Cabot Trail Bicycle Tour

The Cabot Trail is a must on every cyclist’s dream list of touring routes. Cape Breton Highlands National Park will reveal to you Nova Scotia’s coastal beauty at its best. The Cabot Trail is, by far, the most popular bicycle route in Atlantic Canada. Our annual event is a fun and friendly three-day camping tour of this spectacular region. Meet new friends. This is a very popular event, with over 100 riders each year. It is also a social event, where there are many roadside stops and evening gatherings.Discover one of the best cycling routes in North America! With some of the most magnificent scenery on the continent, this is overwhelmingly Atlantic Canada’s most popular bicycle touring route. Enjoy our challenging and spectacular ride this year. Join us on our tour; winding its way through Cape Breton’s forested highlands, the tundra-like barrens on top resembling that of Canada’s North. Challenge yourself to its mountain climbs and downhill rewards, looking out across valleys, or directly down at the ocean.Total distance will be a little over 100 km (60 miles) per day. In addition to being a personal challenge, the tour is a social event. You will be encouraged to enjoy the many beaches, look-offs, bakeries, and other distractions the area has to offer. Your baggage will be carried for you between campsites and the support vehicle will be on hand to offer assistance. Since the gear is carried, it allows the use of touring, sport, or mountain bikes. Participants will be from a wide background of ages and levels of experience – there’s no pressure. Everyone will cycle in their own style of riding, ranging from sport riders, to “all day dawdlers”. You will be sent a tour booklet giving you details on the tour and offer suggestions on what to bring.When you send in your entry form, you will be sent a tour booklet. It will give you details on this year’s tour and offer suggestions on what to bring. To best prepare you should arrive in Baddeck on Friday. We will send a list of area motels and campgrounds. Riders provide their own camping gear and utensils. There are many restaurants along the trail. Details will be in your tour booklet.

Departing the village of Baddeck, we begin our tour with an easy ride through forests and along Cape Breton Island’s rugged seacoast. Near day’s end, we meet our first challenge. Smokey Mountain is spectacular, rising sharply from the shore. From its cliffs, you are offered views far out over the Atlantic Ocean. We end our day at Ingonish, the start of Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Our camp will be away from the crowds, in a specially secluded part of the park.Sunday, September 2Ingonish – Cheticamp 116 km (72 mi.)This is the most challenging day of our tour. Over 110 kilometres of coastal mountains separate us from our campsite along the Gulf of St. Lawrence. North Mountain and MacKenzie Mountain present formidable challenges. The downhill runs on both are a worthy reward! There are many enjoyable distractions; Black Brook Beach and waterfalls, whale sightings, deer, moose, panoramic views such as from atop MacKenzie and French Mountains, and the many enticing food stops along the way! We will celebrate our memorable day of cycling with an evening campfire.Our last day together should offer a fairly easy ride. We begin by visiting a region of French speaking Acadian fishing villages. Next, we turn inland, and the atmosphere changes to one of strong ties with Scotland. We will follow the scenic Margaree Valley, world famous for its salmon. Soon afterward, we travel by way of scenic back roads, to our farewell in Baddeck.

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 or indoor selection.

Tour Support

During the ride, our support vehicle will be at your service if you need a lift or other assistance. Maps and information materials will help guide you along the way.

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 carry whatever you feel you need to enjoy the tour. For those camping, 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 )

Entry Fee

Tour entry is by way of personal cheque, PayPal, money order, or wire transfer.

PayPal registrations are by way of emailed invoice. Contact us by email and we will send you an invoice which takes you to the secure PayPal site.

U.S. participants: note that U.S. “green” domestic postal money orders cannot be used in Canada.

Past Tacklers Reward

A reward for those who have previously “Tackled the Trail” with us!  It does not apply to annual “Early-Bird” entries.

Calculations are made using adjustments in Canadian currency with the value of the currency involved at the date incurred.

Cancellation of Event

Atlantic Canada Cycling has never had a cancelled event in its eighteen years. We do, however, reserve the right to cancel any scheduled tour. In this event you will receive a full refund of any money paid. We will not reimburse any related expenses incurred as a result of the cancellation of a tour. Purchase of travel or vacation insurance is recommended.

In the unlikely event circumstances beyond our control prohibit departure (severe climate, war, strikes, civil unrest) you will receive full refund of any money paid. Again, in this case we will not reimburse any related expenses incurred as a result of an event cancellation and purchase of travel insurance is recommended.

Applying for the Tour

Tour entry is made by cheque or money order through postal mail. PayPal is also available. We can hold a place for you for two weeks if you give us notification. You will be notified immediately if the tour is filled.

Participant Form and Waiver

All participants must complete a Registration Form and a Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk, Waiver. Cycling and the travel experience around it have risks. It is important that you acknowledge and accept these risks before joining. Please read the Waiver carefully and make sure you understand it before signing.