Old Field Bridge

Took a lazy afternoon ride through Knightville and Newtown the other day. It was a hot summer day and the dry air quickly dried my mouth and the sun stun my arms. I decided to start through Anagance Ridge to get all the big hills over with in the beginning. After cresting Anagance Ridge I stopped to take in the view then coasted down into Knightville.

With a slight headwind I passed grazing cows and freshly cut hayfields. Shortly after passing Giermend’s Gasthof Old Bavarian Restaurant I turned onto the Oldfield Road. It’s a dirt road, but its in great shape, probably better shape that some of the paved roads in the area. I stopped in the shade of a lone pine tree, drank heavily from my water bottle.

Up ahead I came to the Oldfields Covered Bridge which was featured on the Canadian Quarter coin in 1992 to commemorate Canada’s Confederation. It was quiet down there, no cars in sight, and I could hear Smith Creek flowing beneath the bridge. Inside it was dark and cool. Sun shone through cracks and played in the elaborate truss work.

The Oldfields Covered Bridge – featured on the Canadian Quarter in ’92

Inside the Oldsfields Covered Bridge.

With all the hill-climbing out of the way and the prevailing winds at my back I was afforded a mellow ride back to Corn Hill through Newtown. As my mind settled into the steady pace of the flat landscape I thought about the bike fest and smiled that many more people will soon get to enjoy this too.

-graham