For those who were either working or just simply found Thursday to cold to ride, we’ll do it again on Sunday. The Grafton East ride starts at the Arena in Grafton, with three distance options (31, 36 or 51km). To add an extra 22 km to the ride you could start at Donegan Park 20 minutes earlier and cycle over to the start point. If you do decide to do this however, be sure to let others know your intention so that those starting in Grafton know to expect you.

Start time: 9:00am
Start location: The arena in Grafton (or Donegan Park at 8:40am)
Route Map: Printable route map here

Leave a comment, letting others know where you will start from (Donegan, or Grafton).

The Grafton East ride is a tried and true Ganaraska Freewheelers route, starting at the Arena in Grafton. There are three distances to choose from (31, 36 or 51km). You can eliminate the drive by starting at Donegan Park 20 minutes earlier and cycling over on that brand new pavement that we’ve been eyeing up, adding 11km each way to your ride.

Start time: 9:00am
Start location: The arena in Grafton (or Donegan Park at 8:40am)
Route Map: Printable route map here

If you are planning to ride, please leave a comment, mentioning where you will start from (Donegan, or Grafton).

This ride starts at the industrial park on Willmott Street and then we will head east on Highway #2.  We will follow the Waterfront Trail for an hour where we will turn around and come back.

Start time: 6:00pm
Start location: Parking lot industrial park east end. Willmott and Dodge streets.
Route Map:  Not required
Difficulty: Level 2
Ride Leader: Mike Mclellan

The days are definitely getting shorter. In fact, the sun sets 10 minutes earlier this Wednesday than it did last Wednesday. And we are definitely riding a bit longer….which means lights on our bikes are going to be required. Like last time, we’ll add a bit of distance along the Lakeshore as we ride westbound and back again. Your ride leader Pam may also throw in a few extra roads for some variety, you just never know….

By the way, did you know that not having lights on your bicycle (or reflective tape) starting 30 minutes before sunset and ending 30 minutes after sunrise can result in a fine of $20 under the Highway Traffic Act.

Start time: 6:30pm
Start location: Port Hope Town Hall
Lights required as of: 7:49pm
Ride Leader: Pamela Tate

Let Pam know you are riding…leave a comment. Heck, you can even let her know if you aren’t riding.

This Monday we’ll start from Westwood Park located on Carlisle St. Nice and easy ride, lots of socialness, and best of all you’ll be riding your bike rather than watching TV!

Start time: 6:30pm
Ride leader: Maria Garett
Start location: Westwood Park

For those who just don’t feel like battling the hills on Sunday, Maria and Dennis will lead a ride for Levels 1 – 3. There will be a choice of two different starting points, allowing riders to choose a suitable distance. The ride for Levels 1 and 2 will be near the entrance to Presqu’ile. Level 3 riders could start in Colborne an hour earlier and meet the gang at 10am.

Presqu’ile Start point
Start time: 10am
Start location: The boat launch, 1km east of the entrance to Presqu’ile Park
Ride leaders: Maria Garrett and Dennis Benson

Colborne Start
Start time: 9am
Start location: The Keeler Center in Colborne
Ride leaders: Maria Garrett and Dennis Benson

IMPORTANT, RSVP: To participate in this ride, it is essential that the ride leaders know who, and how many to expect. Please RSVP by leaving a comment, indicating where you plan to start.

This August there are a couple of things to make mention of that you might want to place on your calendar.

Wednesday, August 20: All Levels Ride and Social at The Mill, 6:30-8:00 (ride), 8:00-9:30 (social)

Saturday, August 23rd: 100k Charity ride around Rice Lake for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. There’s still time to register, and there’s no registration fee, but they are requesting that participants fundraise a minimum of $100. (Click here for registration)

Sunday, August 31: Club supported Century Ride Weekend (50k, 100k, or 160k). Further information will follow.

Bicycle for Sale: And finally, there’s a bicycle being offered for sale if anyone’s interested in upgrading to a lightweight road bike without breaking the bank.
2005 DEVINCI Podium Road Bike For Sale: $600 (like new) (size: large) Email us and we’ll forward it along to the seller.

No rain this weekend! So, it’s back on. There are indeed hills but it won’t kill you. Plus you’ll get to see some nice new scenery on some further away roads. This ride is a Level 4 for difficulty and we expect the pace to be that of Level 4. If you wish to complete it at a level 3 pace, it’s essential that you leave a comment to let others know and hopefully someone will also plan to ride with you.

In Orono there’s a quaint little restaurant for those who want to pause for lunch. The Firehall Bistro’s menu was pleasing to those who rode last year, so we hope for the same this time.

Start time: 9:00am
Start location: The arena parking lot on Furnace St.
Route map: “Hellacious Hilly 100k” printable route map here, or link to Ride with GPS

Please use the comment section, get the conversation moving about who’s riding, who’s planning to stop for a quick lunch break, which pace (Level 3 or 4) you wish to ride, etc.

Tomorrow we ride to Bewdley and back, in nothing but sunshine! Choose from either 44k or 59k distance options. The 44k doesn’t go right into Bewdley however, so there’s no opportunity to re-load on drinks or snacks.

A little reminder about how the Level 3 and 4 rides work:
Level 3: generally ride at a slower pace, and the expectation is that everyone rides together in a group without a ride leader. All should carry a route map and be equipped to repair a flat if necessary.
Level 4: a quicker pace, and although the expectation isn’t that everyone must remain together in a group, it sure is nice to ride together.

Start time: 9am
Start location: The arena parking lot on Furnace St., Cobourg
Route map (44k) Level 3: 44k Printable route map here, or view it on Ride with GPS
Route map (59k) Level 4: 59k Printable route map here, or view it on Ride with GPS

Please leave a comment if you plan to ride.

This year on Sunday of Labour Day Weekend the NHCC is hoping to offer a supported ride, hopefully with a variety of distances to choose from, providing a goal for all participants, Levels 1–4.

Depending on interest/participation: we would offer snacks, gatorade, water etc. as well as a support vehicle to “rescue” you if you just can’t make the distance.

In order to assist with our planning, please take a moment to let us know if you hope to participate and what distance is of most interest to you: (voting is anonymous)