Jeff Otto Celebration of Life Bike Ride
Jeff Otto Celebration of Life Bike Ride
On August 4, 2024, the Friends for Life Bike Rally community tragically lost Jeff Otto, one of their brightest lights on Day 1 of their trek from Toronto to Montreal to raise funds for those living with HIV and AIDS in our communities.
Jeff has been fundraising for the Toronto People with AIDS Foundation (PWA) for 10 years and has been a fearless leader among us. To say that Jeff will be missed is an understatement. Loved by all who knew him, he touched every life he met in a way that made him indelibly remembered and affectionately adored.
In honour of Jeff, members of the Bike Rally community will be hosting a memorial bike ride with an arrival at Jeff Otto’s Celebration of Life that will be held from 1 PM to 4 PM with the eulogy at 1:30 PM sharp at the Country Heritage Park (Gambrel Barn).
RIDE INFORMATION
This is a 61 km (the age Jeff was) round trip “no-drop” ride (meaning that we all ride together the whole way there and back) led by Team Shift$ Creak (Jeff’s 2024 Bike Rally team) and swept by Team Shania Chain (Jeff’s last sweeps before the 2024 Bike Rally) to pay tribute to this incredible human:
The route is a relatively flat mix of bike paths, bike lanes & country roads and will be car swept.
Riders should come prepared with water, snacks and dressed for the weather.
The celebration is being held indoors. Riders are encouraged to bring a small backpack to hold additional clothing & comfortable shoes as you will cool down while in attendance.
TRAVEL OPTION 1: Take the GO Train to Oakville GO Station (departure times vary based on location) for a 9:30 AM arrival (See GO Bike Policy).
TRAVEL OPTION 2: Drive to Oakville GO Station for a 9:30 AM arrival
(free parking is available on a first come, first served basis).Warm-up for the ride at the Oakville GO Station starts at 9:45 AM
Departure will be from the Oakville GO Station is at 10 AM
Snack stop is at the Starbucks Plaza at 26 KM (Main Street West & Tremaine Road)
*** Since this is a “no-drop” ride, we will all depart from the snack stop together so we arrive together at Jeff’s Celebration of Life ***
Arrival for the Celebration is at Country Heritage Park (8650 Tremaine Road, Milton) at the Gambrel Barn will run approximately from 1 to 4 PM (eulogy is at 1:30 PM sharp)
A warm-up for the ride back starts at 4:05 PM, departure will be shortly after.
*** Shift$ Creakers are asked to wear their team jerseys. All other 2024 Bike Rally participants are asked to wear their Day 1/6 official 2024 Bike Rally jersey. All other cyclists are asked to wear their most recent Day 1/6 official Bike Rally jersey. ***
For those who knew Jeff Otto and/or who are unable to attend the ride, his loved ones encourage donations to his fundraising efforts for the Bike Rally in lieu of flowers.
Crew return date
Date: Sunday, August 11, 2024, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Location: Monsignor Fraser College – Isabella Campus
Address: 146 Isabella St. Toronto
Refer to page 27 of the crew handbook for details. Click here for the 2023 crew handbook
Arrival Celebration
Arrival Celebration at Robin des Bois Chalet in Parc Lafontaine, Montreal. Sherbrooke Av. & Av. du Parc LaFontaine. Click for Google Map.
Time: 3pm-6pm
Friends and Family should arrive by 3:30pm in order not to miss the Riders!
Riders arrive approximately 4:00pm.
Day 6: Lancaster to Montreal
Departure: Lancaster, Ontario
Destination: Montreal, Quebec
Distance: 104 Km
Day 6 2024 Route
Subject to change
Click HERE for 2024 rider cue-sheets for the entire ride
Click ‘View full version’ below for the Ride with GPS route.
Day 1: Toronto to Port Hope
Departure Ceremony: Corktown Common Park, Toronto
7:00am: Participants Arrive. Group Photos, etc.
8:00am: Speeches
8:30am: Riders Depart!
Destination: Port Hope, Ontario
Distance: 115 Km
2024 Route
Subject to change
Click HERE for 2024 rider cue-sheets for the entire ride
Click HERE for the social events for Day 1
Click ‘View full version’ below for the Ride with GPS route.
2024 Friends for Life Bike Rally Toronto to Montreal
Click HERE for rider cue-sheets for all six days
Shown below is the entire six days combined into one route.
Click ‘View full version’ below for the Ride with GPS route.
Packing Day
Date: Saturday, August 3, 2024, 9:00 AM-1:00 PM
Location: Monsignor Fraser College – Isabella Campus
Address: 146 Isabella St. Toronto
Check out your Handbook here for more info!
Training Ride: 407 - Keswick
Important Note: TTC Subway closure all weekend from St. Clair West to Sheppard West stations. Give yourself additional time. Subway to 407 station is quite long even when open.
Departure: Highway 407 subway station — meet at the passenger pick-up exit (see image below).
Start time: 8:00 AM. Please show up 15 minutes early for sign-in, announcements and warm-up.
Destination: Keswick On with a BBQ! Please bring $12 cash if you’d like to eat with us. Net proceeds are donated to the Toronto People with AIDS Foundation.
Distance: 132 km
Click here to view the Ride With GPS Route
Click here to download the Map & Cue sheet
If you have any questions regarding this training ride, please contact training@bikerally.org.
Training Ride : Kipling - Glen Williams
Departure: Kipling subway station — meet at the northeast corner of Aukland Road and St. Albans Road, across the street from the passenger pick-up area (see image below).
Start time: 9:30 AM. Please show up 15 minutes early for sign-in, announcements and warm-up.
Distance: 106 km
Destination: Glen Williams Georgetown with a BBQ! Please bring $12 cash if you’d like to eat with us. Net proceeds are donated to the Toronto People with AIDS foundation.
Click here to view the Ride With GPS Route
Click here to download the Map & Cue sheet
If you have any questions regarding this training ride, please contact training@bikerally.org.
Montreal Training - West Island
Montreal Training: West Island
Departure: We will meet at the corner of Laurier and Mentana. Laurier metro is the closest, just bike NE to the meet up area.
Start time: 10 AM. Please show up 15 minutes early for sign-in, announcements and warm-up.
Destination: West Island
Distance: 100 km
Click here to view the Ride With GPS Route
Click here to download the Map & Cue sheet
If you have any questions regarding this training ride, please contact kevin_egan@yahoo.com
Montreal Training - Chambly-St. Bruno
Montreal Training - Chambly-St. Bruno
Departure: We will be meeting at Parc Lafontaine at Avenue Calixa-Lavallée and Sherbrooke.
Start time: 8:30 AM. Please show up 15 minutes early for sign-in, announcements and warm-up.
Destination: Chambly-St. Bruno
Distance: 85 km
Click here to view the Ride With GPS Route
Click here to download the Map & Cue sheet
If you have any questions regarding this training ride, please contact kevin_egan@yahoo.com.
Training Ride: Kipling - Burlington
Departure: Kipling subway station — meet at the northeast corner of Aukland Road and St. Albans Road, across the street from the passenger pick-up area (see image below).
Start time: 8:00 AM. Please show up 15 minutes early for sign-in, announcements and warm-up.
Destination: Burlington with a BBQ! Please bring $12 cash if you’d like to eat with us. Net proceeds are donated to the Toronto People with AIDS foundation.
Distance: 111 km
Click here to view the Ride With GPS Route
Click here to download the Map & Cue sheet
If you have any questions regarding this training ride, please contact training@bikerally.org.
Training Ride: Kipling - Burlington
Departure: Kipling subway station — meet at the northeast corner of Aukland Road and St. Albans Road, across the street from the passenger pick-up area (see image below).
Start time: 9:30 AM. Please show up 15 minutes early for sign-in, announcements and warm-up.
Destination: Burlington with a BBQ! Please bring $12 cash if you’d like to eat with us. Net proceeds are donated to the Toronto People with AIDS foundation.
Distance: 111 km
Click here to view the Ride With GPS Route
Click here to download the Map & Cue sheet
If you have any questions regarding this training ride, please contact training@bikerally.org.
Training Ride: Warden - Goodwood
Departure: Warden subway station — meet at the passenger exit to Warden Avenue (see image below).
Start time: 8:00 AM. Please show up 15 minutes early for sign-in, announcements and warm-up.
Destination: Goodwood with a BBQ! Please bring $12 cash if you’d like to eat with us. Net proceeds are donated to the Toronto People with AIDS Foundation.
Distance: 103 km
Note: Our Friends for Life at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) will be joining us to lead a warm-up session along with therapeutic sessions during the lunch break.
Click here to view the Ride With GPS Route
Click here to download the Map & Cue sheet
If you have any questions regarding this training ride, please contact training@bikerally.org.
Training Ride: Warden - Goodwood
Departure: Warden subway station — meet at the passenger exit to Warden Avenue (see image below).
Start time: 9:30 AM. Please show up 15 minutes early for sign-in, announcements and warm-up.
Destination: Goodwood with a BBQ! Please bring $12 cash if you’d like to eat with us. Net proceeds are donated to the Toronto People with AIDS Foundation.
Distance: 103 km
Note: Our Friends for Life at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) will be joining us to lead a warm-up session along with therapeutic sessions during the lunch break.
Click here to view the Ride With GPS Route
Click here to download the Map & Cue sheet
If you have any questions regarding this training ride, please contact training@bikerally.org.
Montreal Training - Oka Beach Picnic
Montreal Training - Oka Beach Picnic
Departure: We will meet at the corner of Laurier and Mentana. Laurier metro is the closest, just bike NE to the meet up area.
Start time: 8:30 AM. Please show up 15 minutes early for sign-in, announcements and warm-up.
Destination: St. Remi
Distance: 85 km
Click here to view the Ride With GPS Route
Click here to download the Map & Cue sheet
If you have any questions regarding this training ride, please contact kevin_egan@yahoo.com
Training Ride: Warden - Musselman’s Lake
Departure: Warden subway station — meet at the passenger exit to Warden Avenue (see image below).
Start time: 8:00 AM. Please show up 15 minutes early for sign-in, announcements and warm-up.
Destination: Musselman’s Lake
Distance: 94 km
Click here to view the Ride With GPS Route
Click here to download the Map & Cue sheet
If you have any questions regarding this training ride, please contact training@bikerally.org.
The BIG Meeting
The Big Meeting is the time every year when all Rally participants gather together to learn about final details for the event.
Gather will your fellow Riders and Crew 4 weeks before Departure and have all your questions answered!
Date: Thursday, July 4th, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM
Venue: 163 Queen Street East, Toronto, PWA 4th Floor
To be followed by an evening Social on the First Floor. Beer, wine and appies available.
For those living beyond Toronto, we've got you covered with a livestream on Zoom
(will be recorded as well).
Training Ride: Warden - Musselman’s Lake
Departure: Warden subway station — meet at the passenger exit to Warden Avenue (see image below).
Start time: 8:00 AM. Please show up 15 minutes early for sign-in, announcements and warm-up.
Destination: Musselman’s Lake
Distance: 94 km
Click here to view the Ride With GPS Route
Click here to download the Map & Cue sheet
If you have any questions regarding this training ride, please contact training@bikerally.org.
Montreal Training - South Shore/St Remi
Montreal Training - South Shore/St Remi
Departure: We will meet up at the Peel Basin, near the Outdoor gym at Rue de la Commune and Rue Brennan. Closest metro is going to be Bonaventure, just take peel straight south to the Canal/Basin.
Start time: 10 AM. Please show up 15 minutes early for sign-in, announcements and warm-up.
Destination: St. Remi
Distance: 85 km
Click here to view the Ride With GPS Route
Click here to download the Map & Cue sheet
If you have any questions regarding this training ride, please contact kevin_egan@yahoo.com
Training Ride: 407 - Schomberg
Note to TTC Riders: Line l (Yonge-University) St Clair to Sheppard-Yonge stations - full weekend closure
Departure: Highway 407 subway station — meet at the passenger pick-up exit (see image below).
Start time: 9:30 AM. Please show up 15 minutes early for sign-in, announcements and warm-up.
Destination: Schomberg
Distance: 83 km
Click here to view the Ride With GPS Route
Click here to download the Map & Cue sheet
If you have any questions regarding this training ride, please contact training@bikerally.org.
Training Ride: Kipling - Terra Cotta
Note to TTC Riders: Line l (Yonge-University) St Clair to Sheppard-Yonge stations - full weekend closure
Note: Significant route change due to detour. Please review carefully
Departure: Kipling subway station — meet at the northeast corner of Aukland Road and St. Albans Road, across the street from the passenger pick-up area (see image below).
Start time: 8 AM. Please show up 15 minutes early for sign-in, announcements and warm-up.
Destination: Terra Cotta with a BBQ! Please bring $12 cash if you’d like to eat with us. Net proceeds are donated to the Toronto People with AIDS foundation.
Distance: 95 km
Click here to view the Ride With GPS Route
Click here to download the Map & Cue sheet
If you have any questions regarding this training ride, please contact training@bikerally.org.
Training Ride: 407 - Schomberg
Note to TTC riders: Line 2 (Bloor-Danforth) Kipling to Islington - full weekend closure.
Note that the Bloor Street cycle track follows line 2 all the way to Kipling.
Departure: Highway 407 subway station — meet at the passenger pick-up exit (see image below).
Start time: 9:30 AM. Please show up 15 minutes early for sign-in, announcements and warm-up.
Destination: Schomberg
Distance: 83 km
Click here to view the Ride With GPS Route
Click here to download the Map & Cue sheet
If you have any questions regarding this training ride, please contact training@bikerally.org.
Montreal Training - East Island
Montreal Training - East Island
Departure: Meeting at Place Émilie-Gamelin at the corner of St Catherine and Berri. Berri-UQAM is the closest metro.
Start time: 10 AM. Please show up 15 minutes early for sign-in, announcements and warm-up.
Destination: East Island
Distance: 85 km
Click here to view the Ride With GPS Route
Click here to download the Map & Cue sheet
If you have any questions regarding this training ride, please contact kevin_egan@yahoo.com
