Wheels of Bloor will plan for and provide complete traffic management throughout the event. Riders are granted right-of-way throughout the course and are fully supported with local law enforcement, mechanical support, and medical support. There will be no road closures during the event apart for the finish line on Swiss Meadows Blvd where the riders will be finishing; there is a 12% probability that a motorist on Swiss Meadows Blvd will encounter a two minute delay during the event (see Appendix). At all times riders will remain on the right hand side of the road and will not be permitted to cross over the centre line; this rule is strictly enforced by the race officials (commissaires) who follow each group on the road.

A complete Traffic Management Plan complete with intersection diagrams and law enforcement posts has been included in this package. Traffic is managed to maximize safety for the participants and for residents while also balancing the need to move vehicular traffic in the area. Each intersection, no matter how minor or infrequently traveled, is categorized in the following way:
• “P” level intersections – require law enforcement to manage traffic, typically ‘P’ intersections either require adjustments to the standard right-of-way or require increased visibility, or both.
• “V” level intersections – do not require a change of the right-of-way typically do not require law enforcement but may require volunteer or staff course marshals to share information with motorists, provide an extra layer of visibility, and/or direct participants through confusing intersections.
Note: All volunteers or staff course marshals will be trained in accordance with OCA standards in traffic management.

In any location that requires traffic management and direction, law enforcement will be contracted to provide their expertise. Law enforcement will control traffic at all “P” intersections, moving vehicles through intersections as traffic permits. Volunteer course marshals (pointers) may also be assigned locations to further direct cycling participants and/or to aid motorists with way-finding, but will not be charged with directing traffic.

The Motorcades
Each of the nine distinct groups will be supported by a minimum 3-vehicle motorcade:
1. A lead vehicle will be at the front of each race group
2. A second vehicle containing an OCA commissaire vehicle will follow the group of riders ensuring that they are obeying the rules
3. At least one maintenance vehicle will follow each race to provide mechanical and medical support (first responder) for the riders
Additional Vehicles:
• A second lead vehicle will be assigned to the larger groups (based on # of registrants & level of races)
• A second maintenance / support vehicle will be assigned to the larger groups (based on # of registrants & level of races)
• A ‘Broom Wagon’ will follow behind the last group in each wave to collect riders who have abandoned the race

The Neutral Start
The race motorcades will assemble in the parking lot near the traffic circle at the base of Scenic Caves just off of Gord Channing Drive (see Start Map); if possible the event will start closer to the Blue Mountain Village. The riders will assemble behind the starting line that will be set up on Gord Channing Drive in clearly marked areas. Each group will roll out from the start area and through the traffic circle and onto Gray Road 19 / Mountain Road. The riders will continue East on Gray Road 19 / Mountain Rd under neutralized conditions and right onto Olster Bluff road before racing begins. The neutral start will last approximately 4kms until each group turns right onto Olster Bluff road heading South (see start map for details). During the Neutral Start no racing will be permitted.

The Race
Racing will begin once the group turns right onto Olster Bluff rd. heading south. Throughout the race portion of the event the lead vehicle will always remain in front of the lead rider from that group and the maintenance vehicle will follow behind the main pack (peloton) of riders from that group. During the course of the race riders will often break up into smaller groups and ultimately be scattered around the loop making it difficult to anticipate the exact time when Cyclists will travel through the road intersections along the main loop. Management of the intersection during the race will follow the traffic management plan according to how each intersection is classified (“P” or “V”). A race timing chart is included with this package to provide a time estimate of when the riders for each of the groups will pass through the main intersections on the course (see Race Timing Chart).

The Race Finish
In the final 100 meters as the riders turn right onto Meadows Blvd off of Scenic Caves rd., riders will make use of the full width of the road as a safety precaution as they sprint for the finish line. This final section of the road will have barricades along both sides of the road to keep spectators separated from the riders as they approach the finish line. The event staff will work with the OPP to ensure that traffic is managed during the finish portion of the races and the road is clear of vehicles for the barricaded section; leading up to and just past the finish line. The interruption in traffic flow, which is required to ensure the safety of the riders during the finish sprint, will last no longer than a few minutes for each of the groups of racers.
Note: The finish line will be located on Meadows Blvd, which will limit the impact to traffic on Scenic Caves rd. and provide for parking for spectators in the lot that is located on the east side of the rd. Placing the finish at the top of the Scenic Caves climb will create a natural selection that limits the size of the groups of riders crossing the finish line at the same time.
Note2: The finish Truss will be able to be moved out of the road in under five minutes to allow for a Fire truck to pass in the event of an emergency

The Return to the Village
Once the riders from each group have crossed the finish line they will wait on Swiss Meadows Blvd for the majority of their group to assemble and then descend back down to the village being led by the motorcade under neutralized conditions with a lead out vehicle in the front and a support vehicle following them under supervision of the OPP. A race official will be located in front of each descending group to ensure that no rider exceeds the speed of the lead vehicle. The OCA has agreed to support an event specific rule designed to keep participants from speeding down the descent back to the village. Violations will be noted by the race officials who will nullify the race result for that rider as well as imposing a fine that must be addressed before the rider is permitted to take part in any future OCA events.
Note: The Gondola will not be open for use to on May 10t

The Feed Zone area
Spectators will drive to the feed zone to pass supplies to their team members during a designated area (exact location on 4th Line to be determined). The feed zone will be cleaned of all debris (water bottles, gel wrappers) after the event.

It is important to note, the roads are never “closed”. Rather, the OPP will determine when it is safe to proceed at each intersection. Historically traffic interruptions have been kept to a minimum and the typical delay is less than a minute.

Projected Impact
The event will be in active on the roads for a total of 7hours (9-12:00 and 12:00-4:30)
There are nine distinct groups of riders (5 in the early wave and 4 in the second wave)

Start leg and finish leg up to the traffic circle (4.91km)
The nine racing groups will pass by the start leg and finish leg up to the traffic circle once each.
Total Projected Delay: 27 minutes
Likelihood of encountering a delay of up to 60 seconds: 6%

Main Loop (74.59km Loop)
Eight groups will circle the Main Loop once and one group will circle the course twice.
Total Projected Delay: 20 minutes
Likelihood of encountering a delay of up to 60 seconds: 4.44%

Final Climb (3.40km)
Each of the nine groups will pass through the finish beyond the traffic circle section once.
Total Projected Delay: 81 minutes
Likelihood of encountering a delay of up to 2 minutes and 30 seconds: 18%

Finish Sprint (150meters)
Each of the nine groups will pass through the Finish Sprint on Swiss Meadows Blvd once.
Total Projected Delay: 54 minutes
Likelihood of encountering a delay of up to 2 minutes: 12%

With the OPP creating a safe envelope to stage the event, the OCA Commissaires and event volunteers manage the cyclists throughout the routes. Wheels of Bloor will place and pick-up course directional signage, informational signage (caution, km marks, etc.), assist cyclists needing help, and pick-up any and all trash dropped by the participants along the route.

The Course Staff maintains radio communications with the Central Command to relay important status information throughout the duration. SAG (Support and Gear) vehicles will also be on course to offer a ride for any cyclist wishing to abandon the race and seeking a safe ride to the venue.

The event staff will work with the district to arrange to sweep corners free of gravel and debris prior to the event.

A central command post will be set up to house all relevant communications infrastructure.  Typically this occurs with three primary groups, Law Enforcement, Emergency Services, and Event Staff, each working with their respective individuals in the field and relaying information among the groups for informational purposes and in the case of a crisis.  Of course, each OPP and EMS provider will be equipped with radio communications, and each Course vehicle and staff will be tied into radio communications as well.

For on-course medical needs, an ambulance and paramedic will be contracted to provide support services. The ambulance will be stationed on the course during the event. Should an accident occur that requires transportation to the nearest hospital, the ambulance will be used for that purpose and another ambulance will back-fill the departed vehicle. Each group of riders will have a first responder assigned and following in one of the support vehicles.  An emergency action plan will be in place to clearly spell out communication and response should any incidents occur.

The event will be covered by a Comprehensive General Liability coverage policy that is purchased through the Ontario Cycling Association (OCA); this is standard for all OCUP events. A certificate of Insurance will be issued for the event that will include all the applicable groups to be covered such as; the Township, County, OPP, Race organizer, resort and main sponsor. The following is an excerpt from the 2012 policy details page:

The Course Staff will place a number of types of signs prior to the event.  First, pre-event notification signs will be placed the week prior the event to offer information to frequent motorists and area residents related to the anticipated areas of slow-downs and disruption.  These pre-event notification signs are placed in high-traffic areas and primary intersections leading into the planned routes.  These signs are temporary in nature, meet typical DOT standards, and are removed immediately following the event.

In addition to the pre-event notification signs placed in the area, the event staff will work with The Blue Mountain Resort staff to make sure area residents and businesses are informed of the coming event and can make adjustments as necessary.  Residents along the course route will receive a notification delivered to their door prior to the event. Other Options include local/regional media, reverse 911 to homes along the race route, neighborhood newsletters, pre-event mailings and postings.

The second type of signs placed by the Course Staff are course directional signage;  primarily consisting of right turn, left turn, straight arrows, kilometer/mile markers, feed zone approaching, and caution slow signage.

The third type of sign placed on the course is for informational purposes.  Typically this signage is for motorists and residents leading into the course or directly opposing the route.  These signs are mostly “Caution Bike Race in Progress”, or “Flagger Ahead” to note an area of caution for motorists.

In addition to the contracted traffic safety departments, emergency management resources, various suppliers and services providers, and paid event staff, the event also relies on dozens of volunteers to aid the participants on race day.  Using a detailed and position assigned structure; groups of volunteers will be managed by the Volunteer coordinator, in specific area.  Areas of volunteer need include, feed zones, course marshals, registration assistants, start line/finish line, among other needs.

It is intended that Wheels of Bloor work with community groups and non-profits to source volunteers for the event days.  In appreciation for the volunteer work and in support of community causes, Wheels of Bloor makes donations in proportion to the volunteer hours offered.

I am working with Eleanor McMahon, founder of the Share the Road cycling coalition, to create a partnership for this event to help promote advocacy for cycling in Ontario. Together we will be working to help increase awareness with the goal of promoting all of the benefits of cycling and increasing safety.