NSTTT start
Cycling 925kms in seven days may not be everyone’s idea of a fun time. But sharing an activity we both love to do (even on non-ending hills), viewing close-up Nova Scotia’s back road beauty, meeting new friends – and the blessing of glorious weather – made this tour a favorite on our list of vacations. Fifty-some other cyclists participated in this event which was (well) organized by Velo Cape Breton. Riders registered for either hotel accommodation or camping – about an even split, we were part of the second group.
July 26-August 1— our route in a nutshell:
- started in Yarmouth in mist and fog, which had some bearing on our (first) wrong turn with us hardly out of town! Sunshine by afternoon, scenic ocean route along St. Mary’s Bay. Camped in Digby.
- few drops of rain while we ate our cooked cereal. Sunshine before pit stop in Annapolis Royal. From there to Wolfville was the flattest part of the tour – overnighted at Acadia U.
- Hilly, beautiful ride in sunshine – bakery stops, Windsor and Summerville, spectacular views with cooling breezes on # 215 along Minas Basin. Longest ride (171kms) – stopover, Truro.
- hot ride through the interior on #326 to Amet Sound. Welcome lunch stop, Rushton’s Beach. Route 6, still hot alongside Northumberland Strait. Ocean dip and collaborative gourmet camp meal – Caribou-Munroes Provincial Park. Beautiful evening,sleeping bag feels sooo good.
TTT - gourmet eating
- stop in Pictou to watch tall ships sail out. Get back on track after wrong exit off rotary, wind way through New Glasgow, climb over Fraser Mountain. #245 has stunning ocean vistas, windy lunch stop by Arisaig lighthouse. Make camp at Whiddens campground – Antigonish. Treat ourselves to dinner out at the Bistro. Rains about an hour but tent is up, all is well.
- take route 4 along St. Georges Bay. Canso Causeway to Cape Breton (irritated driver laid on the horn as he passed us, the only ‘jerk’ we encountered). Hot ride to St. Peter’s on the Bras D’or Lake, pitch tent at Battery Provincial Park – group dinner (fabulous spread) at Bras D’Or Lakes Inn.
TTT Day 2
- final ride to Sydney. First half (over 50 kms) is mostly trees, but good roads. Overcast and warm with full sun closer to Sydney. Plenty of long gradual climbs to get in a good final workout:) Camped overnight in Jacques and Micheline’s beautiful yard/park. Mission accomplished.
TTT Sydney
Highlights – impressions – thanksgivings…..
- my padded bike shorts were great. No sore bum, or “diaper rash” some other riders had to deal with. My biggest discomfort was a sun-burned bottom lip.
- how much food can one fairly small person scarf down? LOTS, copious amounts. Having enough available food and drink (mostly water 
were our consuming priorities – and our only purchases above our tour registration.
- one develops a keen eye for potholes, ridges, rocks, etc. on the road. And an appreciation for new pavement, where it’s safe to fly down the hills and use to your advantage for the next uphill climb.
- overall, campers chose that option for reasons unrelated to finances – a motley mix of a variety of professions and careers
- yeah for the SAG van that transported our gear and supported us with food and drink in addition to our own lunch stops!
- about half the group were from Quebec or French-speaking. For the most part, experienced cyclists; some of them were very fast and fit. (Derryl’s name – The French Freight Train)
- chocolate milk is a wonderful recovery drink – I did leave a little bit in the litre carton for Derryl
- drafting in a group gives you a break but can be a scary thing – and all you see is the pavement and the tire in front of you. Not my idea of touring.
- maybe some year I’ll be able to ride and snap photos simultaneously – so I get more scenery shots and less eating ones
- the fabulous weather had a huge bearing on the pleasure of this trip – yet I’m hooked on cycling/touring so I’m certain I’ll have less than ideal conditions to deal with another time
- there are more courteous drivers than otherwise
- what a wonderful blessing to have health, strength and the ability to be physically active. We are truly “fearfully and wonderfully made” – our bodies were designed for activity. Many on the tour had never cycled these distances for this many consecutive days – myself included, with a two-day, 100km/day trial ride in June. But pacing, fueling and a good night’s sleep had us energized and ready to go every morning. It wasn’t a race: for the stats record, my overall average speed was 23.7kms/hour.
- meeting new friends, eating with them, playing hard with them – building relationships for future connections, the first of which will be this September in Baddeck.
- thank you God for safety on the road and a country and province of peace and freedom
TTT Digby
Karen, I didn’t know you had a blog! That kicks bum!
Hope you two had a lot of fun (it sounds like it!).
Cliff