Cycle touring—what to bring, where to go, and how to plan for anything. Manfred will be sharing his experiences and answering your questions about cycle touring, sharing experiences from his recent 41-day tour where he cycled what National Geographic rates as a top 10 cycling route, the Underground Railroad from Mobile, Alabama to Owen Sound in Ontario for a total of 3,700kms. No support vehicle, totally self-sufficient, and riding in rain, shine, or cold—it takes planning, it takes the right bike and equipment, but most of all it takes commitment. The best news of all is that it is totally doable and a rewarding experience unlike any other adventure. Bring your questions and your curiosity to our informal workshop.
Date: Saturday, February 15
Time: 1:00–3:00pm
Where: Cycle Transitions Shop
Cost: $10

Calling all those who are heading over to the Capitol on Saturday night to see Carlos Del Junco perform! If you want to meet at Jim’s Pizza at the bottom of Walton St. in Port Hope for 6:30, please RSVP by commenting to say you are joining us there and we will make the necessary reservation. It’s a tiny place and fills up really fast, so don’t wait.

Hellooooooooo NHCC members! We just wanted to bring your attention to the really fabulously talented, spectacular musician Carlos Del Junco who is not only one of our very own NHCC members but also a world-class harmonica player. Some of us travelled down to Picton recently to hear Carlos Del Junco and the Blues Mongrels (quartet) and we were mesmerized! So much so, that we want to let everyone know that he’s playing at the Capitol Theatre in Port Hope. It’s not entirely Jazz, not always Blues, but always a whole lotta fun! There are several of us planning to make an evening out of out, and hopefully you will too.

Date: Friday, February 1st
Time: 8:00pm
Place: Cameco Capitol Arts Centre, Port Hope
Cost: $33 (Tickets available online at the Capitol Theatre Website: http://capitoltheatre.com

Among Carlos’ many recognitions are two Gold Medals from the Hohner World Harmonica Championship in Trossingen, Germany, as well as multiple national awards in Canada which includes Carlos’ eight time Harmonica Player of The Year wins out fifteen years of the Maple Leaf Blues Awards.

If anyone wants to meet at a local restaurant beforehand and enjoy a bite to eat, let’s use the comment feature to start that conversation!

Just a quick reminder about the Winter Cycling Workshop, just 8 days away. If you are planning to attend, Cycle Transitions is asking that you please RSVP by sending an email so that the organizers can reserve a spot just for you. info@cycletransitions.org

Just because it’s cold, doesn’t mean you can’t ride your bicycle. Come out for the Winter Cycling Workshop for a great opportunity to learn how others do it. A sharing of winter riding best-practices from experienced local riders. Effective clothing, gear, and winter bicycle maintenance will be discussed and you can ask questions!

Date: Saturday, January 25
Time: 10 am to noon
Where: Cycle Transitions Shop
Cost: $5 for NHCC or Cycle Transitions members, $10 for non-members

Change of plan for tomorrow’s Ride & Potluck—Randy says the ice on the road is just too darn dangerous out there to even attempt to ride a bike. Instead, we are going to do a 5k New Year’s Day walk. So, leave the bikes at home, come for the walk and potluck. Let us know if you’re coming! If you need Randy’s address, email us.

Yes, that’s correct— New Years Day Ride! —It’s the traditional ride from Randy’s house and a potluck to follow on New Year’s Day. All members of the NHCC and the Ganaraska Freewheelers are welcome. We go rain or shine, snow or sleet, freezing cold or not. If you are a little too fragile to take on the cold you are welcome to hang out indoors and wait for the brave ones to return for the potluck. Last year, Pam can attest that it was cold, but fun!

Bring your favorite dish. Anything goes—we’ve seen it all from fancy little smoked salmon thingies to Rockets (yeah, those great little candies). Also, please bring your own plate, cutlery and your favourite beverage.

Date: Wednesday, January 1st, 2014
Location: Randy Albon’s house (Theresa St. Cobourg)
Time: 1:00 for the ride, 2:30 potluck

If you are planning to attend, please RSVP by using the commenting feature so Randy can anticipate numbers. If you need his address, please email us and we’ll email it back to you.

The agenda has been finalized and we’re ready to go for Friday’s AGM. It will be a great opportunity to renew your membership for next year, pickup an NHCC T-shirt for someone for Christmas, place an order for a jersey, or snap up one of the few that remain in stock.

Location: Cobourg Yacht Club, 100 Hibernia St. Cobourg
Arrival time: 6:00
Dinner: 6:30pm sharp!

It’s your chance to be heard. In order to help us develop programs in a way that’s valuable to all participants, would you take a couple of minutes to answer just 6 shrimpy little questions prior to our AGM on Friday? It makes a difference, cuz we really do listen!
Click here to take survey

(And don’t you worry ’bout privacy…your answers are totally anonymous, no names or emails are attached to survey results, so even we won’t know who filled out the survey.)

The NHCC is seeking nominations for two openings on the Board of Directors for 2014. Paul Mills, treasurer, will be retiring from the Board of Directors. Randy Albon’s term is expiring and he is eligible for re-election to the Board.

The Board of Directors for the NHCC consists of five people who will serve as directors. Once elected, they hold a meeting among themselves at a subsequent Board of Directors meeting to determine who will serve as the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Director-at-Large.

To nominate someone for a Director’s position:
-confirm with your nominee that they accept the nomination
–email your nomination to the Secretary  before 6:00pm, Monday Nov. 18th, 2013*.

Nominations for the 2 Directors positions shall be posted on the website on Tuesday November 19th. Voting will take place at the AGM. If you cannot attend the AGM and wish to vote, you may email your vote once the nominees names have been posted.

*There will also be an opportunity to take Nominations from the floor at the AGM on the 15th.

Your existing 2013 Board of Directors are:
President: Randy Albon
Vice-President: Anita Macklin
Treasurer: Paul Mills
Secretary: Vivian Vandenhazel
Director at Large: Pamela Tate