FAQs
Getting Started FAQ
Getting started at TLD includes a few important steps explained on this page. Here are a few questions we get from people considering joining.
Don't worry about this, we have a range of different rides for different levels! Check out our sample ride schedule to see the different ride levels.
The only requirements are that you must be riding a road bike with drop bars, and you must must be riding confidently and comfortable with clip in pedals.
As long as that's the case, we'll definitely have rides you will enjoy.
We also offer a free 30 day return policy for a full Nitro membership, so you can try it worry free!
YES! We have rides for all levels and we welcome people at every stage of the cycling journey.
The only requirements are that you must be riding a road bike with drop bars, and you must must be riding confidently and comfortable with clip in pedals.
Check out our sample rides here to see the options we have.
Joining a cycling club can be intimidating but we're friendly, welcoming and inclusive - we're just here to grow together.
Why not join our online Discord community to get a feel for the club and meet the crew before deciding?
The Standard Tier is free to join! However, as group rides can often be in a fast paceline, there is additional risk of injury to riders, and to the public. For this reason, TLD requires ALL members to hold a valid annual Cycle BC license.
Both Standard and Nitro tiers require a Cycling BC License (not included in tier pricing).
To help ensure we’re keeping rides as safe as possible for all members, we have the following mandatory requirements for all cyclists joining TLD rides, whether it’s Meet & Greet or Nitro rides:
- Cyclist must be wearing a helmet
- Cyclist must be riding a road bike with drop bars
- Cyclist must be riding confidently and comfortable with clip in pedalsÂ
- Cyclist must have proper front and rear lights during dark conditions
Cyclists who show up without the following requirements will not be allowed to join the group ride.
They will be highly encouraged to join with the proper requirements and are welcomed to use the Discord channel as a resource to help source a bike, equipment, or support on skills.Â
Our ride categories give more structure to the various levels of riders and to set better expectations on what the ride will be like.
Some rides will only have one category. While other rides may have multiple, with a Ride Leader dedicated to leading each category.
Ride Intensity
A - Race Pace (race group) - 35 to 40km/h
Highly confident in group riding, can ride shoulder to shoulder.
B - Tempo Pace (experienced) - 28 to 35km/h
Experienced in group riding, yet still learning shoulder to shoulder.
C - Coffee/Social Pace (novice) - 25 to 28km/h
Minimum of 6 months of riding, new or practicing group ridig, looking for a wheel or more between the front tire.
This can alo be for filks who are doing Z1-2 for the session or catching up on their fitness.
D - Beginner - 20 to 25km/h (SuperBike Sunday)
TR - Training Ride - Mixed efforts and speeds (Race Team)
You are welcome to join us for two free Meet & Greet rides to meet the crew, and see the ride style. Here we explain the steps to joining a Meet & Greet.
1. Read our Getting Started page.
2. Join our Discord community to talk to us and be a part of one of the best cycling communities.
3. Review Etiquette and Safety Guidelines
4. Review Code of Conduct / Terms & Conditions
5. Register for the Standard Tier or two Meet & Greets on the CCN Bikes website.
6. RSVP to rides on Strava!
7. Review our Pre-Ride Checklist
8. Fill out the CCN Bikes Waiver (Unless you have a Cycling BC membership)
9. Ride with us! We're friendly and always looking forward to meeting new riders at every cycling level.
10. After your two Meet & Greet rides, if you want to keep riding with us, you will need a Cycling BC membership.
Bonus step: Upgrade to a Premium Nitro membership to get the most out of the club.
Yes, we now offer drop in sessions for Nitro rides, available in packs of 1-5 rides (bundle and save). Now you can test out NITRO rides before committing! Learn more here
We also offer a free 30 day return policy for a full Nitro membership!
As group rides can often be in a fast paceline, there is additional risk of injury to riders, and to the public.
For this reason, TLD requires ALL members to hold a valid annual Cycle BC license for riding.
Your Cycling BC membership gives you access to:
- Sport Accident & General Liability Insurance
- Clubs & Events
- Exclusive Member Discounts & Product Offers
- Special Events
- Development Opportunities
The only time you don't need a Cycling BC License is if you are joining us for 1-2 free Meet & Greet rides (in which case you need a free Cycling BC Waiver).
This is a free waiver that you need to fill in, if you want to join 1-2 meet and greet rides.
The only exception is if you already have a Cycling BC license, in which case you don't need to fill in the waiver.
These are two different things, the Waiver covers you for 1-2 Meet & Greet rides, and the License covers you for a whole year.
If you want to join us for 1-2 Meet & Greet rides, but you don't have a Cycling BC License, you will need to fill in this waiver in order to be covered during your 2 Meet & Greet rides.
The Cycling BC License is an annual license and it covers you for the whole year. So after your two Meet & Greet rides, the waiver does not cover you, and you will need the Cycling BC License to ride with us.
Throughout the week, we feature different organized rides, varying in intensity and skill level.Â
Knowing a couple power metrics is a great first start in understanding which rides you'll enjoy most:Â FTP (Functional Threshold Power - held over a 20 minute effort) and Power-to-Weight Ratios (Watts / Kilograms).
If you don’t know those measurements, that’s OK too!
We want to get to know you and can help determine your riding level to ensure you get the most out of the group rides, as well as to set you up with the right amount of work to be at the level you wish to be at.
Meet & Greet rides are a great way to start. One of our Ride Leaders can then help advise which weekly rides to attend.
Drop In FAQ
NITRO Drop In Sessions let you try NITRO rides before purchasing a full NITRO membership
Meet and Greet rides are free rides that let you get a feel for the club before deciding if you want to continue on as a Standard member, or upgrade to NITRO. They are a specific ride format that lets you meet other club members and get a sense of the atmosphere and club dynamic.
In contrast, Drop In rides are paid rides that let you experience the premium NITRO rides. This lets you get a taste for out premium tier before upgrading to a full NITRO membership. If and when you upgrade to NITRO, the cost of any Drop In rides will be discounted from your full Nitro membership cost.
You can join NITRO rides between Monday - Friday. Here is more info about these rides - make sure to sign up on Strave before attending.
On Discord, please join the new #nitro-drop-ins channel to hear about daily rides that you can take part in. Ride Leaders will post the daily routes that you can opt to attend by replying in the Discord chat.Â
Once you get your passes, your name will automatically be added to a tracker to manage how many remaining passes you have.
Please make sure to RSVP on Strava and Discord so we can keep track of your rides accurately.
Total spend on drop in rides will be used as discount towards your full NITRO membership.
Before purchasing your full membership, message us on lack or by email and we will generate a unique discount code (based on the total number of drop in sessions you have purchased).
Race Team FAQ
Find out what the TLD Race Team is all about.
This is our structured race team led by Captain Dustin and Coach Joanie!
Our Race Team's purpose is to prepare TLD members to race: empowering riders as soloists or as a team to reach their performance goals safely whether it be in a fondo, road race, or criterium.
Whether you’re new and interested in racing, or someone experienced and just looking for a new team, we’ve considered it all and hopefully have a category that you will find that’s right for you.
Membership is by application. Learn more here.
Mandatory Requirements TLD Race Team Members:
- Valid Cycling BC and UCI Race License for 2023
- TLD Nitro Membership
- Baseline fitness test
- Race category determination (A/B/C)
- At least one Learn to Race (LTR) session with Coach Joanie for those that wish to represent TLD
Spring Series (March-June):
Wix Brown Circuit Race - March
Thornhill Circuit Race - March
UV Southie Circuit Race - March
EV Aldergrove - March
De Ronde Vam - April
Jeremy’s Roubaix - April
EV Eggcellent Kermesse - April
Summer Crit Races (April - August):
EV WTNC Tuesday Glenlyon
Thursday CRC
EV WTNC UBC Crit
PNE Crit
Tour De Concord
BC Provincials TT and Road Race (May)
Fondos:
Valley Fondo (June)
Okanaga Fondo (July)
Tour de Victoria (August)
Whistler Fondo (September)
Race tier includes all benefits from regular Nitro tier, but it is for riders who want to reach performance goals in a fondo, road race, or criterium.
Additional riding with the team and regular coaching are expected of each Race Team member.
TLD will support this Race Team with additional race focused benefits.
To move from the Nitro tier to the Race Team does not have an extra cost.
Altius Velo coaching/clinic packages are available and highly recommended but not mandatory.
These packages do have a cost, but to support our Race Team, we have discounts available. Please join Nitro to find out about these exclusive discounts.