Here we go again folks, another chance for us to get together, lycra free, and have some fun. It’s the Second Annual NHCC Bicycle Shorts Film Festival. We have a bigger venue this year thanks to the generosity of HTM Insurance Company (Hamilton Township Mutual) on Elgin St. in Cobourg.

Similar to last year, but with new material, there will be short bicycle-themed films carefully compiled by my good friend Rob Wilkes at Big Sky Design in Peterborough. For a sneak peak on what to expect visit VeloVID.com

Seating is limited to 40 people,  first come first served so sign up quick by leaving a reply and we will confirm your spot. Pizza, Coffee, tea, & soft drinks will be available at a nominal cost, so bring a few extra $ if you wish to partake. Any extra proceeds will be to the local food bank.

Date: Friday April 12th, 2019, 7–9pm
Location: HTM Insurance Company 1185 Elgin St. W. (Elgin and Wilkins Gate).
Cost: Free!

Haven’t you always wondered what happens to those items that you put out in recycling? Come and see for yourself! A free tour of the Grafton Material Recovery Facility has been arranged just for us NHCCers, following which we’ll do a hike (weather dependent). Safety gear and waivers will be provided at the facility. The tour generally lasts 45 minutes to an hour. Please leave a comment if you intend to join us so that we can anticipate numbers.

Start time: 10am
Start location: Material Recovery Facility (MRF) parking lot in Grafton
Coordinator: Randy Albon
Hike distance: 7-9 km

On the evening of Wednesday November 14th members of the NHCC and the Ganaraska Freewheelers are invited to a unique presentation by photojournalist guest Dave Trattles at Randy & Anita’s home, in the “Person Cave” (FREE).   We have one evening planned, for up to 25 people. If there is enough interest we’ll consider adding a second event.

About Dave:
Dave knows cycling and slow journalism: for 25 years he has been traveling by bicycle through 75 countries, and working as a social documentary photographer (National Archives of Canada, Canadian Geographic, Macleans, Elle). This presentation will be about why you should travel by bicycle and what happens when you do – shared largely through stories that will have you out there in the world, living a specific time and experience.

Along the way, Dave reveals the joy of human relations. By learning who the people are and how they live their lives, rather than focusing on what they are doing, he will share stories about ordinary people who do extraordinary things (Muslim girl boxers of Calcutta, German cowboys, cheese rollers of Sicily, Tomato throwers of Bunol, marathoners of Calcutta..).

This evening, Dave Trattles will inspire you to get in touch with your own life force – to go out into the world on your bicycle and express your own individuality, your own richness – and to engage deeply in the lives and experiences of others.

Pre-show Indian Dinner (optional, $20 pp): For those interested in a little Indian cuisine, we are putting together a simple Indian Food buffet style dinner sourced from Cobourg’s new “Taste of Agra” restaurant. A few tasty dishes, with vegetarian and mildly spiced entrees along with naan and rice. 

Date: Wednesday November 14, 2018
Dinner: 6:00pm (optional) ($20 pp)
Presentation start time: 7:00pm

RSVP: We can accommodate up to 25 people. Please let us know you if you’d like to come and also let us know if you plan to partake in the pre-show Indian dinner. Email us at nhcycling2010@gmail.com. We’ll reply to your RSVP with the address.

Friday Floater Ride! It’s happening in the afternoon and Maria has a beautiful 112km route planned that will take us from Campbellford through Stirling and Tweed with an elevation gain of 499 (not 500….cuz mentally, 499 is better!) We are also looking at 20c plus sunshine. Please note that we are starting at the south end of Saskatoon Dr., not the Rotary Centre (see the map). It’s gonna be a beauty ride! 

Please, leave a comment to let us know you will be riding.

Start time: 1:00pm
Ride leader: Maria Siemiazsko
Route: Campbellford Run #2 route map here on Ride with GPS
Start location: Ferris Provincial Park–Take the bridge across the river, turn immediately on Front St. S, then continue onto Saskatoon Dr all the way to the end. There is a small parking spot to your right.

The Floater Ride is moving to Thursday this week, and Maria will lead everyone to an area north of Brighton. Nice ‘n casual, the total distance will be 52km. Meet at the commuter parking lot off the 401. And bring a little $$ cuz there’s an opportunity to stop for coffee (or yummy delicious western sandwiches!) at Lolas in Brighton.

Start time: 10:00am
Ride Leader: Maria Siemiaszko
Route map: “North of Brighton Longer Route” Link to map on Ride with GPS
Start location: 401 commuter lot off the 401, across from McDonalds

This Friday we are going to complete the third portion of our Waterfront Trail Westbound exploration. This time we’ll meet at the Port of Whitby near Rotary Sunrise Lake Park. There is a parking lot directly north of the East Pier. As usual, we’ll ride out and back along some beautiful pathways and trails, hopefully nabbing some ice cream along the way. We’ll just turn around at the Rouge River, making it somewhere between 50 and 60k.

Leave us a comment, letting us know you plan to ride.

Start time: 10am
Ride Leader(s): Randy and Anita
Route map: Waterfront Trail West Part 3 link to map on Ride with GPS
Start location: parking lot near Rotary Sunrise Lake Park

Waterfront Trail East, Part 2

We loved the Waterfront Trail last week and this week we are going even more beyond the beyond and we are starting near where we left off. There’s a parking lot at the Soccer Fields and we’ll head East from there. This will be flat, flat, flat! This will be suitable for road bikes, anticipating it will be more road-bike friendly than Part 1 last week. Plus more scenic! If we turn around shortly after the Whitby Marina we’ll cover about 50k. If everyone decides unanimously to go further, we may just do that! Level 3 pace.

Please leave us a comment to let us know you’ll be riding. Hopefully the sun will shine for us!

Start time: 10am
Ride Leaders: Randy (Leader) and Anita (Sweep)
Route: Waterfront Trail Eastbound, Part 2 (Darlington to Whitby)
Start location: Darlington lower hydro field parking lot

Hey everyone, we often take the Waterfront Trail all the way to Newcastle and then come back…but don’t you wonder what’s beyond? We’re going to meet at the Parkette in Newcastle and then ride along the Waterfront Trail westbound until we reach Darlington Provincial Park where we can get a scoop of ice cream, check out the beach and explore. Then of course we return. Total distance will be about 55 km. Some of the trail is crushed limestone but should be suitable for our bikes. Please bring a twoonie for park entrance (if they ask for it), and a few $$ for ice cream or snacks if you wish.

Please leave a comment if you are planning to ride.

Start time: 10am
Ride Leaders: Randy and Anita
Start location: Bond Head Parkette (on Boulton St. along the waterfront)