Sunday, July 26
Port Hawkesbury to Whycocomagh 75 km (47 mi.)

We reach the shores of Lake Bras d'Or. It is called a lake, but is actually an appealing inland sea! Said to be perhaps the cleanest inland sea in the world, it is a haven for wildlife. The forested hills around it are home to bald eagles- hundreds of nesting pairs of them live on the island!

Monday, July 27
Whycocomagh to North Sydney 94 km (59 mi.)

Whycocomagh is two villages in one. On one side is a community settled by the Scots. On the other is a Mic Mac aboriginal reserve, one of several on the island. Our route today will be a very pleasant run around the Washabuck Peninsula, through the once Gaelic speaking village of Iona.


Tuesday, July 28
North Sydney to Englishtown 67 km (42 mi.)

Boularderie Island is "an island within an island". Today's route takes a quiet, winding route around its edge, before facing the first large climb of our tour.

Wednesday, July 29
Englishtown to Ingonish 51 km (32 mi.)

We are nearing Cape Breton Highlands National Park! Enjoy the spectacular coastal scenery, and the green dense forests - shame about Cape Smokey Mountain in our way just before our day's end..

Thursday, July 30
Ingonish to Cape North 51 km (32 mi.)

We follow a roller -coaster shoreline. Bay St. Lawrence is home to whales, often sighted while cycling. It is also bird country, including herons and eagles.

Friday, July 31
Cape North to Cheticamp 68 km (42 mi.)

One of the greatest days of cycling you will ever have! We will challenge ourselves on small mountains that rise up along the Atlantic Ocean. The ride down French Mountain is thrilling, a curving road, which looks out over the Gulf of St. Lawrence, one of the most photographed places in North America.

Saturday, August 1
Cheticamp to Inverness 66 km (41 mi.)

We follow the Ceilidh Trail, along the shore of the Gulf. We pass a region of French-speaking Acadian fishing villages, and later, into the heart of Nova Scotia's rich Gaelic music and culture. This is our last night together- let's party!

Sunday, August 2
Inverness to Port Hawkesbury 85 km (53 mi.)

Our last day. Enjoy this pretty ride along Cape Breton's rocky west coast. As the Nova Scotia mainland comes into view, you will no doubt think about our trip around this beautiful, rugged island... from our ride around its inland sea, through the highlands, and along its barren coast. You've done it! Fantastic!