MISSION:

Winnipeg Cycling Club exists to facilitate recreational cycling, and to enhance growth and skill as cyclists.

OBJECTIVES

OUR RIDES

We offer a variety of rides on different days of the week which are described below. 

Northspokes:   Monday - Evening

This ride begins at the parking area at the North Perminiter Hwy and Henderson Hwy.  From here the ride travels through the area of West and East St Paul and up to the Halfmoon Cafe near Lockpfort.  This is a very nice scenic ride with lots of interesting sights, smells and sounds with a great group of riders.  After snacks and refreshments at the Cafe the ride then returns to the starting point along Henderson Hwy.  Sweeps are provided to offer company and assistance to those who fall behind for whatever reason.

Southspokes:   Monday - Evening

Begins at the Pembina Crossing Mall behind Shapes and crosses the river to River Rd.  Once ride meets with St. Mary's Rd it turns south and continues until it reaches the Red River floodway.  After crossing the floodway it turns south and travels along Red River Dr. to Hwy 75..  The ride returns from here on the west side of the river, travelling through St Norbert and U of M back to the starting point.  This is a very nice country setting ride with light traffic once it passes the Perimiter Hwy.

Both ,  Northspokes and Southspoke start at 6:00 PM in the months of April and September due to shorter daylight hours.  Rides begin at 6:30 PM,  May through August.

Cycle in the City:  Wednesday - Evening

This ride typically begins at the MB Legislature but other locations are also chosen for various reasons, such as ride time and distance.  This ride is where a lot of club members started and this one still remains and very popular ride.  It travels the local streets and few trails throughout Winnipeg neighbourhoods and offers a quiet ride with lots of social interaction between riders.  A great ride to meet others and share experiences.  Ride leaders have been known on occasion to include an ice cream stop if time permits.

 Weekend Rides:   Saturday or Sunday - Day Rides

The club offers rides on a weekend day of varying lengths and difficulties depending on the time of year.  These typically alternate between offroad trails and on road rides travelling to various locations outside the city.  These offer the members an opportunity to try out the "open road" concept with a group of like minded cyclists and a chance to see other areas of the province.  A great chance to witness the scenic and aromatic pleasures of the surrounding countryside.

CLUB HISTORY

The Winnipeg Cycletouring Club was formed by two young students, Chris Miles and Bernie Narvey in early 1983. The idea for a non-competitive riding club came about after Chris Miles journeyed out west in the summer of 1982 to participate in a 25 day supported tour from Missoula, Montana to Jasper, Alberta. Chris enjoyed this tour and brought the idea back to Winnipeg, where he told his friend, Bernie Narvey.In the months to follow, the two planned to form a cycletouring club in Winnipeg. During the winter of 1983, Bernie created a poster of Albert Einstein riding a bicycle, with an "expand your universe" poster theme. The poster was circulated throughout Winnipeg and they soon starting getting phone calls about the idea of forming a local cycletouring club. In the first year the club had a membership of about 45 people, including Chris, Bernie, Wendy Lipinski, Jim Braun, Sherman Himelblau, Howard Skrynyk, Cathie Morrison. The first year there were probably around 15-20 hardcore members who were regulars on most of the rides. The Wednesday evening rides starting from the legislature were started that first year due to the central location. The first public event the club was involved in was the National Bicycle Day on May 22,1983. The first year, 4 tours were organized, the first being the July '83 long weekend tour of the Whiteshell from Winnipeg to the Whiteshell, a 3 day tour. That year there were 3 other tours including one at Riding Mountain National Park. Near the end of 1983, the club held it's first social function to commemorate it's first year of existence. Chris Miles left Winnipeg near the end of 1983 to pursue a career in Toronto, with Bernie Narvey taking over as Club President. Bernie held this office until 1986 when due to work commitments he also, was forced to step down. These days Chris Miles is living back in Winnipeg and runs a computer consulting business. Bernie Narvey still lives here and is involved in the local film industry.