The Ganaraska Freewheelers is an organization that exists to promote safe recreational cycling in Northumberland and Durham Counties. Ganaraska Freewheelers enjoy the social aspects of cycling with other people in a non-competitive environment.
We ride Tuesday mornings, Friday evenings or mornings and occasional weekend mornings. Our members take turns hosting rides, which means we enjoy a variety of scenery and start locations from Courtice to Presquile and from the Lake Ontario waterfront to Peterborough. We generally ride 30 to 60 kilometres at a moderate pace (shorter options are always available) and reward ourselves with an after-ride social at a restaurant, member’s home or a public park.
History of the Ganaraska Freewheelers
Our history began one sunny winter day in 2001, when the Hopes (Celia & Tim) and Brian Hedney independently decided to go cross country skiing at Silent Lake Provincial Park. Brian arrived at the park office just as Tim was explaining to the young lady behind the counter how she should be doing her job! Energized by the terrific skiing conditions, and by the beauty of the surroundings, these three ‘distinguished’ Port Hope residents agreed to work towards the formation of a non-competitive, recreational cycling club for Northumberland County. Several meetings were held during February and March and, as a consequence, the Ganaraska Freewheelers became a reality. It was decided to include the word Ganaraska in the Club’s name as most of our rides occur in the Ganaraska Watershed. Ganaraska is thought to originate from Ganaraske, the name of the Cayuga village which was located at the current site of the Town of Port Hope.
At the 2015 Ganaraska Freewheelers AGM, the membership voted to cap the membership number at around 50. This was done primarily to ensure the integrity of the Club’s valued social and cycling programmes. We currently welcome new members.
For insurance liability reasons, participants in Ganaraska Freewheelers rides and events must:
- either be members of the Ganaraska Freewheelers recreational cycling club, or
- sign the club waiver.
Participants who are not members of the Ganaraska Freewheelers are generally invited to the event by a Freewheelers member and will be limited to a maximum of three rides per season.
Already a member? Download our brochure (below) and share it with a friend!
Ganaraska Freewheelers Cycling Club 