Enthusiast offers up some of NB's finest bike routes.

A31

David Goss

Stumble Upon

del.icio.us

Digg

Facebook

Print

Email

Speak Up

I never for a moment thought I'd be a lifelong cyclist when I first wobbled along Ludlow Street in Saint John West on Carol O'Neill's bike in the summer of 1953.

I was so smitten with the two-wheel world she introduced to me that when my Dad found out, he somehow managed to scrape up the dollars to get a brand new CCM bicycle delivered to me from Emerson's store on King Street.

I still remember being in the woodshed with dad and watching the Emerson delivery man wheel the bike up to our three-storey tenement.

When he came up the stairs, and knocked on our door and said he had a bike for David Goss, my dad told him he must be mistaken; the bike must be for the boy upstairs, Lorne Lister.

The delivery man looked at the tag on the bike and told dad emphatically it was for David Goss.

I could hardly believe it.

"Wonder who bought this for you?," Dad said in his most puzzled tone.

Of course, later I found out it was Dad, and my biking world opened up as I no longer had to borrow Carol O'Neill's wheels.

Initially, of course, it was all West Saint John, around Queen Square or over to the church on Duke Street to Cub meetings.

But not Sunday School "" that was a no-no!

As time passed, travel to McLaren's Beach and Taylor's Island (today's Irving Nature Park) was allowed, as were trips up to Acamac to fish, even though my Dad took quite a tongue-lashing from his mother when she found out we were allowed to go that far alone!

In my early adult years I did solitary biking or biking with my children.

Once they were grown, I partnered with Don Hemmings for many cycling adventures "" some as far off as the Magdalen Islands "" and I once did a solo trip in England.

I recommend both, as I do biking with a group if one is operating in your area.

With Mark Hannah, I led group cycling trips for several seasons, cycling every Monday night around Saint John and on weekends up the Kingston Peninsula and even as far as Grand Manan Island.

Today, I'm back to solitary riding, as most of the group riders were younger and it got to be a challenge to keep up, let alone lead.

I can't go the distances I once did, but I have no less joy in the distances I do undertake.

Thus, here are some suggestions of routes I will try once again this year; I've included choices near all three of the province's larger cities but I'll start with my 'Four Saint John Favourites.'

I think all are well worth seeking out for your cycling enjoyment.

Spruce Lake Run

From Ocean Westway to Prince of Wales via abandoned rail line. Officially it's a Sentier NB Trail but is poorly maintained, with many ruts and washouts plus competition from ATVs and even cars. The best time is as the sun sets over Spruce Lake.

Lorneville Loop

Through the village, from interchange No. 100, Route No. 1 via King William Road to Lorneville Road with the return route the via wide, flat highway from Colson Cove. Portions of the route allow glimpses of shoreline, decorative homes, churches and cemeteries.

Rockwood and Millidgeville

From Fisher Lakes through the interior of Rockwood Park via the Sentier NB Trail to Sandy Point Road, eventually through suburban Millidgeville. This is hilly country but the ride provides a country-city contrast.

Rothesay to Gondola Point

Via exit 129 off Rte. 1 for glimpses of the castles of Brookville, wide stretches of the Kennebecasis Valley in Renforth, the church ringed green in Rothesay, and via No. 100 to the dual ferries of Gondola Point.

SUSSEX

Covered Bridges

From Four Corners (Exit No. 195 on Rte. 1) a ride through the farmland from Smith's Creek to Newtown to Oldfield is a pastoral delight. The bonus is riding through several covered bridges in the area.

MONCTON

Along the Petitcodiac

Riverfront Park has level and well-groomed trails along the banks of the muddy Petitcodiac and they can be accessed from the new downtown bridge or near the Champlain Mall. Stopping to read the signs explaining the Acadian way of life is a bonus. Can be windy, so pick direction carefully, ride into wind first, then glide back to the start point.

Centennial Park Woodsy Wander

This 230-acre (93-hectare) park is a woodsy contrast to the mudflats of the Petitcodiac as the trails circle through the lush hardwood forest of Centennial Park. Many brooks add to the bucolic feel of the ride. It's accessible off the west end of St. George Boulevard.

Meandering in Mapleton

Bigger at 300 acres or 120 hectares but less developed than Centennial Park, Mapleton Park offers wide but sometimes muddy trails in the north end of Moncton. It's not far from Magnetic Hill, which is worth trying on a bike to see if you get the same effect as it gives in a car.

Slipping through Shediac

From the downtown, cycling trails spread southeast along the coastline toward Cap-Pélé. A stop for a snack at Parlee beach, to ga-ga at the boats at the marina and to watch young lads catch fish at the wharf at Pointe-du-Chêne are good diversions on these well-appointed and very busy trails.

Cocagne cruising

Highway riding only, but several loops are possible. The one at Rte 530 through cottage country at Cap-Caissie is the best for ocean scenery and sheer variety of cottages.

FREDERICTON

Freewheeling in Freddyville

The Fredericton trails are the best in the province in this cyclist's opinion. Fredericton is the only community that has a comfort station where you can 'go' and also get refreshments, and where staff actually ride the trails on the lookout for hazards. There are 70 kilometres (44 miles) of trails woven through the city and along both sides of the mighty St. John River.

Meander to Marysville

Leaving from the grounds of Christ Church Cathedral and crossing the Old Train Bridge, a circular trail follows the banks of the Nashwaak through Hyla Park and out to the former cotton mill in Marysville. A return over the Gibson Trail brings the rider back to Fredericton Central in about an hour.

Marysville and onwards

Beyond the mill (now government offices) the trail follows the banks of the river toward the Miramichi and goes on for another half-hour of riding. It is stunning in spring when the water is splashing and dashing downstream, or in fall when the leaves are turning and if it's a sunny day, both these natural attractions are way beyond grand.

Fredericton Central

The south Riverfront trail can be followed to Government House and much farther if desired. It's havily used by walkers, joggers and the like, so caution is needed until the valley portion of the trail is reached. Then the crowd thins out for the rest.

Ultimate Challenge

The ride from downtown Fredericton via the Lincoln Trail leads all the way to the town of Oromocto. It's about an hour and a half on a good day without the wind. Some portions were very rough last time this cyclist did it, so a mountain bike is recommended.