Route Enhancement Committee of the Aspotogan Peninsula

Just a reminder that we are meeting our friend and guide, Margaret, outside the Port Pub in Canning at 10 a.m. this Friday for our annual ride in the Valley. We like to invite the menfolk to this ride, with a reminder that we are taking life easy and smelling the roses along the way. We’ve tried many lunching options in the past, and really enjoyed some light fare in Canning over the years. I will check with Margaret on the local restaurant scene. Of course, there is the fabulous Port Pub as well, with its great beer selection, which we can enjoy at the end of our ride if we like.

If you are joining us for the first time, make sure that you bring along a spare tube (the right size for your tire!), and that your bike is in good working order! Also, bring plenty of water.

Warm (literally!) regards, Cathy

Our first girls ride of the season will take place on Monday, June 18th. We will meet in Martin’s River at the church hall parking lot around 10 a.m., and cycle to Mahone Bay along the back road, visiting Indian Harbour. After lunch at the Biscuit Eater, we will head back to Martin’s River along the rail trail. I’m not sure about the distance…but it’s not too far!

If you want to know more about Girls Rides, or if you would like to be added to our mailing list, please write to Cathy Guest: cathy@freewheeling.ca.

In an effort to keep the public involved in the new “Traffic Safety Act”, Bicycle Nova Scotia has written an informative article on their website.

As a community group who’s mission is to encourage the improvement of active transport options, RECAP wants to inform the Provincial Government of our concerns, and extend the knowledge to all of those in our reach that now is the time to speak up about your concerns.

To have your input heard on this important issue, visit the Nova Scotia Government website and fill out this form highlighting your points of concern for the new “Traffic Safety Act”. The deadline for input is June 8, 2018.

Bicycle Nova Scotia has made a list of 5 points that they have made available for public use on their website. The five points are listed here, and Bicycle Nova Scotia has encouraged individuals to “cut and paste the (following) 5 points in order to provide a consistent message.”

The top 5 changes that need to be included in the new Traffic Safety Act are:

1. Recognize and define Vulnerable Road Users under the new Traffic Safety Act
2. Allow for a municipal council to direct their traffic authority to set speed limits under 50 km/hour, without the need to seek permission from the Provincial Traffic Authority
3. Legislation to prohibit “dooring”
4. Legislation to prohibit the “right-hook” and “left cross”
5. Permit the use of a “bicycle signal”, and legislation for “cross-rides” in Nova Scotia

In an effort to improve road safety use for all road users on route 329 and trunk route 3, as they form the “Aspotogan Coastal Loop”, RECAP will be advocating for the additional point:

1. Legislation to allow motorized vehicles, when overtaking vulnerable road users, to cross a solid yellow line when it is safe to do so (no oncoming traffic).

The 2018 Ride of Silence for the Hubbards area will take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16th.

We will meet at the Gate House in Mill Cove at 6:45 p.m. and gather for the ride, which will follow the Mill Cove Shore Road out and back, approximately 6 km.

All are welcome to join the commemorative ride, which we do in silence.

The ride has been sponsored by RECAP (Route Enhancement Committee of the Aspotogan Peninsula) since 2007, especially in honour of local resident, Peter Brock, killed while cycling in our community, and avid local cyclist, deceased of natural causes, Harry Wheeler, who got us involved with the ROS in the first place!

For more information, or to contact us, go to: www.aspotoganroute.org.

For information about the worldwide Ride of Silence, check out their website: www.rideofsilence.org.

Many of you who have been participating in the popular Father’s Day ride, sponsored by RECAP, for the past eight years, have been getting in touch to ask why we are not offering the supported ride this year. Our story, posted a few weeks ago, should answer your questions.

I feel sad to write that Route 329 is more dangerous than ever, with cars speeding, intrepid road cyclists bunched into groups, and pavement and potholes absolutely treacherous to recreational road users. RECAP cannot, in good heart, invite families with children in trailers or on smaller bicycles to ride on these roads, van supported or not.

Whenever we ride, visitors from other countries tell us over and over how lucky we are to have these quiet, scenic rides and have begged us to keep them pristine, citing bad decision-making in their own home towns over decades.

For me, a cyclist all my life, riding this route for forty years, I have had more close calls in the past six months than ever before. Our local adventure tour company, Freewheeling Adventures, which has its home in The Lodge and has been using this route for over 30 years, is considering dropping this gorgeous ride because it is too hazardous. Freewheeling was already forced to drop the Peggy’s Cove ride from its itinerary. In fact, the whole South Shore, unparalleled in beauty, has become very highly trafficked.

Though designated active transportation lanes would be lovely, it is more a perception of generous road sharing that we need to offer each other. Slowly down as we approach and pass pedestrians and cyclists in our cars gives the vulnerable road users a feeling that they are seen. On the other hand, it is up to all of us to be visible, and obey the rules of the road. Cyclists should use lights and bright clothing, and act predictably. Walkers should wear reflective clothing and/or carry flashlights when out in the evening, especially at dusk, and follow road safety rules.

Please join us in cycling the Aspotogan Route on Sunday, June 18th. We will meet at the Hubbards Barn at 10 a.m. and ride unsupported but in solidarity.

Catherine Guest, cyclist and resident of the Aspotogan Peninsula

The 52 km route around the Aspotogan Peninsula has long been acknowledged as one of the premier cycling routes in the world. I learned this 35 years ago, when, working as a volunteer for Bicycle Nova Scotia, I answered loads of mail from folks asking about services along the route that they were planning to cycle. I thought it was so very strange that we Nova Scotian cyclists didn’t seem to know just how good we had it!

It has been nine years since residents of the Aspotogan Peninsula joined forces to complain about too many cyclists on Route 329 at a community meeting in Blandford, sparking a reaction among local cyclists to work on our advocacy skills. We formed RECAP – the Route Enhancement Committee of the Aspotogan Peninsula – to address concerns of local folk who share Route 329. Truckers, restaurant owners, hikers, and cyclists met regularly to discuss how best to get along. We’ve had great success in developing our road sharing skills (for more on this, see www.aspotoganroute.org), and, in the meantime, we’ve seen a huge increase in bicycling in Nova Scotia generally. Finally, it seemed, Nova Scotia tourism had learned that bicyclists make good visitors, and catering to them makes perfect sense.

We were delighted when the Aspotogan Route was earmarked as a possible flagship for Nova Scotia tourism’s Blue Route. However, on closer scrutiny, in came to light that, without road widening or designated bike lanes between Hubbards and Mill Cove – about five km, this area could not be considered for the Blue Route due to high traffic use. At a meeting of the Chester Municipal Council, the District Planner for Department of Transport and Infrastructure Renewal promised to ameliorate the concern by widening the route over this 5 km stretch in 2016. Everyone was very enthusiastic! But nothing happened, and the inaugural Blue Route designation went to Pictou County instead.

RECAPs annual Father’s Day Ride has consistently attracted upwards of 100 cyclists, all ages, families, dads and parents, with prizes, support vehicles, and bicycle giveaways. But folks, the residents were right all those years ago. It’s just not safe on our roads for cyclists. We will not sponsor the Father’s Day Ride this year, but instead, will ride with friends, unsupported, in solidarity. Our message is this: the Aspotogan Route is a world class tourism destination, and a wonderful community asset for local cyclists. The beauty of our shores is second to none. Does it all have to be appreciated from the seat of a car?

Catherine Guest, RECAP Secretary

Hello gals, We are meeting at Summerville Beach parking area (near the end of the beach road, by the washrooms!) at 10:30 a.m. on Friday. Bring a lunch and bathing suit. We will make our way to Carter’s Beach. For those who are timid, there are a few challenges on this trip: we ride a km or so on the highway – uphill at first, downhill home – but nothing insurmountable with Girl Power! Re carpooling, there are three in my (friend’s) vehicle, so not room for more. If others want to offer a seat from Hubbards, Chester, Halifax, etc. perhaps we can get in touch with each other? I hope the day is bright and free from obstacles to riding! Cathy

Friday, June 17th: meet in Mahone Bay at 10 a.m. at the government wharf parking area just beyond the Mug and Anchor Pub. We have parked here in the past, with washrooms nearby and easy cycling out of the town. We will cycle to Second Peninsula and back, turning left at Mader’s Cove and cycling through Sunnybrook. If we are keen, we can cycle to the end of Second Peninsula. This is a beautiful ride, quiet and mostly level with the exception of a big hill at the beginning (in Mader’s Cove) and a big climb as we approach the beach in Second Peninsula. Traditionally, we turn around here (some of us have been known to swim…) and ride back the same way to Mahone Bay for a delicious lunch. I don’t know the mileage, but it matters not. We mostly stick together, and end up in the same place eventually! If anyone wants to carpool from Hubbards, let me know!

Friday, July 8th: Men invited! We will meet and park at the Sawpit Park on the back road to Lunenburg at 10 a.m.: there is usually parking by the wharf, and a johnny-on-the-spot. From here we cycle to Stonehurst, a  wonderful ride, via Blue Rocks and other wiggles around dead end roads, then head back for lunch in Lunenburg (getting cars first, or later? to be determined….) This is a relatively short ride, but hilly-ish. The views are gorgeous. We stop at my friend, Cindy’s, house to bask on her boathouse deck, and test our mettle in the freezing cold water of that dear little bay.

Friday, August 5th: Must be Carter’s…..our annual summer trip. Details to follow…mark the date!

For more information, contact Cathy@ http://www.sailloftyoga.com.

Win one of TWO TREK Bicycles and other prizes

Start at Hubbards Barn, 10am. Prize draw at Bayswater Beach, noon

This is not a race. There are short & long options, and a van shuttle is available.  Ride at your own pace. Snacks and drinks are provided. Other prizes include most outrageous outfit, best decorated bike, biggest family on the ride, youngest rider, oldest rider, and best road sharer. Must be present to collect prizes.

 Advance ride registration $10 at Chester Municipal Rec.Dept: 275-3490, or $15 at start. Families up to 4ppl $25 advance/35 on-site. Children 11 and younger free.

Helmets mandatory. Rental bikes available at half price from Freewheeling with 72 hrs advance notice: 902-857-3600.

Sponsored by AHT, Chester Rec.Dept., Freewheeling Adventures, RECAP, and TREK Bicycles.

 http://www.aspotoganroute.org

Join us at 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18th, at Bayswater Beach, for the annual Ride of Silence. We will ride single file and in silence from the beach to the Blandford Community Centre and back, about 12 km in total. We usually gather at the beach just prior to leaving to say a few words about friends who have lost their lives or been injured while cycling on our roadways. We ride in solidarity with all car drivers, cyclists, walkers, skateboarders, motorcyclists, and roller bladers: we share the road!