Photos from Sundays ride and Bits of Info

23 people came out for the ride. Riding season is definitely here. Yeah yeah, there were lots of hills, but didn’t the weather make it all worthwhile?

For those who are new to the club, we’d just like to give you a quick run down on when we ride and a few other things.

Thursday and Sunday mornings, 10:00am
These rides are our longer rides. Early in the season the routes are a little shorter and they get progressively longer as people become more fit. There’s usually a shorter route option for you if you’re crunched for time, or if you want to take it a little easier that day. Since riders of all speed and ability are participating, it’s anticipated that sub-groups of similar pace will form and and proceed at their own rate.

The Thursday morning route is the same as Sunday morning. For those who can make it to both, you get to “preview” it on Thursday and then perfect it on Sunday.

Monday and Wednesday Novice Night Rides
These rides are designed for new riders who may be new to cycling in a club. It’s a no-drop ride where the group stays together so you never get left behind. You don’t have to worry that you’re not fit enough, not dressed like a flashy cyclist, or that it’s going to be too much for you. There’s usually plenty of experienced folks on this ride too, offering support and encouragement while also enjoying a pleasantly paced ride. These rides will get underway as the weather becomes reliably comfortable in the evenings, usually mid-May.

Finally, here’s the video of our Sunday ride with 23 people.

Ride Thursday, April 5th, 2012 Yippeee!

Nothing but sunshine predicted for this week, so we’re riding! This route’s 38.5km but you can shorten it to 19.5km if you wish.  If you think you might want to ride longer, take a look at the route and start discussing your options.

For the faster folks wanting more distance: If you think you might want to add some distance, right around the 25km mark there’s an opportunity—head west on Vimy Ridge, then south to Bethel Grove, then Jibb, and then re-join the group in Camborne and if you’re fast, everyone can still finish together. How way cool is that!  🙂

Start location: The Mill Restaurant parking lot, Cobourg
Route map: “The Big Loop” route map here
Start time: 10:00am

Hey, while you’re commenting below and making that commitment to ride, take a moment also to mention what distance you’re hoping to ride. If you can’t make it, don’t worry, we’ll do it all again on Sunday!

Ride For Heart: Let’s show our support

James Barnes, Ride for HeartJamie Barnes will be undertaking the Ride for Heart on June 3rd, 2012. It’s a really awesome epic ride down the Don Valley Parkway and along the Gardiner Expressway, all for a great cause. The course is 75km, but Jamie is planning on working hard for your support—He’s going to ride the course twice for a total of 150km!

His fundraising goal is $1,000. Every donation helps. We’ve got 52 club members—let’s show him how much the NHCC appreciates all that he’s doing for this great cause and see if we can’t help him realize his goal. Every donation brings him one step closer.

Good luck Jamie! Please Donate, Click here!

Thursday March 22nd: 38k ride (or 23k) from Donegan Park (10:00)

Ever heard that saying “Make hay while the sun shines”? That’s what we’re doing. The weather is still supposed to be great on Thursday morning, so we’re riding! This route is 38k but with a shorter option of 23k if necessary. Please print out the route map and bring it with you. We leave at 10am sharp, so if you need a couple of minutes to get your stuff together and get your bike ready, plan to arrive at the park a little earlier.

BTW, I heard on the news tonight that today was the last official day of winter. No way!!  🙂

Start time: 10:00am
Start location: Donegan Park, Cobourg
Route: “It’s all downhill from here” route map

See you all then! (Please mention by commenting below, if you are planning to ride)

Wednesday March 21st: Evening Group Ride: 6:00 Donegan Park

This one is for those of you who are a little afraid of speed and hills so early in the season. We’ll head toward Wicklow Beach. We’re limited by daylight hours, so we ride out for a half hour then turn around and come back. If we’re lucky we’ll make it to the Nuwatin conservation area which is quite nice, before having to turn around. This one’s good for riders of all ability, so come on out. Plus, it’s just plain great to have sunny warm 22° weather for an evening ride, isn’t it?

Start time: 6:00pm
Start location: Donegan Park, Cobourg
Route: Waterfront trail toward Wicklow Beach and back

Please mention below if you are coming.

Tuesday March 20th ADVANCED Ride (6:00pm) St. Mary’s School

This ride is for those folks who are experienced, aren’t afraid of speed, and want a little challenge early in the season. If you are riding, please remember to bring your headlights in case you’re still on the road near sunset, and red lights for the back of your bikes.

What does “Advanced” Mean?
Advanced rides typically include hills and/or speed and is designed to allow riders to challenge their own limits if they wish. Although riders may head out in group fashion initially, it’s not a “group” ride—All riders are expected to be self-sufficient in the event of  mechanical failure, and should also be equipped with a good understanding of the route in the event that the group becomes separated.

**Since it’s the first advanced ride of the season, there will be no permanent drop. If you fall off the back we will eventually wait or pair you up. No lone riders.

Start time: 6:00pm sharp!
Start location: St. Mary’s School parking lot, northern end
Distance and Route: To be announced at the start point
Ride Leader: Jamie Barnes

Sunday, March 18th: 30km ride (10am)

We’re still in “off-season” but it’s sure looking like awesome cycling weather, so there’s no reason to sit indoors. This route is only 29.7km but if you want to cut off some distance, you can make it about 20km by taking a shortcut at Danforth Rd.  And hey, if you want to go longer, you could freestyle it and extend the route at the northern end.

Start time: 10:00am
Start location: The park on Carlise St. between Ewing and Westwood
Route: Town and Country route map here.

If you might ride, let us know. Hopefully the forces of nature will be kind and work out for us. Let us know if you’re thinking of 30k or 20k. (or even longer)

Thursday, March 15th: Ride from Donegan Park 10am

It’s looking like it will be cloudy but warm, so dig out that bike and meet at Donegan Park for 10:00am. We’ll head out somewhere, depending on wind pattern. There’s no snow or ice to be found on the roads so we can head north if we want to. Maybe we’ll see another pack of deer like we did on the last ride. 😀

Start time: 10:00am
Start location: Donegan Park
Route: To be determined

Think you’ll ride? And if so, how far?