Randonneurs Ontario
Access Grant
The Randonneurs Ontario Access Grant is designed to reduce barriers to the ultra-distance riding community. This access grant is for someone from a group under-represented in the ultra-distance riding community that would have otherwise not been able to participate in Randonneurs Ontario events.
We have been heavily inspired by the work of RAR’s SJ Brooks Scholarship.
Recipients
The grant is meant to reduce barriers for individuals who intend on completing a Brevet of at least 200km.
You must be able to physically attend an event on the Randonneurs Ontario schedule
The ideal recipient will be someone who:
- have existing experience with cycling in their community
- have a plan for training and completing an Brevet of at least 200km
- are enthusiastic about riding bicycles and growing their ultra-distance cycling experience
- are part of an underrepresented group within the ultra-distance cycling community
- absolutely need financial assistance to participate in the Randonneurs Ontario events
Grant
This grant covers the registration fees and equipment requirements for Randonneurs Ontario events, for a total value of $2000. This includes:
- Randonneurs Ontario membership fees for 2023
- $1500 worth of support from one of our bicycle shops sponsors, such as:
- Bicycle tune-up, repair, and/or misc equipment
- Required night riding equipment, such as sufficient lighting and a reflective vest or sash
- Approved cycling helmet
- Equipment bags sufficient for a 200km+ ride
- $500 worth of support for use during a Randonneurs Ontario event, such as
- Meals in-between the controls
- Lodging for overnight controls, if needed
- Extra equipment required to complete a brevet, such as flat repair kits
- Supplemental childcare
One recipient will also receive a bicycle bag suitable for air travel, donated by Internet Light and Power.
This grant does not cover the Ontario Cycling membership. OC Membership is included in all racing licenses, or it can be obtained with an OC Affiliate Club Membership.
Grant committee
The grant committee is responsible for determining the recipient of the grant. They are the only ones who will view your answers to this submission. They are:
- Carey Chappelle
- Charles Horslin
- Dave Thompson
- Erin Marchak
- Gwyneth Mitchell
- Martin Cooper
- Peter Leiss
Supporters
If your company would like to get involved, please email us at vp@randonneurs.to.
This grant is possible thanks to the generosity of:
Photography provided by members of Randonneurs Ontario: Scheherazade Haque, Stephen Jones, Tiago Varella-Cid
About us
Randonneurs Ontario is an ultra-distance cycling club. We've been riding long distance rides from of Toronto and southern Ontario since 1982.
Randonneurs Ontario is affiliated with the Audax Club Parisien, the parent organization governing the qualification of riders wishing to participate in the 1200K Paris - Brest - Paris Randonnee. The club is also affiliated with Les Randonneurs Mondiaux, which provides recognition for brevets other than Paris - Brest - Paris that are longer than 1000K.
Register to ride with us
Recent member reports
A tale of two Fleche Teams: Randonneurs Ontario Fleche 2023
This ride report is co-narrated by Fred Chagnon and JungAh Hong, two randonneurs representing each of the participating teams in the 2023 Randonneurs Ontario Fleche Event. In this event, two teams departed on the evening of Friday May 19th, and rode for 24 hours until the evening of Saturday May 20th.
Though coming from opposite directions, the two teams would aim to meet at the predetermined destination of Belleville, Ontario.
=-=-=-=-=- The Teams –=-=-=-=-=
Fred, Marc, Brenda, Tim, Dave, Rob
Team: Les Quintuplets de Belleville (Huron)
Members: Fred Chagnon, Dave Cole, Marc Deshaies (SAG...
Continue readingThe Great Canada Bicycle Tour 600km brevet ride report by Martin Cooper
The Great Canada Bicycle Tour 600km
Introduction
On May 6-7 I participated in an amazing 600 km bicycle tour of southern Ontario first undertaken by the Chicago Bicycle Club in 1883. Of course, their ride pre-dated the invention of the inflatable tire and was done on heavy steel penny-farthing bicycles. While they spent more than one-week touring Ontario, we had to complete the same route in under 40 hours, including time spent stopping for food and sleep. In addition, the Chicago wheelmen were fully supported, while our ride was self-supported except for the overnight. The route began in ...
Continue reading