facebook account and want to participate in the group, you'll have to set an account up. Gears Girls is a social club as much as a cycling club - we're really hoping that members get out to ride together over and above the posted Gears Girls rides!
Ride Nights/Days:
Please remember to be realistic when choosing your ride days - know your limit, skill-level and comfort zone and ride within it. If you are a new or beginner rider, please join us Mondays and Thursdays (everyone else is welcome too!). If you are an intermediate level cyclist who has been riding (a road bike) for at least one season and who has already mastered basic road cycling skills and you're looking to learn paceline, drafting and group riding basics, please join us Tuesdays. If you're a faster, advanced level cyclist already comfortable riding in a single or double paceline, definitely check out the Wednesday night rides or the longer distance Saturday rides. Check the blog for additional details about ride nights, ride descriptions, start times, etc.
The first week or two will be all about getting to know one another and about club etiquette, guidelines, etc. It'll take a couple rides before we fall into the swing of things so pace and distance will be adjusted accordingly as the rides progress. Our number one priority on all rides is rider safety; we will therefore spend time at the beginning of each ride this week reviewing hand signals, rules of the road, etc.
Let's hope for good weather for our first official week of the 2011 Gears Girls season!
Mel
PS The new Gears Bike Shop Leaside store is now open - 109 Vanderhoof Avenue, Toronto!
