1. This is a basic version. Check for updates at (www.atlanticcanadacycling.com/capebreton/tour/)

2. Our Tour Entry Form is available as an Adobe pdf file. (www.atlanticcanadacycling.com/capebreton/tour/enter.html) We can also send it by e-mail, fax, or postal mail.
3. Visit our Tour Photo Album - This section is not included on the printer-friendly version. (http://www.atlanticcanadacycling.com/capebreton/tour/album/pics/index.html)

This is the ride everyone dreams of doing: Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Island! Spectacular scenery is one reason that it is, by far, the most popular bicycle touring region in Atlantic Canada. Cape Breton must be the luckiest cycling place in the world, with its magnificent seacoast mountains, clean rivers and lakes, ocean breezes, plentiful wildlife, and unique Gaelic culture.

This is an affordable camping vacation, which will enjoy a carefully selected route around an unforgettable island. It will be a fun and friendly tour, with a great deal of socializing. Along the way, we will learn about Cape Breton's history, discover its incredible variety, and experience what makes the island distinct. Join us for a tour which will be both enjoyable and memorable

We've planned this trip with average cyclists in mind. To some, the tour will be a challenge, and the satisfaction of it completed. To others, it will be a chance to renew and strengthen friendships, or to make new ones. For still others, it will be the chance to see Cape Breton as no other form of travel can. For everyone, it will be the most inexpensive, not to mention fun, vacation of the island available.

We will have 8 days of cycling, with an average 70 km (44 miles) per day. The amounts each day vary, with the days in hillier terrain lower. You can bicycle each day in five hours or less of actual biking, leaving plenty of time for sightseeing and relaxing. Options will be offered for both shortcuts and for scenic side routes. Terrain on the island is rolling to hilly. The three days in Cape Breton Highlands National Park have several small mountains. These are challenging, even with their much lower daily distances. With a relaxed tour schedule, however, they are feasible, even for casual cyclists. With the assistance of our support vehicle, we can offer a worry-free tour .

By Atlantic Canada standards, the terrain is from rolling to hilly. New or casual cyclists will find this tour quite feasible. For more accomplished bicycle tourists, detailed options will be offered for longer daily routes. These will allow for taking in more of the province, while enjoying the event with others.

The tour covers a huge amount of the island. We begin by following the Bras d'Or, perhaps the cleanest inland sea in the world. After a day at the end of the "lake" we enter the Cape Breton Highlands. After several shorter but invigorating days of riding, we reach the Gulf of St. Lawrence side of the island. Our last two days follow a French speaking Acadian area and the heart of Cape Breton's Scottish heritage and music.

This is one of the most highly rated cycling routes in the world. It is a beautiful special place. We have designed a tour that explores it. At times a little challenging, our tour is "doable" and is a fun event for everyday, casual cyclists. We are looking forward to sharing the island with you.

Wednesday, July 9 - Port Hawkesbury - Whycocomagh
Thursday, July 10- Whycocomagh - North Sydney
Friday, July 11- North Sydney - Englishtown
Saturday, July 12 - Englishtown - Ingonish
Sunday, July 13 - Ingonish - Cape North
Monday, July 14 - Cape North - Cheticamp
Tuesday, July 15 - Cheticamp - Inverness
Wednesday, July 16 - Inverness - Port Hawkesbury

Wednesday, July 9
Port Hawkesbury to Whycocomagh 77 km (48 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!

Thursday, July 10
Whycocomagh to North Sydney 93 km (58 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.

Friday, July 11
North Sydney to Englishtown 69 km (43 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.

Saturday, July 12
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.

Sunday, July 13
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.

Monday, July 14
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.

 

Tuesday, July 15
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!

Wednesday, July 16
Inverness to Port Hawkesbury 87 km (54 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!

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.
-daily route maps
-tour escort - Gary Conrod has 150,000 kilometers cycling experience, including almost all Cape Breton Island.

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

Food is the responsibility of each cyclist. This permits a wide range of dining styles and budgets. Some will prepare meals at our campsites, while others may have as many as the route allows at restaurants. We will provide a list of what you will find along our route. A support vehicle will be transport items selected at stores along the way.

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

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!).

All participants must complete both a Registration Form and a Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk, Waiver. Our Participant Form and Waiver is in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). It requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print. It is standard on many new computers and in most offices. The form is available at:

(http://www.atlanticcanadacycling.com/information/entryform.pdf)

We can also e-mail a pdf form, fax, or mail you registration printed forms