Welcome to the Sunflowers! 

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We’re so excited to get riding with you! If you’re brand new to riding, don’t be intimidated. We were all right where you are at one time. Stick with it, go at your own pace and try to come as often as your schedule allows – the more often you ride, the quicker it will come together and the more fun it will be! In a few months you’re going to look back - and be amazed at how far you’ve come!

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If you haven't registered, but would like to, you can head to our registration page and get all set up.  

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Communication

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The club has four main channels of communication for members to know what's going on:

• Facebook - we have a private Facebook group that's just for members. In it we post ride cancellations, special events going on, etc. Plus, ride leaders often post after rides with pics, shout-outs to riders, interesting things they saw, whatever strikes their fancy really. Best of all, members can post whenever they'd like to find buddies for extra rides or races, selling/swapping gear, fun stuff they come across. Here's the link to join: Sunflowers Cycling Club - Members Only | Facebook. You just have to click Join Group to request to be added.

• Email - starting the first week in April, we send out weekly emails to the group to let you know what's going on in that given week. It usually contains ride times and locations, along with any other news. We also send an email out if we need to cancel a ride - usually only if there is a strong chance of bad weather. If you've joined and it's a week or two into April and you haven't started receiving weekly emails, reach out to us so we can make sure we add you.

• Newsletter - we do a monthly newsletter that has photos and covers any events coming up or info that we think you might be interested in. 

• Calendar - we have a shared calendar that you can download to your phone that has ride times and locations. Links for both iphone and google calendar users can be found in the private facebook group under Featured Posts. Just scroll to the right to find the post.

We also have social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and X/Twitter. If you'd like to follow us, yay! You can find the links at the bottom of this guide.

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Just a little heads up that being a member comes with perks, including a discount on gear and clothing at several local bike shops, so be sure to mention you're a Sunflower when shopping at:County CycleFront Row SportsBikefitNiagara Ski and Cycle

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How Rides Work​

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Early Bird Rides:

If it’s been awhile since you’ve been riding or if, like many of us, you spent the winter in hibernation mode, you may want to take advantage of our April Early Bird Rides.

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On Sunday afternoons we’ll be hitting the doubletrack (a wider trail where two people can ride side by side). 

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And on Thursday evenings we’ll be climbing Hydro Hill for some leg-building hill repeats. This is fairly unstructured with everyone climbing at their own pace (or leaning on their bike and talking about biking), and doing as many or as few repeats as they feel up to. Hydro Hill repeats are a great way to get your legs and lungs back into shape!

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Trail:

Trail rides take place every Tuesday and Thursday at 6 p.m. from May through September.

All trail rides are divided into four groups: Rec One, Rec Two, Sport 1 and Sport 2. As well, Seeds rides are Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m.

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Road:

Road rides take place every Monday at 6 p.m. and on one/two Saturdays each month at 9 a.m. from May through September.

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There are usually three different groups for the road rides: Rec 1, Rec 2 and Sport. The Rec rides are shorter and slower-paced. Mountain bikes are welcome.  The Sport road rides require a road bike, are quicker-paced and longer. 

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Please note that sometimes it's necessary for groups to combine. 

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What to Wear and Bring: 

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Ok, first of all, let's talk about bikes:

For trail - the only thing that really matters for trail rides is that you have an actual mountain bike and that it's in good working order. It doesn't have to be expensive or fancy, but it needs knobby tires and preferably a front shock. It needs to have gears and brakes that work, partly for safety and partly for your own enjoyment. 

For road - The requirements for Rec 1 are really anything with two wheels, within reason. Hybrids, mountain bikes, road bikes, gravel bikes are all ok. Your son's BMX? You're welcome to give it a try, but you might want to see if you can buy or borrow something a bit more comfortable and easier to keep up with. Rec 2 and Sport really do require an actual road bike. 

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As for gear and clothing:
Whatever you want to wear is fine. Really. For all rides you want to make sure your clothes are comfortable and you can move easily in them. But, you don't want anything too loose or flowy. So pants should be tight to the leg and jackets and tops are better if they're a bit streamlined. And footwear should be close-toed and not something that can slip off easily.

For road rides you will also probably want something more visible, so an-all grey or beige ensemble is out. 

All of that said, padded shorts will make your rides more comfortable and allow you to ride longer without...ahem, too much friction. 

 

What you need to have with you:
The only things you really need to bring with you for rides are water and a helmet that fits. But, it's never a bad idea to have some things on hand to help you out in the event of things turning a bit more adventurous - cell phone, spare tube, pump and tire levers are all smart additions to your riding kit. Don't worry, ride leaders know how to change a tire and are happy to help you out!

If you want to show your part club pride, we do have Sunflowers gear. Our Front Row Sports storefront has all kinds of cool gear to choose from. Plus, we will be doing a jersey and shorts order once the season gets underway. Keep an eye out for messages about how to go about ordering. 

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If you ever have any questions, just let us or one of the ride leaders know. We love to help and we’re always open to suggestions.

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If you're not sure which group to place yourself in, check out the Ride Guide.

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Joy, Erin J, Roxie, Heather K, Dawn, Karen, Josee, Connie, Heather V and Erin N.​