Overview

Disciplines:

GRAVEL

Gravel cycling is described as all the roads, paths, and unpaved surfaces. Often ridden on trails and unpaved roads and is fitting somewhere between road cycling and mountain biking. Gravel riding can encompass all types of terrain, from actual gravel to wooded single track and everything in between.

BMX

There are several different forms of BMX the two most common forms is BMX racing and BMX freestyle. Riders in BMX racing race on dirt tracks with rollers, jumps and turns to challenge their skills. Freestyle BMX is a competition rather than a race. Riders perform two-minute runs executing a sequence of tricks on ramps, walls, box jumps and spines throughout the park.

PARA

Open to athletes with physical impairments including spinal cord injuries, amputee, CP, visual impairments, and other muscular impairments. Athletes utilize hand cycles, trikes, tandems, and C-Class bikes to complete in a variety of road and track events.

ROAD

Road races are team-oriented, mass start events generally taking place on public roads and can be point to point races or multiple circuits of a loop. Behind the peloton a caravan follows the race which will typically consists of race officials, medical personnel and neutral support. Road cycling also consists of Individual Time Trial events and Criterium events and stage races.

MOUNTAIN BIKE

Broken into the sub-disciplines of Cross-Country (XC), Enduro, and Downhill (DH). Cross-Country events being the primary focus for Ontario event organizers and riders due to the terrain in the province. The 3 main variations of XC-MTB events are XCO (Cross-Country Olympic distance), XCC (Cross-Country Short Track), and XCM (Cross-Country Marathon). All events are mass start but vary in length and distance. XCO competitions are typically 1h-1h30m in length with riders taking on multiple laps of a 4-6km circuit for a total of 20-30km. XCC is a short 20min race on a 1-2km mostly double track circuit to allow for easier passing. XCM races are endurance focused lasting 3-6 hours; courses are 60-160km long and can either be point to point or have multiple laps.

CYCLO-CROSS

Cyclo-Cross combines elements of cross-country running, mountain biking, and road cycling. Races occur in the fall/winter and consist of many short laps on a 2-4km circuit, featuring pavement, dirt trails, grass, steep hills, and obstacles requiring riders to dismount and carry their bike. With the season taking place in the fall, races are often plagued with adverse weather conditions such as snow, rain, wind, and mud. Events are spectator friendly as riders lap every 6-8 minutes on a short and winding course in open spaces. Races are no longer than 1 hour in length. The North American CX season typically runs September to November, while racing in Europe continues into the new year because of their mild winter. As such, categories at sanctioned events are based on a rider’s age as of December 31st of the following year.

TRACK

Track cycling is the most spectator friendly discipline in which riders race on a steeply banked oval track or velodrome. With a plethora of events make track cycling an interesting mix of sprint and endurance events in which athletes or teams compete in individual or mass-start races.

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Sanctioned vs Unsanctioned

What’s The Difference & Why Does it Matter?

There are many exciting events available to cyclists in Ontario, across all disciplines and levels. While many of these events are well organized and safe, it is still important to educate yourself on the level of risk while participating in these events. From local cycling club events to large scale events, it is important to understand your coverage from an insurance standpoint, but also know that the event you are attending is utilizing industry best practices.

OC Sanctioned Events

Events sanctioned by Ontario Cycling (OC) follow the OC Technical Guidelines that are reviewed and updated each year according to industry best practices. The Technical Guidelines are created in collaboration with the OC Team, OC Officials Committee, and discipline specific experts, to ensure a safe and positive event experience for participants. OC Sanctioned Events must follow the Technical Guidelines for their specific discipline in order to be sanctioned by Ontario Cycling.

OC Sanctioned Club activity

If you are a holder of a 2025 OC Community Membership, your Membership insurance covers you only when you are participating in an OC Affiliated Club Sanctioned Activity. This activity would be provided in advance to the OC on the Affiliated Club Activity document. If you have any questions on whether your Club Activity is sanctioned with Ontario Cycling, please contact your club contact directly.

NON-SANCTIONED EVENT

If a 2025 Member of the OC participates in a Non-Sanctioned Event, it is important to know that their 2025 OC Membership, whether it is a Community Membership, Provincial Race License or Ontario issued UCI License insurance, does not cover them at that event. It is the Members’ responsibility to review the registration of the non-sanctioned event to see what insurance, if any, is provided for the rider. Know your coverage before you register and understand the risks to participating in events where you have no coverage. Many events have liability coverage for the venue or event company, but do not offer liability coverage to the riders participating at the event. It is also important to note that if there is liability coverage offered for riders, it does not include Sport Accident Coverage.