The Sussex region provides many chances to see some great scenery on two wheels. Our 16 covered
bridges, eight of which are within 10 minutes' drive of downtown Sussex, are especially suited for exploring by bicycle.
Two easy covered bridge tour routes
From Highway exit 195, turn east onto Route 890, putting the large cows on your right. Travel 1 km to the Salmon Covered
Bridge, visible on your left. Park your vehicle and enjoy exploring one of the most picturesque bridges in the region. Then,
grab your bike and turn left upon leaving the park. Take the Plumweseep Cross Road on your right, just meters from the
covered bridge. Follow the crossroad for about 3 km to its end and turn right. Follow this road, another 1.5 km and across
the railroad tracks, to the Plumweseep covered bridge. Afterwards, reverse your route to return to your vehicle. This
makes a comfortable two-hour outing that's suitable for most fitness levels. Road surface is chipseal with no shoulders.
For a longer ride to see an New Brunswick's second most famous covered bridge, start at Salmon Covered Bridge.
Upon leaving the park, follow Rte. 890 10 miles to Newtown. Take the dirt Oldfields crossroad to the covered bridge.
You can enjoy a break at the small park. The Oldfields covered bridge appeared on the Canadian quarter for New Brunswick
in 1992. Go through the bridge and follow the crossroad to the Knightville Road, where you want to follow the signs to Sussex. About 1
km before the Knightville Road meets Rte. 890, you will see a sign pointing out the Plumweseep Road on your left. Follow
this new road to the Plumweseep covered bridge. Then, reverse your direction and take the Plumweseep crossroad on your left
after crossing the railroad tracks. Follow the crossroad to Rte. 890, where you turn left and return to Salmon covered bridge
park and your vehicle. This ride makes for a leisurely morning or afternoon run with some hills. Road surface is chipseal
with no shoulders.
Cyclists touring on Rte 10 or the Trans Canada Highway will find a warm welcome when they stop at the
Covered Bridge Visitor Information Centre at Youngs Cove, May 1 to Thanksgiving Weekend. Enjoy the uniquely shaped structure, while taking a break from the saddle.
(Our excellent scenery is the talk of Canada! The Life Network calls our covered bridges one
of Canada's 10 best road trips. Plus, our covered bridges topped the list of destinations for bicycling getaways in a fall 2005 article by Canadian Living magazine.)
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Other great Sussex bike outings
The Canadian outdoor adventure magazine, Explore, lists Sussex in its March 2007 edition as one of Canada's top 10 communities for enjoying outdoor sports year round.
We are proud to share this list with other Canadian iconic places like Jasper, Alberta!
Mountain bikers can enjoy an excellent five-kilometre loop with plenty of up and down fare near the top of
Poley Mountain, Waterford.
Main Street in the town of Sussex is a flat, four-km route. Commuters will enjoy wide lanes between Sussex Corner and
the downtown shopping area. Those who wish to avoid traffic all together may want to use the scenic community trails that
run parallel to Main Street.
You can enter the west end of the trails at Maple Avenue (near the post office) or Leonard Drive (across from the
8th Hussars Sports Centre). Those entering from the east may do so at Sullivan Park (look for the outdoor skating rink),
Post Road, Sussex Corner.
NOTE: Stay safe while enjoying the Sussex area on your bike!
Provincial law requires all cyclists on public roads to wear a helmet while riding. All vehicles, including
bicycles, are to travel in the same direction.
Cyclists are asked to refrain from riding on sidewalks or against traffic for their safety.
Bike route publications
Look for more great touring ideas in
Kent Thompson's book Biking to Blissville
Goose Lane Editions. ISBN 0-86492-154-3
(Book can be ordered from : Westminister Books, Fredericton at:
westbook@nbnet.nb.ca phone: 1-800-561-7323)
Mountain bikers may want to have a look at
"Atlantic Canada - A Guide to the Classic Trails" by Sarah Hale & Jodi E. Bishop
Vanwell Publishing Ltd., which describes off-road mountain bike trails .
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Recreational cycling in the Sussex area
The Kings County Wheelers conduct weekly road rides on Monday and Wednesday evenings, starting at 6:30 pm from Broadway
Cafe, Broad Street, Sussex. Monday night is a great chance for beginners to come out, while it's time to pick up the pace
on Wednesday evenings!
Thursday evenings are for mountain bike rides, heading out from the Sussex Corner outdoor rink, Post Road, at 6:30 pm.
Contact Brian Fulford at (506) 433-6971 for more information.
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Local bike stores
Darlings Island Bike Shop, Nauwigewauk
(2 km past covered bridge) www.bikenb.com Tel: (506) 832-0777
Outdoor Elements, 597 Main Street, Sussex Tel: (506) 433-3060
Sussex Source for Sports, 565 Main St, Sussex (corner of Church & Main Streets) Tel:
(506) 433-4542
OTHER WEB SITES OF INTEREST:
VeloNB New Brunswick cycling association
BLOGS:
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Biking events in southern New Brunswick
2016
June 26
