Day 67 Hummingbirds (Lake Ainslie, NS – Dingwall, NS)

Threatening skies

Today was billed as the big climbing day and lived up to its name. We arose to rain and threatening skies, and headed out of camp around 7:30.

Coastal Views

After a short 20 mile ride, we joined up on the Cabot Trail, a spectacular route which hugs the coast of Cape Breton, except when it heads inland and up the 1,300’ to 1,500’ hills.

More of the coast

Where's Waldo?

Along the coast we passed by a lot that had about 100 “scare crows” on display so we stopped for a photo op.

After the first long climb

The route today was 92 miles but the fun began after mile 60 with two steep climbs, one just under 4 miles at a consistent 11% grade, and the next just over 2 miles at a 13% grade. We were pouring sweat on the climbs as the weather was hot, sunny, and in the low 90s. After the first of the climbs, we stopped to refuel, mainly Gatorade and PowerAde for their high sugar content, and an ice cream cone. Since our fuel for the day is mainly sugar and water, I mentioned to Marc who I was riding with that we were like hummingbirds, looking for nectar at every possibility,

The road below.

After some fun, steep descents, complete with switchbacks, we got into camp ahead most of the group – bonus because it meant no wait for the showers!

Day 66 Another Picture Perfect Day (Lower Barney’s River NS, Lake Ainslie, NS)

As the title says, another picture perfect day for riding. Today’s route was 103 miles long with some good climbs and took us on to Cape Breton Island at the northern tip of Nova Scotia.

Before heading off the mainland, I took a quarter mile side trip through the woods to see a cairn erected to commemorate some Scotsmen who survived the Battle of Culloden in 1746 and immigrated to Nova Scotia shortly afterwards. On my way back to the road, I was quite surprised to see one other rider who decided to make the pilgrimage to the cairn.

Once on Cape Breton, we started climbing again. I managed to break another rear drive-side spoke, with 40 miles to go, but my wheel remained true enough to keep riding. Once back in camp I fixed my wheel, and also the real wheels of two other riders who had also broken rear spokes. It seems that I am getting pretty good at this if I say so myself…



After dinner we were treated to yet another spectacular sunset.

We are all anxiously watching the weather since the remnants of Hurricane Earl are predicted to be blowing through the Gulf of Saint Lawrence at approximately the same time as our 14 hour ferry ride to Newfoundland. My bet is that with all the luck we have had so far weather-wise, it will skip us. If not we’ll see what happens...

Tomorrow is a very hilly day of riding up the North Eastern side of Cape Breton. Off to bed now as we have 85 miles to ride.

I am not sure what the internet access will be like over the next few days so this may be my last posting until I return to New Jersey next Monday.

Day 65 Back on the Mainland (Cornwall PEI – Lower Barney’s River, NS)

Posted on Aug 31, Lake Ainslie NS

Another ferry ride this morning, so we started off on another “time trial” to catch the ferry at 11:15 AM – the next sailing was at 1:00 PM so we didn’t what to hang around for that. A few shots of the Eastern (Southern?) part of PEI along the way, but after that it was basically heads down riding, looking forward to the hour-long rest on the ferry ride.

Once on shore, we landed in our 9th Province, Nova Scotia.

I took side trip to Pictou, to see the Hector, a tiny ship which sailed with 200+ Scottish immigrants Nova Scotia in 1773. I can’t begin imagine what it must have been like to be on board with that many people, crossing the North Atlantic in September… and I thought my tent is crowded after 9 weeks of camping!

The day ended with another great sunset – the mosquitoes apparently know when to feed, as they were feasting on us as we were all taking pictures of the sunset.