The Northumberland Hills Cycling Club is six years old and we’re going to celebrate with an Welcome/Anniversary Ride for all NHCC members followed by a BBQ afterward at Randy and Anita’s home. The ride will be out-and-back style (90 minutes total) that means everyone rides at their own pace and finishes at the same time. Afterward we’ll have hamburgers (either beef or veggie) and other such goodies to nibble on, compliments of the NHCC, while we lollygag around the yard and deck, hopefully take in some sunshine and time with friends both old and new. All members are welcome!

The route will be suitable for all levels, from Level 1 to Level 4.

Date: Sunday May 7, 2017
Start time (Ride): 10:00am
Start time (BBQ): NOON
Start location: Smylie Rd. and Burnham St. (Park along Smylie Rd.)
Route map: not required, you’ll just follow the crowd!
RSVP (IMPORTANT): Please leave a comment or email us to let us know your preference for either beef or veggie burger, and let us know if you need the exact address: nhcycling2010@gmail.com.

The NHCCs 1st Anniversary Ride in 2012.

First Level 4 ride of the season, so we’ll go easy on you. We’ll do a nice 37km route called “It’s all Downhill from Here”. It tends to be uphill-ish in the first half, but then lots of downhill to make it fun. Not sure if this ride level is for you? Read about the expectations just to be sure. 

Level 4: At this level, you will need to be prepared—have access to the route map, and have a tire changing kit as well as a spare tube in the event of a flat. Level 4 departs as a group and usually stays together, but sometimes may break into smaller groups according to ability. The pace is expected to average about 22km+. Road bikes are required for Level 4 and you need to be prepared for a little speed and/or hills on any given route.

Ride Leader: Anita Macklin
Start time: 6:30pm
Route Map: “It’s All Downhill From Here”, 37km route map or link on Ride with GPS
Start location: Donegan Park (D’Arcy St.)

So how ’bout it? You coming to ride? Leave a comment, let us know. It’s kinda nice when we know how many to expect.

Meet your Ride Leader: Anita Macklin
Anita is a certified CanBike instructor and current president of the NHCC. She’s also a volunteer with the Bicycle Action Committee of Sustainable Cobourg. She’s been with the NHCC since inception and is a founding member.

For all you morning riders who are interested in a Level 3 ride, Bruce will lead the morning ride! If you aren’t quite sure what to expect on a Level 3 ride, check out the Ride Levels Explained. Essentially, it’s experienced cyclists who will ride together in group fashion. We’ll start out easy this time, going flat and just 35km.

Ride Leader: Bruce Bellaire
Start time: 10:00am
Distance: 35km
Route: Waterfront Trail Eastbound
Level of Difficulty: 3
Start Location: Donegan Park

Meet your Ride Leader: Bruce Bellaire
Bruce has been a member of the NHCC since it’s earliest days. He’s a certified CanBike instructor, volunteers extensively with the Bicycle Action Committee of Sustainable Cobourg and is also very active in the operation of Cycle Transitions. Bruce has a wealth of cycling knowledge from years of cycling experience!

This route is  25km long. We will start out small and add a little more distance each week as the season progresses, based on the developing needs of the group. Don’t worry about keeping up with the crowd—It’s a no-drop ride, we will work together and support each other.

Notes: Helmets are mandatory. Please bring your membership card with you. If you mailed in your membership forms, your cards will be issued to you at the ride.

Ride leader: Mike McLellan
Start Time: 6:30pm
Route Map:  View the link on Ride with GPS
Start Location: Westwood Park (Carlisle St.)

Meet your Ride Coordinator: Mike McLellan
Mike has coordinated the Level 3 ride program for a number of years now, and with his safety training and experience you’ll be in good hands! Mike coordinates a number of level 3 leaders that you’ll meet as the season progresses. He’s been a member of the NHCC as long as we can remember!

It’s time to Roll! Our level 2 Rides start Tuesday. Welcome New Members and returning Ridefriends! Please remember your helmet, membership cards and layered clothing (take into account windchill). We will help make sure everyone has their tires at the correct pressure to make the ride as easy as possible. Our safety talk will be about basic signaling and the meaning and protocol of a shout of “CAR BACK!”  in our club. The ride will be a gentle start out along the Waterfront Trail towards Archer’s Road. As with all our level 2 rides, no one will be left behind.

Looking forward to another great year of Fun, Fitness and Friendship,
Geoffrey

To learn more about what all the ride levels mean, or to refresh your memory, check out “Club Rides”.

Start Time: 6:30 Sharp
Ride Leader: Geoffrey Honey
Start Location: Parking Lot 210 Willmott (Old Coke Plant/Sleep Country)

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Meet your Ride Coordinator: Geoffrey Honey
Geoffrey is a huge supporter of the NHCC, coordinating rides, imparting Safety Training and making the Level 2 rides an inclusive and rewarding experience for all. A certified CanBike instructor, Geoffrey knows the value of cycling safely and is happy to share his extensive knowledge. 

There has been considerable interest in riding on Mondays at a little faster pace, so thanks to Roberto (who will coordinate the Level 2/3 Monday Night rides), it’s a go and we’re riding!

So here’s the deal: Helmets are mandatory, and be prepared for cooler evening temperatures (wear layers). We leave at 6:30 sharp, so plan to arrive a little earlyish. And, bring your membership cards please. Non-members are welcome to ride as but need to bring a signed Guest Waiver and $5 (insurance reasons, you know!)

Date: Monday, May 1st
Start Time: 6:30 sharp
Ride Leader: Roberto Almeida
Meeting Location: Industrial Park on Wilmott St.

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Meet your Ride Coordinator: Roberto Almeida
Roberto is a long-time member and active volunteer with the NHCC, serving as a Director on the Board. Roberto is also a qualified CanBike instructor. He is always there with a smile on his face and ready to make the ride fun.

It’s finally here, the first ride of our official cycling season! For the first ride the emphasis will be on safety and group riding tips. We’ll take it nice and easy and no one gets left behind. To learn more about what all the ride levels mean, or to refresh your memory, check out “Club Rides”.

Bring your bike, helmet, water, appropriate clothing (layers are good for this time of year), membership card or membership form and payment (or waiver and $5).

Please reply by leaving a comment if you plan to attend as it helps us with planning.

Date: Monday, May 1st
Start Time: 6:30 sharp
Ride Leader: Maria Siemiaszko
Meeting Location: Industrial Park on Wilmott St.

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Meet your Ride Coordinator: Maria Siemiazsko
Maria has been a member of the NHCC since it’s first year of operation. As a volunteer at Cycle Transitions, a certified Can-Bike Instructor, and former volunteer with the Bicycle Action Committee of Cobourg, Maria brings a wealth of knowledge along with a great big smile to the Level 1 program. Maria is also the Vice-President of the NHCC.

Spring is here, and so too is the start of the 6th official cycling season for the Northumberland Hills Cycling Club. Evening rides start this Monday and they all start at 6:30 until mid-August when they’ll start earlier. The details of every ride get posted on the website a couple of days in advance and all rides are weather permitting. If a ride gets cancelled we’ll post that too!

New for this year: Level 2/3 combined ride on Monday evening! We’re going to give it a try for the month of May to see how it goes.  If it’s a success we’ll carry it throughout the season.

Just a few tips before you plunge into the cycling season:

• Safety First! The NHCC has a number of CanBike safety instructors highly trained in cycling safety, and present on most of our rides. They are here to help members build confidence in cycling safety. While you are at it, check out this great safety video, Bike Traffic Skills.
• If you want to be sure you’ll never miss any club information, do like the rest do and subscribe to receive email notifications of new Posts. It’s located in the right hand column of the website. Also be sure to confirm your subscription!
• When you plan to ride, it’s really appreciated if you take a moment to leave a comment letting others know you’ll be riding
• If you aren’t sure about what level of difficulty you might want to try, start at a lesser level and work your way up until you are comfortable
• Bring your membership card to every ride
• If you haven’t completed a membership form, bring one with your payment to your first ride
• Guests are always welcome, subject to signing a waiver (and $5 guest fee)
• Monitor weather conditions by using the weather links (Satellite, Environment Canada etc.) located in the right hand column of the website
• The third Wednesday of every month is our All Levels Ride & Social night
• Be on time for rides! When the departure time says 6:00, it means 6:00 sharp
• Remember: All the folks who lead rides, plan routes, and make themselves available to the NHCC are volunteers and give their time generously and we couldn’t do it without them!

Happy cycling, and we’ll see you all on the road!

Morning Ride:
Another ride along the lakeshore, but this time we’ll be heading west towards Wilmot Creek. It’s a beautiful ride with lots of views of Lake Ontario and moderate hills. We end up at Bondhead Parkette for a break and a snack before heading back. There are no shops around there so bring something with you. To keep the ride within a reasonable distance we will start in Port Hope.
Start Time: 10:00 AM
Start Location: Gilmer’s Home Hardware Parking Lot, 177 Toronto Rd Port Hope
Distance: 53Km
Level of Difficulty: 3
Ride Leader: Carmelo Amenta

Evening Ride:
This is a great route! Lots of rolling ups and downs, with plenty of downhill (we won’t talk about the uphills). You’ll see some fabulous scenery over Rice Lake and some excellent pavement along Rice Lake scenic drive. We’ll stop briefly in Harwood to re-load water bottles. Just a measly 38km for you, but we’ll make it speedy!
Start time: 6:30pm
Start location: Hamilton Township Offices parking lot (Burnham and Majestic Hills Rd.)
Distance: 38km
Ride Leader: Debbie Parks
Route Map: Level 4, Rice Lake South (reversed) 38k route map here Link to route on Ride with GPS