Photo of the Week: Level 4 Ride along the Waterfront Trail near Newcastle—it’s a gorgeous route!

Let’s count on the residual hurricane rain staying away! In the meantime, we have some great rides planned.  Level 1s will be exploring the neighbourhoods of Port Hope on Thursday and then heading out of town on Sunday to ride the Waterfront Trail starting in Whitby.  For those who haven’t been on that section of the trail, let us tell you it is FANTASTIC—and worth the drive! Level 3 s are heading to Brighton/PEC on Sunday for a great ride with some optional social-time afterward at Northumberland Find Foods where it’s reported to have a fantastic tasting lounge with custom charcuterie boards and both alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages, all reasonably priced. Level 4s have a Thursday night post-ride drinks & social afterward at Paul & Marina’s home. On Sunday the 4s also head to Brighton & PEC for a change of scenery.  

Important: Some morning rides may opt for a 9am start time in order to beat the heat of the day—always check your start times.

The Quick Facts: Upcoming Activities (July 8th to July 14th)

Tuesday July 9th: Evening Ride
Level 1:NO LEVEL 1 RIDE SCHEDULED (No ride leader available)
(6pm start) Level 2 Start location: Cobourg Memorial Arena, 206 Furnace St., Cobourg
(6pm start) Level 3 Start location: King’s Field at 28 Victoria St S. in Port Hope
(6:15 start) Level 4 Start location: Sylvan Glen, 3634 Sylvan Glen Road, Port Hope

Thursday July 11th: Morning Ride
(10am start) Level 1 Start location: King’s Field at 28 Victoria St S. in Port Hope
(10am start) Level 2 Start location: Sylvan Glen, 3634 Sylvan Glen Road, Port Hope
(10am start) Level 3 Start location: McDonald Trailhead, 507 McDonald Rd, (about 2Km north of Centreton Road)

Thursday July 11th: Evening Ride
(6:15pm start) Level 4 Start location: 104 Victor Road, Roseneath (Park on the road)

Sunday July 14th: Morning Ride
(10am start) Level 1 Start location: 249 Water Street, Whitby, Waterfront Trail Parking
(10am start) Level 2 Start location: (Pending a Ride Leader—TBD)
(10am start) Level 3 Start location: Northumberland Fine Foods, 39 Richardson Street, Brighton
(9am start) Level 4 Start location: Brighton Public Boat Launch at 162 Harbour Street, Brighton

ICYMI: The 3rd Annual NHCC Canada Day Ride and Pancake Breakfast had almost 50 members turnout for the fantastic weather and yummy food. 

This week we are hoping for some stable weather for a change.  July now means there are many people away on vacay, and unfortunately we have no Level 1 ride leader for tonight. All the others are a go, as usual! Carefully note all start times—they may vary. This week the Level 2s are heading to the Millennium Trail in Prince Edward County for some fantastic off-road exploration on a great trail. On Sunday, Level 1s are going a little out of town to explore the Lang-Hastings Trail while Level 3s hang out on the Waterfront Trail in Newcastle, and Level 4s will be doing their monthly Century Ride with is actually 107km this time around.

The Quick Facts: Upcoming Activities (July 2nd to July 7th)

Tuesday July 2nd: Evening Ride, 6:00pm
Level 1:NO LEVEL 1 RIDE SCHEDULED (No ride leader available)
Level 2 Start location: Donegan Park, 25 D’Arcy St., in Cobourg
Level 3 Start location: Ray Benns Memorial Park, 2360 County Rd 23, Centreton
(6:15 start) Level 4 Start location: Haldimand Community Memorial Arena, 10766 County Rd 2, Grafton

Thursday July 4th: Morning Ride
(10:00am start) Level 1 Start location: Westwood Park, 655 Carlisle Street, Cobourg
(9:30am start) Level 2 Start location: Millennium Trail Parking Lot, on Salem Road, just east of Hwy 33 in Consecon
(10:00am start) Level 3 Start location: Haldimand Community Memorial Arena, 10766 County Rd 2, Grafton

Thursday July 4th: Evening Ride, 6:15pm
Level 4 Start location: Haldimand Community Memorial Arena, 10766 County Rd 2, Grafton

Sunday July 7th: Morning Ride, 10:00am
Level 1 Start location: Hastings Pisces Park, at 5 Dit Clapper Dr, Hastings
Level 2 Start location: King’s Field at 28 Victoria St S. in Port Hope
Level 3 Start location: Bond Head Parkette and Beach, 5 Boulton Street, Newcastle
Level 4 Start location: Cobourg Memorial Arena, 206 Furnace St., Cobourg

Level 4’s at Bond Head Parkette on their Sunday-moved-to-Monday Evening Ride.

 It’s coming up! On Canada Day, all Club members (all levels) are invited to join in on the NHCC Canada Day Ride and Pancake Breakfast (no cost) on Monday July 1st! First we ride at 10am—an out-and-back-ride for 45 minutes in each direction for 1.5 hours total, then we re-group at Randy and Anita’s for pancakes & the fixings at 11:30am! (sausage, strawberries & whipped cream, baked beans, fruit!). We’ll be all wrapped up by 1pm so you can catch all the other local Canada Day festivities.  IMPORTANT—RAIN DATE: In the event that the weather appears infinitely better for Sunday instead of Monday, the event could get shifted to a day earlier—Sunday June 30th (yeah, yeah, we know it’s a little backwards).  🙂

RSVP: Of course we will need to shop for provisions, so please RSVP by Friday June 28th—that’s our shopping day. Members and Guests: Please let us know you are coming by responding to the Event in your Cycle Club Events Calendar. If you plan to bring a guest with you, please use the Discussion feature there to let us know you’ll bring someone so that we can ensure we prepare enough pancakes.

The Quick Facts: Upcoming Activities (June 24th to July 1st)

Tuesday June 25th: Afternoon Ride (Level 1 only), 1:00pm
Level 1 Start location: Chubb Point Road in Grafton

Tuesday June 25th: Evening Ride, 6:00pm
Level 2 Start location: King’s Field at 28 Victoria St S. in Port Hope
Level 3 Start location: Diamond Head Industrial Mall, 210 Willmott St, Cobourg
(6:15 start time) Level 4 Start location: Hamilton Township Office, 8285 Majestic Hills Dr

Thursday June 27th: Morning Ride, 10:00am
Level 1 Start location: Haldimand Community Memorial Arena, 10766 County Rd 2, Grafton
Level 2 Start location: Haldimand Community Memorial Arena, 10766 County Rd 2, Grafton
Level 3 Start location: Westwood Park 665 Carlisle St. Cobourg

Thursday June 27th: Evening Ride, 6:15pm
Level 4 Start location: Haldimand Community Memorial Arena, 10766 County Rd 2, Grafton

Monday July 1st: Canada Day! Ride & Pancake Breakfast (All Levels)

Start time: 10:00am (Ride), 11:30am (Pancake Breakfast)
Start location: (Exact location will be found in the Cycle Club Events Calendar) (Please park on the side of the road)

NOTIFICATION OF CHANGE: The start location for Level 3 Ride on Tuesday June 18 will be: Wicklow Beach Boatlaunch parking lot, 133 Lakeport Rd, Colborne

The Level 3 riders having fun west of Port Hope near Newcastle.

It’s going to be a hot one this week—so, some of the rides that appeared on the Cycle Club Calendar may have been changed in order to account for heat and humidity, so please consult the calendar to make sure you have the most up to date information. The season is well underway now and evenings are long, so you may also notice some of the rides getting longer as we all get stronger. By Friday, those Level 3/4s that have mountain bikes may enjoy some evening coolness with our Friday Evening Mountain Biking—Helmut is taking the group on wide paths (not single track) and by the looks of pictures from last week there was lots of happy, but dirty faces.  🙂

Hey! Mark your calendars for July 2st.  It will be an All Levels Canada Day Ride and Pancake Breakfast afterward.  Details are on the Events Calendar in your cycle club account.  

The Quick Facts: Upcoming Activities (June 17th to June 23rd)

Tuesday June 18th: Evening Ride, 6:00pm
Level 1 Start location: Donegan Park, 25 D’Arcy St., in Cobourg
Level 2 Start location: King’s Field at 28 Victoria St S. in Port Hope
Level 3 Start location: Wicklow Beach Boatlaunch parking lot, 133 Lakeport Rd, Colborne
(6:15 start time) Level 4 Start location: Ball’s Mill Conservation Area, 2971 Regional Rd 15, Baltimore

Thursday June 20th: Morning Ride, 10:00am
Level 1 Start location: Baltimore Recreation Centre, 23 Community Centre Rd, Baltimore
Level 2 Start location: Haldimand Community Memorial Arena, 10766 County Rd 2, Grafton
Level 3 Start location: Keeler Centre, Keeler Centre, 80 Division Street, Colborne

Thursday June 20th: Evening Ride, 6:15pm
Level 4 Start location: Baltimore Recreation Centre Arena, 23 Community Centre Rd, Baltimore

Friday June 21st: Evening Mountain Biking, 6:15pm
Level 3/4 Start location: McDonald Trailhead, Northumberland County Forest, 507 McDonald Rd, Grafton (about 2Km north of Centreton Road)

Sunday June 23rd: Morning Ride
(10am start time) Level 1 Start location: TBA
(9:30am start time) Level 2 Start location: Northumberland Mall on Elgin St. W. Park between the LCBO and Boston Pizza
(10am start time) Level 3 Start location: Hastings Pisces Park 5 Dit Clapper Dr Hastings
(9:00 start time) Level 4 Start location: Sylvan Glen, 3634 Sylvan Glen Rd, Port Hope

Photo credit: Chris Robert

The days are getting longer all the time and so may the distance for evening rides.  Note that Level 4s have switched to a 9am start time for Sunday morning rides due to the length of the rides and also the anticipated heat of summer (which so far, doesn’t seem to be a problem!).  There’s mountain biking on Friday. It’s an opportunity to bring out mountain bikes or gravel bikes because we’re sticking to the wider forest roads to avoid the poison ivy creeping onto the single-track. Lots of good rides in store this week!

The Quick Facts: Upcoming Activities (June 11th to June 16th)

Tuesday June 11th: Evening Ride, 6:00pm
Level 1 Start location: Cobourg Memorial Arena, 206 Furnace St., Cobourg
Level 2 Start location: King’s Field at 28 Victoria St S. in Port Hope
Level 3 Start location: Cobourg Community Centre, 750 D’Arcy Street
(6:15 start time) Level 4 Start location: Hamilton Township Municipal Offices, 8285 Majestic Hills Dr.

Thursday June 13th: Morning Ride, 10:00am
Level 1 Start location: Donegan Park, 25 D’Arcy St., in Cobourg
Level 2 Start location: Haldimand Community Memorial Arena, 10766 County Rd 2, Grafton
Level 3 Start location: Cobourg Memorial Arena, 206 Furnace St., Cobourg

Thursday June 13th: Evening Ride, 6:15pm
Level 4 Start location: Beagle Club Trail Head, 101 Beagle Club Rd, Harwood

Friday June 14th: Evening Mountain Biking, 6:15pm
Level 3/4 Start location: McDonald Trailhead, Northumberland County Forest, 507 McDonald Rd, Grafton (about 2Km north of Centreton Road)

Sunday June 16th: Morning Ride, 10am
Level 1 Start location: Haldimand Community Memorial Arena, 10766 County Rd 2, Grafton
Level 2 Start location: The Diamond Head Industrial Mall, 210 Willmott St
Level 3 Start location: King’s Field, 28 Victoria St. S., Port Hope
(9:00 start time) Level 4 Start location: Hastings Pisces Park, at 5 Dit Clapper Dr, Hastings

Correction Notice: There were a few details that somehow went awry in the previous posting for this week’s activities which have now been corrected.  In the event of a discrepancy between the Website and the Events Calendar on Cycle Club, the details in the Cycle Club calendar shall be presumed correct. Here is the link again for the week’s summary: https://northumberlandhillscyclingclub.com/nhcc-activities-for-the-week-of-monday-june-3-to-sunday-june-9/

We have more than our regular road rides in store. This week you can look for a morning hike (yeah, that’s right, a hike!) at Hazel Bird Sanctuary on Wednesday.  It’s a great opportunity to mingle with folks from the other Levels without having to try and keep the pace on your bike. And Friday there’s some evening mountain biking for the adventurous ones.

Of course there are the regular road rides, and some are heading out of town for some new & interesting scenery.  On Thursday, Level 2s are exploring the Millennium Trail that’s nice & flat and off-road. Level 4s are going for an evening shorty ride then some social time afterward. On Sunday the Level 1s are starting in Whitby and are planning on visiting the lovely Waterfront Trail, which arguably is the best section—it will feel like a little day-vacation! Level 3s will start up at Beavermead Park and do a lovely route with less-than-average elevation and a coffee & ice cream stop. Meanwhile, the Level 4s will start in Newcastle where Miche has a fantastic route planned.  

The Quick Facts: Upcoming Activities (June 3rd to June 9th)

Tuesday June 4th: Evening Ride, 6:00pm
Level 1 Start location: 100 Keewatin Dr, Grafton
Level 2 Start location: King’s Field at 28 Victoria St S. in Port Hope
Level 3 Start location: Cobourg Community Centre, 750 D’Arcy Street
(6:15 start time) Level 4 Start location: Balls Mill Conservation area parking lot, 2971 Regional Rd 15, Baltimore

Wednesday June 5th: Morning HIKE, 10:00am
Start location: Hazel Bird Nature Reserve, 9636 Beavermeadow Rd E, Baltimore

Thursday June 6th: Morning Ride, 10:00am
Level 1 Start location: Baltimore Recreation Centre, 23 Community Centre Rd, Baltimore
Level 2 Start location: Millennium Trail Parking Lot near Salem Road (link to the Parking lot here)

Level 3 Start location: Westwood Park, 655 Carlisle Str. Cobourg

Thursday June 6th: Evening Ride, 6:15pm
Level 4 Start location: Near 104 Victor Road, Roseneath

Friday June 7th: Evening Mountain Biking, 6:15pm
Level 3/4 Start location: Beagle Club Trail Head, 101 Beagle Club Rd, Harwood

Sunday June 9th: Morning Ride, 10am
Level 1 Start location: Waterfront Trail Parking lot (Whitby), 249 Water Street
Level 2 Start location: Cobourg Memorial Arena in Furnace St 
Level 3 Start location: Beavermead Park, 2011 Ashburnham Dr, Peterborough
(9:00 start time) Level 4 Start location: Waterfront Trail parking lot (Newcastle) at the foot of Toronto St.

Some of the week’s highlights: Level 1s are exploring the Waterfront Trail westbound from Newcastle this coming Sunday—it’s a lovely, flat route that’s very scenic with much of it on dedicated bike paths. On Thursday morning, Level 2s start in Colborne and head to Presqu’ile Park, hoping that the food trucks might even be open, so bring a little $$ just in case. Level 3s are going nice & flat on Tuesday evening followed by Mike’s Thursday morning ride that will take on Baby Bickle Hill, and some of the nice stone houses of Hope Township. Level 4s are ramping up some distance and have their first monthly 100-km ride (with a 60km shorter option) out to Presqu’ile Park then down to Consecon and beyond. All the snazzy details about the weekly rides can be found in your Cycle Club account (members).  Guests are welcome to come out for any club ride (we like new people!).  Just bring along a Guest Waiver to give to the ride leader. 

Note about start times for Level 4: Level 4s are going to begin departing at 6:15 for evening rides (it gives those who work a little extra time to make it)

Level 1 Tuesday Evening vs Morning poll: The word went out, and people responded.  It was a fairly even split so Level 1 Evening rides will remain in place.

Pre-announcement: Our annual Canada Day Ride and Pancake Breakfast, which has become a summer highlight. Mark your calendars for July 1st—you won’t want to miss this! It’s an All Levels Ride where the entire club rides together, then we have a fabulous pancake breakfast with all the fixings afterward.  

The Quick Facts: Upcoming Rides (May 27th to June 2nd)

Tuesday May 28th: Evening Ride, 6:00pm
Level 1 Start location: Haldimand Community Memorial Arena, 10766 County Rd 2, Grafton
Level 2 Start location: King’s Field at 28 Victoria St S. in Port Hope
Level 3 Start location: Donegan Park, 25 D’Arcy St., in Cobourg
(6:15 start time) Level 4 Start location: Balls Mill Conservation area parking lot, 2971 Regional Rd 15, Baltimore

Thursday May 30th: Morning Ride, 10:00am
Level 1 Start location: King’s Field at 28 Victoria St S. in Port Hope
Level 2 Start location: Haldimand Community Memorial Arena, 10766 County Rd 2, Grafton
Level 3 Start location: Westwood Park, 655 Carlisle Str. Cobourg

Thursday May 30th: Evening Ride, 6:15pm
Level 4 Start location:Haldimand Community Memorial Arena, 10766 County Rd 2, Grafton

Sunday June 2nd: Morning Ride
10:00am: Level 1 Start location: Bond Head Parkette, at 5 Boulton St., in Newcastle
10:00am: Level 2 Start location: TBD (Guests: email us for the address: secretary@northumberlandhillscyclingclub.com)
10:00am: Level 3 Start location: TBD (Guests: email us for the address: secretary@northumberlandhillscyclingclub.com)
9:00am: Level 4 Start location: Keeler Centre, 80 Division St, Colborne

Notice of change: to the Level 2 start location for Sunday May 26: The start of the Level 2 ride will be from Kings Field in Port Hope on Victoria St. South.