WHAT IS CYCLON?

Cyclon® is a 4-day cycle touring mini vacation that takes place every year during the August Civic long weekend. This year Cyclon starts on Friday, Aug 1 and concludes Monday, Aug 4, 2025. It is the premier annual event of TBN, a not-for-profit recreational cycling club with approximately 800 members. Both the Club and Cyclon Committee rely on volunteers to run events. Cyclon has been running for over 30 years, visiting locations including: Kingston, Ottawa, Peterborough, Barrie, Kitchener, St. Catherines, Guelph, Belleville, Waterloo and, 2 years ago, London.

We are pleased to announce that this year’s Cyclon will be hosted at Trent University, located in the beautiful city of Peterborough, Ontario,1.5-2 hours northeast of Toronto. Cyclists will be able to enjoy rides along the Otonabee River, including urban routes and rural country roads with opportunities to visit and enjoy parks, beaches, nature attractions, museums, historic landmarks, restaurants, micro-breweries, and much more.

And of course, Cyclon would not be complete without the ever-popular Sunday Night Banquet. This year it is again at Trent’s “Great Hall”, less than 700 metres from our residence, complete with wonderful buffet style, three course meal with 3 entrée options followed by dancing.

The Great Hall

CYCLING

What are the tour routes like?

Cyclon will feature 15 - 20 rides over four days, designed for all ride levels. The Cyclon Committee and our route planners created routes to highlight the very best of the area. As per previous years, cyclists will continue to enjoy the beautiful countryside interwoven with small towns and interesting historical or geographical features.

You will have your choice of different cycling routes for each day of Cyclon. Route maps will be available so that you can plan your cycling. The routes range from 15 to 110 km in length and are based on the TBN ride categories: Leisure Wheeler, Urban Roller, Short Tourist, Tourist, and Long Tourist. For more information on these categories, visit our website (The Toronto Bicycling Network Inc. - Choose your level (tbn.ca)). An experienced ride leader will be leading and sweeping each tour.

As in previous years, we will offer shorter rides on Friday afternoon and Monday morning for members who want to fit the most cycling into their long weekend.

VOLUNTEERING

Who runs Cyclon, can I help?

The answer is YES, YOU CAN! Like everything about TBN, nothing could happen without our members stepping up to lend a hand. Volunteering is a great way to meet people and help make this event as enjoyable as possible. On the registration page there will be a list of all the volunteer positions available. When you are registering, please consider how you can volunteer.

ACCOMMODATIONS

What is provided in the residence suite? The residence suites are for 2-person occupancy, one person per bedroom with a shared washroom. Supplied: 2 pillows, linen/blanket 3 towels (no face clothes). Each person can lock their bedroom door.

You will be able to bring your bike into your room overnight. There are 2 lounges on each floor complete with a full refrigerator, microwave, sink and sitting area. You can do laundry, but you will need to bring your own soap.

Can I choose my suitemate? Of course! As part of the registration process, you will be asked for the name of the person with whom you wish to share a suite. Where provided, the Cyclon committee will do our very best to pair individuals with their chosen suitemate and billet couples together. Please include specific requests in your registration details.

What if I didn’t choose a suitemate? If you do not indicate a suitemate on your registration form, you will be placed in a suite with a participant of the same gender.

Where do I check-in? Check-in is at the main entrance to the residence. Cyclon will have reception tables set up to give room keys, pass/meal cards and general directions to arriving participants. We will also have porters to help offload your vehicles.

What time can we check in at the residence? Check-in time on Aug 1st is from noon to 8 pm. Anyone arriving between 8 and 10 pm will check-in with RESIDENCE staff at the RESIDENCE reception desk, also located at the main entrance. If you will be arriving after 10pm and have an estimated time of arrival, contact via email conferences@trentu.ca  or call/text (705-740-3791) so staff can be prepared. There are staff members who sleep on campus 7 days a week, so it just takes moments for them to meet you at the front desk. Please call when you are about 20 mins away.

What time is check-out? Check-out time on Monday Aug 4th is 2 pm.

Can I stay for extra days? Yes. In this case you need to call Trent in July at 705-748-1011  ext 7070 or email conferences@trentu.ca . Please wait until July because Trent will then know the room you will be staying in. It is also possible to extend your stay once you are at Cyclon, by visiting the front desk.

What if I lose my keys/pass card? If your room key (actual metal key) is lost, you will be charged $140. This is because the entire lock set will have to be replaced. You will be charged $10 for lost pass card.

TRANSPORTATION

Parking: Parking is complimentary from noon on Friday until 2 pm on Monday. It is opposite Gzowski College where we are staying. As part of the check-in registration, you will be given a parking pass which must be displayed on your dash when parked anywhere on campus. Any vehicle that does not have a pass on their dashboard will be ticketed.

What if I need a ride to/from Cyclon? When you register for Cyclon you will be asked whether you need a ride, and whether you can give a ride. We will then attempt to match those who need and those who can offer rides hopefully based on proximity to each other. NOTE: There is no guarantee we will be able to find you a ride. Drivers typically appreciate a contribution of $30 each way from the passenger(s.) but the exact amount is up to the driver.

Is there public transit? Yes, there is a GO bus from Toronto that stops in front of the residence. There is also a Peterborough Transit stop, if you want to take a bus downtown.

How will I get to the restaurant for dinner on Saturday? Guests will meet at the residence and carpool or share taxis.

MEALS

Can I prepare any of my own meals? No! Trent does not permit the preparation of meals in your room. Lounge areas include a fridge, microwave and sink, but other meal preparation equipment is not available, so people do make sandwiches, but nothing elaborate. You may want to bring a cooler for your room, but you will have to supply your own ice.

What about special dietary needs or allergies? If you have any special dietary needs, requirements, or allergies, please indicate these concerns at the time of online registration. The organizing committee will provide this information to our caterers who will do everything they can to accommodate.

Will the breakfast be better than last year? Yes! Your Cyclon committee negotiated a breakfast with greater variety and quantity than last year, with hot foods as well as bread, bagels, yogurt and fruit. (The cost of registration remains the same.)

ENTERTAINMENT

Aside from cycling, what other social/entertainment options will be available?

Friday dinner and games night; Saturday dinner in small groups; Sunday banquet. There is time to explore Peterborough on your own – the beaches, Canoe Museum, the locks on the Trent-Severn canal.

Bonus amenity – As a rainy-day activity or for an après-ride sauna, a nominal fee of $9.75 adult/ $8.50 seniors (55+) will get you a Day Pass for Trent’s Athletic Centre. The Day Pass allows you unlimited access (for the day) to:

• The 12,000 sq. ft. fitness centre.
• All group fitness drop-in programs.
• All swimming drop-in sessions, including lane swims, public swims, and aquafit.
• All open gym sessions, including drop-in basketball and drop-in pickleball.
• Day use lockers, showers and sauna.

What can I expect at the Sunday Night Buffet Dinner & Dance? – This evening is traditionally one of the highlights of the Cyclon weekend. The event features a fabulous 3 course meal, prizes, and of course a DJ with lots of dancing! It will be held in The Great Hall, less than a 700 m walk from our residence.

Is there a specific dinner attire? Attire normally ranges from casual to semi-formal. Don’t forget to bring comfortable shoes for dancing.

COST INCLUSIONS

What do I get with my registration? You get three nights’ accommodation (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights), and 3 breakfasts (Sat, Sun & Mon), cycling tours with ride leaders and sweeps, Friday Pizza, post-ride snacks, and of course Sunday’s Buffet Dinner & Dance.

How do I register for Cyclon? TBN requires that all event registration be done on-line through the TBN website. As TBN no longer accepts cheques, payment must be processed during on-line registration with a credit card, PayPal, or e-transfers.

Your spot at Cyclon is reserved when you have completed the entire online registration form, and your payment is received. Please ensure that you provide your correct email address when you register for yourself. We use this email address to send you additional information and directions. Please check your Bulk or Spam email folders in addition to your inbox.

Am I guaranteed a ride to and from Cyclon if I indicated during registration that I would like one? No. We rely on the generosity of other cyclists with cars to help with transporting people and bikes.

How can I register online if I don't have a computer? If you have a smart phone you can register at tbn.ca, or you could ask a fellow club member with a computer to help you register for Cyclon or take advantage of computer access available at any Public Library in Ontario.

I am not a member. Can I get my TBN membership while I sign up for Cyclon? Yes, you can - but become a TBN member first before you register for Cyclon. You will then get your TBN membership and save money by registering for Cyclon at the member's price. The TBN membership form is available at www.tbn.ca/join.

What happens if I want to cancel my registration? All cancellations are subject to a $50 per person cancellation processing fee. NOTE: If you cancel AFTER July 9th, you will lose the full registration fee but, with the approval of the Cyclon Director, you may sell your package.

What happens if I have an illness, accident or emergency after the cancellation date? Sadly, you will lose the full registration fee, but you may sell your package with the approval of the Cyclon director.

What happens if there is a COVID Outbreak? Should the government initiate a city or province-wide lock-down due to COVID, and Cyclon must cancel, we will refund your registration fee less $50 to cover non-refundable expenses and other losses that may be incurred.

Should TBN or Cyclon become aware of COVID cases arising from or during the Cyclon weekend, we will follow existing TBN COVID notification protocols.