rail trails – FIT IS A FEMINIST ISSUE

Saturday was the first day of spring. And unlike those Canadian March weekends where it starts snowing again, this first day of spring actually felt like the first day of spring. It was warm, above 10 degrees and brilliantly sunny. Sarah and I got out the gravel bikes and took them to her family farm in Prince Edward County for a couple of days of riding. Also, hot tubbing. Also, leisurely breakfasts.

Look at this breakfast!

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We decided to explore the Millennium Trail: “The Millennium Trail is a 40+-km multi-use trail perfect for hiking, biking or even horseback riding. Stretching from Carrying Place to Picton, backing onto farmers’ fields and vineyards, it’s a great way to experience the tranquility of The County.”

Day 1 we pedaled from Picton to Bloomfield for coffee (usually it’s for ice cream but Slickers is still closed for the season.) Total distance about 20 km. There were still some snowy bits on the trail but lots of people were out enjoying the sunshine.

Bikes outside Bloomfield Public House Market

Best of the ride? While riding my mother texted the family chat to say that she has a Thursday appointment to be vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. Yay!

On Day 2 we rode from Wellington to Lake Consecon, through some beautiful wetlands on a brand new section of trail. Total distance about 30 km. From the website, “For summer 2020, the trail has been fully refurbished, including a section that glides past Slab Creek wetlands, a small jaunt from Stanner’s Vineyards, which is arguably the most beautiful part of the path: teeming with chirping birds of every flock and feather, toads and turtles, an occasional snake, and yes, even, beavers. It’s home to four herons nests and a vibrant, yet peaceful part of the trail.”

Look swans!

Photos of the Millennium Bike Trail, in Prince Edward County.

There was some ATV traffic on that section but everyone was patient and polite. I would definitely recommend this as a family friendly bike ride. It’s clearly marked where the path crosses roads and given that parts of the trail were rail line, there’s no significant elevation. Also there are frequent km marker signs on the trail so kids will know they’re making progress.

On this gorgeous weekend we met joggers, dog walkers, and other cyclists. So much sun and so many smiles. Everyone seemed so happy to be outside.

Even Cheddar knows spring is in the air. Look at that face!

Cheddar in the backyard of Sam’s house, sniffing in the sunshine. Google touched up this photo.

My daughter Mallory is almost done the Otesha Project’s East Coast Tour. And I’m very proud of her. We’ve been riding together since not long after she was born. (Thanks Burley bike trailer.) We’ve done lots of mother-daughter bike tourism together, the rail trails of Quebec and of New Zealand’s south island (see Cycling holidays, Part 1: Rail trails) but I love that this summer she’s off riding her bike with a group of like minded young people and has discovered her own love of cycling.

This summer she also moved to clipless pedals and I might even have talked her into a touring road bike for future mother-daughter cycling adventures!

What’s the Otesha Project?

“The Otesha Project is a national youth-led charitable organization that uses experiential learning, theatre and bicycle tours to engage and empower Canadians of all ages to take action for a more equitable and sustainable world.”

Riding the Tides of Change
Fredericton to Halifax
May 3 – June 24 2014
Performing and Cycling Tour

Here’s their description of the East Coast Tour: “Let the cliffs, culture, and concentration of sea life in Canada’s majestic Maritimes fuel your passion for sustainability and social justice . A 9 day training in bicycle skills, interactive theatre, community engagement, and facilitation techniques prepares your team to spark dialogue with thousands of students using Otesha’s play “Cycling Through Change” and “Action Addict” workshop. Wind your way around the Bay of Fundy and through the Annapolis Valley, learning from the Mi’kmaq, anglophone, and Acadian communities that welcome you.”

Read their blog.

Look at their photos.

And if you’re in, or near, Halifax you can meet them on Thursday, June 19th!

“The Otesha Project is rolling into Halifax after our 2 month East Coast Cycling and Performing Tour talking with schools and communities about environmental and social justice! Come join us in Victoria Park at 5 pm for a public performance of our play (rapping and singing included) and a critical mass ride around the city at 6pm!!” See details here.

Here’s some of child Mallory in her early days as a cyclist!