First off, it’s awesome that you are considering the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia for your motorcycle miles. There are endless places to see on our bikes, and it is pretty damn cool that you’re coming here. Nova Scotia has some features that make it a great place to ride a bike, and I’m going to give you some tips on how to enjoy your trip the best.
First, let’s get to know Nova Scotia, in biker terms. Peak riding season is from May 1st to September 30th, but locals rip around on the good days outside of that. The province (there are 10 provinces in Canada – same deal as a state in the US) is almost an island. There are less than a million residents, so we’re not talking a crowded place. If you are looking for major city lifestyle partying…head to Halifax. Zero bars, but about two hundred pubs. Every town in NS has a pub or two…or it isn’t a town…so don’t worry about getting thirsty. Canada’s major highway is the Trans Canada. Stay off that the best you can – we’ve got roads that circle the entire province. Each has a name…for example, I live on the Sunshine Trail.
If you choose Nova Scotia for your visit, browse around and let me help you out. The information on this site is not free – you’ve got to promise to buy one of my creations: The Original Cabot Trail Biker T-Shirt. It’s a big price to pay, because the shirt is sold at one location in the world only – at the very end of Nova Scotia! So if you come visit, please buy one of the shirts I made, and drop me a line to tell me if you had a good time. If there is anything I can do to make your trip better while on your Nova Scotia bike vacation, give me a call and I’ll help the best I can.
Safe and Fun Miles!
Daniel Ross
(902)870-4630 (I’ve got kids so don’t call me when you’re drunk at 2am), or anytime at cabottrailbiker@gmail.com
Awesome idea. When I travelled across canada on my harley I made sure I picked up a tshirt in each and every province. Having one of the famous ca bot trail would. Be awesome.and you are right about riding in NS. Take your ride to Isle Madame (exit 46 off 104) lots of hills and turns and awesome scenery. Perhaps there should be a tshirt kioske here too!!!
Cool Site and lots of good info for travellingthe Cabot Trail. You’re a little misleading with your Riding Season though…my bike comes out in March and goes away in December! There’s more to Nova Scotia’s Riding Season that May to September!
—> fixed! You got me there! Thanks to all those helping get this resource right! — Daniel
Came to NS via Digby. Spent 8 days riding with my sister, and my brother and his wife. I live in Maine and they live in Ct. We stayed in Pubnico, Lunenburg, Charlos Bay, Whycocomagh, and then did the trail! I just returned to riding after a 35 year hiatus (life happens eh?) and I must say I earned my T-shrit as I don’t think I could have ridden the trail if I hadn’t first taken the scenic routes leading up to it. The whole place is beautiful but Cape Breton was breathtaking. I vote for riding counter-clockwise as the sun was with us all day long. We were going to skip Meat Cove because we got a late start, I’m so glad we took the time to go there as it was also amazing in itself. The look-offs were a little more problematic for me on the east side b/c of loose gravel, but the west side look-offs were mostly paved and easier to access.
I considered bringing my husband and my Harley mechanic back the Cabot Trail t-shirt but after experiencing it for myself, it’s something they will just have to come get themselves. We finished our trip with a stay in Burncoat and Digby before returning to the states. It’s a ‘ya gotta go’ place. Thank you for such wonderful hospitality all throughout Nova Scotia.
Hi everyone,
I hope you find some inspiration from my little brother’s passion for riding the trail. It’s a passion we share.
I would like to make one comment, however, regarding the last sentence in this intro. Having kids has not shielded me from listening to inebriated pontifications at 2am from my entrepreneurial sibling. So I encourage you, quite enthusiastically, to make that phone call. And when you do, let me know… I’ll credit it against those I “owe” him!
Keep the rubber side down,
David Ross
daveross8@shaw.ca
“Harley” (har’ lee): “the science of converting fuel to noise without the annoying byproduct of horsepower.”
Sorry for the calls Dave. If I’m drunk calling you, even if you have the last word, I won’t remember it. See, Smart like dump truck. As far as your Harley definition… I’m a t-shirt designer so I need a bike that comes with a lot of cool shit to wear. You, as an engineer, need efficiency, and all that nonsense. …to make this family jib jab useful to fellow bikers…. the Trail is enjoyed by every type of bike – saw a lot of quick ones this year for sure. – Daniel
Just came across this blog and was pleased to see another biking entrepreneur on the trail.
insert shameless advertising here… http://ctmcretreat.com
stop by this summer and check us out or visit our facebook page for updates
Thank you,
Pat and Angela
Hi Pat and Angela,
Thanks for the post. Your super good pricing and info is now a proud addition to our accommodations page. I’m certainly planning on dropping in for a visit on one of my rips around the Trail!
Hey Daniel,
I’m coming with a couple of buddies in the next two weeks. I was wondering about the road to Meat Cove. It was highly recommended to me to do it. Is it paved?
Hi Paul,
Meat Cove is a real treat. Pavement stops and you have about 5 miles of gravel. I don’t recommend going if you’re only on the Trail for one day. If you have more than one day on the Trail, I suggest getting on the road early and go for it. If you are on street only bikes, it is a little bit of a novelty to run them on gravel and the views are spectacular. Last year a rider went because it was recommended to him and he dropped his bike. With the size of our bikes today, you have to be an advanced rider. Please don’t go if it means you end up taking someone less experienced with you.
-Daniel