Cancelled due to Rain !

Riverside Park in Guelph, Ontario

100′s of different models of bicycles, a dozen brands and lots of different types and styles of bikes to test ride

 IT’s Cancelled - presently working on a rain date.  Stay tuned.

Some of the Bikes that will be available to ride:

and many more…

Thanks to the Gorba Group in Guelph who have organized this great event

Sorry we will NOT See you there tomorrow – We will let you

know what the rain date is when it is figured out!

What’s better than getting out for a bike ride?   Getting out for a bike ride with friends, of course.

As we move into the traditional ride season in Ontario we also begin  to see lot’s of fun cycling events like fundraising rides, tours, group rides and races.

So what if you could combine all of the above mentioned rides into one?  Well you can if you get signed up for the Cambridge Tour De Grand.

This is the 14th year for the Cambridge Tour De Grand (TDG), and for  past 14 years the ride has successfully raised funds for cycling infrastructure in the area and youth helmet programs.  The TDG is not a sanctioned race, nor does it promote racing of any kind, however speaking to my point of combining rides, I found in past years of participating, this really fun ride gave me the opportunity to certainly accomplish some fitness goals.  The TDG usually gets more than 2400 participants so there is always someone to pace with or you can time your ride.  The main focus though is fun on the bicycle.

June 12, 2011

Participating in the TDG will allow you to experience the beautiful scenery that Waterloo Region has to offer while enjoying your favorite past time with other bicycling enthusiast.

The TDG is for all ages and cycling abilities with tons of options for distances with options as short as 10 Km and long as 160 Km!  Simply a fun day of cycling.

You can register online or by mail but make sure you get your registration in early for an event t shirt.  Cycling Jerseys are also available for purchase.

Braun’s is proud to be part of such a fantastic community event and we look forward to seeing you out on the roads!

P

Hey friends,

If you’re like me and love cycling, the warmer weather has demanded that you press that bike into service on the open roads.  Your indoor trainer, stationary bike, XC ski’s retro Tour De France DVD’s can all be put away.  Time to clean the face and hand marks off the front windows of your living room,  from the days longing for sunshine and dry roads. Ride n Smile season has arrived.  

When it comes to our favorite pass time, many of us are at varying levels of commitment to the bicycle, ranging from competitive to strictly recreational.  Whatever way you love the bike, the Commuter Challenge of Waterloo Region is worth knowing about this June 5th till June 11th, 2011.

The commuter challenge is a week long event that is held nationally for a week in June every year and encourages friendly competition between other cities and regions, friends and co workers.  This year’s commuter challenge is held June 5th till June 11th.  The whole idea of the commuter challenge is to leave your car at home and embrace alternate ways to get to work such as car pooling, walking,  city transit and of course cycling!

So why participate?  Well saving money on over the top gas prices is one obvious reason!  But you should also consider that you will be getting exercise, burning calories and reducing green house gas emissions.  Oh! did I mention prizes?  Yep, there are prizes!

May 27th, 2011

8am to 4pm

University of Guelph Arboretum

Ever wonder what it takes to make a community Bicycle and Walk-Friendly? Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph in motion, The Share the Road Cycling Coalition, The City of Guelph, The University of Guelph, The Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario and the Guelph Bicycle Stores need you!

We have a shared vision to: Make Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Bicycle and Walk –Friendly and we would like you to join us.

You are invited to the 2011 Active Communities Summit to:

• Be inspired by examples from  other Bicycle and Walk-Friendly Communities
• Provide input on how to improve Active Transportation in Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph
• Network with community partners and decision makers working on enhancing Active Transportation in Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph

  Highlights of the Summit:

• Keynote Speaker:  Mayor Dave Cieselwicz from Madison, Wisconsin. Madison is ranked nationally as a Gold Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. Mayor Cieslewicz will share their progress to date – a well as their future plans
• A Bicycle Friendly Guelph:  Guelph’s plans for increasing active transportation
• The Tale of Two Cities: panel presentation on Active Transportation in Ontario
• Eleanor McMahon, CEO of the Share the Road Cycling Coalition (an Ontario-based cycling advocacy organization) will provide us with an overview on cycling in Ontario
• Researchers from the University of Waterloo will present data on a trip planning initative in that community
• Break-Out Sessions on the 5 Es of a Bicycle Friendly Community: Engineering, Encouragement & Education, Evaluation and Enforcement. 

 Register On-line at: www.sharetheroad.ca

  (editor’s note – special thanks to the Active Communities Group who provided us with this material)

CALLING ALL CYCLISTS in the Waterloo Region!   The Region of Waterloo and the Waterloo Public Transportation Institute are doing a GPS Cycling Survey and you can be a part of it.    The information collected will be used to update the Cycling Master Plan.   The following is the information from the Region of Waterloo Website.

                                                                                                           
Do you enjoy cycling? Do you wish Waterloo Region was more cyclist-friendly? Here is your chance to help make it happen!

WHAT IS IT? The Region of Waterloo and the University of Waterloo are conducting a GPS Cycling Survey to help the Region update its Cycling Master Plan. Volunteer cyclists are asked to carry around a GPS unit for a 2-week period, complete a cycling survey, and complete a one-day travel diary. The GPS unit itself is quite small; about the size of a large USB stick. It can easily fit in your jacket pocket or knapsack, but should be kept visible while you cycle. We have attached lanyards so they can be worn around the neck while cycling.

WHY ARE WE DOING IT? To find out where the most popular cycling routes are and what cycling facility and infrastructure types are most preferred. Results from this survey will be used to update the Cycling Master Plan and determine snow clearing priority routes for cyclists, which could improve winter cycling in Waterloo Region.

WHO CAN TAKE PART? All cyclists in Waterloo Region are invited to take part. It doesn’t matter if you cycle long or short distances, use trails or roads; if you cycle this survey is for you. Tell your friends!

WHEN? This survey started in March 2010 and will continue until early 2011. The Region has purchased 50 GPS units for this survey, which are rotated to volunteers on a monthly basis.

WHERE? Anywhere in Waterloo Region, including: Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and the Townships.

HOW? Contact John Hill, Principal Planner at the Region to sign up today!
p: (519) 575-4019 | e: jhill@regionofwaterloo.ca

MORE DETAILS!

Expectations of our participants include: 

• Sign the consent form
• Pick up the GPS unit*
• Carry the GPS unit when you cycle for a 2-week period
• Return the unit when the study period is over*
• Complete a cycling survey and one-day travel diary
• Spread the word to fellow cyclists – the more data we can collect, the better!

Please Note: The pick-up and drop-off times will be determined by your availability. We do our best to accommodate the schedules of as many people as we can. For those participants who are unavailable during the designated times, delivery can be arranged.

Questions? Contact John Hill, Principal Planner at the Region
p: (519) 575-4019 | e: jhill@regionofwaterloo.ca

 Bicycles

Can be operated on roads in Ontario.  In the HTA, the definition of bicycle includes tricycles and unicycles but not motor-assisted bicycles. You do not need a drivers licence to operate a bicycle in Ontario.

A bicycle is a vehicle that:

• has steering handlebars and is equipped with pedals
• is designed to be propelled by muscular power
• has no age restriction for operators
• can be operated on most roadways (e.g., not allowed to travel on 400 series highways)
• cannot be operated across a roadway within a pedestrian cross-over

An operator must wear a bicycle helmet if under 18 and operating the bicycle on the road. If the operator is under 16 it is the duty of the operator’s parent or guardian to ensure that he/she wears a helmet. If the person is 16 or 17 it is his or her personal responsibility to wear a helmet.

No passengers are allowed if the bicycle is only meant for one person. When going slower than the rest of traffic, cyclists should stay as close to the right edge of the road as is practicable. Cyclists are allowed to safely use the full lane if staying close to the right edge of the road is unsafe.

Electrical Bicycles (“e-bikes”)

According to the 570 News article from June 29, 2010  titled “Waterloo Explores Bike Parking“ local cyclists can have a part in helping to decide where a secure bicycle parking facility should be located and the format a map, outlining local bikeways, should be. You may complete the following short survey until August 15  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Q3DTD56%20  and help provide feedback on the two elements.  A public meeting will also be held in September to gather more information.

Take a few moments and fill out the survey!  Your feedback is important.

Here is a great new idea to make your cycling holiday easy and accessible…” The Bike Train“…..  Originally launched in 2007 and running between Toronto and Niagara it features select passenger rail trains equipped with bike racks.  You travel comfortably in the passenger car while your bike is transported securely in a baggage car.  Bike Train staff are available onboard to provide cycling maps and provide information.

This summer the Bike Train will connect Toronto with areas such as North Bay, Windsor/Essex and Point Pelee, Niagara and Montreal, all offering different cycling options.  New for 2010 will be the Muskoka Pilot Project which will take place 2 weekends in the late summer.  Please see the website for specific details on dates and prices.

For further information please call:

Toronto: 416-338-5083
Toll Free Canada/USA 1-866-333-4491
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Email: Peter Lipscombe, plipsco@toronto.ca

Effective in March of 2010 Google Maps have added cycling routes to their U.S.  maps.  For anyone heading to the States to do some biking this could be a really useful tool!! 

According to the article on The Official Google Blog, Google Maps features include as much bike trail data as possible, provide efficient routes, allow riders to customize their trip, make use of bike lanes, calculate rider-friendly routes that avoid big hills and customize the look of the map.  There are more than 12,000 miles of trails included in the biking directions and outlined directly on the map and also data on bike lanes and recommended streets for 150 cities across the United States.

I’m sure it’s only a matter of time until cycling routes in Canadian cities are also added. 

If anyone has tried this let us know how it worked for you!!

Kim

On street bike lanes, better signs and increasing the now 45 km of bike lanes and trails to 120 km during the next 20 years are some of the policy changes that were unveiled at the Cycling Master Plan information session on May 19, 2010 at City Hall, Kitchener, ON Canada. 

According to an article in Kitchener’s local paper, The Record from May 20, 2010 titled “Cycling master plan detailed”, the following is a list of what local cyclists feel is important:

*Build a cycling network over time with regular, consistent funding.

*Develop, implement and maintain a trail and cycling way-finding and signage strategy.

*Continue to partner with Waterloo Region on transportation-demand management to promote cycling as viable transportation to work places.

*Recognize and include appropriate cycling infrastructure in every new road reconstruction project.

*Consider the cycling network in all community plans and plans of subdivision to create comfortable and direct bikeways.

A draft of the Cycling Master Plan is to be presented to City Council in June.  For complete details regarding The Cycling Master Plan proposals and information that was presented at the information session on May 19th please  go to http://www.kitchener.ca/pdf/cycling_public_info_session2_2010_05_13.pdf  .  If you have any comments or questions you can contact Ron Schirm at ron.schirm@kitchener.ca or call 519-741-2232.

E-Bike owners or those interested in more information on E-Bikes may enjoy attending this event today at Victoria Park, Kitchener from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

There will be information on E-Bikes, demos and the opportunity to become involved with an E-Bike Club/Group.  For all the details see the Kijiji ad.

On Tuesday, May 18, in the Ontario, Canada legislature, NDP Transit critic Cheri DiNovo introduced a private member’s bill requiring vehicles to give 3-feet of clearance when passing a cyclist.   The clearance would increase to 4  feet when travelling on roads with speeds of between 50 – 80 km/hr and to 5 feet when speeds are greater than 80km/hr. 

Fines for this offence would be between $310 and $750. 

Transportation Minister Kathleen Wynne is reviewing Ontario’s cycling policies.  A number of the States as well as France, Spain and Germany already have this type of law in place.

“… I’m not sure if it’s a matter of needing more laws, or a greater sense of respect for one another on the road,” says Ontario’s Premier Dalton McGuinty.

What do you think?  Is this law a good idea or not?  Is it a matter of a law or respect?

Like to do some further reading on this subject?  Check out the following links.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ontario-aims-to-increase-cyclist-safety/article1573602/

http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/811190–ndp-bill-proposes-3-foot-buffer-around-cyclists-on-road

http://news.therecord.com/News/Local/article/712968

So, here I am, once again looking at a new opportunity - totally overwhelmed with all the new information I am to understand – let alone take charge of.  However, I haven’t yet met a challenge I haven’t been able to meet.  So, here it goes….

Bikes and I go a long way back.  Well, at least 25 years.  That’s when I  married into the “Braun” family.   It was not until the last ten years however, that cycling has been a REAL part of my life.  From  2002 to 2006 I had the pleasure of being Tour Manager for the “Touring with Braun’s”  Division of  the company, planning and executing many cycling  tours including  BraunStorm, BraunWave and the Fall Theatre Classic. During this time I learned much about cyclists and cycling and how important distance, proper nutrition and hydration were and that scenery is so much better from the seat of a bike.  Yet….I still don’t understand how the wind is always a headwind no matter what direction you are going.

Planning routes for the tours also gave me the opportunity to learn about many beautiful parts of Ontario and the cycling opportunities that were available.  This is now where cycling gets “personal”.  For the past few years we, as a family, have enjoyed many cycling/camping holidays including the Georgian Trail, the Oro-Medonte Rail Trail and the Greater Niagara Circle Route to name a few.  Through these rides and others I have come to love my bike (thanks to Robert’s patience and unending adjustments) and cycling. 

In my “other” life I am married to Robert (25 years now) and we have 3 awesome children (Becky, Rachel and Aaron), 1 rabbit and 5 degus.  I am also a domestic engineer…..cook, cleaner, cheerleader, teacher, advisor, banker, chauffeur, mentor, vet, doctor, judge and jury….you get the idea. 

So that’s me in a nutshell…. I look forward to taking the knowledge I have and applying it to this new position  overseeing the many facets of Braun’s Bicycle Blog.   I am privileged to have a group of   knowledgeable cyclists  to work with to bring you timely and informative cycling information twice a week through  our blog postings. 

Just let me know if there is  a  cycling / bicycle topic  you would like to see covered or if you have a question for us or a comment!

Kim

The City of Kitchener in Ontario, Canada is developing a Cycling Master Plan with the ultimate goal of creating policies, programs, design standards and infrastructure that support and promote both recreational and commuter cycling.

A meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 in the Rotunda at City Hall in downtown Kitchener, Ontario to present the proposed cycling network and policies that will be included in the Cycling Master Plan.  Participants can view the proposed facility types, summaries of previous consultations and maps of the proposed cycling net work.

The draft master plan will be presented to the City Council in June for their approval.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

City Hall Rotunda, 200 King St. W., Kitchener, Ontario

If you would like more information but are unable to attend the above session, visit www.kitchener.ca

or call 519-741-2232

or TTY 1-866-969-9994

or email Ron Schirm at ronald.schirm@kitchener.ca

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If  you have a cycling event to be announced, let us know, and we’ll do our best to get the word out for you.

Have you heard of the “Retire Your Ride” program here in Canada?   Did you know that Braun’s…is Bicycles is an active participant in that program?”   You can receive up to ……………. off the price of a ………….brand bike if you pull your pre-1995  “old clunker” off the road.   

**The information in this blog is taken from the http://www.retireyourride.ca/home.aspx website.  For complete details on this program please go to the website!!** 

“Retire Your Ride” is an initiative of The Government of Canada, designed to remove higher polluting pre-1995 vehicles from the road.  The vehicle owners are offered easy, free and rewarding options and their vehicles are recycled in a responsible way.

Some of the  rewards offered in Ontario include discounts on transit passes, bicycles, car sharing memberships, new or used cars, or even $300 cash.

Eligible participants must be owners of 1995 or older model year vehicles that are in running condition and have been registered and insured in their names in Canada for the previous consecutive 6 months.

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So, if you have an “old clunker” that needs to be taken off the road, why not check into this program?  Help the environment and take advantage of the rewards available.  Of course, if you wish to purchse a new bike under this program we would be happy to help you choose that special reward!

We are excited to announce Braun’s Bicycle Blog and we are glad that you dropped by to see our new, wonderful comunication tool yourself!  We are starting out with 3 of our key staff being regular contributors to our blog.  Over the next 4 to 6 weeks, we will be adding a number of focus specific authors that we feel will really add to our the dialogue. 

Let me start by introducing Glenn, Pat and myself Robert. 

Glenn is Braun’s Guelph Store Manager and is involved  in product selection and program development for the company.  He has been involved in the bicycle industry for 28 years.  This said Glenn has seen alot of changes in bikes and equipment and has quite an interesting perspective on Life with a bike.  Glenn has raced BMX and Mountain bikes.  Glenn is going to share his ideas in the blog on a regular basis.

Pat is Braun’s Assistant Store Manager for the Guelph store.  Pat loves to ride a bike.  If you want to get Pat excited let him get his hands on some brand new bike widget.  Pat’s vast knowledge about cycling will be a great resource for us, all as he shares it in this blog.  Pat loves riding road bikes and mountain bikes.

I’m the stuffy corporate guy, based in the Kitchener store who happens to love cycle touring and have been doing it since I was a teenager many decades ago.  People often ask about the many programs and services that are available to help riders get the most out of their cycling equipment and rides.  I am going to provide the details here in the blog and hopefully keep it interesting at the same time.

We are really excited about the blog and trust that you will find the articles interesting and will comment on them all.  Your comments will help to bring the blog alive.