Biking on the Osgoode Trail

North Grenville Men’s Shed (The Shed) has about 45 members. Started about 2 years ago, meetings are held twice weekly in the local Salvation Army Hall. I was a friend of the current President who suggested my joining, which I did in October 2025. I was welcomed by all.

I had recently retired from a very active life working abroad. Because I was away from home a lot I didn’t really know anyone locally, and since joining the Shed, I have met some great men from varying backgrounds and ages.

My first few Shed meetings alerted me to the fact that woodworking was very much the focus of the group. For me, this held almost zero interest and little excitement! My main interest is 1960s & 70s Raliegh bikes, in particular the Twenty folding bikes, of which I have a few! As the months passed other men expressed an interest in cycling. Perhaps, I thought, we could arrange to have a ‘Gentlemen’s Bike Ride’ one day, where bikes and riders of all ages and levels of fitness could participate and cycle as far as they wanted to, northwards along the Osgoode Trail. (The Trail is part of an old railway line from Ottawa to Prescott and is maintained by the City of Ottawa.)

On a quite cool 14^th July 2026, eight Shedders met at 09.00 in Osgoode, at the southern end of the maintained Trail. (The forecast was for high temperatures which put off many.) There was an assortment of bikes, gear and enthusiasm. We all set off; some cycled further than others, which was to be expected. After nearly 2 hours, 8 men, in varying levels of sweatiness and achiness, met in the No Go Coffee Shop, where a good coffee & chat was had by all. We solved many of the world’s problems during that time!

The consensus was that the ride was a success and another will happen when it is cooler. Thanks to all participants: we had a good day and let’s look forward to ride no. 2!

Contributed by Member Andrew T.