Cyclists get most out of county roads

Corey Fraser of Merigomish takes his turn leading the pack on Abercrombie Road during a cycling practice. (Goodwin photo)

NEW GLASGOW – Cycling continues to grow in Pictou County.
Hundreds of cyclists, with the help of Pictou County Cycling and Repair in New Glasgow, have been enjoying the summer weather as they ply secondary roads in the area.
“Every year, our sales increase and more people are biking,” said Craig Lorge.
Weekly journeys have been mapped out on various roads, such as a group that biked on its customary through Lyons Brook, Highway 106 and Abercrombie Road and back to New Glasgow.
“We decide every week where to go,” he said. “Abercrombie, 106 and Lyons Brook is a route most people like to do.”
The bikers try and stay in single file, especially on Abercrombie Road where there is no paved shoulder. They appreciate the wider shoulders on the other two sections, although the Lyons Brook section is only about a metre wide.
“It’s not really a bike lane but the extra paved shoulder is good to have,” Lorge said.
Most of the nearly 20 bikers in the group compete, including Corey Fraser, who was at a race this summer during the Highland Games in Antigonish.
One more major race remains that some of the bikers will attend this weekend in Cape Breton.
There is also a group of about 200 bikers who travel less intense and more secluded routes each Thursday.
One loop is through Mount William, through Granton to Abercrombie and back. A longer one starts in Alma and proceeds along the old Highway 104 to Central West River, back Route 376 to Pictou and back through Sylvester.
Younger riders do mostly mountain biking on their two favourite options on trails in Trenton Park and between Scotsburn and Fitzpatrick Mountain.