When I built this site in 2010, I wanted to think of everything I could provide to riders going to Cape Breton on their motorcycles. I think I did cover pretty much everything from the get go. I feel bad for all the riders that ‘subscribed’ to this blog based site, and have me here adding no more new pages.
I went ‘down south’ for my first time with my wife (without kids). We were in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. I was told not to drink water from a tap, don’t eat crazy stuff, etc…. or I’d end up in the bathroom.
Then I thought of you, my friends, thinking about just the biking. This little page of tidbits is intended to get you prepared for what to expect of Nova Scotia….
Cleanliness…
We’re probably the best recycling society in North America. We recycle plastic, paper, and miscellaneous containers. Anything that is organic, like a t-bone from a steak, is put in a green bin, to make compost. Our garbage for the curb is placed in a see-through bag, so that if we put the wrong thing in, the collectors put a note on the garbage and leave it – and we learn of the mistake and sort better. Since the tough implementation of these rules, our landfills have received 7 times less garbage. Our 7th generation landfills even treat the leachate (water runoff) to ensure the least impact on our environment.
Water
We’re not densely populated. Drink our water, in elevated quantities while hungover, and you won’t be sick. During our hot weather, the odd instance has restrictions on water use/consumption.
Food
The food here is really well done. Some of these little restaurants and deli’s really go out of their way to put good food out. Our servings aren’t as insanely generous of the restaurants in the States… but you can always ask for more. Just like anywhere else, ask the motel staff, gas attendants, locals, where to go for what you want. I don’t feel bad saying you won’t find any sushi bars on the Cabot Trail… I’ll assume you’re like me and more interested in throwing some miles on than chop sticking raw fish… man made fire…just sayin’.
People
The people here are drawn to bikers. Please have good spirits and be patient with the dumb questions and small talk. The people here are so facinated with anyone that visits and how they heard of coming. Nova Scotians are very well travelled themselves, and when all this internet stuff came along, Nova Scotia was an early leader as far as most connected. Right now, 98% of Nova Scotians have access to High Speed internet – pretty big deal for such a dispersed population.
Weather
It sucks. It’s great! You can say that about our weather within 1 hour. The weather here changes a lot. I live 3 hours from the Cabot Trail. When Meat Cove flooded in torrential rains last year, tons of bikes ripped by my house in hot, sunny weather. If you came here for a motorcycle trip – my biggest advice – choose where you go depending on the weather. Be as vigilant as a sea captain on a boat. Don’t do laundry and errands on a sunny day.
Money
We love American Money. If it is valued less than the Cdn dollar, I’d expect lots to take it as par. (Update on this, July 2, 2011. I heard PEI is 5% more for your $. Irving is charging 7% for US$. Your money is par with the shirts, guaranteed.) Your Credit cards, and debit cards work no problem. It is a tipping culture, 15%-30% on meals is normal, depending on service. A few bucks in your hotel room is common. Our prices for stuff is a bit higher. Liquor is taxed to make it a bit expensive…. that’s why I’m so broke…
The Law
Our highway folks don’t pick on bikes. From what I know, there’s no fuss with loud pipes. I have loud pipes – I just make sure I never crack them in towns (preserve that for people that annoy you). As far as speed, most American riders find we drive a bit fast. In a 110 km/hr zone, I’d be surprised to be pulled over doing less than 122 km/hr. The cops won’t pick on you because you’re a biker, but they’d pick on a crotch rocket the same as they would a Corvette. One thing – Don’t drink and Drive! If you’re American, it will affect your ability to enter Canada if you’re caught. Beer tastes awesome when your bike is on the stand for the night. Man, you don’t want to have liquor on your breath here with our RCMP. Please be careful about this.
What brand of Bike?
No one could care less.
Many Dealerships Around?
No. Not really. But its not a big place, you’re never crazy far from help.
Good Roads?
The Cabot Trail is fantastic, now. 5 years ago they started a 5 year paving plan, and it should be done in a couple years 
Some small rural roads in Nova Scotia are in bad shape. Our TransCanada is tip top, like the nice interstates.
Language
Everyone here speaks English. There are quite a few French speaking people as well – a lot of Acadians here with a strong heritage. If you’re lucky, you’ll even hear some Gaelic!
Anything Else?
Just shoot me an email! Any question at all about your trip here. I’d love to help out any way I could. Or call…
Daniel Ross (902)870-4630
Thanks Daniel, your description of Nova Scotia’s every day life is wonderful, hope to meet you when i go in July,
Normand Pare, Eastman Qc.
Hi Normand,
Thanks bro! I don’t live on the Cabot Trail though. If I was a cook at the restaurant, people wouldn’t go back. I’ll drop a bunch of names, and see if I can make you feel like you have a bunch of friends to meet up with when you get here! I live in Antigonish (last town before hitting gorgeous Cape Breton Island). 3hrs from me, counter-clockwise, or 7hrs from me clockwise, is the Coastal Restaurant and Pub, in Ingonish. Jason and Keith are the owners and at least one of them is always working there. Look for Anna, Jessica, Audrey and Georgina as servers. If you’ve got time, Motorcycle Mojo’s Editor Glenn Roberts – his brother John runs Leatherworks, and his daughter Emily works at The Clucking Hen. Stop at the Clucking Hen and harass everyone there for me as I always do when I’m on the Trail. So there’s a list of friends for you! Call me when you’re in Antigonish (902)870-4630, and if I’m at work, I’d love to get out for a pint! Safe travels! Daniel
what about the wildlife, what should we expect to see or avoid?
Hi Jane,
If you were to do the Cabot Trail 3 times, you’d see a moose. On the way here, through most of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, there are a lot of deer. I’ve hit 4 deer with my cars over the years… all four times were in the fall, and at night. Avoid riding at night if you can. If you’re tenting, we have had some tragic stories with coyotes… so normal food and garbage handling applies. It is very lush here, trees and greenery to no end, so lots of animals..eagles everywhere.
thanks for your reply. didn’t realise the coyotes were such a problem!
bears? oh and my husband would like to know if there are any brewerys on the islands?
In 2010 a lovely young singer/songwriter from Ontario was attacked by a coyote and later died from her injuries. It was on a popular hiking trail. Later that summer, a tenter was awaken by a bite to the head… can you imagine? They tracked and killed the coyote responsible. In a very controversial move, the NS government now has a bounty on coyotes. American animal rights groups promised it would hurt tourism from the States. There hasn’t been any reported incidents since. Bears are not an issue here. We have black bears but no need for concern like other places. I like your husband already
. Unfortunately, I don’t think there is a brewery/micro brewery in Cape Breton. You can both enjoy North America’s 1st Single Malt Whisky at Glenora If you are a beer fan, when you get to Coastal Waters Restaurant in Ingonish, you absolutely have to have a pint of Alexander Keith’s Red which is on tap. It remains the best pint of beer I’ve ever had, by far.
horrific news and very sad about the coyote attacks. i hope you dont mind we are not bikers ( wish we were!) but we are visiting NS next july/ august and travelling around the coast in a small camper van. nice to chat to someone who knows the place well. we visited vancouver ( the island too) and the rockies 4 years ago and loved it but we wanted to visit NS this time. we dont have the wildlife that you do here in the uk. we have deers, badgers and fox to dodge on the roads but nothing as big as moose or bears and certainly not coyote. my husband will defo try the single malt and we will both go for the beer. thank you. i love this site