The AGM Social and Gear Swap is coming up on Thursday November 20th. Members, you have the opportunity to round up bicycles, cycling bits and parts, and any related gear to sell/swap for the first hour of the evening (6:30-7:30).  Pretty simple—you sell & keep all proceeds! You may even have items to give away—and that’s welcome too! Note: If you plan to bring a bicycle, please let us know so we can provide stands. Also let us know if you’d like some table space for other gear so we can plan accordingly. (Secretary@northumberlandhillscyclingclub.com).  

6:30-7:30 is the magic hour where you can buy your 2026 membership for just $35. 

It’s a beautiful time of year to be out in the forest, and the weather is looking fine!! Helmut’s got a morning hike planned and will take the group onto the Oakridges Trail, meandering through the forest.  Meet at the Morris parking lot, on the east side of Hwy 45, south of Beagle Club Rd. Guests are welcome! 

Date: Saturday, November 8, 10:00am
Start location: Northumberland Forest, Morris Trailhead

If you’d like to come as a Guest, just let us know! Secretary@northumberlandhillscyclingclub.com

Join us for one of the most anticipated events of the year—the NHCC Annual General Meeting & Social, combined with our ever-popular Bike & Gear Swap!

It’s the perfect time to reconnect with fellow club members, celebrate another amazing cycling season, and get a head start on next year’s adventures. The evening will kick off with 2026 membership renewals at a special one-night-only rate of $35. Then browse the Gear Swap for deals on bikes and equipment—because one rider’s spare part might be another’s perfect find!

We’ll also take care of a bit of official club business: electing the 2026 Board of Directors, reviewing highlights from 2025, and sharing plans for upcoming off-season and next-year rides. All current members and their guests are warmly invited to attend.

Bike & Gear Swap Details

Ready to sell, trade, or find new cycling treasures? Bring along your extra bike gear, clothing, or components to our Gear Swap and let’s make it a great exchange!

We’ll have tables and floor space available for displaying items—bicycles, accessories, tools, apparel, tires, tubes, and more. Just tag your items clearly with your name and price so that buyers know who to connect with. All transactions are strictly between individuals, so remember to bring cash or be ready to e-transfer.

If you plan to bring a bike, please notify Randy in advance so we can reserve a bike stand for you (text: 905-376-8696).

Event Details

Location: Baltimore Recreation Centre
Time: 6:30 PM (Membership Renewals & Gear Swap) | 7:30 PM (AGM)
Agenda: Downloadable from the Cycle Club Events Calendar
Financial Statement: Available on request — email secretary@northumberlandhillscyclingclub.com

RSVP Reminder

To help us plan refreshments and seating, please RSVP on the Cycle Club Events Calendar.
If you’re bringing a guest, simply mention it in the Discussion section of the event listing so we can include them in the count.

• A flashlight or headlamp (you’ll need it!)
• A solid pair of hiking shoes
• Your sense of adventure

The Labour Day Ride & Really Big Potluck is Almost Here!

Mark your calendars—our 3rd Annual Labour Day Ride & Really Big Potluck is happening on Monday, September 1st, and you won’t want to miss it! It’s one of the season’s biggest social events, and if last year was any indication, it’s going to be EPIC again. Guests are welcome!

We’ll be doing our usual out-and-back route, just like we did on Canada Day. It’s super simple: we ride out for 45 minutes, then turn around and ride back—so everyone finishes together, regardless of pace. After the ride, we’ll kick off a laid-back potluck social, where everyone brings something to share. Think: salads, desserts, sandwiches, chili, chips, cheese, fruit—you name it. No need to overthink it; the beauty of a potluck is in the surprise!

What to bring:

• A dish to share (anything goes!)
• Your own drink of choice
• A lawn chair

Location and timing details are available in your Cycle Club Events Calendar.
Note: If the weather forecast looks significantly better a day earlier, we’ll move the event to Sunday, August 30th—so keep an eye out for updates!

Ride Start Times – Check Before You Go!

As we head into late summer, the days are getting shorter and the heat is finally easing off. Because of this, ride start times may vary—especially in the evenings. Most evening rides will begin earlier as we move through the month to make sure we’re wrapping up before sunset.

Also, with the shift from dry to wet weather, this is a good time to remember that Ride Leaders may cancel rides up to one hour before start time. So be sure to check the Events Calendar before every ride—it’ll save you from showing up to an empty parking lot wondering what happened!

A Quick Word About Safety

As the season winds down, it’s natural to get a little relaxed about safety—but this is exactly when we need to stay sharp. Here are a few important reminders to keep everyone safe and ensure a great experience for all:

• Announce your pass: Always call out “On your left” when overtaking another rider. It’s a simple courtesy that prevents surprises and keeps the ride smooth for everyone.
• Give space when passing: Never pass too closely. Leave enough room for someone to swerve or adjust unexpectedly—because it does happen.
• Follow the rules of the road: We are subject to the rights and responsibilities of the Highway Traffic Act, so that means obeying all stop signs, red lights, construction barriers, and other traffic laws—no exceptions.
• Be an ambassador: When we’re out on the road, we represent all cyclists. Set a good example: ride predictably, respectfully, and responsibly. Your actions can shape public opinion.
• Draft others carefully—and sparingly: Drafting is a great tool, but it’s a lot like tailgating on the highway. You never know when the rider ahead might brake or swerve. Only draft closely if you know and trust the habits of the person in front of you. Otherwise, leave enough space to react safely. Pacelines can be efficient, but they come with risk—ride smart.

Here’s why group riding is actually safer for cyclists and more predictable for drivers:

Group riding reduces the risk of fatal collisions

According to multiple international studies:

• Cyclists riding alone are passed significantly closer by vehicles than those in a group — increasing the chance of being sideswiped or clipped.
• A UK study (Walker, 2007) found that drivers passed solo riders just 1.18 meters away, but gave larger groups nearly 1.5 meters — beyond the legal safe-passing minimum in many areas.
• A Queensland (Australia) study showed cyclists in pairs or small groups were less likely to be involved in a near-miss than those riding solo.
• Visibility is key: 70% of fatal crashes involving cyclists occur in low-visibility conditions, including when a cyclist is alone and harder to see (NHTSA, 2023).

Groups are easier to See, Predict, and Pass Safely

• A single cyclist can be hidden by trees, curves, or glare.
• A group draws attention. It’s a visual block — like a slow-moving vehicle — and this helps drivers register that they must change lanes or slow down.

In traffic psychology, this is called “salience” — things we notice, we avoid hitting. More cyclists = more salience.

Drivers behave more safely around groups

This one might surprise you:

• When cyclists ride alone, drivers are more likely to take risks — passing too closely, honking, or brushing by.
• In contrast, drivers tend to treat groups of cyclists like they would a farm vehicle or a garbage truck — with more patience, space, and caution.

Cyclists are trying to get home safely too

Most group riders:

• Obey the law (two-abreast riding is legal in most of North America),
• Use hand signals,
• And understand the risks of the road because they are among the most vulnerable road users.

We’re not on the road to block traffic

We’re on the road because it’s often the only safe place to be.
Bike lanes aren’t always available, and road shoulders — like the lanes themselves — are frequently unsafe, obstructed, or scattered with potholes and gravel. These hazards might not affect motorists, but they can be dangerous, even life-threatening, for cyclists.

Cycling in a group (and occasionally occupying an entire lane) is not an act of aggression. It’s self-preservation.

Safety–Backed by evidence, driven by care

At the NHCC, we’ve spent years learning and applying evidence-based cycling safety practices, not just because we love to ride—but because we care deeply about keeping each other safe. If your mother, son, daughter, or father wanted to ride a bike, wouldn’t you want them surrounded by people who prioritize safety above all? 

Group riding isn’t just tradition—it’s a proven method of protecting lives on the road, even if it seems counterintuitive to some. Our choices are informed by research, guided by experience, and driven by a simple goal: to help everyone return home safely.

Final thought: A little space saves a lot of lives

Next time you see a group of cyclists on the road, know this:

• They’re not trying to slow you down — just trying to stay alive.
• Most drivers can pass a group safely with a delay of only 10–15 seconds.
• That short wait could save someone’s spouse, friend, or parent.

Thanks for sharing the road

As we near the midpoint of another great cycling season at the Northumberland Hills Cycling Club (NHCC), it’s a good time to do a little mid-season safety tune-up!

With warmer weather, more riders out on the road, and plenty of great conversations happening on group rides, it’s easy to get comfortable—and that’s a good thing! But it’s also a perfect moment to refresh a few key habits that help keep everyone safe, respectful, and riding strong together in a group.

A Few Friendly Reminders for the Road:

Follow the Rules of the Road

Just like any road user, cyclists are expected to obey traffic signals, stop signs, and all other rules under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act. Predictability and communication help keep group rides smooth and safe.

Single File or Two Abreast—Never More
It’s perfectly legal to ride two abreast when conditions allow, but we never ride three (or more) across. When traffic is tight or visibility is limited, single file is sometimes (but not always) a safer and more courteous choice. Single file is the expectation when there is a paved shoulder or bike lane provided.

Taking the Lane Is Sometimes the Right Move
On narrow roads where it’s unsafe for vehicles to pass side-by-side, cyclists are permitted by the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) to take the full lane. It’s not only legal—it’s smart riding when safety calls for it.

Perception Matters
Even when we’re doing everything right, how we ride can influence how people see cyclists in general. A little extra courtesy goes a long way in building goodwill with our neighbours on the road.

Stay Cool Around Conflict
If tensions flare with other road users—whether in person or online—it’s best not to engage. A calm, non-reactive approach helps keep everyone safer and reflects well on all cyclists.

We’re All in This Together
Whether you’re a new member or a seasoned rider, we all play a role in creating a positive cycling culture. Let’s keep setting a great example and showing that group cycling can be fun, safe, and respectful.

Thanks for riding with us—and for helping make NHCC a club we can all be proud of. See you on the road! Ride Safe. Ride Smart. Ride Together.

There’s no better way to celebrate Canada Day than with good people, open roads, and great food. With a renewed sense of Canadian pride in the air this year, we’re especially excited to come together as a club and mark the day with one of our favourite traditions: the Canada Day All Levels Ride & Super Big Potluck! 

Date: Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Time:
Ride starts at 10:00am (Out-and-back format—45 minutes each way)
Potluck begins around 11:45am
Start Location (All Levels 1–4): 8303 Smylie Rd., Cobourg
RSVP: Let us know you’re coming via the Events Calendar in your Cycle Club account

We’ll be all wrapped up by 1:00 so you can continue onto other Canada Day celebrations you have planned. Or, you can stay and linger with friends as long as you like!

Celebrate Canada—On Two Wheels

We’ll kick off the day with an easy-paced, All-Levels ride—designed for everyone, from Level 1 to Level 4. This is about fresh air, friendly faces, and the shared joy of cycling. It’s a perfect chance to appreciate the natural beauty we’re lucky to have right here in Canada!

The Great Canadian Potluck

After the ride, we gather at Randy and Anita’s for our famous Super Big Potluck. In true Canadian fashion, we’re keeping it welcoming, casual, and joyfully unpredictable. Bring along your favourite dish to share—salads, butter tarts, maple-glazed anything, poutine-inspired snacks, or just your go-to homemade classic. If we end up with more dessert than dinner, we’ll consider it a win.

Please also bring a lawn chair and your favourite drink so you can kick back, relax, and take in the summer vibe with great company.

The really-horrible-weather Plan B: We aim to celebrate on July 1st, but if the forecast looks amazingly better earlier in the week, we’ll move the event to Monday, June 30. Stay tuned to the club calendar for updates.

Family, Friends & Non-Riders Welcome

Not everyone has to ride—friends and family are warmly invited to join us just for the gathering. There’s plenty of shade in the yard for relaxing conversation and some laid-back Canadiana spirit.

Whether you’re a seasoned rider or still dusting off your bike this year, come on out! This event is all about connection—across levels, and across our shared love of cycling in this great country of Canada that we call home.

Come ride, eat, and celebrate Canada Day—the way Canadians do best: together. 

Canada Day Ride & Potluck 

NHCC Members! Join us for one of the season’s highlights—our annual Canada Day Ride & Potluck! The main date is Tuesday, July 1, but we may shift to Monday, June 30 if the forecast looks better—stay tuned. Guests are welcome too!

It’s a relaxed out-and-back ride (45 minutes each way), followed by a potluck at 11:30 am. We’ll wrap up by 1:0pm so you can enjoy the rest of the day’s festivities.

*Details are in the Members Events Calendar on the Cycle Club app, so you can RSVP there.
*Bring a chair, your favourite drink, and something tasty to share!