So the countdown has started for my immigration to NS, and it’s getting to the point where the bikes will be washed, stored & shipped soon.
However, I have to look forward to opening the container & getting riding again some time in November.
We’re looking at probably living in Fall River - which looks great from a “lots of trees and lakes” point of view - but what’s the riding like from the door? Do you have a ‘right to roam’ out there?
I’m lucky in so much as my nearest trail centre is sub 2km from my house in the UK…
Thanks in advance, looking forward to joining you guys in the snow.
To ride to a trail from Fall River, I’d say the closest spots are MacDonald Sports Park, Spider Lake & The Cob (or Flight Path) in Enfield. Most of us tend to drive to the good spots, i.e. Gore (Empire Trails), Fight Trail, Whopper, Evil Birch etc. Good luck on the move. Should be decent riding in November if it is not too wet. The snow will likely hold off until the end of December.
I’ll echo what @coaster said. McDonald Sports Park (6km), Spider Lake (11km) and The Cob (16km) are the closest trails to Fall River.
I grew up in Fall River, and most of the stuff we rode has been forgotten about and is overgrown now, although there were never any proper trails, just short bits here and there.
Regarding ‘right to roam’, no, we don’t have that here. However, about 30% of the province is crown (government owned and not park or protected area designated) land and that’s generally open for public use. In addition there is a lot of privately owned land that can be accessed. In general you should be fine if you stay out of farmer’s fields, away from houses and respect ‘No Trespassing’ signs.
If I was a rider, new to the area and looking to live nearby a quick ride to the trail head, I would be buying a place somewhere near the Governor’s Brook Subdivision in Spryfield. The Fight Trail is literally (literally) in your back yard. Notwithstanding the type of house you need and all that stuff, strictly from a riders point of view, it doesn’t get any better than living on Mica Crescent
There’s a trail at Powder Mill Lake, on Rocky Lake Road, but I haven’t been on it in a year or two. I think it will eventually get connected into the Shubie Trail system.
There are dirt jumps in Fall River and Wellington, if you’re into that sort of thing.
There may be some nearby ATV trails that you could get on, but they probably aren’t maintained, and would be in rough shape for mountain biking, but maybe doable. I’ve ridden the trail at the end of Old Holland Road, and the ATV trails behind the park across from Oakleaf Crescent many years ago. I have no idea what shape they’re in now.
Most of us drive to the trails around Halifax, and there are many within an hour’s drive or less from the city. I have a small SUV with a hatchback. If it’s just me, I just throw my bike into the hatch. If there are two or more of us, with saddles out, and front wheels off, we stand the bikes up.
It’s been so long since I had a decent ride (bikes have been in storage for 3.5 months) that I’ve got some fitness to find again… Should have my container arrive over christmas
