This route is 17k long and it won’t be too much of a killer. We start out small and add a little more distance each week as the season progresses, based on the developing needs of the group. Don’t worry about keeping up with the crowd—It’s a no-drop ride, we work together and support each other. If you aren’t sure which group you fit in best with, come out and give level 2 a try. If it’s too easy, then you can aim for a level 3 next time. Too hard, switch to level 1 the next week.

Notes: Helmets are mandatory. Please bring your membership card with you. If you mailed in your membership forms, your cards will be issued to you at the ride.
Start Time: 7:00pm
Start Location: The park on Carlisle St. between Ewing and Westwood
Ride Difficulty: Level 2
Route Map: Printable route map with elevations or, View the link on Ride with GPS
Ride leader: Mike McLellan

For the first time, the NHCC will be offering a 5-week extended Cycling Skills and Safety course that has been adapted from the standard Can-Bike safe cycling program and customized to meet our needs here in the NHCC. The course is intended for those who have a little experience but want to upgrade their skills. You will learn to ride defensively and develop a set of skills and attitudes including:

• good traffic judgement and anticipation
• assertiveness in traffic
• knowledge of the rules of the road
• understanding potential hazards
• communication techniques
• collision avoidance techniques
• group riding dynamics and etiquette

It is not a maintenance course nor will it teach you how to ride faster. It’s about riding confidently, enjoyably, and most importantly safely—both individually and within a group. If you think you have nothing to learn because you’ve been riding for years, we challenge you to attend. The certified Can-Bike instructors delivering the course are confident that not a single person will complete it without having learned something.

Dates: Tuesday Evenings, May 20th, 27th, and June 10th, 17th, and 24th.
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Cost: FREE! Here’s how it works: $25 payable at the first class, and we refund it 100% upon completion for club members who attend a minimum of 4 sessions.
Location: Cycle Transitions parking lot, 739 D’Arcy St. Cobourg (behind the building)

Pre-registration would be much appreciated so that we know how many to expect. To pre-register, just send a quick email to let us know you want to attend and we’ll reserve your spot!

We all wanna ride our bikes, but we all wanna do it safely, right? All Northumberland Hills Cycling Club members are encouraged to attend our NHCC Safe Cycle Clinic which will cover essential safety principles and group riding techniques that will help build confidence in riding with a group and in traffic safely. You will be introduced to:

• Cycling and the Law
• Basic Bicycle Inspection
• Traffic Cycling Principles
• Where do you ride
• Lane positioning
• Intersections
• Rules of the Road
• Right and Left turns
• Group Riding

This two hour clinic will comprise of demonstrations, off-bike simulations, and on-road practice under the guidance of certified Can-Bike instructors. Bring your bikes and make sure that you dress appropriately for a little outdoorsiness. All levels of riders are encouraged to attend! It’s not about learning to ride a bike….it’s about riding it safely, protecting yourself and those in the group you are riding with.

Date: Tuesday, May 13th
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Location: Cycle Transitions parking lot, 739 D’Arcy St. Cobourg (behind the building)

(Note that the NHCC will also be offering a 5-week extended “NHCC Cycling Skills and Safety” course for those wanting more depth and practice, starting on Tuesday May 20th. Details to come)

The Greenbelt Route is a signed bike route extending more than 460km across the Greenbelt, inspiring recreational cyclists to connect with and experience Greenbelt attractions—from nature, farming, food and rural towns—more often and more easily.

This May they are beta testing the route in order to gain important feedback from people like us. We have been invited to join the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation and Waterfront Regeneration Trust in being one of the very first to ride the Greenbelt Route from Cobourg to Alderville in a Mobile Workshop taking place in our region on Saturday May 10th.

There is no requirement to cycle—we are welcome to attend for just the morning presentations if we like. We are encouraged however, to get on our bikes for whatever portion of the ride we wish—morning, afternoon, or a full day. They have full support to pick up you and your bike if you have had enough cycling for the day. Please note there is a $30 workshop registration fee (to the organizers, not to the NHCC) for participation, which includes breakfast and lunch.

Date: Saturday, May 10th
Time: 7am to 5pm
Cost: $30 Registration and more information at www.greenbeltcycles.com

Finally! Our first Level 1 ride of the year is set to take place on Monday and will signify the “official” start of our cycling season. We’ll start with some basics: rules of the road, introduction to riding in a group, and we’ll also be there to answer any of your questions about how the NHCC works. We’ll take it really easy, cruising around, getting a feel for riding together on the road.

This year there may be a lot of new members unfamiliar with how it all works—we’d really love to see some of you experienced riders come out, meet and welcome our new NHCC’ers, and share the “fun, fitness, and friendship” part of our club motto.

Notes: Helmets are mandatory. Please bring your membership card with you. If you mailed in your membership forms, your cards will be issued to you at the ride.

Time: 6:30-8:00pm
Difficulty: Level 1
Start location: South end of parking lot at industrial plaza (see map)
Ride Leaders: Maria Garrett

View Larger Map

The Parasport Games are coming up quick! The opening ceremonies gala is taking place in one short month from now. It’s hoped that as many as possible can attend and show support for the athletes and our community.

Date: Friday, May 30th
Location: Cobourg Community Center
Tickets: Cobourg Community Center, Northumberland County Headquarters, Capitol Theatre, and Jack Burger Sports Complex ($20)

Check the website for more information. www.2014parasportgames.ca

Tomorrow’s forecast: Sunshine! So if you aren’t still busy hunting for Easter eggs or preparing some big feast for family and friends we’re going to head out for a ride to Harwood and back during the warmest part of the day, the afternoon. We anticipate riding at an advanced pace suitable for experienced riders.

Note: The official season regular rides start in just two weeks at which time we will be posting rides for all the different ride Levels 1 to 4. (See the Calendar here). Until then, Pre-season rides are weather-dependent, do not formally have ride leaders, or conform to a standard start time and may be announced on short notice.

Start time: 1:00pm
Anticipated Level of Difficulty: Level 4
Route Map: Printable Route map with elevation chart or, if you are equipped with a GPS View the link on Ride with GPS (note that we start at Furnace St., not Precious Corners as the map indicates)
Start location: The Cobourg Memorial Rink on Furnace St.

How ’bout letting others know you are riding, by leaving a comment!