Get those bikes out! The forecast is nothing but sunshine for Sunday. This ride takes some familiar roads up toward Harwood where we’ll take a break to reload water bottles from the Harwood Artesian Well, pause a little for a snack at the store (maybe even some butter tarts if they still have them, then enjoy a nice gentle ride back. We will ride in two groups, Level 3 and Level 4 but we won’t go crazy with speed. Some are just getting on their bikes for the first time this season!

Level 3 and Level 4 expectations: All riders are expected to have a route map. If you ride with Level 3 however, it is a Group Ride. Be prepared to ride at a pace that the whole group could maintain, and ride without a ride leader. Level 4 is expected to depart as a group and may possibly stay together, but also may break off naturally into smaller groups according to ability. The pace will be faster than Level 3, and again with no ride leader.

Start time: 10:00am
Start location: The arena on Furnace St.
Route Map: Printable 55k map/cue sheet or link to it on Ride with GPS
Ride Coordinator: Anita Macklin
Level of difficulty: Levels 3 and 4

So how ’bout it? Leave us a comment, tell us you are riding. Let’s us do some pre-planning!

The NHCC advocate for, and promotes cycling Safety for everyone. To get the season started right and to keep you safe on the roads, we strongly encourage riders of every skill level to participate this coming Tuesday night in our FREE NHCC Cycle-Safe Clinic. We’ll cover the basics of cycling safely, and examine cycling principles designed to prevent the unthinkable. All delivered by Can-Bike certified instructors.

(We will also be offering a comprehensive 5-evening NHCC Cycling Safety Course that begins on Tuesday May 19th, more details to come)

True: The cyclists at greatest risk may be those who have years of experience working against them. The ones who think they have nothing more to learn about cycling safety cuz they’ve been doing it all their lives.

The Cycle-Safe Clinic 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 (if time and weather permits). 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 5th
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Cost: FREE!
Location: Cycle Transitions parking lot, 739 D’Arcy St. Cobourg (behind the building)

If you simply can’t make it to the clinic, take a few minutes to review the following cycling safety videos:

This week’s ride will start at Donegan Park. We will east on Highway #2 to Gully Rd. where we will head into the hills of Northumberland.  Once we reach Community Centre road it will be mostly down hill all the way to Cobourg.
This ride is rated as a L2/L3 ride. We will stop from time to time for water breaks but it will not be as often as a L2 ride.

A few reminders: Helmets are mandatory, and please bring your membership card with you. We’re still getting to know everyone!

Start time: 9:30 am
Start location: Donegan Park
Route Map: All Down Hill from Here
Difficulty: Level 3 (- a smidgen)
Ride Leader: Mike Mclellan

With the cooperation of the weather, some riders have been enjoying a few pre-season rides, but our official regular riding season will commence this coming Monday, May 4th. Look for posts in the next coming days for all of the levels. Level 1 will kick off the season on Monday with a ride at 6:30 (details to be posted). The best way to stay informed about the details of every club ride and/or event is to be sure you have subscribed to our website by providing your email address in the right hand column of the website where it says “Subscribe to receive Email Notifications”.

If you haven’t already joined, you can bring your completed membership form and payment to your first ride. If you want to try it out first, bring a completed waiver and $5. You are permitted a maximum of three guest rides before committing to full membership, at which time guest fees are deducted from the $45 membership fee.

A reminder about upcoming Cycling Tours: The first NHCC Cycling Tour takes place July 3 to 5. There will also be a shorter, easier overnight tour to Presqu’ile August 8 and 9, followed by a ride to Ottawa August 21 to 30 so save those dates if you are interested, and look for more information on these tours to come.

It’s going to be a great season and we’re all looking forward to it!

This route is 20k long. It has a few more hills than we have done before but we are all stronger cyclists compared to two weeks ago. It’s a no-drop ride, we work together and support each other.
Notes: Helmets are mandatory. Please bring your membership card with you.
Start Time: 6:30pm
Start Location: Donegan Park
Ride Difficulty: Level 2
Route Map:  View the link on Ride with GPS
Ride Leader: Mike McLellan

From those who have yet to get on their bikes this year, to the year round cyclists, you can make this ride what you want it to be! The Lang Hastings Trail is a crushed limestone multipurpose rail trail that runs from Hasting to Peterborough, a round trip of just under 60km. You can turn back at any point you’d like, whether it’s at 5km or the whole distance. It’s possible to ride it with a road bike, but hybrid, cross, touring, or mountain bikes handle the surface best.

Date: Sunday, April 26th
Time: 10:00 (be ready to start the ride)
Start Location: parking lot beside Banjos (just south of the river, west side of County Road 45)

Since this a linear ride, there will not be a ride leader. The trail quickly heads into the countryside so make sure you bring enough fluids and a snack.

If you plan to ride, comment below so we know to expect you.

This is a pre-season Level 2 rides for 2015. If you are new to the Club, Level 2 is considered “Easy Plus” and you can read all about it here. Mike McLellan is your ride leader/coordinator and he’ll be able to answer any questions you may have, by leaving us a comment.

A few reminders: Helmets are mandatory, and please bring your membership card with you. We’re still getting to know everyone!

Start time: 10:00
Start location: The arena on Furnace Street Cobourg
Route: 28 km North Cobourg

If you might ride, let us know. Hopefully the forces of nature will be kind and work out for us. Let us know if you’re thinking of riding.

This is a pre-season Level 2 rides for 2015. If you are new to the Club, Level 2 is considered “Easy Plus” and you can read all about it here. Mike McLellan is your ride leader/coordinator and he’ll be able to answer any questions you may have, by leaving us a comment.

A few reminders: Helmets are mandatory, and please bring your membership card with you. We’re still getting to know everyone!

Start time: 6:00 pm
Start location: The park on Carlisle St. between Ewing and Westwood
Route: 18 km L2 Town and Country

If you might ride, let us know. Hopefully the forces of nature will be kind and work out for us. Let us know if you’re thinking of riding.

Just so you can start planning your summer, we want to let you know about some cycle touring the NHCC has planned in response to interest shown by our membership. Cycle touring means self-contained cycling trips for pleasure, adventure and autonomy rather than sport, commuting or exercise. Touring can range from single to multi-day trips, even years.

This year, the NHCC is offering members a few local based tours to introduce people to the concept of Cycle Touring. The first tour will take place the weekend following Canada Day (July 3–5th).

Friday, July 3: early afternoon start from Cobourg going to Warkworth (Maria’s house).
Saturday, July 4th: Warkworth to west of Perrytown (Ruth and Peter’s)
Sunday, July 5th: back to Cobourg

As this will be an introduction to cycle touring, we don’t expect all riders to have all of the appropriate touring gear nor do we expect you to run out buy it all beforehand. It will be an opportunity for you to see what others may have and get advice on do’s and don’ts. A support vehicle will be available to carry gear that you aren’t able to carry on your bike as well as to offer assistance if needed. A SAG wagon will carry snacks and drinks for riders. Included in the cost of the tour are dinner Friday and Saturday evenings and breakfast Sunday morning. (Not included are Saturday morning breakfast at a diner in Warkworth, Saturday lunch, and alcohol.)

At each overnight stop, there will be plenty of space to pitch a tent (which can be carried by the SAG vehicle). There will also a limited number of indoor beds, couches, and floor space.

We need to know how many people are interested, helping to determine if a need to rent porta potties exists, which will influence the cost. We’re estimating a cost of $60 to $70 per person for the weekend.

Other tours we are planning are a one night trip from Cobourg to Presqui’le, then back the next day. This will be the shortest and easiest trip. Also in the potential planning stages is ride to Ottawa.

Stay tuned for more details, and do leave a comment to let us know you are interested!

Finally! Some warm weather is coming our way which means….The Sandy Flats Pancake Ride! Being a “pre-season” ride means that it’s weather dependent, but we will plan for Sunday. The forecast says 14° and sunshine. As always, keep your eye on the comments section to monitor what’s happening. Take a look at some photos from other years! This is a challenging ride, suitable for level 4, or strong level 3 riders. We can pretty much assure you that your legs will be sore after this one!

Here’s the way it goes: We ride from Baltimore to Sandy Flat Sugar Bush, consume a few deliciously decadent pancakes and maple syrup then pedal home again. It’s anything but flat…plenty of hills to start the season off right. Newer riders or those who may have stashed the bike in the garage all winter may wish to start in Centreton rather than the Baltimore Community Centre to cut down the distance to about 30k.

NOTE about starting in Centreton: If you decide to start in Centreton, have your bike ready to go as the group passes through–warmed-up riders chill quickly if they they have to stop for more than a minute or two.

Check out the route: Sandy Flats Breakfast route map

Date: Sunday April 12, 2015
Starting place (for the 60k): Baltimore Community Center (10:00am)
Starting in Centreton (30k): Main intersection (10:30-10:45, approx. Be ready to ride!)
Anticipated arrival at the Sugar Shack: 12:00-12:30pm

Bring a little $$moolah with you if you want to partake in breakfast. Location of Sandy Flat Sugar Bush map here

Please comment below if you are planning to ride and where you plan to start from (Baltimore or Centreton).