Yeah, it’s a little short notice, but we are taking advantage of nice weather while we have it. If enough level 1 and 2 riders are interested, Maria and Dennis will lead a ride for Levels 1 – 2+. A morning ride offers a chance to ride a little longer than evening. There are two different starting points, allowing riders to choose a suitable distance. Levels 1 and 2 start near the entrance to Presqu’ile Park and Level 2+ riders could start in Colborne an hour earlier and meet the gang at 10am.

Presqu’ile Start point (Level 1 and 2)
Start time: 10am
Start location: The boat launch, 1km east of the entrance to Presqu’ile Park
Ride leaders: Maria Garrett

Colborne Start (Level 2+)
Start time: 9am
Start location: The Keeler Center parking lot in Colborne
Ride leaders: Dennis Benson

IMPORTANT, RSVP: The ride is a go if enough people are interested. It’s important to leave a comment indicating that you plan to participate and where you will start.

New start time: 10am

This time we’ll take one of Roy and Dave’s routes that they like to take, with a few modifications. It’s a hilly one, but there are two distances to choose from. You’ll head along the Lakeshore, travel north to the 7th line (we all know how hilly that is!) and then over to Bewdley (or not, if you so choose).

Start time: 10am
Start location: The park on Carlisle between Westwood and Ewing
Route map (62k): Printable route map here or view it on Ride with GPS
Route map (72k): View it on Ride with GPS

So….you riding?

The season is winding down a little, but we’ve been promised a warmer than usual Autumn. With the changing (shrinking) daylight hours, evening rides will start earlier (6:00 in most cases). Morning rides also revert to a 10am start time to avoid the chill that September mornings can bring.

There are a few events outside of our regular club rides to mark on your calendars for the month of September:

Saturday September 13th: Out of town Level 3 & 4 ride starting in Centreton or Castleton (this one will have hills)
Wednesday September 17th: The Wednesday Night All Levels Ride & Social (details to follow)

The days are short(er). In fact, sunset is offically 7:44 tonight, meaning lights are required as of 7:14pm. That means an earlier start time. Meet at 6:00 at the Town Hall if you’re riding with the Port Hope group tonight. ‘Least the weather’s warm!

Time: 6:00pm
Start location: Port Hope Town Hall
Ride Leader: Pamela Tate

It’s not a huge crowd that rides in Port Hope, but Pam sure does appreciate knowing how many to expect. Leave a comment, let her know you are riding.

This ride will start out at the industrial park on Willmott Street. We will head east on highway 2 all the way to Grafton. Once in Grafton we will ride towards the lake and follow the waterfront trail back to Cobourg

Start time: 6:00pm
Start location: Industrial park on Willmott Street
Route Map:  View the link on Ride with GPS
Ride Leader: Mike Mclellan

Joseph Boutilier has been undertaking a 5,000-kilometer, 5-month unicycle ride, Unity for the Climate, across Canada to promote unity for the climate and will be departing Cobourg tomorrow morning. The trip culminatse in Ottawa after rallies, events and meetings in dozens of other communities along his route. Joseph is calling on the Canadian government to take rapid, strategic and collaborative action to tackle the climate change crisis.

We are inviting the membership of the NHCC to ride along with him as he leaves Cobourg in the morning, showing our support. He will be riding eastbound on the Waterfront Trail, and we’ll ride from downtown Cobourg with him. Ride along for whatever distance you wish! Hey, if any NHCCers ride a unicycle, free free to ride it.

Date: Tuesday September 2, 2015
Start time: 10:30am
Start location: The parking lot behind the Dutch Oven

Hope to see you all there!

After the big ride today, give your legs a little break and come out for a little fun and enjoy the 2014 Tune Your Ride Tour. It brings four Toronto-based folk musicians from Brockville to Toronto by bicycle, performing in Port Hope on Sunday. These cycling musicians cover almost 400 kilometres without a support vehicle and carry their instruments and a full PA with them. Their Port Hope performance is one of eight bike-powered concerts in towns along the route.

Building on the success of four consecutive years of presenting the Bicycle Music Festival in Toronto, the Tune Your Ride Collective is thrilled to follow in the tire tracks of bicycle-touring legends The Ginger Ninjas and Jeremy Fisher and their mentors SHAKE YOUR PEACE! by taking their show on the road with this second annual bike-powered adventure!

Time & Place: 6:00 – 8:00pm, Port Hope Bandshell

There’s been a request to ride to Newcastle and back, stopping for lunch in Newcastle if members wish. All total, the ride would be 80km. Less if you choose to shorten it by turning around at any time to come back. We’ll be following the Waterfront Trail, so no route map is necessary.

Start time: 9:00am
Start location: The park on Carlisle (between Westwood and Ewing)

Some want to stop for lunch….if that describes you, please ensure you leave a comment to that effect. You know, we don’t want to overwhelm the restaurant!

Ride ON! Radar seems to show we will escape the rain. See you all there!

We’ve all been waiting for this one…the Big Distance ride, supported by the NHCC. Choose your distance, make sure your bike is in good working order, and be ready to ride far! Although there will be no ride leaders, all levels are welcome to come out and give it a try. The route is easy and it’s flat. You are likely able to ride farther than you think without those hills.

Support: The NHCC provides a vehicle along the route and will be stationed at designated rest stops where you can grab some trail mix, fruit, water and/or gatorade. You are also welcome to place a few of your own items in the support vehicle prior to the start of the ride. The support vehicle is equipped to carry two bicycles if you find you need to be “rescued”. Keep in mind though, that the support vehicle will not return to the start until 160k riders have passed through the last rest stop.

The routes: All 3 distances depart from the Arena on Furnace St. The 100k and 160k riders go all the way to the lighthouse in Presqu’ile Park. The 100k riders then turn around and head back to Cobourg while the 160k riders proceed out of the Park too, but then do an additional 60k loop around the Lake Consecon area before heading back to Cobourg.

Preparation: It’s essential to have a tire changing kit with a spare tube, a little $$ in case you need something along the way, I.D., route map, and a PLAN. A plan includes having a phone number of someone to call in case you need it. If you think you want to stop for lunch somewhere along the way, start by leaving a comment to see if there are others planning the same.

It’s not about speed! It’s a long way to go, so plan to set aside your day for it, and ride at a comfortable pace. Buddy up with others who will be riding around your pace and distance.

Designated Rest Stops:
25k (for 50/100/160k): Lakeport Rd. (Turnaround point for the 50k riders)
57K (for 100/160k): Entrance to Presqu’ile Park
121k (for 160k): Entrance to Presqu’ile Park
142k (for 160k): Wicklow Beach

Start time: 9:00am
Start location: The Arena on Furnace St.
Route maps:
50k Printable route map here or view it at Ride with GPS
100k Printable route map here or view it at Ride with GPS
160k Printable route map here or link to Ride with GPS

This route is 22k long. We will meander through town so we are thoroughly warmed up before we attempt Bickle. The important thing to remember when attempting this climb is that the slower the pace the easier it will be to make it to the top!

Start Time: 6:00pm
Start Location: Arena on Furnace Street
Ride Difficulty: Level 2 ++
Route Map:  View the link on Ride with GPS
Ride Leader: Mike McLellan