Pictou County bike week activities coming up
If you’ve got a bike sitting in storage, you may want to dust it off.
From June 3 to 10, Pictou County will host numerous activities in honour of bike week, with the theme “Come back to biking.”
“Our big push is to attract people who haven’t biked in a while and maybe have a bike in their basement,” said Pat Craig, chairperson of the Pictou County Active Transportation Committee.
Plenty of activities are planned, including some shorter rides for people who haven’t been on a bike in a while.
She said she’s hears people say all the time, “I haven’t biked in years.”
But she said many reasons point to why it’s a great activity to be involved in, chief among them: It’s a great form of transportation.
“If you have any place you want to go 5 km or under, it doesn’t take that long to go,” she said.
It’s also environmentally friendly because it doesn’t require using fuel.
As a form of exercise, it’s good because it’s easy on the joints, while still providing a cardio workout.
Craig said it’s also cost effective. “Once you have a bike and a helmet, it doesn’t really require any equipment,” she said.
Workshops will also be included during the week’s activities.
“People can bring their bikes in and make sure the parts are in good working order,” Craig said. Time: 10 a.m. Starting location: Museum of Industry
Length: 7 km return Dress yourself and/or your bike in your favorite Canada 150 attire, and join for a ride along the Albion/Sampson Trail. The ride will cross under the George Street Bridge to the Farmer’s Market, where there will be a grand opening/ribbon cutting for Bike Week 2017 before returning along the same route. Members of the New Glasgow Police Bike Patrol will join the ride.
Sunday, June 4 – Jitney Trial historical ride
Time: 1:30 p.m. Starting location: deCoste Centre parking lot. Length: 10 km return Ride along the Jitney Trail, stopping en route by the Gut Bridge for a historical presentation.
Tuesday, June 6 – Bike workshop (pre-registration required) Time: 7-8:30 p.m. Location: Westside Community Centre
Want to get back on your bicycle? Not sure if your current bicycle is rideable, safe or suitable? This workshop is designed to help people get reacquainted with their bikes, hosted by Daryl Ingram of Freelander Bicycles. He will discuss tires, brakes and gearing (shifting) and give bicycles a check-up. He will also discuss what upgrades or service to consider to keep bicycles in top condition.
Maximum six persons/ bicycles per workshop. Preregistration required – contact daryl@freelanderbicycles.com. to West River, Durham Road to Pictou Rotary, then across the causeway on the highway to Mount William, to Westville Road and back to the bike shop.
Thursday, June 8 – Bike workshop (pre-registration required) Time: 1:30-3 p.m. Location: Westside Community Centre
Details: The same as the June 6 workshop.
Friday, June 9 – Women on Wheels
Time: 10 a.m. Starting location: Pictou Library
Length: 10 km+
Fun, fitness and friendship, and an info session and healthy snacks at the Pictou library, followed by a ride on the Jitney Trail.
Friday, June 9 – Trenton Park Ride
Time: 6 p.m.
Starting location: Glasgow Square parking lot Length: 10 km.
What is a pool noodle ride? Find out on a road ride to Trenton Park. Participants will stop to feed the ducks in the park before returning along the same route.
Saturday, June 10 – Braeside Ride
Time: 10 a.m. Starting location: RCMP parking lot in Pictou. Length: 16 km
A scenic road ride to Caribou beach, where participants will have a rest before returning to Pictou via the Bayview Road.