The people behind this site have bicycle experience.  Lots of experience.  Most years, they put more kilometres on their bikes than they do their cars.  Over the last 25 years, they have pedalled a combined 200,000+ kilometres in 16 countries and almost every province and territory in Canada.  Since 2019, they’ve been exploring every nook and cranny of New Brunswick.  They have personally ridden every one of these documented Great Rides.  Usually many times.  You can trust their opinions to help guide you to suitable rides.   Please remember, though, that you are responsible for your own safety.  Follow the opinions and information presented on this website at your own risk.

The best bike is the one you have.  Most of these rides can be ridden on pretty near anything but certain bikes will be preferred over others for particular rides.  Since bicycles are capable of transporting you long distances, sometimes far away from assistance, it is important that your bike be in good working condition.

Probably not.  While you might be interested in some of the Great Rides documented on this website, if you are specifically looking for single-track type trails, check out Mountain Bike Atlantic.

Simply put, a mountain bike has wide knobby tires and suspension.  Mountain bikes are built specifically for rooty and rocky terrain.

Gravel bikes can take many forms, but for the purposes described here, they should have tires wide enough to handle different surfaces, including a mixture of pavement and gravel.  It doesn’t matter whether they have drop handlebars or straight handlebars.  When shopping for a gravel bike, look for the following categories:  hybrid, city, cyclocross, ‘cross, fitness, adventure, and gravel (believe it or not).

Unfortunately, no one can guarantee your safety while riding a bicycle.  Cycling is inherently dangerous.  But so is driving a car.  And so is sitting on a couch eating bon-bons.   Read more about safety and preparedness here.

The province’s moderate maritime climate provides comfortable cycling most of the year. One can reasonably expect pleasantly warm days from the beginning of May to the end of October. Long rainy periods and many freeze/thaw cycles during March, April, November and December make some back roads and trails impassable. Sticking to crusher dust trails at this unpredictable time of year really extends the cycling season. (Most of the crusher dust trails get cleared of snow and they dry very quickly). Fat biking continues to grow in the province—expect lots of snow and little ice during January and February but don’t forget about other great winter sports too!

The authors hope to encourage more people to ride their bikes more often. On safe paths, trails and roads. To and from work. To and from grocery stores. As recreation. As exercise. As transportation. For holidays. For fun.  And in so doing, encourage more communities to build more trails and bike routes.

If you want to record the ride for your own purposes–sure. If you want to compete against others–please don’t. If you don’t know what Strava is–good, keep it that way.

Some of the Great Rides use multi-use trails.  Trying to beat someone’s Strava time where you may encounter walkers is just bad news.  And poor etiquette.  And potentially dangerous. 

Unfortunately, no, not yet.  Hopefully soon!  There exists huge potential to tour New Brunswick by bicycle on safe and scenic documented routes.  More and more communities are building trails every year but as of right now, very few safe connections exist between towns and cities.  The Véloroute de la Péninsule Acadienne looks promising, but the authors have yet to visit.  Stay tuned!

Head over to the provincial cycling association: Velo NB