Mountain Bike Rides

Weekly rides begin in late April and end in late September. Rides are about two hours long with five to 10 riders per group.

Monday: Levels 1 through 6. Depart 6:30 pm sharp. Pre-ride announcements and safety briefings start at 6:25.
Albion Hills Conservation Area. Elmview parking lot.

Wednesday: Levels 1 through 6. Depart 6:30 pm sharp. Pre-ride announcements and safety briefings start at 6:25.
See the calendar for the ride location as they change week-to-week. 

Directions

Albion Hills Conservation Area : On Hwy 50 eight km north of Bolton. Pay admission or get a yearly pass online at TRCA (discounted for club members). Meet in the Elmview parking lot. Map

Palgrave : Just north of Albion Hills. Meet off Duffy's Lane north of Patterson Side Road. Map

Erin : Meet in the parking lot on Ross St. beside the rail trail - just on the north edge of town. Map

Inglewood : Meet at Lloyd Wilson Centennial Arena, 15551 McLaughlin Road north of Olde Base Line. Map

What to bring

You must have an approved bicycle helmet, water, extra inner tube/patch kit and basic bicycle tools. Bike lights are also mandatory for all rides returning after dusk and after Labour Day.

Ride Levels

The club rides are split into six different levels according to rider ability. Each level includes a senior rider who volunteers to lead the group, and a ride sweeper who follows the group and ensures no one gets lost. All riders in a group are responsible for each other.

The group leader dictates the route and pace and is responsible to ensure nobody is falling behind or getting dropped. The person leading the group can change but the responsibilities of the position do not. Each rider is responsible for the person immediately behind them. If you cannot see the rider behind you, wait for them! This is especially important at trail crossroads and/or detours. There is a time and place to race and our group rides are not races. The group sweeper is responsible for communicating to the group leader if the pace needs to be adjusted and that everyone is together. 

If you have ridden with the club on a regular basis for at least one full season, you will be expected to volunteer to lead a group, especially in Albion Hills and Palgrave so be prepared!

Our Ride Coordinator will help you decide which level to start in and will introduce you to the ride leader. Each ride lasts about two hours and there are five to 10 riders per group. If there are more than 10 riders interested in riding in a particular level, we will break you into 2 groups. 

With all due respect, if you are an accomplished road rider used to grueling long rides at a good pace, mountain biking is very different - more akin to interval training. Please be prepared and select your level accordingly. There is no shame at starting to ride with us at, say, level two and moving up. We want everyone to enjoy the ride so don't bite off more than you can chew. 

You must carry your club membership card with you at all times while riding with the club. Please either print your card from your profile on the website, or have it available through the Wild Apricot Member App. We will do periodic card checks throughout the season so please be prepared.

Our trails in Erin and Inglewood are on private property and each of the landowners has graciously granted members of the Caledon Cycling Club access. If a landowner asks you to prove you are a member, please be courteous and show them your card as proof.

Level One: As a general rule, people new to MTB riding will start in Level One and participate in an informal coaching and skills workshop for about 8 weeks. As you progress with the club, we will promote you when we feel you are ready. If you are new to the club and do not feel you should ride in Level One, speak to the ride coordinator to determine which level you may be best suited. 

When do we offer Level One? Monday night rides in Albion Hills. Wednesday night rides at Palgrave, or Erin (check calendar for ride locations).

Level Two: This level offers a slightly faster pace for the novice rider and the trails will include some minor hill climbing and single-track riding through forests. The difficulty will be moderate with technical trails kept to a minimum at the beginning of the season. This is a social and friendly ride for all ages. 10+ km.

When do we offer Level Two? Monday in Albion Hills and Wednesday night rides at Palgrave, Erin and Inglewood.

Level Three: This level involves more technical riding - rocks, roots, hills - and the pace will increase too. The competitiveness has now started to come out. This group is still very social and everyone is out for a good time, but it is a more demanding ride. Riders should be comfortable riding over rocky areas and clearing obstacles less than six inches high and distances ridden are 15+ km through single-track trails.

When do we offer Level Three? Monday in Albion Hills and Wednesday night rides all venues.

Level Four: The pace and technical levels have increased and although it is still social, you will hear the patter of little feet impatiently tapping the ground if you are holding up the group too long. At this level you should be able to ride up/down/over just about anything. All Level Four riders spend some time in Level Three before joining this group.

When do we offer Level Four? Monday in Albion Hills and Wednesday night rides all venues.

Level Five: This is a fast technical ride and there is minimal stopping and waiting. If you do not belong in this group and are too slow getting to the waiting point, you will be politely advised this group might not be for you.

Level Six: This is the last of the levels and only a select few are able to fit in. Depending upon who is leading this group, the ride is very technical and very fast. BE PREPARED.

Ride Rules

• You must ride with an approved bicycle helmet, water, extra tube and tools.
• Pedal Assist bicycles (Type 1 e-MTB) are permitted on club rides as long as the property also allows them.
• Motorized bicycles (Type 2 and type 3 e-bikes, scooters, mopeds) are not permitted on club rides. All the properties on which we ride on do not permit motorized vehicles, and Type 2 and 3 e-bikes are not sanctioned by IMBA.
• When your group turns on to a new trail, ensure that the person following you sees that you are turning. Wait for them to catch up if necessary. Everyone in your group has the obligation to ensure no-one gets lost or is dropped. Our rides are social and safety is of the utmost importance. 
• Keep a safe distance - 2-3 bike lengths - behind the person you are following. Otherwise, you could run over them if they crash.
• Your bike must be in proper working condition.
• Ride single file on busy roads and obey all traffic signs.
• When riding on the road, warn your fellow riders of a CAR UP or CAR BACK.
• When the trail crosses a road, yell to the rider behind you if it is CLEAR or CAR COMING, but always check for yourself before crossing.
• Do not ride when it is dark, unless your group has approved bicycle lights.
• Lights are mandatory on club rides after Labour Day.
• Follow trail directional markers when present.
• Riders climbing have right of way. Downhill riders please yield.
• Stay off of unauthorized trails or private property. Do not build obstacles or stunts.
• Minimize trail damage. Do not ride trails when they are too muddy.
• Leave no trace. Don't litter and please, bring back garbage you happen to find on the trails.
• Warn other trail users of your approach using your bell. Yield to everyone. Pedal Assist (Type 1 e-bikes) must also yield to traditional bicycles.
• Be polite and courteous to everyone you meet on the trail. Go slow and say hello.
• Do not scare animals. When you encounter horses, don't race past them. Ride slowly, talk to the equestrians and dismount if necessary.
• If you need to pass other riders, warn them beforehand with ON YOUR LEFT or ON YOUR RIGHT.
• If you get injured or can't continue a ride, tell your ride leader and someone in the group will escort you back.
• Don't attempt riding some trails unless you are confident and capable. Be careful and pay attention, especially when tired.
• Always ride in control, keeping to the trail tread. Speeds in excess of trail design lead to erosion and increased risk of injury.
• The Caledon Cycling Club (CCC) shall have no responsibility or liability whatsoever for any losses, damages, and/or claims which might arise as a result of, or in relation to, any of the rides, events, and/or activities posted on the CCC message board or web site, and any person participating therein does so entirely at his or her own risk.