Hey, all you arm-chair adventurers! One sure way to pass away some of these slow winter days is to check out Helmut’s blog bockonabike where he is documenting his trek across South America with his brother for the month of January. So far they have covered about 892km and are currently in Argentina.  They’ve experienced Air Canada incompetencies, killer mountain climbs in the Andes, stinking hot weather, long stretches of road with wide open scenery, and all sorts of other “unexpecteds”….which you’ll only discover by checking out his daily blog. Live the adventure vicariously! Buenos Aires is his final destination.

Apparently some didn’t see the survey question appear on their email notice, so here is a link to take you directly to the post on the website where you can let us know your preferences!

Link to the NHCC Club Clothing Preference Question

We want to re-stock our jersey inventory and want to make sure we get what club members want! Help us to decide—it’s a matter of balancing price, quality and style. We are thinking of ordering a “slimmer fit” jersey than the current inventory, so they will be a nice complement to our current “relaxed fit” jerseys! We may also consider some snazzy NHCC branded socks if there’s enough interest.  Just indicate which items you’d be most interested in—no obligation, it’s just to help us guide our choices.

REGULAR Short sleeved and Sleeveless JERSEYS ($90)

• Fabric: Airdry 100 (light and breathable)
• Zipper: full hidden zipper
• Pockets: three standard back pockets with reflective strips
• Hems: elastic at bottom, stitched at sleeves

**PREMIUM JERSEYS ($125):

• Fabric: Airdry 100 (light and breathable), lycra fiber sleeves, mesh panels at the sides
• Zipper: full hidden zipper
• Pockets: three standard back pockets with reflective strips PLUS two easy to access side pockets
• Hems: silicone gripper strip at bottom, aero laser-style finish at sleeve hems

All packed up—biking gear, night on the town gear, camping gear etc. 30 lbs in total

For a little arm-chair adventure this month, follow Helmut and his brother as they will be going to cross South America from Pacific to the Atlantic on their own self-supported bike tour, leaving January 1st and returning sometime about a month later—they’ll book their flight when they get closer to their final destination! They will start in Santiago Chile and will travel through Argentina, Uruguay and then Buenos Aires for the flight home. You can follow Helmut’s adventures as he blogs about it while on the road.  About 2,300 kms in total if all goes according to plan—and if you interested in seeing the kind of elevation they’ll encounter going over the Andes, check out Helmut’s tentative route on Ride with GPS.  There’s some serious elevation that will make you sweat just thinking about it.  We all look forward to you sharing your travels with us. Safe travels Helmut! 

Follow Helmut’s blog for all his adventures: bockonabike.wordpress.com

Despite the temperatures, the conditions for skiing today were fantastic! So much so that we are heading back out tomorrow (Friday) to make the most of it before the rain comes.  Bring a lunch to eat along the trail if you’d like to make a longer day of it.  If you prefer shorter, we can escort you back to the parking lot before heading out for more fun on the trails.  

Start time: 11:00am
Hike Leader: Maria Siemiaszko
Start location: Beagle Club Trailhead, Northumberland Forest

RSVP: Please RSVP using your Cycle Club account so we know to expect you! (or leave a comment on the website)
All NHCC members and Guests are welcome! Guests however, will need to bring a signed waiver (available on the website). 

The skiing was great so we’re going out again on Thursday. We usually make up the route as we go along which means time and distance can be flexible. You never know what conditions are like in the Forest, especially if you live closer to the lake.  

Start time: 11:00am
Hike Leader: Maria Siemiaszko
Start location: Beagle Club Trailhead, Northumberland Forest

RSVP: Please RSVP using your Cycle Club account so we know to expect you! (or leave a comment on the website)
All NHCC members and Guests are welcome! Guests however, will need to bring a signed waiver (available on the website). 

Start time: 11:00am
Hike Leader: Maria Siemiaszko
Start location: Beagle Club Trailhead, Northumberland Forest

RSVP: Please RSVP using your Cycle Club account so we know to expect you! (or leave a comment on the website)
All NHCC members and Guests are welcome! Guests however, will need to bring a signed waiver (available on the website). 

We have two hikes planned—The first is Wednesday afternoon when Maria will  meet the group at the Northumberland Forest “Morris” Trailhead Parking Lot, and on Thursday Night we go out for our Christmas Lights of Port Hope hike. Dig out those little Christmas lights and decorate yourself up for night-time. Let’s get creative. You can never be too bright!

 as usual, we will aim for some optional post-hike beer & munchies if you like. It seems as though most want to partake because we usually have about 10-12 of us!  

All NHCC members and Guests are welcome! Guests will need to bring a signed waiver, however (available on the website). 

Daytime Hike: Wednesday December 14
Start time: 1:30pm
Start location: Northumberland Forest “Morris” Trailhead (Just south of Beagle Club, on the east side of Hwy 45)
Hike Leader: Maria

CANCELLED due to snow storm
Evening Hike: Thursday December 15
Start time: 6:00pm
Start location: Port Hope Town Hall parking lot
Hike Leader: Anita and Randy

RSVP: Please RSVP using your Cycle Club account so we know to expect you! (or leave a comment on the website)

We are on again for tomorrow night’s hike.  It’s always an adventure….trust us on that one, lol. Be sure you bring a headlamp or flashlight and wear good footwear. We’ve been averaging about 2 hours of brisk walking, so tomorrow will likely be the same.  If anyone wants to give some thought to a post-hike venue, please do so. We usually just decide as a group where we feel like going afterward (optional, of course).  

All NHCC members and Guests are welcome! Guests will need to bring a signed waiver, however (available on the website). 

Start time: 6:00pm
Start location: Port Hope Town Hall parking lot
Hike Leader: Anita & Randy
RSVP: Please RSVP using your Cycle Club account so we know to expect you! (or leave a comment on the website)

We had at least a dozen people last week, and it felt just like old times when we all went into the Beamish House for beer, fries, fish tacos & other delicious things.  This week we’ll go other places in Port Hope as we explore the streets, nooks & crannies. You never know where we’ll go (as they’ll tell you, given last week!). So bring a headlamp or flashlight and wear good footwear! We’ll likely go for somewhere between 1.5 and 2 hours of brisk walking.  When we’re all done, you can decide to opt-in to the restaurant outing or just head back home.  No need to decide till the time comes.

All NHCC members and Guests are welcome! Guests will need to bring a signed waiver, however (available on the website). 

Start time: 6:00pm
Start location: Port Hope Town Hall parking lot
Hike Leader: Anita & Randy
RSVP: Please RSVP using your Cycle Club account so we know to expect you! (or leave a comment on the website)