The cycling season is finally here, and we couldn’t be more excited to see everyone back out on the roads! Whether you’re riding a high-end road bike, a trusty hybrid, or something a little more vintage, a few simple maintenance checks can go a long way in keeping your rides smooth, safe, and fun.

To help everyone get rolling, we’re kicking off the season with a few basic bike care reminders. Don’t worry—you don’t need to be a mechanic to do these. Let’s start with the most important (and often most overlooked) one:

Tire Pressure: Pump It Up—Every Week!

Air slowly leaks out of your bike tires even if you’re not riding, so topping them up regularly is key.

How often should you check your tire pressure?
Once a week is a good rule of thumb, especially if you’re riding frequently.

How much air should you put in? It depends on the type of bike and the tire:

• Road bikes: Usually 90–110 PSI (check the sidewall of the tire for a recommended range)
• Hybrid bikes: Typically 50–70 PSI
• Mountain bikes or wider tires: Often 30–50 PSI

Always check the side of your tire for the manufacturer’s recommended pressure range—and don’t go over it! Use a pump with a pressure gauge if you can, so you’re not just guessing.

Adjusting for rider weight:
Heavier riders may want to inflate their tires closer to the upper end of the recommended pressure range to help prevent pinch flats and improve rolling efficiency. Lighter riders can usually stay at the lower end for better comfort and grip. It’s a balancing act between comfort, performance, and tire wear, so feel free to experiment within the safe range to see what feels best.

Why it matters: Properly inflated tires make your ride smoother, reduce the risk of flats, and make pedaling easier. Under-inflated tires slow you down and wear out faster.

A Few More Basic Checks

Here are three quick things you can do before heading out:

• Spin the wheels: Make sure they spin freely and don’t rub against the brakes.
• Squeeze your brakes: They should engage smoothly and stop the bike firmly.
• Check your chain: Wipe it down if it looks grimy, and add a little bike-specific chain lubricant if it’s dry.

Advanced Tip: Check Your Chain Wear

If you’ve been riding a lot, your chain wears down over time—which can lead to poor shifting and expensive wear on your cassette. If you have a chain wear checker tool, you can use it to measure stretch. If the tool shows 0.75% wear, it’s time to think about replacing your chain. At 1.0%, it’s definitely time. Not sure how to check? Ask one of the more experienced riders or swing by your local bike shop—they’ll be happy to help.

Happy riding, everyone! Let’s make it a great (and safe) season. 

Join us for our Cycling Safety Session on Monday evening (tomorrow!) — a great refresher on group riding etiquette, safety tips, and how we roll at NHCC. Perfect for both new and returning members!

When: Monday, May 5
Time: 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Where: Baltimore Recreation Centre, 23 Community Centre Rd., Baltimore

No bike needed — just bring yourself and your questions!

We’re excited to kick off our 2025 Regular Season of rides! And by “Regular,” we mean these weekly, recurring group rides that you can count on:

Tuesday Evenings: Levels 2, 3, 4
Wednesday Mornings: Level 1
Thursday Mornings: Levels 2 & 3
Thursday Evenings: Level 4
Sunday Mornings: All Levels (1, 2, 3, 4)

All rides are listed on our Cycle Club Events Calendar, where members can view details and RSVP. Occasionally, you’ll also see special rides posted on the Ride Calendar that go beyond our regular schedule—so keep an eye out!

Don’t Miss a Ride—Set Up Your Cycle Club Account
Your Cycle Club account is your ride hub! It’s where you’ll find:

• Route maps
• Ride participant lists
• Notifications about cancellations or schedule changes
• And much more!

If you haven’t set up your account yet, start here: Cycle Club Account Setup 

Ride Cancellations
Safety first! Rides may be cancelled due to poor weather—like rain, high winds, or uncomfortably cold conditions. Cancellations are usually made by the Ride Leader, so it’s possible one Level might cancel while others still roll out. Notifications will appear in your Cycle Club account.

Ride Start Times
Morning rides usually begin at 10:00 am (sometimes 9am for Level 4)
Evening rides typically start at 6:00 pm (6:15 for Level 4)

That said, start times may shift depending on the weather (like earlier mornings in summer to beat the heat). Always double-check your Cycle Club Events Calendar for the most up-to-date times and locations.

Planning Ahead
All Regular Season rides are posted in advance so you can plan your calendar! However, flexibility is key—ride details may occasionally change based on group needs or Ride Leader availability.

Got Questions?
For the first two Sundays of the season, all rides start at the same location. After that, start points will vary depending on the ride Level.
If you have questions, come a bit early on Sundays—some of our more seasoned riders will be happy to chat and help you out.

FAQs

Why do I need a Cycle Club account? 
It lets you RSVP, see who else is riding, and keeps Ride Leaders informed (including access to your emergency contact info if needed).

Where do rides start? 
Start points vary based on Ride Leaders. Be sure to check your Events Calendar. Some times may shift in extreme heat or shorter daylight seasons.

Can I ask questions before a ride? 
Absolutely. Use the Discussion feature linked to each ride in your Cycle Club account—Ride Leaders or fellow members will chime in.

What about Guests? 
We welcome guest riders! Guests just need to sign a waiver (available on the NHCC website) and hand it to the Ride Leader. Guests can join us for up to 3 rides before needing a full membership.

What’s the deal with Ride Levels and Leaders? 
Levels 1–3: No Drop Rides—with a Leader and a Sweep (no one gets left behind!)
Level 4: Regroup style—riders meet up at pre-set locations during the ride.
Ride Leaders set the tone, support the group, and help keep things safe and smooth.

Which Level should I choose? 
When in doubt, start easy! You can always move up a level as you go. Feel free to switch between Levels depending on how you’re feeling.

See you on the road soon! 🚴‍♀️🚴‍♂️
Let’s ride!

Just a quick reminder—our exciting event is almost here! Join us for an evening of fun and anticipation as we kick off the 2025 cycling season. Tomorrow, Thursday, March 27 at 7pm, we’re gathering at the Baltimore Recreation Centre to celebrate the upcoming cycling season and give you a sneak peek at what’s in store.

For just $40 (special event rate for that night only!), this is the perfect chance for current members, new members, or any cycling enthusiast to come together. Feel free to bring a friend (or more!) along to meet some of our ride leaders, find out about the ride schedule, and purchase a club jersey from our limited supply.

We’ve got a fantastic season lined up with rides suited for all levels, and we can’t wait to share more with you!

Save Time & Skip the Line – Pre-join online!

Want to avoid waiting in line at the event? You can save time byPre-joining ONLINE. When prompted for payment, simply remit $40 instead of the regular $45 rate. This way, you can breeze through the process and have more time to mingle, meet new people, and get excited for the upcoming season!

It’s that exciting time of year when we gear up for the upcoming cycling season—and that means Membership Night! We’ve got a special rate for that night only—$40! Whether you’re a current member, a potential new member, or simply a cycling enthusiast, we’d love for you to join us. Feel free to bring a friend or two (or more)! This is a great opportunity to meet some of our ride leaders for the 2025 season, get the inside scoop on our ride schedule, purchase a club jersey, and much more! We’ve got an amazing season planned with Rides for every ability to look forward to. We can’t wait to see you there!

Club Jerseys We have a limited supply of club jerseys on-hand, plus we’ll be taking orders if we don’t have your size (prices for new orders have yet to be determined).

Existing inventory:
Regular short-sleeve: $85
*Premium short-sleeve: $125
*Premium long-sleeve: $130
(*Premium Features: Reflective strip across the back pockets, additional side pockets, premium fabric sleeves, and laser-cut hems.)

Date: Thursday March 27, 7pm
Location: Baltimore Recreation Centre, 25 Community Centre Rd., Baltimore

The NHCC has 254 exciting rides planned for this season, and we need YOU to help make them happen! Don’t worry—we’re not asking for a commitment to lead every single ride. Just a few times here and there so we can share the responsibility and keep the cycling community thriving. Even if you can only lead occasionally, every little bit counts.

What’s New for 2025?
We’ve been working behind the scenes this winter to make the role of Ride Leader easier and more enjoyable. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Ready-to-Go Routes

No more stressing over which route to pick! This year, we’ve already developed and mapped out the routes for the entire season. Every level (1, 2, 3, and 4) has a pre-planned route, all ready to go. All you need to do is check the Events Calendar, pick the ride that works for you, and say, “Heck yeah, I can lead that one!” It’s that easy.

2. Flexibility to Choose Your Own Route

If you prefer to take the group on a different route, feel free! We’re offering you the freedom to customize the ride to your liking, or you can simply use the pre-planned route if that’s easier.

3. Ride Schedule for 2025

Here’s what the schedule looks like for our four ride levels:

• Level 1: Wednesday and Sunday mornings (2 rides per week)
• Level 2: Tuesday evenings, Thursday and Sunday mornings (3 rides per week)
• Level 3: Tuesday evenings, Thursday and Sunday mornings (3 rides per week)
• Level 4: Tuesday and Thursday evenings, Sunday mornings (3 rides per week)

4. We’ve Got Your Back—Training & Support

New to being a Ride Leader? No problem! We’ll get you ready for success with some on-road pre-season practice. We’ll walk you through our standard safety protocols and show you the amazing features available to Ride Leaders on the Cycle Club app. You’ll feel confident and supported every step of the way.

Why Should You Be a Ride Leader?

Becoming a Ride Leader means you’ll be an NHCC Hero! Whether you can lead once a month or every week, your contribution is vital to our club’s success. You’ll be making the rides possible for everyone, and you’ll have a lot of fun in the process.

Ready to pitch in? Sign up by completing the form below! If the form doesn’t display, don’t worry—click here to view in on the NHCC website. We can’t wait to have you on board!

It’s an opportunity to begin getting excited about riding our bicycles again! The NHCC’s Bicycle Shorts Film Fest is on Friday night. It should be a fun night out with fellow cycling friends—we hope to see everyone there!

*$5 per person to help cover our venue cost. 

Dates: Friday March 7th: 7:00-9:00pm
Location: Baltimore Recreation Centre

RSVP! Members, please use your Cycle Club Events Calendar to RSVP so that we know how many to expect. 

Start time: 9:30am
Start Location: Northumberland Forest, McDonald Trailhead, 507 McDonald Rd, Grafton

After a couple of Tuesday evening forest hikes in the dark, how about a forest hike during in the light.

Starting at the Northumberland forest McDonald trailhead, we’ll do a loop of about 6-8 Km along some forest roads and trails.

Should be nice in the forest after the anticipated Friday snowfall.

With all the snow it’s hard to even imagine riding our bicycles—but, while we wait we have a  Bicycle Shorts Film Fest coming your way! Randy has collaborated with Rob Wilkes of VeloVID.com to bring you a collection of short videos curated into a great collection of cycling entertainment. We’ll play it on the biggish screen at the Baltimore Rec Centre. We’ll have popcorn just like at the theatre! It’s a fun night out with friends—we hope to see everyone there!

*$5 per person to help cover our venue cost. 

Dates: Friday March 7th: 7:00-9:00pm
Location: Baltimore Recreation Centre

RSVP! Members, please use your Cycle Club Events Calendar to RSVP so that we know how many to expect. 

Reminder of tonight’s Ride With GPS training for any club member who wants to know how to use the app to search for routes, interpret the distance & elevation on a given route, keep track of your rides, and understand the powerful mapping platform that the Club uses.  By the time it’s done you’ll know how to sift through, find routes, and get voice navigation of our 775 routes in the club Library. You’ll also learn how to share a route with others nearby with a quick & easy QR code. We have plenty of room for any club member who might want to join us! RSVP on the Cycle Club app to let us know you are coming.  6:00 at the Baltimore Recreation Centre.