The forecast for Saturday looks spectacular with 14c and sunshine so it means just one thing—our Annual Sandy Flats Pancake Ride! There are hills and it’s the first ride of the year so may be challenging for some, making it best suited for strong riders. Never fear though, if 60k is a little intimidating for you there is a 30k option. This is a pre-season ride meaning it’s weather dependent so do keep an eye out for changing forecasts.

Here’s how it works: We meet at the Baltimore arena then bike to Sandy Flats Sugar Bush. After stuffing ourselves silly with pancakes, maple syrup and sausages we pedal home again. Hills, baby, hills! No flatness on this route.

NOTE about starting in Centreton (30k option): Be sure to have your bike ready to go as soon as the 60k group arrives—they won’t stop for more than a minute or they’ll chill super-fast.

Route Map: Link to it on Ride with GPS

Date: Saturday April 6, 2019
Ride Leaders: Anita and Randy
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 Sandy Flats: 12:00-ish

Don’t forget to bring some $$ with you if you plan to feast on pancakes.

Please let us know you are coming by leaving a comment below, indicating where you plan to start from (Baltimore or Centreton). It really helps us to plan ahead!

The NHCC has a new website with a new look and new functionality as a few have already noticed. The most exciting change is that the NHCC now takes memberships online with a credit card! You may also notice that the Comments feature has moved. Comments now appear directly underneath the main heading of the post as shown on the image below:

We certainly welcome feedback and constructive input on website features, issues with email notifications etc. If you happen to notice something isn’t working quite right, or can’t find what you are looking for, please drop us a line and let us know so we can happily make repairs.
Email webmaster@northumberlandhillscyclingclub.com

Please be on the lookout for a stolen bicycle. Last night Paul Mills had his Giant Defy Bicycle stolen out of his garage in the east end of Cobourg, along with a new pair of clip-less shoes, grey in colour with orange soles. If Club members could pay attention to local buy/sell sites, or any other possible venues it would be much appreciated. If anyone has any information that could be helpful, please email nhcycling2010@gmail.com Let’s keep our fingers crossed that his bicycle can be found!

Here we go again folks, another chance for us to get together, lycra free, and have some fun. It’s the Second Annual NHCC Bicycle Shorts Film Festival. We have a bigger venue this year thanks to the generosity of HTM Insurance Company (Hamilton Township Mutual) on Elgin St. in Cobourg.

Similar to last year, but with new material, there will be short bicycle-themed films carefully compiled by my good friend Rob Wilkes at Big Sky Design in Peterborough. For a sneak peak on what to expect visit VeloVID.com

Seating is limited to 40 people,  first come first served so sign up quick by leaving a reply and we will confirm your spot. Pizza, Coffee, tea, & soft drinks will be available at a nominal cost, so bring a few extra $ if you wish to partake. Any extra proceeds will be to the local food bank.

Date: Friday April 12th, 2019, 7–9pm
Location: HTM Insurance Company 1185 Elgin St. W. (Elgin and Wilkins Gate).
Cost: Free!

Just in time to help you get ready for the cycling season, Cycle Transitions has three workshops scheduled for the month of April.

Spring Tune-up Workshop

Learn how to prepare your bicycle for this year’s cycling season. Adjust your derailleurs and brakes as needed, replace worn parts, clean your bike, and more This is a hands-on workshop so bring your bike.
Date: Tuesday, April 9
Location: Cycle Transitions, 390 King St. W., Cobourg
Time: 6:30-9:00 pm
Cost: free for Cycle Transition members. $35 for non-members (gives you a year’s CT membership in addition to the workshop fee). Parts extra.
Leader: Dave Singfield
How to sign up: send an email to cycletransitions@gmail.com
There is a limit of 8 persons for the workshop.  If there are more than 8 who indicate an interest, a second evening may be scheduled.

Maintenance Workshop for Women Only

Learn how to clean your bike, clean and lubricate your chain, and change a tire. This is a hands-on workshop so you will get an opportunity to practice some of these skills right away. Bring your bike and don’t wear your good clothes!
Date: Tuesday, April 16
Location: Cycle Transitions, 390 King St. W., Cobourg
Time: 6:30-9:00 pm
Cost: free for Cycle Transition members. $35 for non-members (gives you a year’s CT membership in addition to the workshop fee).
Leaders: Maria Siemiaszko, Sue Throop, Freda Dong
How to sign up: send an email to cycletransitions@gmail.com
There is a limit of 12 persons for the workshop.  If there are more than 12 that sign up, a second evening may be scheduled.

Touring Prep Workshop

Learn how to prepare for a self-guided bicycle tour with Randy and Anita, recently returned from a tour of Cuba.  If you followed their blog of the trip (randyandanitaadventures.com), you can be assured they know all the “ins and outs” of what you’ll need and how to get ready for your tour.
Date: Tuesday, April 23
Location: Cycle Transitions, 390 King St. W., Cobourg
Time: 6:30-9:00 pm
Cost: free for Cycle Transition members. $35 for non-members (gives you a year’s CT membership in addition to the workshop fee).
Leader: Randy Albon, Anita Macklin
How to sign up: send an email to cycletransitions@gmail.com
There is a limit of 12 persons for the workshop.

Spring has arrived and it feels like it! We’ll hike at Woodland Road again this week. There has been a lot of melting going on but icers and poles are still advised.
Start Time: 1:00
Meeting Location: parking lot at Woodland Road
Hike Leader: Maria Siemiaszko

We will meet in front of Victoria Hall in Cobourg and then do a semi-urban hike of 5 to 9 kms.  Last week we walked along the lake and found chicken wings at The Ale House. This week’s direction – ?? – depending on conditions. These hikes are free to non-members. We just need a signed off-season waiver (see right side of NHCC homepage).

Start Time: 6:00
Start Location: in front of Victoria Hall in Cobourg
Hike Leader: Jim Berg

To let us know you are coming, please leave a comment.

This will be the last of the hikes until fall. We will walk along the Lakeshore West bound to Burnham St and then up to South of the mall. We will then return and walk back to King Street and along to where we started. Coffee and social after.
Start Time: 9:30
Meeting Location: parking lot behind Craft
Distance: approx. 8km
Hike Leader: Rick Nonnekes
Thank you to all who have participated and those that have led the walks.

Haven’t you always wondered what happens to those items that you put out in recycling? Come and see for yourself! A free tour of the Grafton Material Recovery Facility has been arranged just for us NHCCers, following which we’ll do a hike (weather dependent). Safety gear and waivers will be provided at the facility. The tour generally lasts 45 minutes to an hour. Please leave a comment if you intend to join us so that we can anticipate numbers.

Start time: 10am
Start location: Material Recovery Facility (MRF) parking lot in Grafton
Coordinator: Randy Albon
Hike distance: 7-9 km

Heather will lead a hike from the Woodland parking lot Sunday morning. She’s proposing the Sweet Fern Trail which is 9km with the option for the group to decide whether to also tack on the Lookout Mountain Trail, in which case the distance will be 11.5 km. Count on being out for at least a couple of hours. Currently there is still snow cover in the forest but trails are icy so please bring icers and poles if you have them.
Don’t forget to wear green!☘️

Start Time: 10:30
Meeting Location: Woodland Road parking lot, north on 45 (from Cobourg) across from Woodland Road
Hike Leader: Heather Read

Non-members will need to bring a signed waiver, available here.