Author: Gord Drewitt

Wednesday Gravel Ride | August 21st, 6:00 PM

It’s Wednesday, and half the time that means GRAVEL!!! This is a pretty standard route heading north of the city and checking out how the late summer crops are doing. Note that part of this route goes along Highway 124 but we will ride on the gravel shoulder. Also, we can shorten the loop as we see fit based on time and daylight. In any case, it’s a good idea to bring lights.

The Speed Groups on this ride are:

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 6:00 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:

Wednesday Gravel Ride | June 19, 2024

Getting on to the longest day of the year! I’m going to try this route again that was rained out a few weeks ago. Up through Fergus and back down along our favourite local gravel. The route has a number of turn around points so it can be shortened by those who wish to do so. We’ll be on the trails near the end, so bring lights. Also, it’s gonna be hot so bring lots of water.

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

The Speed Groups on this ride are:

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 | June 16th, 2024

We’re going to zig-zag up to Arthur and then a straight shot home. Simple. Note the later start time due to it being fathers day. I don’t think the cafe in Arthur is open on Sundays (!) so we may have to settle for Tims, Foodland or a convenience store.

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:

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 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:

Wednesday Gravel Ride | June 5th, 2024 6:30PM

RIDE CANCELLED. It’s nice out now but the weather radar indicates that we’re going to get soaked this evening. As the days are getting longer the rides will do the same! Here’s a gravel ride that loops around some of our nearby favorite roads and trails. Note that the route can be shortened at various points if people choose to do so. Bring lights if you have them since we will be ending the ride on the trail from Guelph lake to downtown. The weather forecast is not great but not terrible so the final call will be made an hour before the ride.

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

The Speed Groups on this ride are:

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: Here is the route. Note that there are a number of shortcuts available for those who choose so.

Sunday Gravel Ride | May 26, 2024. 8 AM

Here’s a route that has lots of gravel – that’s what we’re looking for right? Anyway, we’ll head northwest on the rail trail and then make our way to Alma for a snack stop. After that, we head northeast and then down to Guelph via the Shand Dam. Weather looks good so bring your sunscreen!

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:

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 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: The route follows this map:

Route: Here is a shorter alternative that follows a different route home after the rest stop.

Sunday Road Tours | August 20 8:00 AM

A ride to the north – what could be better? The group will zig-zag towards Fergus then up to Wellington Road 16 and Sideroad 20. The longer ride will then go to Grand Valley where we can stop for treats and maybe make some new friends. The shorter ride will go down to Belwood and decide if they want butter tarts.

Speed will be between 29-31 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: East End Library at Starwood and Watson

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

Route: The Tour Medium Distance Ride will be following the map below

Route: The Grand Tour Longer Distance Ride will be following the map below

Wednesday Gravel Ride | July 19 6:30PM

Here’s a loop around the Belwood / Eramosa area to satisfy all your gravel urges. The weather forecast looks decent but a final decision will be posted here an hour before the ride. As usual, bring lights if you got ’em.

Weather update at 5:20 PM on Wednesday. Looks good – Ride’s on!

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 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:

Thursday Advanced Road Ride | June 22nd 6:30PM

So this is a classic route heading east and then north – nothing too innovative or novel. Dublin line can be rough in some patches so be careful. Watch out for wildlife and livestock and try to keep the shiny side up. Official ride will end on conservation road. Depending on where you live in the city, might be a good idea to bring lights.

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 Advanced Speed Groups

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: East End Library at Starwood and Watson

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

Route: The Advanced A Speed Group (R1 & R2) will follow this map:

Route:  The Advanced B, C & D Speed Groups (R3, R4 & R5) will follow this map:

Sunday Gravel Ride | Sunday May 21st 9:00AM

A smart lady once said that brevity is the source of all wit. Gravel ride with lots of gravel. Start time is 9:00 AM. Bring money for butter tarts. Look at the map.

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: 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 Road Rides | Sunday April 16th at 9:30

Note the new ride time. I changed it because the temperatures look good and so we can get an earlier start

Huh. I’m ride leader eh? Well that can only mean one thing – butter tarts in Belwood. We’re going to head up North, ride around for a bit and then have a rest stop at the best dang butter tarterie in Wellington County. The B group can head down 7th or 9th Line to go directly to the rest stop. Weather forecast is middling so check here at 9 AM where a go/no-go decision will be made.

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

Speed will be between 29-31 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 11:00 AM

Start Location: East End Library at Starwood and Watson

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

Route: The longer Grand Tour Sunday Ride will be following the map below

The Shorter Tour will follow this bad boy.

Sunday October 16, 2022 – 11 AM at the YMC

It’s the ride of the falling leaves. The weather forecast is middling at best but we’ll see what happens. We’re going to take a somewhat sheltered route up towards Belwood for some butter tarts and then head home in tome to rake leaves. There is no G2 ride leader we will see how the groups work together and depending on numbers, split up or stay together as needed.

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        24-26   kph average

Intermediate     G2       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 11:00 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: Both the G1 & G2 Speed Groups will follow this map:

Thursday Advanced Road Ride | August 18, 6:00 PM

So here’s a classic route for a Thursday night. Heading east and then North. Innovation in route choices is not my forte… Anyway, the ride starts at 6 PM now and bringing lights is becoming more important as the days get shorter. Lastly, we’re going to make a concerted effort to obey all the usual traffic rules on the route.

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 three Advanced Speed Groups on this ride are:

Hammerfest   R1       35-40 kph average plus some surges

Very Fast         R2       32-35 kph average

Fast                 R3       30-32 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 6:00 PM

Start Location: East End Library at Starwood and Watson

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

Route: The R1 Speed Group will follow this map:

Route: The R2 & R3 Speed Groups will follow this map:

Butter tarts in Belwood. Now that I have your attention, that’s gonna be what we’re eating at the midpoint of this ride. It’s a classic route up around north of Guelph – Lots of gravel roads, which is sort of the point of these rides… Additionally, we can adjust the distance based on what people want. Anyway, weather forecast looks decent but any final call will be made Sunday Morning. See you there!

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        24-26   kph average

Intermediate     G2       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: Both the G1 & G2 Speed Groups will follow this map:

Sunday Gravel Ride | July 31st 7:30 AM

Update on Saturday at 2PM. There are currently 8 people signed up which is awesome. Weather forecast is looking good. The updated map is posted below – otherwise you may be lost forever is the wildlands of Dufferin County. Lastly, I’ll email those six of the eight people who are carpooling. See you Sunday morning!

This Sunday we’re going to Creemore! That’s right, instead of the usual routes around Guelph we’re going to do some gravel climbing on the Niagara escarpment. The weather forecast is good (maybe hot) and the roads may be dry and dusty but the views will make it all worthwhile. After the ride we’ll have a late light lunch in Creemore before we head back to Guelph. Here are the details…

• We’re going to depart from the Guelph Youth Music center at 7:30 AM (Travel time is about 90 mins).
• Please sign up for the ride early – this will help immensely with logistics.
• I will post my email address on the Signup page.
• Please email me as soon as you can and let me know 1) If you can drive or need a lift, 2) how many people you can carry and 3) How many bikes you can carry.
• We will park / meet / start / finish at the Creemore Rec. Center (218 Collingwood St, Creemore)
• Bring your ride food and food for the trip up so we can get going early.
• The proposed route is tentative. Final version will be posted by Saturday 18:00
• We’ll have a rest stop in Feversham which is at Kilometer 54.

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        24-26   kph average

Intermediate     G2       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: Both the G1 & G2 Speed Groups will follow this map: