What a neat little site this is! It has info on the businesses on the Cabot Trail Area. I started the link off with a cool place that bikers like to check out – Leatherworks. I think I saw one of those goat hair (just kidding – I don’t know, alpaca, muskox, ??) seat cover things when I was driving by the other day. They are right by the Clucking Hen (suggested stop for a coffee, or even swap that out for a fish chowder, yum).
I’m just throwing out neat places or people – if you are a biker and know a good spot for the rest of us to stop, please comment or email me to post it.
This is where I got a bunch of leather scraps - I'm going to use them to make some cool clothes somehow... Amazing craftsmanship here - If you appreciate hand made anything, stop here. Got a cool belt too!
This is Emily working at the Clucking Hen.
At only 17, Emily is an avid motorcycle rider. I heard lots about Emily as I was dropping into the Clucking Hen all the time, while setting up the whole T-shirt project at Coastal Waters. Emily was raised in a motorcycle family that publishes the Motorcycle Mojo magazine. I just subscribed, and it doesn’t matter where in the world you live – Glenn (Emily’s Dad) seems to have a documented trip of it. The reason I’m so interested in following Emily’s trips, is that I want my entire family to ride together some day. Emily tells me she’s riding the Tail next year (Dragon’s Tail – Deal’s Gap, North Carolina, USA). She’s pumped! …and that’s what I mean – name another 17 yr old that is excited already for next year’s summer vacation with their parents. I’m sure they’ll publish a story of the ride in the Magazine, but I’ll ask for the inside scoop from Emily and she can totally keep the tradition by being a journalist as well. Here’s Glenn’s Deals Gap Adventure from a couple years ago with some photos as they tested a couple bikes – rough life eh?
This is The Clucking Hen, just after the Englishtown Ferry Junction when you're going Counter Clockwise.
Baddeck:
This is a nice stop. I don't think it's a franchise - Do you have any Herring Chokers were you're from? Click to see inside!
Wreck Cove:
This is a cool looking General Store. They've got fuel, lobster sandwiches, really nice leather jackets, books, magazines, etc. I got myself an ice cream and a few good stories 
the thing i like about leather jacket is that they give you the impression that you are a bad ass guy `
What a great site, this is the best site I have seen for bikers planning a trip! 4 of us are going to ride from Michingan to Nova Scotia in early June 2012. We will use your web site to plan our route around the Cabot Trail.
Can you tell us about the route to Halifax from Antigonish ? We want to take the route along the coast, is that Route 7 or Route 16? How long will it take us to get to halifax ?
Thanks again
Jim
Click here for my Google Maps Suggestion on riding between Antigonish and Halifax. The section between Halifax and New Glasgow is in great shape. It is really pretty and rural. The road along the ocean to Route 7 has some rough parts… it is nice in parts too… You would take the 7 back up before getting to 16. I’m not saying to avoid this run, but if time is an issue, I like my route here. The part that goes around the Cape is Nova Scotia’s best kept secret. They call it the Mini-Trail and is a good warm up for the real deal. You can see Cape Breton across the water, and is a cool sight to get you pumped up for gorgeous Cape Breton in the days ahead. This route is 4 hours. Highway is 2hrs from Antigonish to Halifax.
If you’re looking for a quality handmade souvenir, visit Seasonal Treasures in Cheticamp! Meet fellow biker and artist Paula Aucoin-Camus, multi talented artist of many mediums including oil paintings (including some of the Cabot Trail!) stained glass and fiberarts.One of a kind is our specialty, we also have pottery, jewelry, famous Cheticamp hooked rugs,and more, no imports.We ship too ! Come in for a visit, and a chat about your Cabot Trail motorcycle adventure and bring home a treasure .Visit http://www.facebook.com/SeasonalTreasures to see our shop .
Paula, thanks for all your support of the site and spreading the news. Folks, Paula and her hubby ride the Trail a lot, and now you have a spot to put on your list for the Cheticamp side of the loop. Just the history of the shop looks cool on her facebook page. More connections on the Trail! It’s like Sesame Street and these are the people in your neighbourhood…
Also Check out the “Dancing Goat”Cafe/Bakery”in Margaree on the Trail.Excellent place for a pit stop,delicious baked goods and their sandwiches are huge.Kind of like a specialty food cafe in the middle of nowhere.Organic coffees, homemade breads,unique soups, salads,lattes, a must stop kind of place! They also serve a hearty breakfast too. They don’t have a sign at the road so look for the XTR garage, they are located within eyesight of it. Definitely recommend.