Nova Scotia Scene Report #3

Author: Nelly Hansen

Spring Fever!

It looks like we're turning the corner and have survived yet another nasty-ass east coast winter.

It's time to start seriously thinking about what 2004 is going to bring the scene in Nova Scotia. It looks like some very positive developments are on thier way for Mountain Biking on the trails and urban landscapes of Canada's Ocean Playground.

In our last report we made mention of the fact that Tom Kavanaugh is back on the scene turning wrenches at Sportwheels in Lower Sackville. Many cyclists already know Tom from his previous stint as a shop owner and key member of the scene. Tom is turning more than wrenches these days. He's also turning back the clock and bringing back one of the region's more popular race courses to the Cross Country scene.

That's right! For '04 there's more Gore! Tom has booked the return of a race in Gore to the provincial race calendar. It promises to be one of the better attended events of the year as this course is a favourite with everybody and news of it's return had nothing but positive feedback on the ECMTB boards.

Tom's commitment to the sport is also extending beyond the dirt as he is in the works of organizing club activities out of Sportwheels. Still in the planning stages, the club promises XC rides, road rides, freeride and urban rides and of course the legendary Sportwheels BMX sessions. The club should also include all of the usual goodies associated with shop clubs. Contact the shop for details and hit the BNS website for the ever expanding 2004 race calendar, now with more Gore for your racing pleasure!

Back in Tha Day!

While there is some debate over mountain biking's origins, it is widely believed that it started on the sacred grounds of Mt. Tamalpais in northern California when a group of roadies and deadheads kit mashed motorcycle brakes and derailleurs to balloon tire bicycles and raced downhill in the first DH races. It was an underground, loosely organised affair that led to a revolution in cycling.

Charlie Kelly and Gary Fisher won't be there but that spirit lives on and downhillers can rejoice. This summer, plans are underway for regular gatherings of downhillers in and around the Halifax area. Dubbed the "Tossed Salad Bowl" (insert Chris Rock joke here), the gatherings should become a regular, unsanctioned way to test your nerves, skills and speed. For details contact Tossed Salad and go give 'er!

As previously mentioned, the BNS race calendar is starting to shape up with several events posted on the BNS website including the return of the Raid Gasperaux and the Wentworth MTB Festival. It's time to start training and get your license!

As for spring training, urgh! Thank goodness Lycra stretches! With the snow off of the roads we're starting to see more cyclists on them and that's where they should stay for the next little while. The best way to get your base mileage in is to put in good old road miles. Many MTB'ers have been riding road bikes to log those early season km's. If you don't have a road bike, visit your local shop and invest in some slicks. With the amount of snow we received over the winter it doesn't look like the trails will be dry anytime soon. So stay off of them please. I know you've heard this many times before but getting on the trails too early in the season when they are still wet leads to unnecessary erosion and costly drivetrain issues. Anyone who has read the paper the past few weeks knows that ATV riders are now finding themselves with less and less trails to ride because of a few "yahoos" who ride with no respect for the environment or other trail users. This is already a big legal issue for MTB'ers in the United States and it would be a shame to see mountain bikers here fall victim to the same land access issues. So be smart, share and respect the trails and we'll have them for years to come.

Till next time, see you out there!

Nelson "Nelly" Hansen

If you have anything you'd like included in our next NS Scene Report, please feel free to PM Nelly

Posted by bikergrl at April 6, 2004 10:33 PM

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