Important for Active Members: For the remainder of 2021, if you are planning to Ride or participate in off-season activities: Starting the week of September 6th the NHCC will change the way that rides and other events are announced as well as the way you respond to say you will come to an event.   We will be using a software solution called Cycle Club. The Cycle Club app is available for your mobile phone, or if you don’t have a cell phone you can access it via your computer.  We tested it out and really like! We think you will too! It’s super user-friendly to use and has the following features:

• RSVPing to rides a snap (and un-RSVPing too!)
• See who else is riding
• Each ride has a Discussion section where members can leave messages for others to see
• Access the route map (if applicable)
• Get notifications right in the app about ride cancellations and more

Get ready for Cycle Club!

1. Download the Cycle Club App: Cycle Club App is available on both iOS and Android platforms. Alternatively, you may use Cycle Club App via web browser here.
2. Sign up, or Sign in: If you’re new to Cycle Club App, follow the steps to sign up and create your Cycle Club App profile. Remember to use the same email as you did to register for your specific cycling club. If you have an existing account, just sign in!
3. Search for the NHCC: Click the “+” sign to search for the Northumberland Hills Cycling Club
4. Once you are granted access to the Club you can view and attend events, read announcements, and more!

Tech help is here! It’s really easy to get started, but in the unlikely event that you need a little help, feel free to contact Anita who will get you set-up fast! Contact secretary@northumberlandhillscyclingclub.com

Plenty of ride opportunities this week, including a great rail trail route for the Friday Floater.  

Please note that for all rides this week, those choosing to ride must be fully vaccinated. We will rely on your honour to respect the Ride Planners request.

1. Tuesday August 31st: (Level 2) Morning Ride
Start time: 9:30am
Ride Planner: Dennis Benson
Length of Ride: 1.5 – 2 hours (No route provided)
Terrain: B
Pace: Level 2
Type of ride: Group
Start location: St. Mary’s Church in Grafton

2. Tuesday August 31st: (Level 1) Evening Ride
Start time: 6:00pm
Ride Planner:  Jim Breckenridge
Length: 1.5-2 hours (No route provided)
Terrain: A
Pace: Level 1
Type of Ride: Group
Start location: Donegan Park, D’Arcy St., Cobourg

3. Wednesday September 1st: (Level 3)  Morning Ride
Start time: 9:30am
Ride Planner:  Bill Glover
Length: 36km
Terrain: C
Pace: Level 3
Type of Ride: Re-Group
Start location: Donegan Park, D’Arcy St., Cobourg

4. Thursday September 2nd: (Level 2) 
Start time: 9:30am
Ride Planner: Dennis Benson
Length: 1.5 – 2 hours
Terrain: B 
Pace: Level 2
Type of ride: Group
Start Location: Westwood Park, on Carlisle St., between Westwood and Ewing

5. Thursday September 2nd (Level 1) 
Start time: 6:00pm
Ride Planner:  Jim Breckenridge
Length: 1.5-2 hours (No route provided)
Terrain: A
Pace: Level 1
Type of Ride: Group
Start location: Cobourg Community Centre, D’Arcy St. Cobourg

6. Thursday September 2nd: (Level 3) and (Level 4) 
Start time: 5:30pm
Ride Planner: Anita Macklin
Length/Distance: Two hours riding, out and back
Terrain: B
Pace: Level 3 or Level 4 (your choice)
Type of ride: Level 3, Re-Group, or Level 4, NON-Group
Start location: Donegan Park, D’Arcy St., Cobourg

7. Friday September 3rd: (Level 3) Friday Floater Ride
Start time: 10:00am
Ride Planner: Aandy Albon
Distance: 89km
Terrain: A (maybe B)
Pace: Level 3
Type of ride: Re-Group
Start location: OPS Community Centre, Lindsay

RSVP: We need to know how many to expect (COVID gathering limits apply) You can RSVP two different ways.

• The easiest way! Visit the NHCC Ride Calendar, click on the ride you are interested in, then click RSVP or,
• Leave a comment right on the website to say you are coming!

With Environment Canada’s heat warning in place yet again, we are going to err on the side of wisdom, safety, and staying cool, cancelling tonight’s ride (Thursday August 26). Let’s hope this heat and humidity breaks soon!

Lawdy it’s hot out there!  Some like it that way, others not so much.  For those who like the heat, we have four rides on the calendar.  Note that the morning start times are 9:30am. It’s always best to have running lights on your bike both day and night—white in front and red in the back.  Visibility is one key to your safety on the road! For evening rides please make sure you have a light that illuminates the road in front of you.  Even though the ride should be completed by sunset at 7:57 on Thursday, we always need to be prepared for unexpected delays (like flat tires)—cuz they happen!

NEW: On a trial basis while we navigate these challenging COVID times, we have empowered Ride Planners to exercise an option to request participants be fully vaccinated on their respective rides. 

Please note that for all rides this week, those choosing to ride must be fully vaccinated. We will rely on your honour to respect the Ride Planners request.

1. Tuesday August 24th: (Level 2) Morning Ride
Start time: 9:30am
Ride Planner: Dennis Benson
Length of Ride: 1.5 – 2 hours (No route provided)
Terrain: B
Pace: Level 2
Type of ride: Group
Start location: Westwood Park, on Carlisle between Westwood and Ewing

2. Tuesday August 24th: (Level 3)  or (Level 4) Morning Ride
Start time: 9:30am
Ride Planner:  Helmut Bock
Distance: 59km
Terrain: C
Pace: Moderate (Level 3) or Fast (Level 4)
Type of Ride: Re-Group
Start location: Balls Mill Conservation Area parking lot

3. Thursday August 26th: (Level 2) 
Start time: 9:30am
Ride Planner: Dennis Benson
Length: 1.5 – 2 hours
Terrain: B 
Pace: Level 2
Type of ride: Group
Start location: Donegan Park, D’Arcy St., Cobourg

4. Thursday August 26th: (Level 3) and (Level 4) 
Start time: 5:30pm
Ride Planner: Anita Macklin
Length/Distance: Two hours riding, out and back
Terrain: B
Pace: Level 3 or Level 4 (your choice)
Type of ride: Level 3, Re-Group, or Level 4, NON-Group
Start location: Donegan Park, D’Arcy St., Cobourg

RSVP: We need to know how many to expect (COVID gathering limits apply) You can RSVP two different ways.

• The easiest way! Visit the NHCC Ride Calendar, click on the ride you are interested in, then click RSVP or,
• Leave a comment right on the website to say you are coming!

Unfortunately friends, the rising numbers of COVID cases is cause for concern.  The NHCC has decided that now is not the time for the city-excursion to Toronto this weekend.  We will postpone this event indefinitely, and wait until the time feels right.

Ride Cancellation Notice: Unfortunately the Wednesday Morning Level 1 Ride (August 18th) has been cancelled.  Hopefully we’ll see you out for the Level 1 on Friday!

Ride Cancellation Notice: Environment Canada is forecasting an 80% likelihood of rain (and it’s really quite grey out there!) The NHCC is cancelling this morning’s rides: Level 2 with Dennis, and Level 3 with Helmut.

Our rides for this week offer two for each level! The daylight hours are shrinking fast now! Sunset this Thursday for instance is 8:08.  We’re losing a minute or two every day now!

This coming weekend is our (Level 3) Saturday/Sunday Toronto Weekend Urban Experience with an option for an overnighter for those wanting to ride both days.  If you are planning to participate and want to stay overnight, please make your independent arrangements for accommodation and transportation.

1. Tuesday August 17th: (Level 2) Morning Ride
Start time: 9:30am
Ride Planner: Dennis Benson
Length of Ride: 1.5 – 2 hours (No route provided)
Terrain: B
Pace: Level 2
Type of ride: Group
Start location: St. Marys Church parking lot in Grafton (103 Lyle St. South, Grafton)

2. Tuesday August 17th: (Level 3 or 4) Morning Ride
Start time: 10:00am
Ride Planner: Helmut Bock
Distance: 59km 
Terrain: C
Pace: Level 3 or 4
Type of ride: Re-Group
Start location: Balls Mill Conservation Area Parking lot

3. Wednesday August 18th: (Level 1) Morning Ride
Start time: 9:00am
Ride Planner:  Jim Breckenridge
Length: 60-90 minutes
Terrain: A
Pace: Level 1
Type of ride: Group
Start location: Donegan Park, D’Arcy St., Cobourg

4. Wednesday August 18th: (Level 3) 
Start time: 6:00pm
Ride Planner: Bill Glover
Distance: 36km
Terrain: C 
Pace: Level 3
Type of ride: Re-Group
Start location: Beagle Club Trailhead, Northumberland Forest

5. Thursday August 19th: (Level 4) 
Start time: 6:00pm
Ride Planner: Anita Macklin
Distance: 36km
Terrain: C
Pace: Level 4
Type of ride: NON-Group
Start location: Canton/Hope Township Municipal Offices

6. Thursday August 19th: (Level 2) Evening Ride
Start time: 6:00pm
Ride Planner: Dennis Benson
Length of Ride: 1.5 – 2 hours (No route provided)
Terrain: B
Pace: Level 2
Type of ride: Group
Start location: The Mill Restaurant, Ontario St., Cobourg

7. Friday August 20th: (Level 1) Morning Ride
Start time: 9:30am
Ride Planner:  Jim Breckenridge
Length: 60-90 minutes
Terrain: A
Pace: Level 1
Type of ride: Group
Start location: Cobourg Community Centre

8. Saturday August 21st: (Level 3) Day Ride
Start time: 12:00pm
Ride Planner:  Randy Albon
Distance: 69 km
Terrain: B
Pace: Level 3
Type of ride: Group
Start location: Union Station (Front St., Toronto), directly across from the Royal York Hotel

9. Sunday August 22nd: (Level 3) Day Ride
Start time: 11:00am
Ride Planner:  Randy Albon
Distance: Undetermined (TBA)
Terrain: B
Pace: Level 3
Type of ride: Group
Start location: Union Station (Front St., Toronto), directly across from the Royal York Hotel

RSVP: You can RSVP two different ways.

• The easiest way! Visit the NHCC Ride Calendar, click on the ride you are interested in, then click RSVP or,
• Leave a comment right on the website to say you are coming!

Ride Cancellation Notice: Environment Canada has issued a Severe Weather Watch, and then the forecast shows an 80% chance of rain for this evening.  With that, the NHCC is cancelling tonight’s Level 2 ride (August 10).

For planning purposes, this is an early notice that on the weekend of August 21 we are developing a two-day Level 3 urban riding event that will see us riding in Toronto, exploring the fabulous cycling paths, trails and urban routes that the city has to offer. 

Getting there

• GO Train: Park at the Oshawa GO station where we could board the train with bicycles, then we assemble in front of Union Station for the ride start at 12:00noon.
• Driving: If anyone prefers to drive, the ride will start in front of Union Station on Front Street.

Routes

We have some preliminary routes worked out.  These may change of course, but it gives an overview of what to expect!

• Saturday, 12:00 noon: 69km route, https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37103380
• Sunday, 10 or 11am: Route still to be determined (approx. 50k+)

Overnight Option

With two days of riding, some participants may decide to make independent arrangements for overnight accommodation making it a great getaway! Once we know how many are coming, we’ll circulate the list so that people can choose to make plans with others.

**COVID requirement: All participants must be fully vaccinated against COVID in order to participate.

If you have any questions or comments, please use the comment feature to let us know!

RSVP: Please submit your name to secretary@northumberlandhillscyclingclub.com if you are interested (no commitment yet)