Membership Night was a huge success yet again. The NHCC took in 55 new members on that night alone and lots of folks picked up a jersey so there’ll be a lot of NHCC blue on the roads just as soon as the weather permits us to ride.

In case you weren’t able to make it to Membership Night, you can still access the information by downloading it below:

• 2016 Ride Calendar
• Ride Levels Explained
• WelcomePackage2016

NHCC Jerseys: If you want a jersey, we still have some sleeveless as well as short-sleeved ones still available. Just send us a message and we’ll get you set up! nhcycling2010@gmail.com

Lots of people are asking when we’ll go for our first ride—Although the official season starts in May, prior to that we post rides on relatively short notice as weather forecasts permit. We usually eye up the weather and if it looks like a sunny warm Saturday or Sunday in the forecast you can expect us to post a ride to Sandy Flats for pancakes. So far….it’s been too darn cold!

The CanBike2 course is a comprehensive Cycling Skills and Safety course that is being offered through a partnership between the NHCC and Cycle Transitions. Participants will learn to ride defensively, and develop skills and attitudes suitable for riding either individually or a group, 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

Instructors: Rick Nonnekes and Anita Macklin are certified Can-Bike instructors and are confident that regardless of experience, everyone will learn something new and be challenged by the bike handling skills we cover.

Dates:
Tuesday April 5th, 7-9pm (Part 1)
Tuesday April 12,7-9pm (Part 2)
Saturday April 16, 9am-4pm (Parts 3-5)

Cost:
Members of NHCC or Cycle Transitions: FREE—Participants will be asked for a $25 commitment fee that will be fully refunded to those who complete the course.
Non-members: $25

Location: Cycle Transitions parking lot, 739 D’Arcy St. Cobourg (behind the building)

Important: Please bring your bicycle and helmet. Cycle Transitions has indoor facilities for bike handling skills training which we will cover at each session.

Can-Bike 2 Certification (optional):
CanBike2 certification is a pre-requisite if any person wishes to become a Can-Bike instructor at some point in the future. If any participants wish to receive an official CanBike2 certificate of recognition upon completion of the course, please advise us when you arrive tomorrow night. (small fee may apply)

Note: as of 4:45 Port Hope is experiencing freezing rain, if this persists the hike will be cancelled. Check this post before you leave in case of changes.  THE HIKE IS ON!          For those who have been missing the Wednesday evening hikes lately, Heather will lead one this week around Port Hope. The hike will go for a couple of hours, then everyone can visit a local watering hole for beverages and snacks.

Date: Wednesday, April 6th
Time: 6:00
Meeting Location: Port Hope town hall parking lot, Queen and Augusta
Leader: Heather Read

Leave a comment below so Heather knows to expect you!

Roy is back in town and will lead the Tuesday morning walk. It’ll start at the Mill and head north of the 401 and wind around the residential area for a distance of 7 to 8 kilometers. Coffee and socializing and Harden and Huyse afterwards. Leave a comment below if you plan to be there.

Date: Tuesday, April 5th
Time: 9:30
Meeting Location: The Mill parking lot
Distance: 7 to 8 km
Walk Leader: Roy Martin

Tonight’s the night! Membership Night is when we officially get excited that cycling season is right around the corner. We are just waiting for a nice sunny Sunday to post our Sandy Flats Pancake ride. In the meantime, come out tonight and get a calendar of rides, pickup a snazzy jersey, or sign up for a cycle tour. Order up some snacks & a beer, and meet someof our Ride Leaders.

Jersey prices: Sleeveless ($60), Short sleeved ($65), Longsleeved ($80). There will also be plain ole t-shirts for $10.

Cycle Tours:  we are offering two mini-cycle tours this season. We are limiting numbers to 12 per tour  if you want to secure a spot bring a $25 deposit.  (total cost will be around $50)

Bicycle Maintenance Workshop and CanBike2 safety course:  get details and sign up tonight!

We will accept cash or cheques.  Sorry, no credit cards

Time & location: 7:00, at The Mill restaurant upstairs

The NHCC will be offering the Can-Bike2 safety training course for interested members of the NHCC. The course is intended for those who want develop safe cycling habits, those wanting to improve bike handling skills, for future ride leaders, and for any who need it as a prerequisite to become a CanBike instructor in the future. 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

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 no cyclist, regardless of experience, will complete it without learning something new. In fact, we have a few members who believe in the training so much they’ve taken the course every time we’ve offered it!

The course is a three-part series and takes place on the following dates:

Tuesday April 5th: evening, 7:00
Tuesday April 12th: evening, 7:00
Saturday April 16th: full day, 9:00am
Location: Cycle Transitions, 739 D’Arcy St., Cobourg
Instructors: Anita Macklin and Rick Nonnekes
Cost: $25 to register (NHCC members receive full refunds on course completion). ($10 fee will apply if candidates wish to write the CanBike2 certification test upon course completion)
RSVP Registration: Email us to reserve your spot. nhcycling2010@gmail.com

Got questions? Leave a comment and we’ll reply lickety split.

Dennis will meet everyone in front of Victoria Hall for this week’s Tuesday walk and head in the direction of Monk’s Cove. Of course there’s coffee and socializing at Harden and Huyse afterwards so come on out and let the group know to expect the pleasure of your company!

Date: Tuesday, March 29th
Time: 9:30
Meeting Location: in front of Victoria Hall
Walk Leader: everyone’s best friend, Dennis Benson

This is your opportunity! The strength and diversity of the NHCC ride program relies on the commitment of volunteers like you. We are looking to for ride leaders for the 2016 cycling season. The more ride leaders, the better we can offer variety to our membership.

You don’t need to be a super-fit cycling hero. Just willing to commit to showing up and leading the way and not necessarily every week either. You could just be an “occasional” leader who wants to go out on a Saturday, or some weekday morning. And if you are one of those speed demons who love hills, why not volunteer to lead a ride and take others with you? The proposed ride schedule for 2016 is as follows:

Monday evenings: Level 1
Tuesday evenings: Level 2
Wednesday evenings: Level 3
Thursday evenings: Level 4
Sunday mornings: Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4
Weekday and other rides: scheduled based on ride leader availability. Just let us know what you want!

You don’t need to be all confident yet. Just tell us you are in and we’ll get you ready to lead! Submit your name and a few details then you’ll hear from us to plan what’s next.

There’s no commitment or obligation at this point….just an expression of interest

This week’s walk will start at the post office and head east for a 6 or 7 km loop before enjoying a coffee and social at Harden and Huyse. Leave a comment below to let Dave know you’ll be there.

Date: Tuesday, March 22nd
Time: 9:30
Meeting Location: outside the post office
Leader: Dave Singfield

It hasn’t entirely sprung yet, but it sure will feel like it for tomorrow evening’s hike! Bring a rain jacket just in case and meet us all at the parking lot for 6:00. We’ll head out for our usual Port Hope adventures.

Start time: 6:00pm
Start location: Port Hope Town Hall parking lot
Hike leader: Pam Tate and/or Jim Berg

Let us know you are coming! Leave a comment.