Bridgewater, NS to Blomidon, NS and The Look Off, and More!
A South Shore To The Edge of Minas Basin
When the weather is warm, and the friends are keen to ride, a trip to the Blomindon Look Off is in store, especially when it is late September. So, getting together at the Bridgewater Honda Powerhouse on a Sunday morning to plan the ride (knowing the route by checking maps, stopping locations, what to do in the case of an emergency, cell phone / support numbers, where to eat, etc.) and more importantly, to prepare the bikes we will use gives us the opportunity to do a in-depth evaluation on them. Bikes ridden: 2010 CBF1000A, 2014 NC750S, 2014 CBR500R, and a 2000 C929.
Once we were all set, we were off to Highway 3 from Bridgewater to Blockhouse, just outside of Mahone Bay. Turning left at the 4 way stop, we head toward Parkdale-Maplewood and Sherbrooke Lake via the Cornwall Road. The scenery is eye catching, especially by the lakes along the way, and with the leaves beginning to change colour, adds to the attraction. The road is in very good shape until you come to the fork in the road (notice you never find a spoon) that leads to the Ramey road from the Cornwall Road. Continue to the right at the fork (Newburne road). For the next 7 km or so the road could use a "refresh", as it goes from alternating group rideable to single file. The road once again becomes rider friendly, although it is basically as straight as a pencil, and you never get to see Sherbrooke Lake, even though you know it is there. Once you reach the intersection of the Forties Road (Mahoney's Corner) we turn right onto the freshly paved road that leads to New Ross. We make a left turn at the "Charing Cross" intersection in New Ross and turn onto Route 12, heading toward Kentville. Route 12 is in good shape, with few potholes or jarring bumps, but other than that, the road is pretty "non-discript from here until you get to the English Mountain, Canaan Mountain intersection. We took the Canaan Mountain road that allows us to bypass Highway 101 or the busy Highway 1 through Kentville and New Minas. While the scenery improves as we ride this road, and having a good number of corners to add to the ride, the surface of the road is less than desirable with big ruts and holes along most of the path. While I usually travel this route when I am heading to New Minas or the Look Off, I was glad that we had all had practice in collision avoidance as it came in handy! Turn left at the end of this road, and head toward New Minas. You are now at the top of the South Mountain and the view is awesome as you look down into the Annapolis Valley and toward Cape Blomindon and the Minas Basin. Careful on the way down the road toward New Minas as the distraction of the scenery and the narrow twisties require your complete attention.
The New Minas Big Stop is a welcome site as this is a great place to eat, but more importantly, to refuel, and "download" our bladders. We had several choices in order to head to the Look Off: we can either head down the 101 to the Wolfville / Port Williams exit; take Trunk 1 to Greenwich and turn off at the lights toward Port Williams (very slow going with plenty of stop and go traffic), or as I lead the group, through to Belcher St. Via the New Minas Connecter Rd / Middle Dyke Rd (all in a straight path) and right toward Port Williams. This street is not nearly as busy and more interesting than either of the other options. At Port Williams, just as we were coming to to the intersection of Belcher and Highway 358 we watched 15 other bikes roll by in the direction of Blomindon. Seems there will be plenty of company at the Look Off. The road from here to the base of the North Mountain, Route 358, is well maintained and easy to ride, with nary a bump or pot hole. At the base of the North mountain is where the fun begins, with the road heading upward and twisting its way to the top, just what a rider wants! Once at the top, the view is fantastic. Farms down below, the Minas Basin and its south shore, the mouth of the Gasperaux River - don't be too fast here, take the time to drink it in. (see gallery of pics). By the way, those other bikes kept going straight through Canning, and looked to be traveling to Blomindon Provincial Park.
After an appropriate time of taking in the sites, and discussing where we traveled and where we hope to go, we took off and headed back down the mountain toward Canning. In Canning, we turn off the 358 and link up on Route 221, which we will follow through most of the valley. The road has been recently upgraded and repaved. Again, an enjoyable ride, and not much traffic, considering it is early afternoon on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon.
We followed the 221 all the way through to Centreville, and on until we turned off at the intersection of the 360, another road just freshly paved, and headed toward Berwick. Wee slowly moved through the small town of Berwick and then joined Trunk 1 heading west toward Kingston and Greenwood. This road is well travelled, and also shows it! We met many riders out enjoying the day, and dodging ruts, and it makes one realize just how lucky we are to be out riding on two wheels, seemingly without a care in the world.
Just before we reach Kingston, we turned off onto the 201 that runs around the outside of CFB Greenwood until you arrive in the village. We decided that our stomachs were in need of being refueled , and spent the next 45 minutes relaxing at a local establishment. While we had hoped to ride to Margartsville on the Bay of Fundy coast, we made the decision to head for home. We left Greenwood via the newly paved 201 to Trunk 10, made a left and rode south. The sun, heat, and humidity was the theme of the day, until we got to Springfield, about 1/2 way along the 10, and at the "top" of the 10. The clouds moved in, the temperature dropped, and looked as if it was going to rain, which it did approximately 15 minutes before we arrived back at the Powerhouse. so, why did none of us have rain gear? The rain was not forecast to start until the evening. remember, this is Nova Scotia. The province is not big but you should always be prepared for any type of weather. As the saying goes, if you are looking for a change in the weather, just wait 5 minutes. Moral of the story- ride prepared for anything!
Overall, it was a great day with good people, doing what we like to do. Total ride time close to 4 hours, with 1 1/2 hours of bantering and sharing stories. 5 1/2 hours well spent!
Just before we reach Kingston, we turned off onto the 201 that runs around the outside of CFB Greenwood until you arrive in the village. We decided that our stomachs were in need of being refueled , and spent the next 45 minutes relaxing at a local establishment. While we had hoped to ride to Margartsville on the Bay of Fundy coast, we made the decision to head for home. We left Greenwood via the newly paved 201 to Trunk 10, made a left and rode south. The sun, heat, and humidity was the theme of the day, until we got to Springfield, about 1/2 way along the 10, and at the "top" of the 10. The clouds moved in, the temperature dropped, and looked as if it was going to rain, which it did approximately 15 minutes before we arrived back at the Powerhouse. so, why did none of us have rain gear? The rain was not forecast to start until the evening. remember, this is Nova Scotia. The province is not big but you should always be prepared for any type of weather. As the saying goes, if you are looking for a change in the weather, just wait 5 minutes. Moral of the story- ride prepared for anything!
Overall, it was a great day with good people, doing what we like to do. Total ride time close to 4 hours, with 1 1/2 hours of bantering and sharing stories. 5 1/2 hours well spent!