For over 35 years, Gary Conrod’s Atlantic Canada Cycling offered fun, social, affordable, old-fashioned bicycle camping tours. The basics – baggage transport, support vehicle, maps, nightly bicycle repairs, and a lot of knowledge about the places Gary and crew took them.
(photo: A cool late August evening on the Chaudiere-Appalaches Bicycle Tour)
 Sharing 35 years experience
Gary and his crew helped people enjoy bike trips since way back in 1987. Thousands have enjoyed the tours. They shared together all the best cycling routes, the hidden corners, everything that is special about Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Quebec.
(photo: Boat waiting to take cyclists across Bonne Bay in Newfoundland)
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 The ACC story is a personal one
It all started when Gary Conrod wanted to put on a large gathering of cyclists in 1987. An extreme amount of work, the Atlantic Canada Bicycle Rally was an overwhelming success. This event would carry on for 21 more years. Gary was asked to add on bicycle camping tours after the bicycle rallies. They would explore different scenic parts of Canada’s Atlantic Provinces. It all grew out of this passion, soon filling the entire summer. Gary was involved with every rider on every tour.
(photo: Gary with group on Cape Breton Island)
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 A big strong point
Unlike mostly all smaller tour operations, it had at least two support vehicles – both a logistics truck as well as a sag wagon. Sometimes even a third was added, helping with the non-campers at bed and breakfasts, extra help at the grocery store pickups and as extra route patrol. The goal was to allow everyone to ride at their own pace, while also still supporting them spread out on the road. The routes were constantly patrolled until everyone safely arrived. The vehicles, fuel, and staffing for this, the no baggage limit, and constant driving back and forth with the road support was a lot higher cost to operate than comparable events. A huge effort and a big financial commitment.
(photo: ACC group at the end of the Cape Breton Island Tour) |
 It was about flexibility
With the tour support, riders could stop and go as they wished. The group did not ride like ducks in a row behind a leader. There was no struggling to keep up. Participants could leave and arrive as they wished and ride at any speed they liked. This allowed cyclists of all abilities and ages. There were many in their 60s, 70s and as the cycling family moved along, their 80s. Riders moved along with others in the group with the same speed and interests.
The food system, with individual storage crates, iced coolers, supply of cooking gear, and grocery pickup system might have been unique. Participants called it It was called “controlled chaos”. The daily grocery stop, where the group gathered, became a beehive and a highlight of the day. For some village stores, it would be the grocery’s busiest day of the year. The group visits became well known. While not the best system for those who wanted to sit back after after a hard ride and enjoy catered meals, those who loved the tours would say the mealtime preparation side by side was a great part of the experience.
People who liked the tours really liked it. They asked not to change a single thing.
(photo: Everyone did their own thing but yet together) |
![One of the best lookoffs on our Cape Breton and Cabot Trail tours - the view on the switchbacks at Pleasant Bay]r](http://www.atlanticcanadacycling.com/wp-acccontent/uploads/Cabot-Trail-Bicycle-Tour-lookoff.jpg) Great crews
No matter how much of a one-man show, these tours could not have happened without a fantastic crew. Participants returned yearly to enjoy daytime tour support and campfire nights with Ed, Dawn, Logan and many others.
(photo: One of the best lookoffs on our Cape Breton and Cabot Trail tours – the view on the switchbacks at Pleasant Bay) |
 Thank you
It was a wonderful 36 years! Gary and crew treasure all the friendships. The loyalty and avidness will never be forgotten. It has always been about the cycling, but also about the togetherness.
(photo: Happy cyclists on Prince Edward Island northern coast) |
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![One of the best lookoffs on our Cape Breton and Cabot Trail tours - the view on the switchbacks at Pleasant Bay]r](https://www.atlanticcanadacycling.com/wp-acccontent/uploads/Cabot-Trail-Bicycle-Tour-lookoff.jpg)