Ride 4
Baie de Shediac
Scenic Beauty
Tourism brochures tout Parlee Beach as one of North America’s prettiest beaches. While certainly debatable, its reputation means hoards of people descend upon the area in the summer, congesting not just the beach but the shops, restaurants, parking lots and roadways. In the off-season, however, this ride along the Baie de Shediac is a scenic delight.
Safety
Village maps show a trail completely encircling Shediac, but cyclists need to be aware of a few small issues:
● the car-free path disappears on part of Ohio Road but a very wide shoulder takes its place.
● be careful where the path crosses streets. Most locals are quite good at stopping for pedestrians and cyclists, but tourists may not see you.
● use caution if you venture onto Main Street–a painted bicycle lane exists, but the road is often bumper to bumper with slow moving traffic.
Fun Factor
As Joan Jett so famously sang, “I love lobster rolls. So put another dime in the juke box baby.” Wait, I may have that wrong. Doesn’t matter. Shediac is the lobster capital of the world and home to all things crustacean including a giant lobster sculpture, a lobster museum (opening soon) and pretty darn delicious lobster rolls. Yeah, the Giant Lobster is a gimmicky tourist trap, but hey, it’s free and kinda neat. So, if you haven’t already seen it, take a detour onto Main Street and check it out. Skipping it would be like going to McDonald’s without ordering fries.
The village of Shediac placed these maps alongside the trail and on their website.
Driving directions:
From Moncton, drive 14 kilometers north on Highway 15. Take Exit 31 and continue for 6 kilometers. Take Exit 37 to Shediac. After passing Camping Oceanic, look for a small parking lot on your left. If this lot is full, continue a little further to a large parking lot at Kent Building Supplies. Alternatively, downtown Shediac offers free parking on Main Street.
Route details (description):
The route as mapped below (RWGPS) combines 12 km of gravel trail with quiet streets and bike lanes. If you prefer to really limit your interactions with vehicles or want a shorter ride follow Trail 5 on the Shediac map above (9.85 km). Be aware that Trail 5 does not include the detours to the Giant Lobster or the Pointe-du-Chêne Wharf.
After Thanksgiving, Shediac completes the transition from a bustling tourist mecca to a sleepy town. If riding in those cooler months, consider using the mapped route as a starting point and poke around Parlee Beach Provincial Park, Pointe-du-Chêne, The Bluff and other quiet areas.
No matter which route you follow, if new to the area, I recommend carrying a printed map or better yet, a fully charged phone with the route. The twists and turns around the Shediac Bay seem confusing; I’ve met numerous tourists who don’t have a clue where they are or where they’re going.
Notes:
1. Avoid the crazy months of July and August when it seems like the entire city of Moncton empties out and drives to Parlee Beach. Warm weekends in June are also best avoided.
2. The wharf at Pointe-du-Chêne warrants an out-and-back detour. But if the crowds are thick or the wind is howling, skip it.
3. Although climbing is minimal, expect a few long gradual inclines when you move away from the water.
4. The section paralleling the highway is noisy and lacks charm but appreciate being safely far away from traffic.
Although the speed limit on Parlee Beach Road is only 30km/h, this small gravel travel beside the road makes a nice alternative.
Good bicycle infrastructure at the provincial park includes a separate lane and parking: