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What We Provide
-comprehensive ride
guide - all about what you will see on route - history, culture,
trivia
-camping facilities
-luggage transportation - we will carry your gear - just bike and
enjoy the ride!
-bike mechanic assistance
-sag wagon service - support vehicles will be available for breakdowns
or tired riders.
- meals on Saturday and Sunday evenings - breakfast on Sunday and
Monday mornings
-daily route maps
-tour escort - Gary Conrod has 150,000 kilometers cycling experience,
including every road on Cape Breton Island and over 25 trips cycling
around the Cabot Trail
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Accommodation
Our trip will be a tent camping adventure. It is possible for a few
non-campers to attend. A limited number of Bed and Breakfasts and
motels are along our route. If indoor lodgings are from our supported
list, we will assist with the transport of their gear to and from
our campsites. Due to the popularity of the area, early reservations
are strongly recommended. Upon request, a listing of motels and Bed
and Breakfasts will be sent with confirmation.
Meals
Saturday and Sunday evening meals are provided. Breakfasts
are also included for Sunday and Monday mornings. Saturday breakfast
and lunches are each cyclist's responsibility. There will be places
along our route. There is no need to bring any cooking equipment.
Baggage System
Each morning you will bring your baggage to our truck.
You are then free to ride at your own pace. Your bags will be waiting
for you upon your arrival at the next campground. During the ride,
our support vehicle will be at your service if you need a lift or
other assistance.
Preparation and Equipment
With several challenging climbs, circling the Cabot
Trail requires a moderate level of fitness. Bicycles must be in good
working order. Special attention should be given to brakes and tires;
these should be of good quality and well maintained. Gearing of 15
or more speeds is recommended. You will be expected to bring a pump,
a spare tube and a repair kit. Organizers reserve the right to prohibit
any bicycle considered to be unsafe to operate. The weather is changeable
in the highlands; be prepared for cold and wet, as well as hot and
dry. Helmets are mandatory by law. Participants must be 18 years or
older, unless accompanied by an adult. We will carry whatever you
feel you need to enjoy the tour. You must supply your own tent and
sleeping bag. We will not subject your gear to weighing scales or
bag limits. We ask, however, that you do not overdo things- (please
- no TVs or lawn chairs!)
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Atlantic Canada Cycling Shuttle:
Low-cost transportation organized by ACC leaves early in the afternoon
the day before our tour. It stops at downtown Halifax, Halifax Airport,
and the Truro Via Rail Station. Contact us for the shuttle schedule
before booking flights or trains.
Air:
Halifax, Nova Scotia - The major connecting airport
for Atlantic Canada, Halifax has service from all major Canadian
cities. It also has runs from U.S.A. connecting hubs such as Boston,
Newark, New York, and Detroit. European cities connect to Halifax
through London, England. Airlines to Halifax include Air
Canada. (www.aircanada.com) Westjet
(www.westjet.com), Northwest
Airlines (www.nwa.com), United, American Airlines, Continental,
Delta, and Zoom. Selected as the best medium-sized airport in the
world, see two interesting sites Fly
Halifax (www.flyhalifax.com); and Halifax
International Airport (www.hiaa.ca).
Halifax Airport is about 350 km (230 miles) from our tour start
at Baddeck, Nova Scotia. There is another airport at the other side
of Cape Breton Island at Sydney. It is not suggested
for this tour as it has fewer options and requires expensive ground
transport across the island.
Road:
Option A) Taking a ferry from Bar Harbor,
Maine or Portland, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and crossing the
province to Baddeck.
Option B) Going around the
Bay of Fundy through New Brunswick then crossing Nova Scotia to
Baddeck.
The trip, the cost and time of the ferries may or
may not not be worth driving the extra hours through Maine and New
Brunswick.
For information on the Bar Harbor Portland, Maine
to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia ferries see Catferry
(www.catferry.com)
Train:
The nearest train station is at Truro, Nova Scotia. Trains all originate
from Montreal, Quebec. It is possible to connect to Montreal by
rail further west in Canada and the USA. Via
Rail (www.viarail.ca) The train runs six days per week. Should
those days be ones you are to arrive or leave then an extra day
will be needed for your itinerary.
Bus:
Busses connect to Baddeck, Nova Scotia. Travellers with bicycles
are not treated with first-class style. If baggage holds are full
bikes may be held back. Acadian
Lines (www.acadianbus.com)
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