Cape Breton cycling enthusiasts are gearing up for a new mountain bike course set to open in time for the fall season. Located near the Emera Centre hockey rink in North Sydney, N.S., the purpose-built track is being developed by local volunteers and biking enthusiasts on municipal land.
The wooded area adjacent to the hockey rink is deemed ideal for short-track mountain biking, a sport that has gained popularity in other regions of the country. Aaron Whiteway, a driving force behind the project, expressed his surprise at the lack of mountain bike trails in Cape Breton upon his arrival in the area. Motivated to make a change, he and fellow volunteers have been working on a 700-meter course featuring diverse terrain elements such as asphalt sections, technical turns, hills, rocks, and trails.
The Cape Breton Regional Municipality provided the land for the project, with municipal staff assisting in trail development. According to Wil van Hal, the CBRM recreation manager, the long-term vision is to establish a comprehensive mountain biking trail network that not only serves the local biking community but also promotes Cape Breton as a premier mountain biking destination.
The newly designed track aims to accommodate riders of all skill levels and is anticipated to host races later this year. Whiteway highlighted that the races typically last 15 to 20 minutes, covering courses ranging from half a kilometer to a kilometer. The focus is on completing the most laps within the designated time frame.
In addition to catering to experienced riders, there is a strong emphasis on making the sport accessible to youth in the area. Plans are in place to offer lessons on the course to foster interest and growth in mountain biking. Violet Anderson, Whiteway’s daughter, emphasized the beginner-friendly nature of the course, making it accessible to anyone with basic biking skills.