Out-of-Town Participant Guide

Participants travelling to Toronto departure are eligible to be reimbursed up to $100 for transportation. Please keep your receipt and submit it to mmarchand@pwatoronto.org. You can book your transportation any time but note that reimbursements will not happen until after April 1st 2027.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Reimbursements can only be issued by Interac e-Transfer. Before requesting reimbursement, please confirm with your bank that you are able to receive Interac e-Transfers.

If you are unable to receive an Interac e-Transfer, you may request that the reimbursement amount be applied as a credit to your Bike Rally fundraising page instead.

Travelling with your bike can be nerve wracking and you need to decide whether to ship your bike in advance or travel with it when you depart for Toronto. Bike shipment options and costs vary depending on where you are coming from and the mode of transportation you are using. We recommend you check with your carrier (airline, train) on transportation options and prices.

For example: 

• Air Canada charges $50 CAD +taxes

• Porter Airlines charges $50 CAD +taxes

• VIA Rail allows bikes on-board as checked baggage for a charge of $25 CAD +taxes

• Bike Flights is an online tool that can be used to coordinate shipping if you choose to ship your bike separately. Visit their international shipping page for more information. 

❗U.S. and Canadian Customs only permit sales, repairs and gifts to ship on Ground. You must select Int’l Economy or Int’l Priority to ship your bike as personal item when traveling.

TIP: Past participants have reported some carriers providing shipping discounts or waiving the fee altogether when you inform them of the reason for your travel/bike shipping. Contact your carrier and tell them you’re cycling 600 km and how much you have raised for charity!

Bike Shipment & Services in Toronto: 

The Bike Rally has partnered with Cycle Solutions as a Sponsor (rider discounts) and as the Official Bike Shipping Location for out-of-town participants.

When shipping your bike ahead of the Rally, please use the following address: 

Cycle Solutions 
Attn: PWA’s Friends for Life Bike Rally 
444 Parliament St. 
Toronto, ON M5A 3A2 
Canada 

Contact: Scott Merritt, Sales Manager 
(416) 972-6948

❗Email a copy of your shipping information to Scott at scottm@cycle-solutions.com and cc bikerally@pwatoronto.org.

Cycle Solutions offers full support for:

• Bike assembly & disassembly

• Tune-ups and servicing

• Short-term bike box storage (riders who are returning back to Toronto)

If you require assembly or servicing, please book 3–4 weeks in advance to ensure availability.

👉 Online booking is now available with Cycle Solutions for bike servicing, shipping, assembly, and disassembly. BOOK HERE

Pricing:

• Assembly: $75 CAD

• Disassembly: $75 CAD

If you’re arriving in Toronto a few days before the Rally, we recommend:

• Shipping or bringing your bike to Cycle Solutions

• Booking assembly in advance

• Picking up your bike before departure day (most riders choose this option)

Cycle Solutions will store your bike box during the Rally for customers who book services and are flying out of Toronto.

Participants who mention they are riding in the Bike Rally will receive a 10-15% discount on parts and accessories. 

Renting from Exclusive Sports Rentals?
While Exclusive Sports Rentals is not an official Bike Rally partner, we had a positive experience working with them in 2026. If you choose to rent from them, be sure to mention that your rental is for participation in the Friends for Life Bike Rally. You will receive their charitable rate, and bike drop-off in Toronto and pickup after the Rally will be arranged for you.

BIKE RENTALS - DEPARTURE (TORONTO) INSTRUCTIONS

1. Have your bike rental company deliver the bike to our staging zone at Monsignor Fraser College, 146 Isabella St, Toronto, ON M4Y 1P6 (at rear of the building. Call 647-641-4357 if there are issues).

-Thursday July 29th, 10am-5pm (OKAY)
-Friday July 30th, 8am-6pm (IDEAL)
-Saturday July 31st, 8am-12pm (LESS IDEAL)

2. Email Marie at mmarchand@pwatoronto.org with your delivery information, including the rental company, delivery time, and what phone number we can reach you at once it arrives. Also include the return instructions for when it gets back to Toronto (see Arrival Instructions below).

3. The bike will be locked securely in the school until you retrieve it.

4. Retrieve your bike from staff at the school when you come for Packing Day on Saturday August 1st. Place your license plate on the bike.

5. Bring your bike back to your accommodations on Saturday night and test-ride it before we depart. If your accommodation does not allow bikes inside, email Marie at mmarchand@pwatoronto.org and we will arrange something - but this is only a last resort!

6. Ride your bike to Departure on Sunday morning.

BIKE RENTALS - ARRIVAL (MONTREAL) INSTRUCTIONS

1. After the Arrival celebration in Montreal, bring your bike to the "Out-Of-Town Bike Zone" near the trucks and bins.

2. Tell staff you have a Toronto rental and you'll be directed to place your bike on the appropriate truck

3. Staff will ensure your bike is returned to the rental company by end of day on Tuesday August 11th. Please remember to include your return information in your email to Marie.

Summer time is tourist time and the city of Toronto, as Canada’s largest city, is a major travel destination. Hotel accommodations can be both limited and pricy. Depending on the number of nights you plan on staying before and after the Bike Rally, the costs can quickly add up!

Option 1:
Daphne Cockwell Residence, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)
288 Church St, Toronto, ON M5B 1Z5

The Bike Rally has confirmed low-cost university dorm accommodations at TMU that will be available by request. TMU is located downtown and minutes away from our packing day and departure day locations, making it a popular accommodation among out-of-town participants. The cost is $75 CAD/night, which you will be reimbursed for afterwards. You’ll be able to spend 3 nights max. under this preferred rate (July 29, 30, and 31st), and up to 3 nights cost will be refunded to you.

Last Day to Book: Tuesday, June 01, 2027

BOOK YOUR STAY AT TMU HERE

Option 2:
Courtyard Marriott Hotel
475 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4Y 1X7

The Bike Rally has confirmed a preferred rate at the Downtown Courtyard Marriott Hotel, located minutes away from our packing day and departure day locations, as well at the Church-Wellesley Village. The cost is $349 CAD/night +tax. You’ll be able to spend 3 nights max. under this preferred rate (July 29th, 30th, and 31st). The cost of these rooms is not reimbursed by the Bike Rally.

Option 3:
If you would rather find alternative accommodations while in Toronto, we recommend the following: 

• Post your accommodation needs to the Bike Rally Facebook group page and ask if anyone has a spare room they could let you use while you’re in town.

• Discuss your travel plans with the Bike Rally Ambassadors Robb Walker and Andrew Quinlan or your Team Leaders and ask for recommendations.

• Toronto has many Air B&B rentals, however the weekend of the Bike Rally departure is typically The Toronto Carnival Festival as well, meaning that many Air B&B’s get reserved quickly. Be proactive and book early!

July 31st, 2027 9:00am to 1:00pm

All participants must be present on Packing Day, the day before departure on Saturday July 31st.

Location: Monsignor Fraser College – Isabella Campus 146 Isabella St. Toronto

On Packing Day (the day before departure) you will pack almost all of the items you will need for the week of the Bike Rally. Unlike local participants, you will likely have a few items such as toiletries, change of clothes, etc. that you will need for the night before departure and you may want to bring with you during the week. We recommend placing these items in a backpack and bringing it to departure the next morning. There, you will find the check-in table and be able to place a name label on your backpack. These bags will be transported to the campsite in Port Hope at the end of day 1 for pick-up.

Exception: If you are a Montreal 300KM from outside the Toronto area, you will pack your bins upon your arrival to Queen’s University on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 3rd.

Traveling with camping gear can be a pain. Although we do prefer you to supply your own equipment, we realize travelling with this can be difficult. Consider the following suggestions to help make your packing and travelling a little easier: 

• If you're travelling from out of town and can't bring your gear, you can borrow any equipment you need from us. To request camping equipment, use this link: Camping Gear Request Form

• Post to the Bike Rally Facebook group asking if people have extra camping gear that they’re not using. There are many Bike Rally participants who are part of the Facebook group who may not be doing the ride this year. 

• If you are coming with another person, consider only packing one of the necessities (e.g. tent, air pump) and share your tent for the week.

If you are travelling home from Montreal and need your bike disassembled and packed for travel, you can book Bike Disassembly Service in advance.

Bike disassembly will take place on-site at the Arrival park while the Arrival celebration is underway. Simply bring your bike to the designated bike disassembly area after you arrive.

Your bike will be disassembled and packed during the celebration and will be ready for pickup by the end of the Arrival party, so you will have it with you in time to take the shuttle bus to your accommodations.

Advance booking is required. The cost is $75 CAD.

[BOOK MONTREAL BIKE DISASSEMBLY]

• If returning home via Montreal: your bike box travels with the Rally and will be with you.  

• If returning home via Toronto: your bike box remains in Toronto and will be available for pickup the Monday and Tuesday following the Rally.

When the Bike Rally arrives in Montréal, participants can choose from three accommodation options arranged for the group. You are also welcome to make your own accommodation arrangements.

Please book your accommodation in advance using the links below.

Grey Nuns Residence — Concordia University

1190 Guy St, Montréal, QC H3H 2L4

• Available: Friday, August 6; Saturday, August 7; Sunday, August 8

• Room type: University residence room with communal bathrooms

• Air conditioning: No

• Bike Rally rate: $75 CAD/night

• Rider reimbursement: Riders will be reimbursed for one night of accommodation. Crew will be reimbursed for two nights. Any additional nights are at your own expense.

Accommodation is booked through the Bike Rally. Each night must be booked separately through the booking page.

Last Day to Book: Thursday, July 01, 2027

[BOOK YOUR STAY AT THE GREY NUNS RESIDENCE]

Residence Inn by Marriott Montréal Downtown

2045 Peel St, Montréal, QC H3A 1T6

• Available: Friday, August 6; Saturday, August 7; Sunday, August 8

• Room type: Hotel room with private bathroom

• Air conditioning: Yes

• Bike Rally group rate: $309 CAD/night + tax

• Reimbursement: Hotel accommodation is not reimbursed by the Bike Rally.

Book directly with the hotel using the Bike Rally booking link below to access the group rate.

Last Day to Book : Thursday, June 24, 2027

[BOOK YOUR STAY AT THE MARRIOTT RESIDENCE INN]

Marriott Le Centre Sheraton Montréal

1201 René-Lévesque Blvd W, Montréal, QC H3B 2L7

• Available: Friday, August 6; Saturday, August 7; Sunday, August 8

• Room type: Hotel room with private bathroom

• Air conditioning: Yes

• Bike Rally group rate: $329 CAD/night + tax

• Reimbursement: Hotel accommodation is not reimbursed by the Bike Rally.

Book directly with the hotel using the Bike Rally booking link below to access the group rate.

Last Day to Book : Tuesday, July 06, 2027

[BOOK YOUR STAY AT LE CENTRE SHERATON]

Free shuttle transportation will be available from the Bike Rally Arrival site to the Grey Nuns Residence, Le Centre Sheraton and the Residence Inn by Marriott. No advance booking is required for the shuttle.

Crew Return Transportation to Toronto

With a few exceptions, most Crew Members will drive back in the rental vehicles on Sunday, August 8th at 8:00 AM. If you would like to stay longer than Sunday, you need permission from your Crew Leads. If Crew stay longer in Montréal, their third night at Grey Nuns will not be reimbursed.

Rider Return Transportation to Toronto

The Bike Rally will be providing 3 return options departing from the Grey Nuns Residence in Montreal, with stops at Trellis in Kingston & Mgsr. Fraser College - Isabella Campus in Toronto.

They will depart:
Saturday, August 7th, 2027 @ Noon (Shuttle Van or Coach Bus)
Sunday, August 8th, 2027 @ Noon (Coach Bus)
Monday, August 9th, 2027 @ Noon (Coach Bus)

A refundable $50 deposit is required to reserve your seat. The deposit will be refunded if you use your spot - no-shows will not receive a refund.

[BOOK YOUR RETURN TRANSPORTATION HERE]

If you are returning to Toronto:

• Your bike will be transported back to Toronto on the trucks

• Pickup location: Monsignor Fraser College (packing day location)

• Pickup days: Monday and Tuesday following the Rally between 4:00 - 8:00 PM

Please note:

• Bikes cannot be picked up earlier

• Bikes cannot be held beyond this window

• If you are unavailable, you must arrange for someone to pick up your bike on your behalf