RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
 It's one of those things, when you hold rides with this many people, where many different opinions, behaviors, and personalities come into play, it's not a bad idea to have a few rules, just to keep everything running smoothly. Some (like me) don't like overt structure so during rides we try to keep it mellow, mostly using some common sense guidelines.
Please note that Gord's bike Club rides for the slowest rider. Number one thing: Keep smiling. We try hard to make these ride stress free, intimidation free and race free. Well, your membership cost and then it's free
A few important reminders:
[A] Unless specified otherwise, all our rides start at Gord's on DONALD. (#2 Donald Street) http://tiny.cc/KDEwy.
[B] All bikes are subject to a summary inspection, please make sure your bike is in good working order before joining us on any ride. Gord's tech shops will be happy to provide a complimentary inspection for all Bike Club Members.
[C] Please refrain from bringing your bike in for inspection or work immediately before any ride you intend to participate in. Doing so will almost guarantee you will not be able to ride on that ride. More often than not the tech shop gets bombarded with last minute tech work before rides and therefore often can rarely accomodate last minute "need it now" work. Plan ahead.
[D] Courtesy and a sense of humor are mandatory.
Anyone can come along on our rides! We have people of all types, shapes, talent levels and genders. All are welcome to come along provided you...
[1] ...Are a paid member of the MTB Club for this current season.
[2] ...Have a properly fitting bike helmet.
[3] ...Have a well-tuned bike.
[4] ...Are in half-decent physical condition.
[5] ...Are of intermediate ability.
[6] ...Have a good working sense of humor.
[7] ...Are patient.
[8] ...Bring water and food.
[9] ...Respect ride leader and other riders.
[10] ...Ride within your ability.
Now that you know what you're getting yourself into JOIN US! Simply click on the link HERE and sign up for Gord's Bike Club!
[11] Abide by our all encompassing Gord's Ride Etiquette.
RIDE ETIQUETTE
The joys of riding with a group, by yourself or with a friend. No matter who or how or what you ride you should follow certain rules in order to make sure everyone has a great time. The way we ride today shapes mountain bike trail access tomorrow. Do your part to preserve and enhance our sport's access and image by observing the following rules of the trail, formulated by IMBA, the International Mountain Bicycling Association. These rules are recognized around the world as
the standard code of conduct for mountain bikers. IMBA's mission is to promote mountain bicycling that is environmentally sound and socially responsible. For our spin on the IMBA rules of the trail, scroll below... But first, here are our non-negociable rules of engagement:
Offer a hand
Unless you're in a race (group rides are the polar opposite of racing), zooming by a fellow rider that's in mechanical difficulty (flat, broken chain, etc...) is uncool to no end. Stop, ask if the rider needs help and if you can, offer assistance, it's the nice thing to do.
When in urban areas, adhere to city traffic code
If you are riding in the city, be respectful and courteous of motorists, red lights and stop signs. Make it a point to smile and wave a big thank you when cars stop to let you cross, making one motorist happy and feeling good about bike-riders is a small yet important victory. Ride as if you were a car (using the street) or ride as if you were a pedestrian (by using walkways and paths), but never both at the same time, pick one, stick with it. Follow the lead
of the group.
Respect the lead rider
If you're riding on an organized group ride, be respectful of the ride leader and the rider ahead of you. Riding is a freedom sport yet if you're in a pack, stay in the pack. Veering off left to your favorite jump will cause rider behind you to become disoriented and if they chose to follow you rather than the group they may even get hurt if they do not have the same abilities as you. Riding in a group ride does mean you will lose some freedom. It's a choice you have to make
before you join a ride. Once you're on a group ride, go with it, who knows, you may even learn a new trail along the way. The rules of Gord's Rides are simple, if you are ahead of the group leader, you are off the ride, same happens if you are the tail-gunner. Rides without tech support are free-form at the tail-end.
You are the ride leader to everyone behind you
Remember, to every rider behind you, you are the ride leader. Act like one. Taking shortcuts, alternate trails or lines may endanger fellow riders or more simply reduce their enjoyment of the ride. When the Ride Leader at the very front of the pack makes a trail selection, there is always a reason. Respect that fact and be a good ride leader to the ones behind you.
No earbuds
Sorry, this one came from way above, our insurance company insists that our group rides be devoid of headphones or earbuds.
Make sure your bike is in good condition
Especially if you're out on a group ride. Having two wheels does not make a mountain bike. Not all bikes can go everywhere, if you have a road bike, you can't take it off-road, it was never designed for that usage. Your bike needs to be in tip-top shape if you want to ride trails for 3 hours. Being ill-prepared will inconvenience you and others around you and may affect their enjoyment of the ride. Use your head, have your bike looked at well before you
get on a ride.
Don't be an idiot, wear a helmet.
Let someone else 'be that guy' riding without a helmet is the province of fools. If you can't bring yourself to ride with a helmet, save our tax dollars and liberate a bed in the health system, take up curling. All Gord's rides are Helmet-Mandatory. Baseball caps are not helmets.
The E-Bay Clause.
The vast majority of members would never need to be reminded of the following but please, be sensitive to the fact that while we obviously don't force members to buy their gear at Gord's, we do depend on the kind support of our customers and members in order to stay in business and continue to provide the services we provide (like Gord's Bike Club). We try hard to not talk shop or "sell" stuff on any of our rides. If you're on a Gord's group ride or simply
in a Gord's Club setting, please refrain from pushing non-Gord's merchandise onto other members.
Off the clock.
Remember that Gord's employees (and General Managers) are off the clock when on a ride, all that we do that's club-related is on a VOLUNTEER BASIS, please keep that in mind.
Bring enough water and food... and adequate clothing.
Rides longer than 1 hour require you use some of that gray matter and think ahead. Water or sports drinks are a must for any ride, long or short. Bringing a jacket if it's going to rain (especially if it's cold outside) is a no-brainer. Be responsible for yourself.
Maintain control
Ride within your ability. Losing control increases your risk of injury, the risk of injuring others and your impact on the environment.
Ride to the conditions
Your ability to control your bike will be different in different conditions. Ride within the conditions to protect yourself, others and the environment.
Limited visibility - slow down
Where your visibility is restricted, slow down and make a sound. There may be somebody just around the corner.
Pass with care and give plenty of warning
Be sure when passing other users that, if the unexpected occurs, you will still be able to pass safely. Let your fellow trail users know you're coming. A friendly greeting or bell is considerate and works well; don't startle others. Show your respect when passing by slowing to a walking pace or even stopping. Anticipate other trail users around corners or in blind spots. Yielding means slow down, establish communication, be prepared to stop if necessary and pass safely. Unless
you're racing, blowing past someone at close range at mach 6 is rude to say the least... not to mention dangerous.
Be courteous
Being polite and courteous to others using the trail (especially non-cyclists) can do nothing but improve the image of all mountain bikers. A polite greeting will suffice.
Always give way
Always give way to walkers, runners, ATV's or horse riders. Let your fellow trail users know you're coming. A friendly greeting is considerate and works well; don't startle others. Show your respect when passing by slowing to a walking pace or even stopping. And SMILE! Anticipate other trail users around corners or in blind spots. Yielding means slow down, establish communication, be prepared to stop if necessary and pass safely.
Avoid skidding
Skidding reduces your control and damages trails. Skidding to a stop in uncouth, not to mention the fact that it startles fellow riders and wears out your tires.
Minimum impact code
Observe the minimum impact code; take only photographs and leave only tire prints. Be sensitive to the dirt beneath you. Recognize different types of soils and trail construction; practice low-impact cycling. Wet and muddy trails are more vulnerable to damage. When the trailbed is soft, consider other riding options. This also means staying on existing trails and not creating new ones. Don't cut switchbacks. Be sure to pack out at least as much as you pack in.
Avoid sensitive areas
Avoid delicate vegetation and soft surfaces. Take extra care in damp conditions.
At the end of the ride, say goodbye to your fellow riders.
Don't just ride away, make it a point to thank others on your ride for coming out and having a good time together. It's simply a nice way of ending a ride.
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Whatever the reason we ride, we do it together, we make friends, we encourage and laugh with each other and we make every day better by doing something positive that just happens to be unique, healthy and FUN for all involved. If thiskind of inclusive activity sounds appealing to you, please take a moment to read more about our little club right 
The membership fees for 2010 are multi leveled. 
[4] Finaly our fourth membership is our Trailbuilder Membership. This level has a cost of $99.95 and comes with a long list of benefits, not the least is special recognition as a pillar of our bike club. Those participating at this level are key contributors to the clubas their membership fee goes towards trailbuilding operating costs. These folks are thye backbone of our trailbuilding and trail maintenance efforts.
We currently hold rides on 
Depends on the ride. Our recommendation, if you're not sure, is to start off with our tame Tuesday Night Family Rides or one of our Thursday Night Learn-to-Ride-Better Rides... Then work up to our Wednesday Night Rides and then just follow your nose. The biggest mistake potential riders make is the perennial "I'll get started on my own and join in when I've done a few rides by myself" it unfortunately doesn't work too well that way. The 'herd' starts off at the start of the season at a very slow pace and then as the season get's rolling it naturally inches its way to a faster pace... So if you want to hop on the train, get on when we're all rusty... the last thing you want to do is hop on a Wednesday Night Ride in October... the train, while still no bullet train, is nonetheless moving along at quicker pace at that point. 
All rides are helmet cumpolsory, patience 
Attention all bike lovers! Gord's is very proud to announce that we'll be offering