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Non-Member Participation Opportunities
Ontario Cycling understands that sometimes, prospective members want to give a club a “test run” before deciding whether it is the right fit for them. We are proud to offer two program options to clubs and potential members to facilitate trying the club before they purchase an annual membership.
Club Try-It Program
This FREE program allows OC affiliated clubs to host up to 8 pre-scheduled recreational or skill-based activities per year for non-members.
Key Requirements & Limitations
- Clubs must apply at least 48 hours in advance
- Activities must follow the club’s OC approved Activity Risk Management Policy and Ride/Activity Guidelines. Should also have an Emergency Action Plan in place.
- Competitive events (e.g., races, time trials) are NOT permitted
- OC Non-Member Try-It participants must complete an online form and provide confirmation to the club to be eligible.
- Each non-member may attend up to 2 Try-it sessions per season.
- Any incidents must be reported to OC within 5 days
Purpose
Try-it sessions are designed to showcase the club’s community and programming. Pre-scheduling and promoting these opportunities with sufficient lead-up time, as well as providing adequate support from experienced members often leads to the most positive experiences for participants.
Forms
Club Day Pass
This option allows non-members to join any non-competitive club activity NOT designated as a Try-It. Clubs do not need to submit a form for this as the activity is part of their regularly scheduled programming.
Purpose
This program is most suitable to accommodate those non-member individuals who express an interest in trying out the club on short notice. Individuals purchasing an OC Club Day Pass should contact the club prior to purchase to ensure the activity they want to participate in is eligible. Clubs may want to ensure they have extra support for a ride if they know non-members will be present.
Cost to Participant:
- $10 for adults (18+)
- $5 for youth
Individuals who decide to join post-activity can contact the OC office to get a discount on their OC membership for the cost of their first OC Club Day Pass purchase.
Key Requirements & Limitations:
- Participants must complete the online Day Pass form and bring proof of purchase to the activity.
- Each non-member may use up to 3 Day Passes per season.
- Any incidents must be reported to OC within 5 days
Forms
Insurance Related Items
Must be submitted minimum 2 weeks prior to date of activity.
Ride Leader Training
Ontario Cycling Clubs and Members interested in leading sanctioned club rides are encouraged to register for the Ontario Cycling’s Ride Leader Training Course to help develop good club ride practices and obtain the knowledge and skills in order to pass them on to other potential group ride leaders within their respective clubs. This course is designed to meet the needs of Ontario Cycling requirements for club affiliation by following guidelines outlined in the club’s risk management and ride guide outlines.
Coverage
- Risk Management
- Club Ride Guides
- Safe Riding Practices
- Ride Coordinator Responsibilities
- Ride Leader Responsibilities
- Troubleshooting Difficult Situations
- Managing Groups of Different Ability Levels
Upon completion of this course, we encourage our participants to pass on their acquired knowledge and skills to their clubs and fellow ride leaders. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email for more details regarding course content or potential upcoming course dates.
Scheduled Ride Leader Training Info Sessions
Date | Time | Cycling Discipline Focus | Registration Link |
| Coming Soon | Coming Soon | Coming Soon | Coming Soon |
Open to OC members only
All Ride Leader Training sessions are recorded and participants will be emailed a link to the video recording shortly after.
Club Operations Advisory Committee
Brian Summers
Brian has enjoyed many MTB events and 24hr opportunities and discovered road riding when his sons were participating in the Youth Cup Series for a few years. When they chose other activities, he met with like minded road riders, joined a local club for regular rides and the community. After COVID, that particular club folded and he joined Dark Horse Flyers Cycling Club and became a Ride Leader and joined the board in a development role. He has always been interested in supporting cycling and the community, by supporting the sport and improving systems and organizations. Cycling is a significant part of mental health strategies with safety and a ride tomorrow approach being paramount.
Emily Graves
Emily Graves started recreational cycling in 2018 and joined the Ottawa Bicycle Club (OBC) and has been a member of the OBC Board of Directors since 2019. In addition to supporting OBC organizational goals, she championed women's programming including during the time of COVID-19 when she revitalized the Women's Time Trials program and launched women-only group ride initiatives. An avid marathon runner who trains solo, with cycling, Emily gets social! She continues to appreciate the feeling of freedom cycling accords her, while she enjoys the company and camaraderie of fellow cycling enthusiasts and the quality friendships she developed within the local cycling community.
Fred Chagnon
Fred Chagnon serves on the board of both the London Cycling Club, and Randonneurs Ontario, and remains an active member of the London Centennial Wheelers; all three of which are sanctioned by Ontario Cycling. His focus and board contribution to these clubs tends to be in the capacity of route design, ride programming, and most notably, on new rider skill development. Once strictly a mountain-biker, Fred's passion for cycling has gradually been extending to road and gravel over the years, having gained much notoriety for his involvement in the discipline of randonneuring; non-competitive, timed endurance events with routes ranging from 200kms to 1,200kms.
Karen Paterson
Karen Paterson is currently the Vice President of the Peterborough Cycling Club and member of the Board of Directors. Karen has held the position of president with the Peterborough Cycling Club and the Uxbridge Cycling Club in the past. Karen is a passionate advocate for increasing the accessibility of cycling for recreational and youth riders in her community. Starting out as a recreational rider with very limited group riding experience at small club, eventually joining a women’s race team and then moving to a larger centre with an established cycling club, Karen brings her experience of working with multiple mentors in the Ontario cycling community and success as the past president of two cycling clubs to her new role with the OC Advisory Committee.
Michael Cranwell
Cyclist Team Director / Directeur sportif, Gears Bike Shop Founder & Past President of the LapDogs Cycling Club & Race Team Vélo Canada Bike, Board Member (Past) Ontario Cycling Association, Board Member (Past) Canadian Independent Bicycle Retail Association, Board Member (Past) Having been involved in and around cycling for well over 3 decades (from being a racer, commuter and someone who identifies themselves as a cyclist), I’ve seen a great deal of change in how the bicycle can be a catalyst for many positive opportunities and changes across all aspects of life, health, transportation, and the environment. Following a couple decades in the world of corporate and identity design (as an Art Director, Designer and Creative Firm Partner), I’ve taken my passion for cycling from a past time, into something that impacts all aspects of my being. My sport, my community, my lifestyle and my (second) career all center on the bicycle. I believe we are at a crossroads with regards to cycling in our country and that the time is right to help make all forms of alternative transportation more accessible. I also feel that we need to develop better programs of education for all users of the road with a basis on safety, health, the environment, infrastructure, and respect for each other.
Michael Nuttall
Michael Nuttall is a co-founder, and currently Vice President and Race Director, of Limestone City Cycling. Prior to LCC, Michael was a member of the board of directors of London Centennial Wheelers for fifteen years, five of which he served as club President. Michael's interests are heavily biased toward competition. He was a rower in high school and university. Shortly after graduating he traded in his oars for running shoes and a bike and took up triathlon for a short time. In 2004 he started competing as a cyclist. He has enjoyed some success on the road but specializes in track cycling where he has earned multiple provincial championships, as well as four national medals - including one national championship and one national record. In addition to competing, he has been involved in organizing the Springbank Road Race and the Police College Criterium. Recently, he was an organizer of the Kingston Spring Classic Criterium, and the Kingston Classic Stage Race. As part of the OC Clubs Advisory Committee, he has worked to advance the competitive aspects of club activities and was central to the recent return of racing at the club level. When he isn’t on his bike Michael is a Professional Engineer, currently working in biotech.
Stephanie Sutton
Stephanie “Steph” Sutton is a highly respected sport administrator and coach based in Hamilton, Ontario, with over 30 years of experience in youth sport development, coaching, and community leadership. She has held key roles in organizations like Mount Hamilton United Soccer Club & a founding member, Vice Chair and Lead Hop ON Coach for Golden Horseshoe Cycling Hub, and has coached McMaster University's Softball team since 2009. Known for her hands-on, athlete-centered approach, she holds multiple provincial medals and national coaching certifications, and is deeply committed to creating inclusive and empowering environments for young athletes. Steph’s influence extends beyond the field through her involvement with the Canadian Olympic Academy, KidSport Ontario, and the Coaches Association of Ontario, where she mentors female coaches and promotes equity in sport. A graduate of Recreation and Leisure Studies and Sport Management, a lifelong multi-sport athlete, her career reflects a deep dedication to community, mentorship, and the transformative power of sport. Her leadership continues a family legacy of sport advocacy and education, leaving a lasting impact on Canada's sporting landscape.
