We’re still in “off-season” but it’s sure looking like awesome cycling weather, so there’s no reason to sit indoors. This route is only 29.7km but if you want to cut off some distance, you can make it about 20km by taking a shortcut at Danforth Rd.  And hey, if you want to go longer, you could freestyle it and extend the route at the northern end.

Start time: 10:00am
Start location: The park on Carlisle St. between Ewing and Westwood
Route: Town and Country route map here.

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 30k or 20k. (or even longer)

Spring has sprung, and cycling season is about to start! And since the weather is finally looking promising and some have been asking, here is the scoop: as of Monday May 4th the official ride season will begin with all of our regular rides taking place. Until that date, we are in pre-season mode, meaning rides will be posted as the weather permits and ride leaders are available.

Regular Rides (Starting Monday May 4th):

Level 1: Monday nights
Level 2: Wednesday Nights
Levels 3 and 4: Thursday Mornings and Sunday Mornings
Port Hope Rides: To be announced

New for 2015! Cycle Touring:
There are a number of members who have expressed an interest in some cycle touring. The NHCC listens, and we’ve got some short but fun tours planned for this season, the first being a weekend tour following Canada Day.

New for 2015! More Ride Leaders, More Rides
As the club grows, so too does the number of rides leaders we have! We are in the process of training new ride leaders in order to offer more rides, and greater variety outside of the “regular” ride schedule.

Safe Cycling Courses
The NHCC Safe Cycling Courses will run starting on Tuesday May 5th and run for the months of May and June. That’s where you learn how to ride safely on all roads in all situations. We strongly encourage all levels of riders to participate.  There isn’t a solitary being in our club, regardless of experience, who wouldn’t benefit from this course.

Subscribe to the Website to stay informed
Everyone can tell you! Subscribing to the website is your best strategy to never miss out on anything that’s happening. Every ride, every detail, every event—it all gets posted to the website and if you have subscribed to receive email notifications you’ll get an email with all the details dispatched right to your inbox.

If you used to enjoy riding your bike but haven’t been on it for a while and would like to brush up on your skills and gain confidence, this course is for you! Lead by certified Can Bike instructors, we will cover how to perform a safety check on your bike, helmet fit, traffic principles, handling skills, and riding practice. ‎Preregistration is required by Sunday, April 19th. This course is open to all, not limited only to NHCC members.

Dates: Thursday, April 23 10:00 am to noon
Friday, April 24th 1:00 to 2:00
Saturday, April 25th 1:30 to 3:30
Location: Cycle Transitions, 739 D’Arcy Street. Cobourg, entrance at back (west side) of building. CT is across the street from the CCC.
Cost: $15 per participant for the series

Bring your bike (must be in working condition), helmet, drink, and a snack (optional). Dress for the weather, but if the conditions don’t permit outdoor riding, Cycle Transitions has indoor space we can practice in.

Pre-registration: Contact Maria Siemiaszko either by phone or by text: 905-396-4540

If you’re not heading to the Bike Show and want to get out for a ski before the snow melts, come for a ski on the “Green B” trail. We can do another little loop afterwards if anyone is looking for more distance

Date: Saturday, March 7th

Time: 12:30

Meeting Place: Northumberland Forest, parking lot off of Beagle Club Road

The strength and diversity of NHCC club rides depend on the commitment of volunteers. The NHCC is seeking interested ride leaders for the 2015 cycling season. The math is simple: The more ride leaders we have, the more rides the NHCC can offer. You do not need to be a super-fit cycling phenom, just a individual willing to plan routes and then show up and lead the way! For instance, you might be a level 2 rider and would like to see a ride some Saturday mornings. Why not be a Ride Leader and make it happen? Or maybe you are a Level 4 rider who’d love to tackle some crazy hills from time to time and take others with you.

You don’t have to be all experienced and confident (yet). Just leave it to us, we’ll get you ready to lead! Submit your name and once we have a few people, we’ll meet before the snow melts, go through some easy but fun training & orientation then start planning rides!

Complete the form below and let us know! (Don’t worry, there’s no commitment at this point….just an expression of interest)

Spring has almost sprung (despite the enormous degree of snow that remains) and that means it’s the Toronto International Bike Show. The Spring bicycle show is for those of you who are brave enough to battle the crowds in search of bargains, and just ogle all of the fancy new bikes. Now’s the time to leave comments and start making arrangements with one another to carpool, etc. if people are interested.

Location: Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto, Ontario (click here for map)
* Friday, March 6: Noon – 9 pm
* Saturday, March 7: 10 am – 7 pm
* Sunday, March 8: 10 am – 6 pm

Admission (includes HST)
Adults: $15
Ages 6-12 $10.00
Seniors $10.00
Ages 5 and under FREE
Family of 4 (max 2 adult) $40.00
3 Day Pass $30.00
2 Day Pass $25.00

Sooooo……how ’bout it? You going?

Cycle Transitions, your local “do-it-yourself” bicycle repair shop, is in need of a few more volunteers. Positions include Admin (sales or computer work) and Mechanics (working on bicycles). We’ll train you!

Join the team of fifteen current volunteers who cover 2 or 3 shifts a month. The shop is open Tuesday and Thursday evenings as well as Saturday mornings during the cycling season (Tuesday and Saturday only for winter). It’s gratifying work and the shop is a fun place to hang out.

About Cycle Transitions
Cycle Transitions assists members and guests repair and maintain their bicycles as well as refurbishing donated bicycles to sell at affordable prices. We also operate a Can-Bike program for safe cycling education.

If interested, can contact Rick Nonnekes (rnonnekes@gmail.com) or speak to him at the NHCC Membership Night tonight, February 25th.

We’re going to have another evening cross country ski on the multipurpose Lang Hastings Trail this Saturday evening. For those who have snow shoes, you are also welcome to enjoy the outing. The trail is flat so it’s easy to navigate in the dark.

Date: Saturday, February 28th
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Place: park along the sports field on Bay Street West in Hastings.
Leader: Maria Siemiaszko

Please indicate if you will join us, and if you are interested in car pooling.

The Northumberland Hills Cycling Club has registered a team to participate in the Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser walk on Saturday Night. We’re hoping that members will come out and support this great cause, serving the hungry, homeless and hurting in our own community. The registration fee is $25, or you can waive the fee by fundraising $150. Between 6:00-8:00pm there will be a warm, light meal served to all walkers and volunteers. There are three distances to choose from! 2, 5, and 10km

If you can’t come out and walk, perhaps you could make a small donation to support this cause?

Join the team (click here)

Give to the team! Can’t make it to the walk…. (click here)

Start location: Town Park Recreation Centre, 62 McCaul St., Port Hope
Times: 5:15 Walk begins (arriver early to register)
Distance: 2, 5, or 10km

Click here for more information and details about the event.

Spring is not that far away and we are gearing up! Membership Night at The Mill Restaurant is an opportunity to come out & see everyone, order a jersey, get your membership if you haven’t already and perhaps pick up a few cycling necessities. Everyone is welcome….members, friends, etc. Drop in for a beer, order up some wings, and just be social!

Jersey Fit Kit: All available sizes of jerseys will be available to try on. We’ll get those jerseys instock for cycling season! They are estimated to be $68 (tax included) and must be prepaid. We’ll also have some snazzy NHCC T-shirts ($15) on hand!

Memberships: The cost of a membership if purchased on Membership Night is just $40. After that, it’s going up to the regular rate again ($45)

Cycling gear and accessories: George from Port Hope Bicycle will be on hand with some essential gear that you might want to pick up in order to be ready to ride. If there’s anything in particular that you are interested in having him bring with him, just drop him a line: george@porthopebicycle.com

Date: Wednesday February 25, 2015
Place: The Mill Restaurant, upstairs
Time: 7–9pm