Leadership

The OSCC has provided me with a great opportunity to join others on both road and gravel rides. It has opened new routes to ride in our area coupled with meeting new cyclists and enjoying social times both during and post rides.

I have enjoyed cycling from a young age delivering newspapers by bike and exploring our community. My interest in cycling continued with mountain biking, road, triathlons, cycling touring in Canada and internationally, and more recently the introduction of gravel riding opening up so many more roads and trails in and around Owen Sound.

The OSCC promotes safe and enjoyable cycling in our community and invites cyclists to join us as members for group rides within a welcoming cycling club.

president@owensoundcycling.ca

Replace the image, right.
Type your bio here.

I joined the OSCC in 1988 at the age of 36, not many women were riding with the club at that time, I was certainly in the minority.  It was a small group of regulars and we rode most of the routes we still enjoy today.  Helmets weren’t mandatory at the time, but it wasn’t long till I picked one up.  There was a reason – I won’t elaborate!

Since that time I have been an active member of the Club, and as part of the executive was instrumental in developing and promoting cycling for women.  In 2023 we had almost an even split of male and female riders.  

Over the years I have enjoyed cycling weekends with the Club.  A number of years ago Tom Hakala organized an amazing cycling trip to Manitoulin, this was an enjoyable ride from Gore Bay to Meldrum Bay.  Other weekend adventures included cycling the Bruce, with accommodation at various bed and breakfasts.  Cycling can be so rewarding to cover the distance with like-minded friends.  

As Lance put it, “It’s Not About The Bike”, just get out there and ride and you will soon figure out what equipment you need and don’t need.  Sometimes it’s not all about the big fancy expensive set of wheels, but the people you hang with that make the difference! 

Hope to see you on some of our group rides!  Reach out to any of the Board members and they will gladly get you going.

I started cycling at a very young age in Southern Ontario and worked in a grocery store delivering Groceries to local customers in a small town for several years. My competition from another store was an older lady who had a horse and a flat bed wagon. I eventually bought a 3 speed touring bicycle so I could increase my recreational travel distance. After school, I moved to Owen Sound and eventually bought a 10 speed bicycle that was very fancy and weighed lots! I started riding to work most of the time at PPG in the summers. There was a new cycling club in town and I went to my first event which was a time trial?? I was hooked and have been a member for the last 40 years with the exception of 3 years cycling in China. Owen Sound is a great place to ride where you can walk out your door and get on your bike and ride trails or quiet roads.

A cyclist for the last 20 years and member of club for many years. Previously, as Ride Coordinator, I had the opportunity of working with the talented and dedicated Ride Team. It is now my privilage to serve the club as a director. The board continues to work hard to deliver a slate of safe, fun rides tailored to all riders of different abilities. I look forward to seeing you on the road in 2025, be it paved or gravel.

I rode a lot as a teenager, inspired by Reg Harris, Beryl Burton and local rider Bas Clarke, who passed through my village in Rutland, England on his way to club rides and races.

I switched to running for many years, but eventually returned to cycling. I compete in the club’s time trials and ride the trails on my gravel bike, but I enjoy the hills most of all.

My work as a software developer helped me learn web development. I look after the technical side of the website and assist communications with emailing, etc. Contact me with suggestions for the site or help with club emails.

I learned to ride bike in the streets of Toronto as a child, leaving the house at 8:00am and not returning home till 8:00pm covering endless KM’s and experiencing everything outdoors, while exercising at the same time.

New to Owen Sound and Road/Gravel biking in general, I have found a new home in Owen Sound Cycling Club. I was looking for an organized ride that included myself as an individual and other rides that offer an opportunity for myself and my wife to enjoy this great sport together and OSCC offers just that. By sponsoring and supporting this Club you will have access to a very unique and diverse group of riders from all walks of life, just “Living Life” in their community.

On my trusty gold CCM bike with apehanger bars and banana seat I was the jump champion of Cruickshank Community in 1975. I resumed my love of cycling more recently after purchasing a gravel bike – and then a road bike. I can often be found riding on quiet roads out Leith/Anna way – or on Zwift when the weather turns cold. I’ve ridden with OSCC for a few years and have learned a TON from members.

I joined the Owen Sound Cycling Club about 5 years ago.

I really enjoy the group of people and love the group rides, with an enjoyable variety of routes and great leadership.

I have recently retired and decided I could dedicate my time to such a great community minded group.

I have many many years of running and I am a certified fitness instructor.

I look forward to being on this Board of Directors and to ride with some great friends and meeting some new great friends.

Jane

I first picked up cycling as a hobby in 2013 and my main interest was along trails and exploring single tracks via Mountain Biking.  I loved being out in nature and exploring places I’ve never been.  It was a way to get outside and move after a long day of sitting at a desk.  In addition to riding, I also enjoy running and found cycling a great way to cross train.

In 2015 I started road cycling with a friend who was training for a triathlon.  And from there I bought my first road bike and loved to coordinate rides with friends and other cycling enthusiasts that enjoyed cruising the countryside; often stopping in for a coffee break or lunch on a patio for a little social time along the way. 

I work remotely for a residential home builder located in Guelph and currently work part-time (aka semi retired).  My husband and I moved to Owen Sound in the winter of 2021, and with more time on our hands to enjoy things we loved, we discovered there was an Owen Sound Cycling Club and signed up as members for our first year here and have been members since.  It’s a great opportunity to meet new people and explore the surrounding area by bike.  We never rode with an official “cycling group” before and at first, I was a little nervous joining a Cycling Club.  It can seem somewhat intimidating at first to some people.  But rest assured, we were warmly welcomed and guided by the cycling leaders on every ride until we gained the experience and comfort needed to ride in a pace line.  I owe that to the outstanding leadership team at OSCC and encourage everyone that’s interested in riding to join our club; there’s a ride for everyone at every skill level.  Our ride team will ensure you are placed in a group that is equivalent to your experience for a joyfully safe ride where you feel comfortable.

Hope to see you on some rides!

Melinda Smith