Attention All Socialites!

Linda and I will be leading tonight's Social Ride from Firemens Park at 6:00 pm. Make sure you bring some "sunscreen" ... I mean "windscreen" with you for some protection! Post-ride we'll have a backyard patio get together at 6414 Jupiter Boulevard starting around 8:15 pm. We're planning a "wind friendly" route and ride! Hope to see everyone later.

NCCA Canada 150 Ride: Cycling Community Celebration!

Niagara Cycling Clubs Alliance (NCCA) – Canada 150 Ride – July 2nd 2017

The NCCA is composed of the St. Catharines Cycling Club, Amici per la Vita Niagara Cycling Club, Niagara Freewheelers Bicycle Touring Club, Forza Niagara Cycling Club, Energy Cycling Club, Bikefit Sunflowers Cycling Club and the Short Hills Cycling Club, to promote and support their passion, the sport of cycling. We recognized the need and the importance of having relationships with all the cycling clubs and cycling enthusiasts in the Niagara Region and initiated the Niagara Cycling Clubs Alliance (NCCA).

The NCCA is excited to offer a unique and fun day of riding together with the members of Niagara’s seven leading cycling clubs. Two road routes at 50 km and 100 km, plus an MTB course through Shorthills Park and surrounding area means there’s something for every rider. Add a buffet lunch provided by The Smokin’ Buddha, a birthday cake, a giant Canada 150 party, and we’re guaranteed a cycling celebration like Niagara’s never seen before!

Venue: White Meadows Farms - 2519 Effingham St., Pelham, ON, L2R 6P7

  • 7:30 am – Registration opens
  • 8:30 am – 100 km start time
  • 9:30 am – 50 km start time
  • 10:00 am – MTB ride start time

Please arrive at least 1 hour before your start time.

  • 7:30 am Cycling Expo and Demo Bike area opens
  • 12:00 to 1:30 pm - Post ride buffet provided by The Smokin’ Buddha
  • Lunch followed by prize draws and Canada 150 Birthday Cake and party!

Registration Fee is $20 cash per person.  Drop off with registration form to Bike Fit on 184 Scott St. or to Klein Developments, 6279 Huggins St. NF. Registration forms are available from Marcus Klein, Rick Hesp or Bev Wright.

A big tip of the hat to the sponsors: Bikefit St Catharines, Commisso’s, Costco,  Evolution Window Films,  Lafarge Canada, St Davids Hydroponics,Tim Horton’s, Water Superstore and White Meadows Farms

Please visit the NCCA website http://www.niagaracca.org/ for updated information, ride maps, and instructions to get the most out of your Canada Day Celebration ride.

See Marcus Klein, Rick Hesp, Bev Wright or Gary Bellhouse if you would like more information.

Outspokin' Port Colbourne Slow Roll .. begins May 30th

Rob Salewytsch wants people to slow down and explore the community. And he wants them to do it by bicycle. It’s why he started OutSpokin, a company dedicated to running Slow Rides through the streets of Port Colborne. “Slow Rides came about after seeing the success Buffalo and Detroit had with their Slow Roll rides. Slow Rides are community-minded rides at low speeds and are non-competitive. The idea is to get people out to ride who might otherwise not be comfortable and give them a chance to explore the community,” said Salewytsch. He said Port Colborne is a nice, compact city where a person can get from one end to the other in eight to 10 minutes by bike. “So there’s isn’t really a need to drive … I want to provide people another option. It falls in line with what I do as a transportation planner with the (Niagara) Region,” said Salewytsch, who is also chair of Port Colborne’s active transportation advisory committee. He said the rides, for all ages and abilities, will take place every Tuesday, starting at Market Square on Charlotte Street with registration at 5:30 p.m., and the ride itself at 6 p.m. The rides are 16 kilometres long and the first one is Tuesday, May 30. “It sounds like a lot, but at a slow pace it only takes an hour to an hour-and-a-half. It’s really not that long. We’ll go slow enough so even if you’re not in great shape, you can keep up.” He said the rides will be suitable for young children as well, and there will be Meanderthals — Slow Ride guides and more experienced riders — along to help out anyone who has bicycle trouble, needs direction or who drops back from the group. “We have six routes planned right now around the city and will rotate those. We’ll use city roads, the Friendship Trail and Welland Canals Parkway Trail. We’ll give people a little exposure to every type of road in the city and won’t shy away from roads like Clarence or Elm streets. People need to know how to ride those roads.” Port Colborne only has one road — Killaly Street West — with dedicated bicycle lanes, he said, adding there is definitely a need for more in the city. “We’re lucky that we have the trails, but those don’t get you everywhere you need to go, and you need to use roads to get to those trails. We’re hoping to see more lanes in Port Colborne. We’re not looking for bicycle lanes on every road, we’re looking to build a safe core network.” Salewytsch said bicycle lanes make things safer for both drivers and cyclists. He said when the riders take to the city’s busier streets, the Meanderthals will watch those taking part. The rides will not only take people through parts of the city they may not normally visit, but, he said, they will give people a chance to learn about hand signals that must be used, and the use of bells, lights and reflectors — things that cyclists are required to have by law. For people who may have a bicycle and still want to take part, Salewytsch said Cycle-Logical Rentals in Port Colborne will offer ride night deals. “If you don’t have a bicycle, the Broken Spoke Bicycle Repair Program is more than willing to help us out. We want to remove all the barriers we can for people so they can come out and ride.” Salewytsch said Paradigm Transportation Solutions Ltd.and CAA Bike Assist have stepped up as sponsors. Grant money is also coming from the Ontario Transportation Ministry’s Road Safety Challenge. “We’re starting to talk to local businesses now, too,” he said. For more information OutSpokin Slow Rides, follow its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/OutSpokinSlowRides/ or email Outspokinslowrides@gmail.com. dajohnson@postmedia.com Twitter: @DaveJTheTrib

New Start Time - Watch the Start times

As we traditionally do, our morning rides will move to an 8 am start time beginning June 1st.

Don't miss out on your ride!  Check our calendars and arrive early.

Saturday May 27th 8.30a "Rec ride"

The weather forecast for this Saturday is looking nice,  the recreational group are looking even nicer, lol

I'm very pleased to pass on the torch full of many riding techniques and skills I've learned over my career.

We'll begin Saturday morning with a short Q & A period, so bring your best question and I'll try to answer it in most simple of terms.

We'll then go for a short ride, somewhere nice and quiet and along the way we'll work on some bike handling skills.

I have a couple of idea's to practice some climbing, it's all about pedaling and technique.

At the end of the morning I'm sure you will have learned one or two more skills that you can practice on your own.

The improvements will enhance your riding and you'll have more fun.

See you Saturday,   Gordon

Saturday May 20th 8.30a "C" ride

If you're looking to ride 50-60 kph this Saturday. Then this ride is not for you.

I've been asked by many members to offer some of my experience with riding skills to enhance your enjoyment for this great sport.

We'll leave Fireman's at 8.30a , ride down Mountain to Whirlpool. Whirlpool to the Pkwy to Queenston,  25-27kph.

From Queenston we're headed back towards Bevanheights and yes, we'll all descend down Bevan once. I'll be with you all the way.

At the bottom of Bevanheights we'll go across St Paul to a little road named Steel Rd. We'll ride up this one twice, It's approx. 600m in length

From here it's back up St Paul and we're headed towards Fireman's.  At Fireman's we'll descend into Caliguiro Estate. I've found a nice crescent to work on turning left and right safely and with traffic.

Lastly if you're feeling frisky we could climb Fireman's 2-3 times.

( We're going to talk about climbing and some of the finer movements of pedaling. We'll try both in the saddle and out of the saddle. What gears to ride in ?  Plus I hope that I will be able to remove some of the fear's of seeing that climb off in the distance. ) 

At the end of the day, you'll be better bike riders and have a lot more fun.   Thx  see you Saturday.  Gordon

The "Sound of Silence"

Come join us for a rare experience, riding together through city streets without talking! For those who want to get a little ride and some talking in before the start of the event at the Niagara Falls History Museum on 5810 Ferry Street, we'll meet up at Firemens Park at 6:00 pm to ride up to the start line in time to register (no cost) and ride the 10 km route which starts at 7:00 pm. Afterwards we'll ride back to Firemens and maybe enjoy some patio time at the Regency. The forecast promises warm summer temperatures! See you tomorrow, let's show our colours!

Tuesday May 16th "A/B" ride 6pm

This is my first Tuesday ride this year. The weather forecast is looking a little warmer.

Summer is around the corner.  We'll meet at Fireman's 6pm. The ride route will be determined then when we have a handle on the wind direction.

It's always more fun coming home with a tail wind.  We're looking at 2 hrs of riding with speeds between 28-32kph. average.

 It's still early season for most riders.  If you you haven't done very much riding so far this spring then this Tuesday could be a little heavy for you.

Let's all have some fun,

Spring Into Cycling Season: Ellicottville

Amici Per La Vita Spring Get Away Training Weekend

When: Friday, June 2 – Sunday, June 4th

Where: Ellicottville, New York

What: A weekend of riding: Friday night warm up, Saturday long ride and Sunday spin before heading home at lunch. Rides will be organized to suit the levels of riders and available leaders attending.

We will be staying at the Wildflower Townhouse complex just outside of Ellicottville. The townhouses come in a combination of studio, studio with loft, master loft and two bedrooms with one or two baths, so we can accommodate various groups of riders. (4-6 or more). The condos include kitchens with all the amenities for easy preparation of breakfasts and snacks.

The condo rate for a 2-storey townhome that can sleep 6 is $251USD. Their cancellation policy is full refund less $20 admin fee if cancelled no less than 7 days ahead of arrival. (May 26th)

If you wish to join, call the Wildflower @ 1-800-323-0020. We have been speaking with Latdior.

If you are looking for a roommate, please contact Bev @ bevwright17@gmail.com, or 905-933-3672 and we will connect you with others who are interested.

Ellicottville is a small village, 130km from NF, which is known for its ski resort. There is plenty to do for non-cycling spouses, with shopping, hiking and local attractions.

Things you need to know:

You will require a valid passport. You may want to register your bike before leaving, if you have not done so already. To register with customers here is our advice: For any expensive items (especially your bike, but also cameras, lap tops, etc.), you may wish to complete an Identification of Articles For Temporary Exportation (for Canadians going into the US). You can obtain this form at the border or at your local customs office. Have the form(s) stamped at the border or prior to your trip. The serial number of the item is recorded on the form and proves the origin of the item. Otherwise the item could be dutiable/taxable. Once completed and stamped keep with the item and use for future trips

"Upstairs/Downstairs" Saturday May 6th

Should "High Water" persist and postpone our Season Start Ride, we offer a "downstairs"  seminar session with Gord Singleton and an "upstairs" technology session with some of the tech geeks from our Club. It will be held at the Klein Developments Building, 6279 Huggins Street, Niagara Falls from 10:00 am to 11:30 am this Saturday morning. Whether you want to learn how to create a route on Strava or how to shift gears properly, take your pick, up or down, bring your laptop or tablet or just your questions and we'll try and not waste a rainy morning!  

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