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Ride Day Schedule
1. Ride Day, Sunday, May 24:
- The GIRO takes place rain or shine.
- The GIRO is a tour, not a race.
- Bicycles only.
Breakfast & Registration begin at 7:00 a.m. The ride begins 8:30 a.m. SHARP. Stretch and warm up at home before traveling to Columbus Centre. Light breakfast food will be provided, but be sure to drink plenty of fluids before setting out. Water and food will be provided at rest stops along the route.
Arrive at Columbus Centre Parking lot (please park in the back near the tennis courts if you are driving). Parking is free. If you have not pre-registered or signed a waiver please do so at the registration table upon arrival.
It is mandatory that all riders sign a waiver in order to ride. Pledge money can also be handed in at the registration table.
Opening Ceremonies: There will be welcoming remarks at 8:00 a.m. and the announcement of the Maglia Rosa winner. Riders cycling the 100km route will leave first and shortly after the riders cycling the 65km route will then depart.
2. Cycling the route:
- All Riders must wear a helmet - no exceptions.
- The city streets will NOT be closed off for the GIRO. You are sharing the roads, trails and parks with the rest of the city.
- Police officers will assist where busy intersections involve a left hand turn ONLY.
- All Riders are expected to follow the rules of the road.
- First Response Ontario will be available along the route for any accidents or injuries.
- Volunteers wearing pink t-shirts will be along the route to assist with any questions or directions.
The GIRO is an urban adventure! Cycling in Toronto and Vaughan is fun, but also challenging in spots, at times confusing and even
dangerous if you are not careful.
- Always ride in single file.
- Avoid riding alone.
- If not a seasoned rider, stay with your ride leader
For optimal safety and wayfinding, please cycle with one of our Ride Leaders. (The route will be signed as well as possible under the circumstances, but there are no guarantees you will not get lost if you ride on your own). Do not arrive on ride day unprepared, without having looked at the ride map. Ultimately you alone are responsible for finding your way if you choose to ride by yourself. For this reason, you should ride with your route maps stored in a convenient place on your bike in the event you get separated from the Ride Leaders.
Car Traffic: While it is an urban ride, the Giro route is chosen to avoid traffic as much as possible. Automobile traffic on early Sunday morning will be very light, until about 11am. It will not get heavy until approx. 1-2pm. By then most Riders will have finished and made there way back to Columbus Centre for the post-ride BBQ.
- Streetcar/Railroad tracks cross them at a 90-degree angle!
Thin tires (e.g. road tires) will get stuck in streetcar tracks and can easily result in injury if you are not careful. So never hop across parallel to the tracks. If you are downtown and a car is blocking the curb lane in front of you, it is much safer to wait patiently for it to move than attempt to cross over into the streetcar lane and back and risk getting your tires stuck.
- Change your hand and body position frequently. This will help stop strain on your body. Keeps arms relaxed and dont lock elbows, especially going over bumps!
- Dont stop pedaling on a downhill. Pedaling constantly helps ensure you get rid of lactic acid, which causes soreness in your muscles.
3. Help along the route:
If you or another rider have a mishap, and there is no help in immediate view, call Robert Kennedy, First Response Ontario at 1-866-FRO-EMS1
Mercedes Benz Maple will provide us with 2 vehicles that will be following the route and pick up any who may be exhausted.
4. Rest-stops and other stops along the route:
There are several rest stops along the route that feature Italian specialties to keep riders refreshed and energized. The rest stops will be marked as well they will have volunteers who will assist you with any issues.
If you are participating in the 65 km route your rest stops will be at:
College & Montrose Sicilian Sidewalk Cafe
Scarlett & Eglinton Edenbridge Plaza CIBC Branch
Weston & Steeles VITA Community Living Services/Mens Sana
Chesswood & Carl Hall Downsview Park
If you are participating in the 100 km route your rest stops will be at:
College & Montrose Sicilian Sidewalk Cafe
Scarlett & Eglinton Edenbridge Plaza CIBC Branch
Weston & Steeles VITA Community Living Services/Mens Sana
Islington & Steeles Famee Furlane Club
Nashville & Hwy 27 Villa Colombo Vaughan
Chesswood & Carl Hall Downsview Park
WATER STOPS will also be available along the route with volunteers.
5. Finish Line Barbecue
Congratulations you have finished the route! Use your GIRO Pink Bracelet to receive your free BBQ, Pizza, and PASTA FAGIOLI!
Closing Ceremonies will begin at approximately 12:30 p.m. were we will be awarding prizes along with some entertainment.
Family & Friends can enjoy the BBQ, Pizza and Pasta Fagioli for $5.00
Good luck in your fundraising and training, and see you at the GIRO, on Sunday May 24!
- What to bring on ride day
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