Hello All
With some hesitation I’m posting this long overdue newsletter for all you bike riders who use my site on a regular basis. You may have noticed not much change in the last 2 years and with good reason.
The OBT website after 13 years has matured and covers most all of the important bike trails in the province. Sure there’s the odd one I don’t know of and maybe even some new ones now. Still it covers the bulk of what’s out there and it is still relevant. Good thing because…
I Got Sick
There’s been a lot happening in my life, some good, some not so pleasant. I’ve done maintenance updates periodically on the site but my health was failing and I could not focus on doing much more than that.
While I was writing my third book, 3 years ago, I started experiencing some painful episodes sitting on my bicycle saddle and even at my desk. Doctors were telling me I had an old man prostate issue. But actually nobody really knew what my symptoms meant and they got worse, much worse.
At the beginning of this year I had a successful bladder/prostate operation to rid myself of cancer. So far I’m back on my feet, feel almost like new and on the bike again! Whoo hoo!
I Moved
I’ve always planned to move out of Toronto where I had lived my entire life, when my wife and I retired. And so I have, to a wonderful place in the country with a view across the valley, clean air, friendly folk and a Rail Trail a minute away. My wandering ways in search of new sights and bicycle routes has taken me to the Annapolis Valley here in Nova Scotia. A peaceful, traffic free life to recuperate. The whole house fixing up, selling, buying, moving and then updating the new home was an enormous undertaking. How did I manage?
Where there’s a hill, there’s a way.
So not being a resident in the province anymore, I’m finding it a little awkward to update trails and add new ones. Sure I’ll be back in the province to visit but that’s not going to be enough. So I’m asking all of you to help out and add some local reviews to the site to keep it fresh. Or contact me with any updates/new developments, photos about the trails.
Where do I go from here? Well I’ve had thoughts of maybe selling the site. If you are interested, reach out, let’s talk. Or have riders on the ground in Ontario posting their own reviews. Or leave it as is…
In the meantime I’m going to be fixing some broken links on the site and updating what I can remotely. I’m not sure about ever publishing new editions of my existing books or even working on a new bike trail guide here for Nova Scotia.
I’ve been given a new lease on life and I’m taking it easy for now. A bit of gardening, some trail building in the forest behind the house, music making, travel…
I am back on my bike after my cancer ordeal, consider (no pressure) sponsoring me for a cancer cycling challenge to ride 200 km in August. After all I went through, I am fundraising for Sick Kids so children can get treatment, live longer and ride bikes. – Dan 
Sponsor my bike ride!
Bike Loop
And just this week I found a new Rail Trail in the valley I would like to share, (if you are ever out here.) With my new cycling friend (and bike mechanic) Doug we did a 31 km loop from Middleton up the Nictaux River to the reservoir then back on the canal and down a crazy steep road. Good fun, great weather, no bugs or traffic. Here are a few pix and a map to entice you.
Everyone have a great summer, enjoy the trails and keep crank’n – Dan Roitner
Dear Dan, You are an inspiration. Wish you good health and abright future . I am a huge fan of your posts. God Bless you . I hope you do a lot of writing about all your new riding experiences and pray for better health to you . God Bless. Alan Aloysius
Thanx Alan, I plan to ride for many more years if able. Having been healthy all my life you never know when things can take a bad turn. So I never take it for granted that I will be spinning my wheels in to my 80’s. I’m sure I will write some more. Still taking pictures on rides…you never know.🚴♀️😁 But for now I just want to enjoy retirement and do pleasure cruising.
Dan,
I wish you all the best for whatever life brings you. I am 72 myself so I can appreciate your situation. I have used your guides for a while now and have almost finished them. I aim to complete them all before the end of the summer. I plan to do a trans-Canada ride in stages, Ontario being my home so that’s where I started. Hope to get to NS next year.
All the best.
My my you have ridden plenty and continue at that age. Glad my books have given you many ride destinations. And now your going to cross the country. Amazing, wishing you a great trip.
So very sorry to hear of your health challenge Dan but so happy you have come out the other side healthy and determined to live your best life!!
Have always enjoyed reading all the information you share with us regarding “Cycling”….vey inspirational.
Thank you for your time and knowledge!
Thanks Joan it’s been a rough ride (on my health) but I made it. So happy to be on my bicycle again. I missed that experience. Only could do 15 minutes standing on my pedals. No fun in that!