Surely the weather has to take a turn for the better soon and we’ll all be out riding. In the meantime, we’d like to direct your attention to a new feature on our website. The Members Forum is a great resource for us to share information. It’s the place where you can:

• Create your own Ride: Find someone to ride with outside of official club rides.
• Charity Rides: Post information about a charity ride that you are participating in, or want to let others know about
• Buy, Sell, Trade, Swap: Classified ads where you can sell bikes, parts etc.
• Road Hazards & Construction Reports: Mention hazardous conditions, road closures etc.

Check it out, see what the possibilities are. You can subscribe to topics and forums that are of interest to you if you wish to be notified whenever new content is added. By default, you will not be notified about new content.

Photo courtesy of Northumberland Tourism.

The NHCC goes off road! We’ve got mountain biking on the sched for three Saturdays in May, particularly geared for the teenaged crowd. The group will venture into the forest and discover how much fun it can be to step away from the X-box, leave the electronicals behind and get some real authentic fresh air.

It won’t be crazy neck-breaking technical stuff, but it will be fun.

Dates: May 4, 11 and 18 (Saturdays)
Times: 2:00-4:00
NHCC members: FREE
Non-NHCC members: $5 per ride (plus the signing of a waiver)
Age: 14-20 (and for the young at heart)

Got some friends? Got kids? Friends with teenagers? Let ’em know. More details will be provided as we get closer. Bike helmets are mandatory—no helmet, no ride!

Cycle Transitions, the Do-it-Yourself Bicycle Shop will be offering Women’s Only Workshops in bicycle maintenance and repairs at their facility starting next month. It’s a great opportunity to learn some useful technical skills in a fun, comfortable environment. And best of all, you’ll feel empowered once you know what that funny thingamajiggy is, and what to do with it. 🙂

Thursday, April 25, 2013 (7:00-9:00pm):
Introduction Workshop “Cleaning and Maintaining Your Bike”

Thursday, May 23, 2013 (7:00-9:00pm): 
“Hubs, Headsets and Bottom Brackets” with guest mechanic Tegan Moss

Thursday, June 13, 2013 (7:00-9:00pm):
“Shifters and Derailleurs” with guest mechanic Tegan Moss

Thursday, July 11, 2013 (7:00-9:00pm): 
TBA with guest mechanic Tegan Moss

Pre-registration is required. Email: info@cycletransitions.org for information
NHCC members: $10 per session, $30 per set of 4 workshops, with opportunity to join their non profit group ($30 single yearly membership, $50 family membership).

(FREE for Cycle Transitions members)

Yes, it’s very short notice, but we’ve been holding out hoping for a good weather forecast and it looks like the weather gods are working in our favour. 8° and sunny! As always though, keep your eye on the comments section to know for sure what’s happening.

We ride from Baltimore to Sandy Flat Sugar Bush, eat some pancakes, sausage and yummy maple syrup then pedal home. It doesn’t get any better than that! The route is approximately 60km it’s a hilly one, so if you haven’t been out there training, your legs are gonna be sore afterward. It’s not for the newbie rider! You can however, cut that distance in half by starting in Centreton at the main intersection, joining the group as they pass through. NOTE: If you start in Centreton, be ready to ride as soon as the group passes through. The warmed-up riders will chill way too much if they have to stop for any length of time.

Check out the route: Sandy Flats Breakfast route map

Date: Saturday March 9, 2013
Starting place (for the 60k): Baltimore Community Center (10:30am)
Starting in Centreton (30k): Main intersection (11:30-11:45, approx. Be ready to ride!)
Anticipated arrival at the Sugar Shack: 12:30-1:00pm

Admission to the Festival is $4.00 and another $7.00 if you are partaking in the pancake breakfast.

Location of Sandy Flat Sugar Bush map here

Please comment below if you are planning to ride. It’s nice for others to know that there will someone going, and they won’t be riding alone!

We’ve reserved space at The Mill in the pub, so we’ll see you all there! If you aren’t planning to stop by for wings (or whatever) but you still want to get your membership taken care of, by all means stop in. We’ll have blank forms there with us and we’ll also take orders for club jerseys. ($68 incl. tax)

We have three women’s jerseys (sizes S, M and L) still in inventory that can be purchased and taken away tonight. Others will need to be placed on order.

If anyone out there has a men’s Men’s Large and are willing to bring it along to allow someone to try it on for size, please do so. We’d appreciate it! (We already have a men’s M and XL on loan to try on)

See you all tonight!

Ahhhh…..the woes of typo’s in a phone number that end up quite awkward. For anyone trying to contact Specialized regarding the safety recall, please use this number. 877-808-8154. We can confirm that it is indeed correct and you won’t end up at some….ummmm….questionable destination when you place your call. :0

Specialized Bicycles has issued a voluntary recall for a fork hazard on selected carbon models.

Description: The 2012 and 2013 model road bicycles and framesets come in various colors and have the brand name “Specialized” on the frame. The model name “Tarmac SL4,” “Crux” or “Secteur” is also located on the frame. The recall includes all models of the 2012 Tarmac SL4, 2013 Tarmac SL4, 2013 Crux and 2013 Secteur Disc. The model year and style names are on the sales documents. Complete details including pictures can be found on the company’s media release here.

Hazard: The steerer tube in the front fork can break, posing a fall hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Two incidents were reported, one involving a fall with facial injuries and lacerations requiring stitches.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the bicycles and take them to an authorized dealer for free inspection and, if needed, a free repair.

Consumer Contact: Specialized Bicycle Components toll-free at (877)808-8154 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or website at www.specialized.com for more information and click on Support and then Safety Notices.

The membership forms have been finalized and are ready for you to download and complete. If you complete it and bring it to our Membership and Wings Night on February 13th you get the early-bird rate of $42. If you can’t make it that night, you can pop it into the mail or drop it off in person prior and still get the same $42 rate.
Address: NHCC, c/o 752 Beatty Cr. Cobourg K9A 5K7

2013 NHCC Member Form
Parent/Legal Guardian Form (additional requirement for members under 18 years of age)

NEW: The new “Guest Rider” policy
With our new insurance structure, we are now able to offer a much better guest rider program. Non-members will be permitted to ride with the NHCC for $5 per ride (and signing a waiver) up to a maximum of 3 rides, after which the balance of a full membership would be required. This is good news for friends and family members who might just want to come out for a couple of rides, or for out-of-towners who are visiting for a week. Also, for those who aren’t sure whether a bike club is for them, it provides opportunity to “try it out” before committing. If you think this option is for you or your friends, print out the Guest Waiver and bring it to your first ride.
Guest Rider Waiver Form

All righty! We are finally ready to start taking memberships for 2013. The good news is that from now until February 13th you’ll be able to get your membership for our early-bird rate of $42 at our Membership and Wings Night. Friends and family are most welcome.(After Feb 13th the regular cost for membership will be $45).

New for 2013
One important new change for 2013 is that we will no longer by an OCA (Ontario Cycling Association) affiliated club. We’ve done our research, shopped around and are breaking away from the pack, going with a new insurance provider. For this reason, the membership fee of $42 (or $45 after Feb. 13th) will apply to all members.

We’ll also start taking orders for those snazzy club jerseys of ours so that you’ll be ready for cycling season (6 week delivery). The exact cost is unknown at the moment but will likely be about $68-$75.

Date: Wednesday February 13th
Time: 7:00pm
Place: The Mill Restaurant Pub

Please RSVP by commenting below so that we can make sure the pub sets aside enough space for us. If you cannot make it to Membership Night, you can still get the $42 rate by mailing or dropping your membership in person at Anita’s house. Email here for directions: nhcycling2010@gmail.com