Thursday, August 23, 2012

Biking Down a Back Road

Coming up on Saturday I'll be at the Apohaqui Rec Center throughout the day.  I'll be manning an information tent for the Kennebecasis Watershed Restoration Committee at the Back Roads Bicycle Festival.  You can register the day of the event and there is lots going on.  Check out the links.

There are a number of activities that I don't get to take part in as often as I like.  Golf is one of those and I wrote about it a couple of weeks ago.  Kayaking or canoeing is another one and I have only been able to do that once this summer.  There is one activity though that I have not yet been able to participate in at all this summer.  Cycling is a sport of speed and daring where one wrong move can lead to injury, just ask Simon Whitfield.

Cycling, whether on a road or on a trail, is a thrill.  As a kid I spent lots of time in the saddle taking risks and pushing my limits.  I usually rode trails in the nearby farm fields where we built jumps and ramps to test our skills on our BMXs.  This likely developed my preference for trail riding versus road riding.  My mother can attest to the numerous scars and bruises I came home with after my many bike wrecks.

Coming up August 25th is a chance for me to relive some of those glory days.  The "Back Roads Bicycle Fest" will give me a chance to sweat and feel the wind in my hair as I move up and down through the gears.  The event will be held at the Apohaqui Lower Millstream Recreation Center and I hope to get there and take in the activities.  Talking to some of the organizers there will be lots of informative workshops to go along with a number of bike rides.

Based on the success and model created by the Cornhill Bicycle Fest, this festival will showcase the great back road routes in and around Apohaqui.  The organizers hope that the success of last year's event in Cornhill will translate into similar success for this year's event. The rides being organized will have various start times and will be of various lengths.  The event has something for everyone; whether you're a seasoned cyclist who puts in over 100km per week or a newbie who would be lucky to have cycled 10km in their lifetime.  The routes will highlight some of the many great places within our great county. 

Sign in for the event is from 9:00-10:00am on that Saturday morning or you can pick up advance registration forms at Outdoor Elements.  For the kids there will be a bike rodeo, for the history buffs there will be a presentation on the history of Apohaqui, workshops on bike maintenance and proper shifting of gears for the die hard cyclists, and for those who might prefer to paddle over peddle information on the Kennebecasis will be available.

Also coming up on August 15-16th is the Kennebecasis Watershed Restoration Committee's "Beginner's Fly Fishing Workshop."  This free event still, at press time, had space available and if you are interested call their office, 433-4394, today or tomorrow, to inquire further.  Last year's event was very well received with all participants walking away with something.  This year, a lucky beginner will walk away with a fly rod and reel combo from flymart.ca.  If you can't get into this event keep an eye out for next years.




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