Newfoundland Bicycle Tour

It will be perhaps the most inexpensive, not to mention fun, vacation of the island available.We have planned this trip with adventurous cyclists in mind. We will have seven full days of cycling, one partial day of biking before our transportation back and two rest/activity days.The tour will have an average 70 km (43 miles) per day. You can bicycle this amount in five hours or less of actual biking, leaving plenty of time for sightseeing and relaxing. Options will be available for extra cycling each day.Terrain on the western part of Newfoundland ranges from flat to rolling. Our days in Gros Morne National Park have several small mountains. These are challenging but feasible, even for moderate cyclists. Because of distances between communities and variable climate the Newfoundland Bicycle Tour preferably should be more than someone’s first bicycle trip. With the assistance of our support vehicle, we can offer a worry-free tour.

Participants on the Newfoundland Bicycle Tour will explore an area with frontier-like conditions, with long stretches of wilderness in between communities. Everyone, however, will find enough to eat and all our campgrounds will have warm showers.Known as “the rock”, Newfoundland is forested in its interior, but quite rocky and barren along the coast. Often there are barrens, with vegetation and conditions resembling Canada’s north. Winds can be strong. The prevailing direction is from the south, and strong tailwinds are expected for almost every day.We have ords, and perhaps walk up Gros Morne itself! Turning northward at the ocean, we negotiate the park’s immense fjords. Our route then moves along the coast. We will spend several days winding around numerous bays and harbours. Once we get in sight of Labrador, we turn north-east and continue to the tip of the Island. Although sparsely settled, people have lived along this shore for over 9,000 years. Several important archaeological sites will be available for us to explore.

Once reaching the very northern end of Newfoundland, we will visit the Viking settlement at L’Anse aux Meadows.Our tour ends at the only town found on our entire route, St. Anthony. We will no doubt spend our evening there with a wealth of stories from our tour. Early in the afternoon there will be a return shuttle to Deer Lake (included with tour registration).The Newfoundland Bicycle Tour will be a friendly event, with a great deal of socializing. Along the way, we will learn about Newfoundland’s long history, discover its rugged beauty, and experience what makes it distinct. This is a tour which will be both spectacular and memorable!

Friday, June 28 – Trout River to Rocky Harbour 42 km (25 mi.)
Today we return through the tablelands to take a boat crossing to the northern side of the park. After a ride from Norris Point to Rocky Harbour. There will be time for a short hike, a swim at the pool, or perhaps some photography at the Lobster Cove lighthouse.

Saturday, June 29  - Activity Day in Gros Morne National Park
We will take a day to explore the National Park, viewing its magnificent fresh-water fjords and many pleasant trails.

Sunday, June 30 – Rocky Harbour to Cow Head 50 km (30 mi.)
Turning northward at the ocean, we negotiate Gros Morne National Park’s immense fjords. There is plenty of time today to take in some exploring. There are several short hikes as well as boat tours of the fjord at Western Brook Pond.

Monday, July 1 – Cow Head to Hawke’s Bay 101 km (62 mi.)
Enjoy the spectacular coastal scenery. There are several scenic look-offs today as well as an ecological reserve. The prevailing tailwinds are usually very strong at this point.Our campground offers a boardwalk which crosses typical island marshes and follows an active salmon river.

Tuesday, July 2 – Hawke’s Bay to St. Barbe 86 km (54 mi.)
We wind around numerous bays and harbours. People have lived along this shore for over 9,000 years. Port au Choix National Historic Site is the location of one of the most important archaeological sites concerning the history of aboriginal people. The lighthouse stands at the furthest point west on the peninsula. It offers spectacular photography.Wednesday, July 3 – Day Ride to Labrador (various distances).

Today we take a boat ride to Labrador. The icy channel between the island and the mainland is home to whales, seabirds, and occasional icebergs. Remarkably different from Newfoundland, Labrador’s coast is treeless and extremely rugged. We return back to the island in the late afternoon.

Thursday, July 4 – St. Barbe to Pistolet Bay 125 km (79 mi.)
We turn north-east along the top of Newfoundland. A long lonely stretch of Newfoundland’s northern interior barrens lies between us and Pistolet Bay. The vegetation and conditions here resemble that of Canada’s north. A diversion allows us to go to the far northern tip of Newfoundland. This, the longest day of our tour, goes through a wilderness area will very services along our route. The usual prevailing tailwind should lessen the effort in rounding the tip of the island. As done every day, and again for this long day, we will be offering rides in our support vehicle for anyone desiring to shorten the distance. We camp in an attractive forest setting.

Friday, July 5 – Day Ride to St. Lunaire and l’Anse Aux Meadows 72 km (41 mi.)
Today we go to L’anse aux Meadows, site of the discovery of Viking life in North America. A UNESCO world heritage site, we will experience what life was like 1000 years ago. We also explore the traditional Newfoundland fishing village of St. Lunaire.  It is our last night together – let’s party!

Saturday, July 6 – Pistolet Bay to St. Anthony 30 km (19 mi.)
Transportation from St. Anthony to Deer Lake

Our last day. It is on to St. Anthony, and the end of our tour. Today we take arranged transportation back to Deer Lake. Note: The transportation from our end point of cycling at St. Anthony back to Deer Lake is included with your registration. It leaves St. Anthony early in the morning and arrives in Deer Lake in late afternoon. We manage to get a few hours of cycling in before departure.

Last Day Transportation Note: As noted above the transportation from our end point at St. Anthony back to Deer Lake is included with your registration. We may not arrive at Deer Lake until late afternoon, do not book an early flight out.

An optional ACC shuttle to Nova Scotia leaves the next morning from Newfoundland. Contact us well in advance if you may want to be part of this option.

Accommodation – Our trip will be a tent camping adventure. It is possible for non-campers to attend and stay indoors every night of our tour. A limited number of Bed and Breakfasts and motels are along our route. If indoor lodgings are off of 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 – Each cyclist can have their own choice of dining. Some prepare meals at our campsites. Participants buy food daily at designated spots and we transport it to the end point. We have a large amount of cooking stoves, equipment, and cutlery – no need to bring any of that gear to our tour. Others prefer to enjoy as many restaurants as the route allows. We will provide a list each day of what you will find along our route.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 – 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 )