On Thursday’s ride we opted to leave the really aggressive hill climbing for a little later in the season, so we set off to do what we felt like, resulting in a route that we really enjoyed and are going to do again this Sunday. Of course there are a few challenging hills to get the heart rate up! This ride is just over 40km but those wishing to add 22 km to it can meet at Donegan Park on D’Arcy Street in Cobourg. You’ll have an earlier start time, and will leave Donegan Park right before the Level 2’s set out.

If there are riders who would like a Level 2 option, they could ride out to either Colborne or Wicklow Beach from Donegan Park, then turn back, providing there is interest and a ride leader who will volunteer to lead this.

Date: Sunday, May 10th
Meet: Level 2, Donegan Park at 10:00
Level 3/4:  62 km, Donegan Park, 10:00
Level 3/4:  40 km, Haldimand Community Centre, north side of County Road 2 in Grafton, 10:30
Ride Leaders: Level 2 – ?
Level 3: Maria Siemiaszko
Route Map: Printable route map here “We Made it up as we went along!” or link to it on Ride with GPS
Level 2: there is no map as the ride follows the Waterfront Trail out and back again.

Bring your membership card or completed membership/guest rider form and payment. Helmets are mandatory.

We’ll start off the official Level 3 and 4 rides this season with a new route that incorporates portions that we’re already familiar with. For those who are looking a shorter ride, you can meet the group at the Haldimand Community Memorial Arena in Grafton for a 38km option.

NOTE  if there are riders interested in a Level 2 ride and a leader willing to lead them it is possible to make this a Level 2 ride by doing the ride to Grafton and back

Level 3 riders are encouraged to ride as a group or several smaller groups. Level 4 riders may choose to go ahead on their own or also in small groups, but each rider is expected to have a map.

Date: Thursday, May 7th
Time: 10:00
Start Location: Donegan Park, D’Arcy Street, Cobourg
Ride Leader: Maria Siemiaszko
Route: Printable route map here, or view it on Ride with GPS
Grafton Start: meet at the Haldimand Community Memorial Area on the north side of County Road 2 in Grafton and be ready to roll by 10:30.

Helmets are mandatory, and bring your membership card or membership/guest rider form and payment.

Tonight’s ride is cancelled due to the rain. We’ll try again next Monday

The location to pick up jerseys tonight has changed. They’ll now be at 12 Theresa St. Cobourg. Anytime after 7:00pm. Otherwise, text us if you need to make an alternative plan. 905-269-6815

They are finally in, just in time for the official start of our NHCC cycling season! If you have purchased a jersey you can pick it up tonight (Sunday) after 6:00pm at 752 Beatty Cr. or by other arrangement if you email us.

It’s here – the first official ride of 2015! We’re starting off with a Level 1 (easy, easy – check out the definitions of our ride classifications under NHCC Rides). We will spend a bit of time reviewing the rules of the road and group riding before we head off on an easy paced spin in town. Make sure you have air in your tires, wear your helmet (it’s mandatory in our club), and bring your membership card or completed membership form/waiver and payment for those who have yet to join. This is a no drop ride and is ideal for those looking to start off riding in a club or experienced riders out to enjoy a recovery ride. Dress appropriately for the weather and bring water or your favourite sports drink.

Start time: 6:30 pm
Start location: Donegan Park
Ride leader: Maria Siemiaszko

If you make a comment below, click on the box “notify me of follow-up comments by email” and you’ll receive an email when others comment, and most importantly, if any changes are made regarding the ride. Otherwise you’ll have to keep checking the post yourself.

Get those bikes out! The forecast is nothing but sunshine for Sunday. This ride takes some familiar roads up toward Harwood where we’ll take a break to reload water bottles from the Harwood Artesian Well, pause a little for a snack at the store (maybe even some butter tarts if they still have them, then enjoy a nice gentle ride back. We will ride in two groups, Level 3 and Level 4 but we won’t go crazy with speed. Some are just getting on their bikes for the first time this season!

Level 3 and Level 4 expectations: All riders are expected to have a route map. If you ride with Level 3 however, it is a Group Ride. Be prepared to ride at a pace that the whole group could maintain, and ride without a ride leader. Level 4 is expected to depart as a group and may possibly stay together, but also may break off naturally into smaller groups according to ability. The pace will be faster than Level 3, and again with no ride leader.

Start time: 10:00am
Start location: The arena on Furnace St.
Route Map: Printable 55k map/cue sheet or link to it on Ride with GPS
Ride Coordinator: Anita Macklin
Level of difficulty: Levels 3 and 4

So how ’bout it? Leave us a comment, tell us you are riding. Let’s us do some pre-planning!

The NHCC advocate for, and promotes cycling Safety for everyone. To get the season started right and to keep you safe on the roads, we strongly encourage riders of every skill level to participate this coming Tuesday night in our FREE NHCC Cycle-Safe Clinic. We’ll cover the basics of cycling safely, and examine cycling principles designed to prevent the unthinkable. All delivered by Can-Bike certified instructors.

(We will also be offering a comprehensive 5-evening NHCC Cycling Safety Course that begins on Tuesday May 19th, more details to come)

True: The cyclists at greatest risk may be those who have years of experience working against them. The ones who think they have nothing more to learn about cycling safety cuz they’ve been doing it all their lives.

The Cycle-Safe Clinic will cover essential safety principles and group riding techniques that will help build confidence in riding with a group and in traffic safely. You will be introduced to:

• Cycling and the Law
• Basic Bicycle Inspection
• Traffic Cycling Principles
• Where do you ride
• Lane positioning
• Intersections
• Rules of the Road
• Right and Left turns
• Group Riding

This two hour clinic will comprise of demonstrations, off-bike simulations, and on-road practice (if time and weather permits). Bring your bikes and make sure that you dress appropriately for a little outdoorsiness. All levels of riders are encouraged to attend! It’s not about learning to ride a bike….it’s about riding it safely, protecting yourself and those in the group you are riding with.

Date: Tuesday, May 5th
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Cost: FREE!
Location: Cycle Transitions parking lot, 739 D’Arcy St. Cobourg (behind the building)

If you simply can’t make it to the clinic, take a few minutes to review the following cycling safety videos:

With the cooperation of the weather, some riders have been enjoying a few pre-season rides, but our official regular riding season will commence this coming Monday, May 4th. Look for posts in the next coming days for all of the levels. Level 1 will kick off the season on Monday with a ride at 6:30 (details to be posted). The best way to stay informed about the details of every club ride and/or event is to be sure you have subscribed to our website by providing your email address in the right hand column of the website where it says “Subscribe to receive Email Notifications”.

If you haven’t already joined, you can bring your completed membership form and payment to your first ride. If you want to try it out first, bring a completed waiver and $5. You are permitted a maximum of three guest rides before committing to full membership, at which time guest fees are deducted from the $45 membership fee.

A reminder about upcoming Cycling Tours: The first NHCC Cycling Tour takes place July 3 to 5. There will also be a shorter, easier overnight tour to Presqu’ile August 8 and 9, followed by a ride to Ottawa August 21 to 30 so save those dates if you are interested, and look for more information on these tours to come.

It’s going to be a great season and we’re all looking forward to it!

From those who have yet to get on their bikes this year, to the year round cyclists, you can make this ride what you want it to be! The Lang Hastings Trail is a crushed limestone multipurpose rail trail that runs from Hasting to Peterborough, a round trip of just under 60km. You can turn back at any point you’d like, whether it’s at 5km or the whole distance. It’s possible to ride it with a road bike, but hybrid, cross, touring, or mountain bikes handle the surface best.

Date: Sunday, April 26th
Time: 10:00 (be ready to start the ride)
Start Location: parking lot beside Banjos (just south of the river, west side of County Road 45)

Since this a linear ride, there will not be a ride leader. The trail quickly heads into the countryside so make sure you bring enough fluids and a snack.

If you plan to ride, comment below so we know to expect you.