Author: Dave Llewellyn

Cancelled: Sunday Gravel Ride | October 6 at 10:00 am

The forecast looks dubious, only 2 people have signed up and I woke up feeling quite ill today, so unfortunately this ride is being cancelled. Scott has promised a similar style of ride next weekend!

Cyclocross season is here, so come on out and test your skills and anaerobic power on some sand traps and punchy climbs. We’ll be doing a giant loop of the city with the goal of hitting every beach volleyball court. Bring money for a coffee stop (@Flow State in Arkell). Tail lights are a good idea, as are tires that are on the knobbly side (slicks not recommended). Note the 10:00 am start. Zoom in on the map below for all off the little squiggles that show the locations of the punchy climbs and sand traps.

Load the route on your bike computer if you have one, here’s how.

Disclaimer: Depending on rider turn out, some Speed Groups may have to be combined.

The Speed Groups on this ride are:

CatNameAverage Speed
G1Fast26+ kph
G2Advanced24-26 kph
G3Intermediate22-24 kph
G4Relaxed19-22 kph

All rides need a minimum of 3 members signed up in order to officially run. If a ride has the required number of riders, but no Group Captain riding with them, that group ride will be considered cancelled. The group can decide among themselves to hold an ‘unofficial’ ride and follow the route. All group riders take it upon themselves to know the route and are responsible for their own safety.

GCC members only. To become a member join HERE

Advance sign-up required. Reserve your spot by clicking HERE

Start Time: please be ready to pedal at 10:00 AM

Start Location: Guelph Youth Music Centre 75 Cardigan St

Check here for weather cancellation posted no less than one hour before the ride begins

Route: All Speed Groups will follow this map:

Sunday Gravel Ride | September 01 9:00AM

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Second annual Labour Day remote-start Erin ride. Same basic route as last year with a few minor modifications. Trailside coffee stop in Ingelwood. It is a bit of a shorter route but it is rather hilly, with one absolute brute (The Grange) so you’ll need your climbing legs. There is also a short but hilly and technical Bruce Trail section. Meet at the back parking lot (near the tennis courts) behind Center 2000 in Erin for a 9-am start. Since this is an “away” ride, carpooling can be arranged amongs yourselves or you can contact Meg and she’ll help you out. Also, if you are planning on driving and have room, please let her know if you are willing to take others.

Bring money for a coffee stop. Tail lights are a good idea.

Load the route on your bike computer if you have one, here’s how.

Disclaimer: Depending on rider turn out, some Speed Groups may have to be combined.

The Speed Groups on this ride are:

CatNameAverage Speed
G1Fast26+ kph
G2Advanced24-26 kph
G3Intermediate22-24 kph
G4Relaxed19-22 kph

All rides need a minimum of 3 members signed up in order to officially run. If a ride has the required number of riders, but no Group Captain riding with them, that group ride will be considered cancelled. The group can decide among themselves to hold an ‘unofficial’ ride and follow the route. All group riders take it upon themselves to know the route and are responsible for their own safety.

GCC members only. To become a member join HERE

Advance sign-up required. Reserve your spot by clicking HERE

Start Time: please be ready to pedal at 9:00 AM

Start Location: Back parking lot, near tennis courts of Center 2000 in Erin

Check here for weather cancellation posted no less than one hour before the ride begins

Route: All Speed Groups will follow this map, however there are easy options to lengthen and shorten if desired. Lengthen (by 12 km) by continuing on Kennedy Rd. past Escarpment SR (@km 38.5) to Beech Grove SR, taking it west to Willoughby Rd. and then taking Willoughby back to Escarpment SR (where the Bruce Trail section starts). Shortening (by 6m) for a wee respite after climbing The Grange is simply continuing straight on The Grange SR past Creditview Rd (@km 48.5) and pick the route back up at Shaws Creek Rd.

Wednesday Gravel Ride | July 03 6:30PM

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Weather is looking iffy, but wind is from the SW so we’ll head out in that direction towards Little Tract, and then loop back through the south end. Ride may be shortened, route altered, or cancelled (1hr before departure) depending on the radar.

Bringing lights is always a good idea.

Load the route on your bike computer if you have one, here’s how.

Disclaimer: Depending on rider turn out, some Speed Groups may have to be combined.

The Speed Groups on this ride are:

CatNameAverage Speed
G1Fast26+ kph
G2Advanced24-26 kph
G3Intermediate22-24 kph
G4Relaxed19-22 kph

All rides need a minimum of 3 members signed up in order to officially run. If a ride has the required number of riders, but no Group Captain riding with them, that group ride will be considered cancelled. The group can decide among themselves to hold an ‘unofficial’ ride and follow the route. All group riders take it upon themselves to know the route and are responsible for their own safety.

GCC members only. To become a member join HERE

Advance sign-up required. Reserve your spot by clicking HERE

Start Time: please be ready to pedal at 6:30 PM

Start Location: Guelph Youth Music Centre 75 Cardigan St

Check here for weather cancellation posted no less than one hour before the ride begins

Route: All Speed Groups will follow this map:

Sunday Gravel Ride | October 01 9:30 AM

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Sunday’s forecast looks spectacular, so we’ve planned a nice loop to the north side of the city. There will be a pit stop in either Fergus (indoor plumbing) or Belwood; to be be determined by a vote at the start (or maybe we do both). It is looking a bit chilly, so start time is a bit later at 9:30 am, which is also good for those who are going to see Jim Cuddy (from Blue Rodeo fame) perform at Fixed Gear on Saturday night.

Bring money for a coffee stop. Tail lights are a good idea.

Load the route on your bike computer if you have one, here’s how.

Disclaimer: Depending on rider turn out, some Speed Groups may have to be combined.

The Speed Groups on this ride are:

Advanced            G1        25-28   kph average

Intermediate     G2       23-25   kph average

Relaxed     G3       21-23   kph average

GCC members only. To become a member join HERE

Advance sign-up required. Reserve your spot by clicking HERE

Start Time: please be ready to pedal at 9:30 AM

Start Location: Guelph Youth Music Centre 75 Cardigan St

Check here for weather cancellation posted no less than one hour before the ride begins

Route: All Speed Groups will follow this map:

Sunday Gravel Ride ERIN | September 01 9:00AM

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Another remote start! It’s only a short drive to ride some awesome, and rather hilly gravel roads. Meet at the back parking lot (near the tennis courts) behind Center 2000 in Erin for a 9-am start. The route is a bit shorter than typical, but don’t be fooled, it’s to compensate for the elevation gains. And, if you’ve never summited “The Grange” before, you owe it to yourself to use your prime summertime fitness to challenge yourself on one of Southern Ontario’s most feared/revered gravel climbs. Plus there’s a decent coffee/treats stop – right beside the trail – at exactly the halfway point in Inglewood. Since this is an “away” ride, carpooling can be arranged amongst yourselves or you can contact Meg and she’ll help you out. Also, if you are planning on driving and have room, please let her know if you are willing to take others.

Bring money for a coffee stop. Tail lights are a good idea.

Load the route on your bike computer if you have one, here’s how.

Disclaimer: Depending on rider turn out, some Speed Groups may have to be combined.

The Speed Groups on this ride are:

Advanced            G1        25-28   kph average

Intermediate     G2       23-25   kph average

Relaxed     G3       21-23   kph average

GCC members only. To become a member join HERE

Advance sign-up required. Reserve your spot by clicking HERE

Start Time: please be ready to pedal at 9:00 AM

Start Location: Back parking lot, near tennis courts of Center 2000 in Erin

Check here for weather cancellation posted no less than one hour before the ride begins

Here’s the start location. Click the image below for directions to the start.

Route: All Speed Groups will follow this map:

Sunday Gravel Ride | August 06 8:00AM

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This loop is sort of a tour of the local MTB locations (e.g., Guelph Lake, Arkell, Twin Pods, Little Tract) without riding any of the actual MTB trails. Rest stop at the Danish Place at about km 55. The loop is 91 km, if G1 wants a bit longer, at the exit of Fletcher Creek Preserve they can turn east on Gore Road, ride Lafarge 2000 Trail south down to Concession 8 west, and then head north on Valens Rd, to the Danish Place (adds about 15km).

Bring money for a coffee stop and tail lights are a good idea.

Load the route on your bike computer if you have one, here’s how.

Disclaimer: Depending on rider turn out, some Speed Groups may have to be combined.

The Speed Groups on this ride are:

Advanced            G1        25-28   kph average

Intermediate     G2       23-25   kph average

Relaxed     G3       21-23   kph average

GCC members only. To become a member join HERE

Advance sign-up required. Reserve your spot by clicking HERE

Start Time: please be ready to pedal at 8:00 AM

Start Location: Guelph Youth Music Centre 75 Cardigan St

Check here for weather cancellation posted no less than one hour before the ride begins

Route: All Speed Groups will follow this map: