Hopefully the forecast thunderstorms will be over by the time 6:30 rolls around. This time we will meet in the parking lot behind the Dutch Oven in downtown Cobourg. Although the days are getting longer, it is important to know that the Highway Traffic Act requires cyclists to have lights on their bicycles 30 minutes before sunset: a white one on the front and a red one on the back. There are lights to “be seen” and lights “to see”, all of which we’ll talk about prior to the ride.

Notes: Helmets are mandatory, bring your membership card, and if you mailed in your forms, your cards will be available for you at the ride.

Time: 6:30-8:00pm
Difficulty: Level 1
Sunset: 8:28pm (lights required at 7:58)
Start location: Parking lot behind the Dutch Oven (enter from Albert St.)
Ride Leaders: Maria Garrett

It’s showing 19 and sunshine in the forecast! It should be a most excellent day for a ride, if you aren’t busy with Mothers Day activities. Just like the Thursday ride, Levels 3 and 4 travel much of the same route, albeit at different speeds, but Level 4 has an extra 16k with a little more hilliness. The route may be modified somewhat based on what Thursday riders report about road conditions, but we’ll keep you posted.

Notes: All riders are expected to have the route map with them. The Level 3 group should remain together throughout the ride. Level 4 riders may ride faster and may break off into smaller groups according to desired speed. Helmets are mandatory—they just are! Be sure to have the necessary items to change a flat tire. That means a pump, a spare tire, a patch kit and tire levers.

If you ride with level 4 and find it a little too fast, you can always just hang back and wait for the Level 3 group then ride with them.
Bring your membership cards with you.

Time: 10:00am (Level 4) and 10:05 (Level 3)
Start Location: Donegan Park
Route Map (Level 4) 52km: Printable route map here or Link to Ride with GPS
Route Map (Level 3) 36km: Printable route map here or Link to Ride with GPS
Ride Leaders: Anita Macklin (Level 4) and Volunteer Needed (Level 3)

Anyone wanting to volunteer to lead the level 3 ride, please let us know!

At the moment it appears as though there could be rain….but if it holds off, the ride is on! Here’s the way it works: Thursday and Sunday rides are essentially the same route. You can ride one, the other, or both! Essentially, Levels 3 and 4 travel much of the same route but Level 4 goes an extra 16k by making a left on Lyle St. in Grafton and heading up toward Shelter Valley Rd., and Level 3 makes a right heading down into Grafton, cutting out distance and some hills.

Notes: All Level 3 and 4 riders are expected to have the route map with them in the event that there is no designated ride leader. The level 3 group is encouraged to remain together throughout the ride and watch each other ensuring that nobody gets dropped (left behind). Level 4 riders are typically self-sufficient, may ride faster and may break off into smaller groups according to speed. Helmets are mandatory. Flats happen, they really do! Everyone must carry a spare tube, and the necessary tools to change a flat tire, even if you don’t yet know how to change it yourself.

If you start out with level 4 but find it’s just too fast for you don’t fret. You can always drop back and wait for the Level 3 group to catch up and then ride with them.

Time: 10:00am (Level 4) and 10:05 (Level 3)
Start Location: Donegan Park
Route Map (Level 4) 52km: Printable route map here or Link to Ride with GPS
Route Map (Level 3) 36km: Printable route map here or Link to Ride with GPS
Ride Leaders: None (Level 4) and Volunteer Needed (Level 3)

Please use the commenting feature to let others know if you are planning to ride, and if any experienced riders are able to volunteer to lead the level 3 ride, please let us know!

Warmer weather means we can dust off the bikes and hit the roads again. Cycling season at NHCC has officially arrived. Yipee! Port Hope based evening rides will be held on Wednesdays this year so clear your calendars and plan on joining us for an intermediate level cycle through the beautiful countryside of West Northumberland. Don’t worry, we’ll take it easy and not go too far as we start to get our cycling legs back. We can always drop into Gilmer’s to pick up some epsom salts after the ride if we think our muscles might be a tad sore!

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.

Time: 6:00pm
Difficulty: Level 3
Start Location: Gilmer’s Home Hardware parking lot (under the big sign)

This route is 17k long and it won’t be too much of a killer. We 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 work together and support each other. If you aren’t sure which group you fit in best with, come out and give level 2 a try. If it’s too easy, then you can aim for a level 3 next time. Too hard, switch to level 1 the next week.

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.
Start Time: 7:00pm
Start Location: The park on Carlisle St. between Ewing and Westwood
Ride Difficulty: Level 2
Route Map: Printable route map with elevations or, View the link on Ride with GPS
Ride leader: Mike McLellan

For the first time, the NHCC will be offering a 5-week extended Cycling Skills and Safety course that has been adapted from the standard Can-Bike safe cycling program and customized to meet our needs here in the NHCC. The course is intended for those who have a little experience but want to upgrade their skills. 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
• group riding dynamics and etiquette

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 not a single person will complete it without having learned something.

Dates: Tuesday Evenings, May 20th, 27th, and June 10th, 17th, and 24th.
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Cost: FREE! Here’s how it works: $25 payable at the first class, and we refund it 100% upon completion for club members who attend a minimum of 4 sessions.
Location: Cycle Transitions parking lot, 739 D’Arcy St. Cobourg (behind the building)

Pre-registration would be much appreciated so that we know how many to expect. To pre-register, just send a quick email to let us know you want to attend and we’ll reserve your spot!

We all wanna ride our bikes, but we all wanna do it safely, right? All Northumberland Hills Cycling Club members are encouraged to attend our NHCC Safe Cycle Clinic which 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 under the guidance of certified Can-Bike instructors. 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 13th
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Location: Cycle Transitions parking lot, 739 D’Arcy St. Cobourg (behind the building)

(Note that the NHCC will also be offering a 5-week extended “NHCC Cycling Skills and Safety” course for those wanting more depth and practice, starting on Tuesday May 20th. Details to come)

The Greenbelt Route is a signed bike route extending more than 460km across the Greenbelt, inspiring recreational cyclists to connect with and experience Greenbelt attractions—from nature, farming, food and rural towns—more often and more easily.

This May they are beta testing the route in order to gain important feedback from people like us. We have been invited to join the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation and Waterfront Regeneration Trust in being one of the very first to ride the Greenbelt Route from Cobourg to Alderville in a Mobile Workshop taking place in our region on Saturday May 10th.

There is no requirement to cycle—we are welcome to attend for just the morning presentations if we like. We are encouraged however, to get on our bikes for whatever portion of the ride we wish—morning, afternoon, or a full day. They have full support to pick up you and your bike if you have had enough cycling for the day. Please note there is a $30 workshop registration fee (to the organizers, not to the NHCC) for participation, which includes breakfast and lunch.

Date: Saturday, May 10th
Time: 7am to 5pm
Cost: $30 Registration and more information at www.greenbeltcycles.com

Finally! Our first Level 1 ride of the year is set to take place on Monday and will signify the “official” start of our cycling season. We’ll start with some basics: rules of the road, introduction to riding in a group, and we’ll also be there to answer any of your questions about how the NHCC works. We’ll take it really easy, cruising around, getting a feel for riding together on the road.

This year there may be a lot of new members unfamiliar with how it all works—we’d really love to see some of you experienced riders come out, meet and welcome our new NHCC’ers, and share the “fun, fitness, and friendship” part of our club motto.

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.

Time: 6:30-8:00pm
Difficulty: Level 1
Start location: South end of parking lot at industrial plaza (see map)
Ride Leaders: Maria Garrett

View Larger Map

The Parasport Games are coming up quick! The opening ceremonies gala is taking place in one short month from now. It’s hoped that as many as possible can attend and show support for the athletes and our community.

Date: Friday, May 30th
Location: Cobourg Community Center
Tickets: Cobourg Community Center, Northumberland County Headquarters, Capitol Theatre, and Jack Burger Sports Complex ($20)

Check the website for more information. www.2014parasportgames.ca