If the hot, humid days of summer made you more inclined to take things slow, September’s moderate temperatures may provide the ideal conditions for getting active outdoors. While many upcoming activities can be enjoyed on your own, there are options available for joining forces with other runners, hikers or cyclists.
While the fall is the main season for bigger on-foot events like the Cape Breton Fiddler’s runs and the charitable AIDS Walk For Life, the Millville 10k on Saturday, September 11 run also provides a great opportunity to work on your form. Runners will depart at 10am run from the Millville Community Centre at 270 Millville road at 10:00am.
In an ideal way to enjoy Cape Breton’s renowned scenery up closer and personal, the annual Hike the Highlands Festival runs September 10 to 19. The festival offers daily guided hikes, evening presentations, workshops, a photo contest, and much more. The numerous trails on the island offer something for everyone from beginners to the most rugged of hikers. For information on the daily schedule of guided hikes and registration, visit hikethehighlandsfestival.com
If a 10 day hiking festival doesn’t manage to satiate your outdoors cravings, Parks Canada is holding a Full Moon Hike in Ingonish on Thursday, September 23. The meeting point is at 20 Beach Road, Ingonish at 8:00pm, and scheduled to finish around 9:30pm. Hikers can register at the Parks Canada Ingonish Visitor Centre or in advance by phoning (902)285-2535.
If cycling is more your thing, Velo Cape Breton members are hosting bike rides at an assortment of locations throughout Cape Breton. The Coal Town Ride II will take participants on a half-day tour of colliery sites, mine workings, company houses, and other places of interest in Sydney Mines and Florence. The ride will be guided at a relaxed pace, with stops along the way to fully appreciate the sites. Cyclists will depart at 9:30am on Saturday, September 18 from the Sydney Mines Fire Hall at 4 Elliot St. The ride is scheduled to end at 12:30, with a longer-distance option for cyclists looking to cover more ground.
On September 19, there will be a scenic bike ride from Sydney to Low Point, covering a distance of 40km with an optional longer route. The meeting point will be at the Tim Horton’s at 479 George Street at 9:30am and finishing at around 12:30pm Afterwards cyclists will rendezvous at the South Bar Legion for a pancake breakfast.
In Cap LeMoine, Inverness County, there will be an off-road mountain bike loop on Saturday, September 25 from 9:00am to 12:00pm. The ride is for cyclists of at least an intermediate skill and experience level, and will cover 20km of trail. Participants will rendezvous at Joe’s Scarecrow village prior to starting time. To contact the leaders for any of the bike rides, visit velocapebreton.com for details.
