Group Rides – Safety

SAFETY:

Helmets MUST be worn at all times while riding on a bicycle during OSCC activities.

Earbuds, headphones, hands-free phones, portable sound systems, etc are NOT permitted on any club rides including time trials.

Working front and rear lights are STRONGLY encouraged on all bicycles.

Brightly coloured clothing is recommended – being visible to drivers and other cyclists means improved rider safety. 

Group Rides

Aerobars, extensions, time trial or triathlon bikes are not permitted on group rides

Time Trials

Tri and TT bikes are permitted.  You may use aerobars and/or extensions in time trials. 







Email Subscriptions / Managing Interests

Most of our emails go out to all of our subscribers. But some of our ride leaders send out email only to a specific interest group. We try to keep the database up to date, but the groups a member is interested in are best managed by the member.
You can do this using the form “Manage your email subscription & interests” that is top, right on every page of the web site. Even if you are already subscribed, you can enter your email address and check off the group or groups you are interested in.

There are currently three groups, but the Women’s Rides group is the one used the most.

Then click on the (poorly named) Subscribe button.





Grey County CP Rail Trail Information

OSCC member, Brian Low has maintained communication with the County of Grey – Natalie Mechalko, Trails and Forestry Coordinator, and the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority – Morgan Barrie, Operations Manager, regarding the conditions and status of the Grey County CP Rail Trail.

The CP Rail Trail offers 12-month multi-use trail access for both motorized (ATV and snowmobile) and non-motorized users from Dundalk to Owen Sound, with certain restrictions for the motorized uses. Currently, the CP Rail Trail from Grey Road 18 to Owen Sound does not permit ATV use and is designated as a non-motorized multi-use trail during the spring, summer, and fall. The trail can only accommodate ATVs up to 54 inches wide.

Links providing further information on the trail are found here:

https://www.visitgrey.ca/business/grey-county-cp-rail-trail
https://www.trailforks.com/trails/grey-county-cp-rail-trail-n/
https://www.trailforks.com/trails/grey-county-cp-rail-trail-s/

Over the past few years, the trail has been graded and resurfaced in sections. Natalie Mechalko, provided an update on the trail this spring:

“In terms of the resurfacing, in 2022 the trail was resurfaced north of Thistlewood Road at the south side of Bridge 42 – approximately 200 metres south of Sideroad 80.  The remainder of the work (Sideroad 180 to Dundalk, approximately 12 kilometres remaining) is anticipated to be completed summer of 2023.  In terms of trail maintenance, the County and Grey Sauble have been having discussions with the ATV club and determining what requirements are needed for the club to be able to do this maintenance.  Additionally, we are working on an Adopt-a-trail program that would allow individuals, groups or clubs to participate in trail stewardship.”

More recently on May 24th, Ms. Mechalko provided the following in response to our inquiries:

“The gates have been left open as part of a pilot project to see if the open gates reduce the instances of vehicles traveling around the gates and causing trail erosion.  We have notified police contacts and clubs of this project and requested that they note in their trail reports instances of vehicles over 54” accessing the trail.  Thank you for providing the feedback on the increase in larger side-by-sides – if you have additional details around the approximate section of trail and date, I can include that in a trail report.

The ATV club coordinates with police to patrol the trail and check for compliance with membership and trail rules.  The club submits monthly trail reports to the County noting trail maintenance and safety concerns.

County forest and trail properties are closed to all users from sunset to sunrise.  I will look into whether there would be any circumstances that would grant users permission to use the trail between sunset and sunrise.”

The Grey County CP Rail Trail is a popular recreational ride for OSCC members and visitors to the area. If you become aware of trail deterioration, unsafe practices, or have information that can assist this to be the tremendous cycling asset to the County it has the potential to be, please share with Brian Low, at brian.low@lowdirect.ca. He will share information with the County and Conservation Authority as appropriate.

When cycling on the trail, please observe proper etiquette. Slow down and notify walkers on the trail as you approach. Slow down for oncoming ATVs and encourage oncoming ATVs to slow to walking speed when passing. When ATVs are overtaking, slow or stop when able to safely do so and allow ATVs to pass. Encourage overtaking ATVs to slow to walking pace when passing.