Tag: cycling clubs Northumberland

My Favorite Ride of 2025: By Jen Poole

November 15, 2025

The ride this summer that sits with me as the most fun, social and beautiful was the Danforth East Lakeshore Loop that started at the home of Barb and John’s. 

The 50-km route takes in lots of crazy hills, but the views are most excellent.  Heading eastbound on Telephone Road showcases some of Northumberland’s most beautiful barns and local farms with beautifully painted barn roofs, lovely gardens and low traffic. 

When you get to the top of Boyce Road there are lovely views of local farms and tree lined hills.  The hill is super fun to zip down and helps you get up the next hill on Telephone Road.  Vernonville Road to Telephone Road is always a treat as you pass by an Alpaca Farm where the animals come running toward the road to meet you.  The sound they make is quite comical.

Any ride that starts from Barb and John’s always draws a crowd. At end of ride, we changed and gathered under the gazebo for our lunches and drinks.  A few members that didn’t ride with us joined in for the social afterwards and it was so nice to see them.  Barb being the excellent host she is offered us cold drinks and snacks.  It was one of the hotter days of the summer but the breeze and cold drinks felt great!

Just a simple but awesome ride with great cycling friends in a beautiful backyard oasis had me being super grateful for this wonderful group of Freewheelers that I get to hang out with twice a week to ride my bike during the summer months.  

Last Official Tuesday Ride of 2025

November 4, 2025

Our last ride of the season on Tuesday this week was a little chilly, with occasional gusts from the Northwest almost blowing tiny Jen off her carbon wheels.

Our crew of six riders huffed and puffed up some challenging hills, sped like teenagers down into some glorious valleys, and took in spectacular Autumn views of our beautiful Northumberland Hills. In all, we travelled a circuit of almost 50 kilometres south of Rice Lake, taking in two Lake views – Rice Lake and Lake Ontario.

Though it was our last official ride of the season, we may post the occasional informal ride on our Facebook group. So be on the lookout, if you’re not ready to hang your bike up for the season.

Don’t forget our AGM is at Gail & Steve’s next Saturday, November 15 starting at 2:00 pm.

Halloween Spooooooctacular 2025

November 1, 2025

Shout out to Gail who hosted a special Halloween celebration in collaboration with Music By the Bay Live to raise money for the Uxbridge Food Bank. (See the group’s thank-you note at the end of this post.)

How wonderful to be a kid again, if only for a few short hours. Freewheelers rocked it with creative costumes and fancy dance steps.

They say it’s sometimes hard to recognize cyclists when they are not wearing their spandex and helmets. Well ain’t that the truth!

  • In the edible category we had a Toasted Western and a Bratwurst.
  • In the bad boys and girls category, we had three witches, Phantomess of the Opera, a pirate, a gangster, a bootlegger, and a Blues Brother. After all, it’s well known that Freewheelers spent a lot of time in the Principal’s office.
  • For law and order to keep that gang of baddies under control, we had a sheriff. And of course, we had to have a Canuck to keep the peace.
  • And finally for humour, one of our alum came as a clown.

What a night! Halloween for Humanity brought out the ghouls, the giggles, and the generosity. 🕷️

Thank you to everyone who donated, dressed up, danced (to keep warm), and spun the Wheel of Misfortune. You turned a spooky season into a season of giving. 🧡🎃

With your help we can donate $1,730.00 to the Uxbridge Loaves & Fishes Food Bank. 

Special thanks to VOODOO Pawn Shop for igniting The Blues, Steve Coupland for keeping the Wheel of Misfortune spinning all evening & VERY special thanks to Gail & Steve Lupton for allowing us to haunt their Spooktacular barn.

👻 Creepin’ it real,

Lori Murray

Music by the Bay Live

A Memorable Cycling Tour in Croatia

May 20, 2025

Anyone out there like a slower pace by which to visit other countries, combined with a cultural holiday?

Four of our members this Spring enjoyed a 7-day cycling/sailing trip in the Adriatic Sea. Departing from Dubrovnik, Croatia, they island-hopped, visiting Milna, Brac, Mljet, and Hvar, while enjoying idyllic vistas and much laughter with their new friends from around the world.

Thanks Jennifer, Andy, Margaret and Rodger for sharing inspiration for our next riding adventure. Any members out there with a favorite cycling tour to share? Send your story and pics to us at ganaraskafreewheelers@gmail.com.