Cape Breton cycling enthusiasts are gearing up to race on a newly developed mountain bike course near the Emera Centre hockey rink in North Sydney, N.S. Local volunteers and biking enthusiasts have secured access to municipal land adjacent to the rink, where they are creating a short-track mountain biking trail through a wooded area.
Advocates for the sport in the community highlight the popularity of mountain biking in other regions of the country. However, the lack of infrastructure in Cape Breton has hindered access to the sport for both youth and adults. Aaron Whiteway, spearheading the initiative to introduce mountain bike racing to the area, emphasized the need for such facilities in the region.
Whiteway and a team of volunteers have been working on a 700-meter course featuring a mix of terrain, including fast asphalt sections, technical turns through hardwood trees, hills, rocks, and old ATV trails around the arena. The Cape Breton Regional Municipality provided the land, with staff assisting in trail development, aiming to enhance recreational opportunities in the community.
Wil van Hal, the recreation manager for the CBRM, envisions the development of a mountain biking trail system that not only caters to the local biking community but also promotes Cape Breton as a mountain biking destination. Whiteway plans to create a track suitable for riders of all skill levels and aims to host races later this year.
The project also aims to make the sport accessible to youth in the area, with plans for instructional sessions on the course to foster interest and growth. Violet Anderson, Whiteway’s daughter, emphasized the beginner-friendly nature of the course, stating that anyone who can ride a bike can participate and quickly learn the course.
This new mountain biking initiative in Cape Breton is set to provide a thrilling opportunity for biking enthusiasts in the region to enjoy the sport and possibly attract visitors interested in mountain biking adventures.