One of the largest cycling clubs in Ontario serving Brampton, Caledon, Erin & Orangeville.
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.
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.