The speed skating oval has just opened for the season! If you’ve never checked it out , it’s a 400m outdoor speed skating track which offers free public skating and the opportunity to rent speed skates if you wish to try them out. There is a warm up hut with a wood stove and portapotty facilities. Rental price for skates was $5 (cash only) last year.  The oval is open to the public tomorrow from 11:00 to 3:00. I plan to be there when it opens at 11:00 tomorrow and skate for maybe a couple of hours or so. I’d advise bringing a drink and snacks if you plan to stay a while. If anyone wants to, we can always visit a local spot for hot chocolate afterwards. It’s a bit of a drive so if you’re interested in car pooling please indicate so in the comment section.
Date: Sunday, January 8th
Time: 11:00
Place: Lakefield Speed Skating Oval, 2 Queen Street, Lakefield (beside the water tower)

Until some significant snow falls we’ll stick to the flatter areas for an approximately 1 hour ski.
If the Speed Skating Oval in Lakefield opens this weekend, watch for a post to head out there (likely for Saturday).
Date: Friday, January 6th
Time: 1:30
Meeting Location: parking lot Beagle Club Road
Ski Organizer: Maria Siemiaszko

There’s still snow in the forest and with a bit more expected tonight it should be OK for a ski.
Date: Thursday, January 5th
Time: 11:00
Meeting Location: parking lot at Beagle Club Road
Ski Organizer: Maria Siemiaszko

The snow is great and we’ve been having a lot of fun out there so what better way to welcome 2017 than to cross country ski?
The start time will be later so everyone can recover from the festivities.
If you want to join us, please comment below. I think I should be able to make it on time, but in case my guests stay longer, I may be late and will try to join up with you. If I don’t already have your cell number, please email it to: nhcycling2010@gmail.com and I’ll text you if things change. It’s also nice for everyone to know if they can expect some company on the trails.

Date: Sunday, January 1st, 2017
Time: 2:00
Meeting Location: Beagle Club parking lot
Ski Organizer: Maria Siemiaszko

Say goodbye to 2016 with a ski in Northumberland Forest!

Date: Saturday, December 30th
Time: 11:00
Meeting Location: Beagle Club parking lot
Ski Organizer: Maria Siemiaszko

If you’re off this week and raring to get out we’ll ski in the Northumberland Forest Thursday and Friday (and most likely Saturday and Sunday…). The tracks are still a little icy but the skiff of snow this morning has helped a bit and there should be more on the way. We’ll stay off the bigger hills until the we get a thicker layer of snow so if it’s your first time out this year, we’ll take it easy.

Dates: Thursday, December 29th and Friday, December 30th
Time: 11:00
Meeting Location: Beagle Club parking lot
Ski Organizer: Maria Siemiaszko

If you’d like to get out for a short Christmas Day ski between the feasting, the conditions are still good even with the warmer temperatures, and look like they will continue to be so.
Please comment if you are planning to come as the start time may change slightly depending on when my company arrives.
Merry Christmas!

Date: Sunday, December 25th
Start Time: 2:30 (subject to some tweaking)
Meeting Location: Beagle Club parking lot
Ski Organizer: Maria Siemiaszko

The conditions are good enough to go back out Thursday! There’s a real mix of conditions but it’s easy enough to make up a good route.
At least this is a little more notice!

Date: Thursday, December 22nd
Start Time: 1:00
Meeting Location: Beagle Club parking lot
Ski Organizer: Maria Siemiaszko

This is awfully short notice but if anyone wants to grab their skis and come out to the Northumberland Forest to see what conditions are like – get going! If the trails are good, I’ll post again for tomorrow.

Time: 1:30
Meeting location: Beagle Club parking lot
Ski organizer: Maria Siemiaszko

Learn to wax those skis! With all the snow, plenty of people are digging out the cross-country skis and you may be wondering just what kind of maintenance you should be doing. This demonstration clinic will be applicable for both wax and wax-less skis (because yes, they do actually need some maintenance).

There will be a short presentation on equipment and then the demonstration and instruction will focus on waxing for glide (hot waxing), waxing for grip, the use of klister, as well as the cleaning and maintenance of wax-less skis. Bring your questions, and your skis are an option too…in case Bruce chooses to demonstrate on someone else’s skis!

Date: Tuesday, January 17th
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Cycle Transitions on D’Arcy St.
Leader: Bruce Bellaire
Cost: $5 donation (Optional) to Cycle Transitions

RSVP registration: It’s important to leave a comment or email us at nhcycling2010@gmail.com to let Bruce know you’ll come so that he can anticipate numbers and prepare accordingly.