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Aug 8 - Day 94 - North Sydney - 22km 180m

Getting ready to board 

On the ferry just leaving NS

My last few hours in Nova Scotia before getting onto the ferry for Newfoundland.  

I would like to take this opportunity to send out some thank yous as I may not have much for service tomorrow.  First of all to Ted who didn’t just ’let me go’ in this adventure but fully supported me….staying home to hold down the fort while I’m off on yet another fun filled adventure 😘😘😘.   And that goes for my entire family - always so supportive and pitching in to do whatever needs to be done so that I don’t have any worries while I’m gone.  ❤️❤️❤️

To all the friends and family who have read and commented on the blog, texted on the live tracking and personal emails and texts….kept me going when it became challenging!!!🥰

To everyone who opened their homes and vacation homes friends, friends of friends, relatives of relatives!!!  Providing a warm comfortable dry place to stay, laundry, food and even taxi money to go for food!!!  

The surprise visits along the way and the planned visits were amazing.  

The kindness of strangers who paid for meals, brought me breakfast or just gave me encouragement along the way and a friend who is paying for the first round in St John’s!!!  

To all my friends who gave me the tough love when I needed it…..ensured that I didn’t just curl up and cry in the cold rain - but rode all day in the rain and made my destination…😉, and then called up the restaurant I was at, provided a credit card to buy my beer and meal!!!

To my sisters-in-Law who drove across the country to see me at the end of this amazing adventure.  

To all the drivers out there who gave me lots of space and didn’t run into me!!!!  And to my guardian angels who also kept me safe all along the way.  

This has been an incredible journey - I’ve learned so much about myself and also about the people of Canada.  🇨🇦. We are all so amazing.  

Lastly….whatever your dreams are….get rid of all those obstructions in your head and make it happen!  Don’t complicate things.  Buy the bike, sew up some bags….fill them up and head off on your adventure….however that looks like.  Also, when you can, show kindness….because that’s who we are as Canadians.    

Aug 7 - Day 93 - Sydney - 104.5 km, 950m

Wouldn’t this be a great place to live?  So many spots like that today! 

Beach that I stopped at for a bit

Lifting the bridge for the sailboat 

Sailboat passing

For all the Christmas lovers….this is the name of the town.  Only a few houses with gorgeous views….no stores though.  All the signs have English and Gaelic.  

OP

A few families were here fishing 

Another stellar day….nice sunny and warm weather which is good for me, but not for Nova Scotia.  The fire risk is very high here, and although there aren’t any fires, there are severe restrictions to ensure it stays that way.  All the trails are closed, which means the OHV don't have a place to go, but it also includes hikers and bikes wanting to use the trails.  Fire bans of course.  Plus anyone caught overnighting in the wild will incite a $25,000 fine!  These rules are in effect until October 15, or a heavy rain.  The problem is the hurricane they had a few years ago caused a lot of deadfall….so now the forests are tinder dry of all the deadfall.  Recipe for disaster.   As far as I can tell, everyone is complying.  In all the campgrounds that I’ve stayed at, and in all the small towns, there are so many OHV, seems like everyone owns them….so this rule is affecting many peoples summer plans.  

As for me I had a great day cycling.  Hard to believe there was almost 1000m of elevation gain.  It felt like a lot….but really wasn’t too bad.  This morning on my way for tea, I chatted with a local of Whycocomagh.  What a great place to grow up….just stunning here.  The town is situated on a beautiful clear lake, surrounded by mountains….not BC mountains, but mountains nonetheless.  Any outdoor activity is possible just minutes from your doorstep!

The boys yesterday recommended the route that I took.  It avoided one huge hill near Sydney but more importantly I was on secondary roads….paved, but not busy…,with spectacular views as I was skirting Bras d’Or lake today.  Trees, beaches and of course lots of water….and people and families enjoying the area!   

I stopped at the highland village near Iona, and made the mistake of going into their gift shop…..I only purchased some drinks and cinnamon buns….but I also bought a mug!  I’ll remember this trip every time I use it….and I did find a place to safely transport it!  

As I was passing the great narrows bridge….we were stopped as the bridge deck lifted to allow a sailboat to get through.  That was fun to watch!  

I’m in a beautiful room tonight, that is behind a venue that’s a barn!  Ted thought that I was wild camping here tonight as the google map that he was looking at didn’t show a motel here!!!  Hahaha….im not going to risk $25,000!!!!  

Tomorrow morning laundry….then head over to the ferry for the last leg of the trip.  The ferry is 16 hours long, and no….we do not have a cabin.  But the boys from yesterday gave me the inside scoop.  Hopefully we all get a bit of rest….I’ll be cycling at least 50km once I’m off as the total distance to St John’s is 154km….with lots of hills.  Too much for one day, so need to break it up into two days.  Finishing on Aug 10, as we have a full week of sightseeing starting the following morning 😀😀😀

Aug 6 - Day 92 - Whycocomagh - 110 km, 900m

I can’t get enough of the water!  It looks soooo much better in person!

These are the guys I met, Felix and Simon.  They are having such a good time touring.  

This is Renée who brought me breakfast….how thoughtful.  She’s a cyclist, but has never done any bike packing.  I’m not sure if she noticed that I was packing up without preparing breakfast, or if she noticed the bag of chips that was going to become my breakfast.  Either way it was delicious!!!

This was such a fun day….I took it easy and just enjoyed the day….hills included!  

The day started off wonderfully…..as I was packing up and planning a stop at Tim’s, a lady shows up at my site with a tray….breakfast for me!!!!  Coffee-and she brought milk and sugar to add, juice, hot toast, peanut butter, banana and watermelon….all my favourites.  So so kind.  🥰

After we had a little chat I headed off….its going to be a good day 😀😀😀😀

My GPS, kept me off the 104 highway for about 10km, then I was on that crazy highway.  Narrow shoulders and crazy traffic.  I checked maps and got off onto the #4.  A nice quiet highway.  It was longer, but much more pleasant. Eventually I had to get on the highway, but at least the shoulders were better.  

I stopped at Port Hastings and met up with two guys who are touring.  They only met each other two days ago….and now it’s like they are brothers.  We had such a good time swapping stories and laughing!   

They are going in the opposite direction, and were on the ferry from Newfoundland to Nova Scotia a few days ago, so they gave me hints on how to make the crossing more manageable since its16 hours, we depart at 5pm and we don’t have a cabin!  

The rest of my day was good….warm with a strong headwind and hilly….but that just seems to be the norm lately!!!  😀😀😀.  

So many kind people….at the gas station stop, a lady chatted with me…she was at the same lunch spot yesterday!  And I forgot to mention, yesterday two young women chased me down ….well turned around to check and see if I needed anything, and offered a place to stay…..unfortunately I had already booked and paid for the campsite….but really….i should have just said yes!!!!  I wasn’t thinking obviously!  

Thanks to everyone who is texting and writing on the live tracking.  Makes my day for sure.  

Now that I’m here, I’m realizing how much history I don’t know about our Canada.  I’ll have to do some reading when I get home.  

Aug 5 - Day 91 - Antigonish -136.6km, 1430m

Well earned sour beer tonight

A few years ago my mother read about a Syrian refugee that was making this chocolate in Antigonish.  She was so taken by his story, and wanted to help, so she placed a large order to be delivered by mail.  A few years later, in was available in Safeway!  In Edmonton, so of course she bought more to support him.  

Behind my right shoulder is PEI, and left side is Cape Breton Island.  So worth the extra two hours to see this lighthouse.  

The team at Malignant cove.  They serve fish and seafood and pizza, wish I could have tried it all, it all looked so good.  If you are anywhere near Nova Scotia, you must detour to this place….not only for the great food but for the experience 😀

This is the most amazing pizza I have ever had!!

Well, I sure had a fantastic day….long but fantastic.  Goldilocks weather….not too hot, not too cold..just right 😀

I didn’t have a super early start…left the campground around 0800, but stopped at a grocery store 200m down the road for breakfast before I headed down the road.  My GPS had a lot of turns today, but that was to keep me on quiet roads which was wonderful.  There are three ways to get to Antigonish from Pictou….direct without any views is about 74km….not interested.  The second and my plan was to head up to Malignant cove along the water, then come back inland to Antigonish which is 100km and 700m.  Like I said this was my plan until Ted sent me photos of the lighthouse at Cape George….well I couldn’t pass that opportunity….so that became my new plan.  But it added on 30km….which I figured I could do…. I forgot to check the elevation….well it doubled it!!!  Making today the second most elevation for a day….but since the grade wasn’t double digits, it wasn’t as difficult.  

Tim’s was second breakfast, then a stop at a gas station for some iced tea.  I was looking for food….but they just had the usual.  But….the lady there told me about a pizza place at Malignant cove…..ok that’s my plan for lunch!  As I was cycling, another cyclist joined me for a bit….lovely chat….and recommended the food place at Malignant cove.  Great!  That’s my destination.  

I figured I was going to get some good pizza when I stopped….but even better, I made some friends!!!  😀😀😀.   The owner was great….came out to sit with me to chat….asking about my trip….then he told all the other customers about my trip!  It was such a fun time, and the two young people working for him were just as nice!   It was a really special stop…..and of course the pizza is the best I’ve ever had.  Not sure but I may have had some pickled peppers….just a bit of sour ….delicious!!!!  I mentioned that my water bottle was growing something….so it was taken to the back, scrubbed and filled with cold bottled water.  I think this stop was my best food experience on the trip!!!!  Thank you so much!!!  

So off I went to see this lighthouse….well as I got closer, and got above the trees, the views were spectacular….and once again…turn a corner and the view improves and changes.  Really a spectacular day. 

I’m in a campground in the town of Antigonish, close to downtown, so I had a great dinner tonight…late, but better than no dinner.  Tomorrow is should be able to find a tea on my way out.  A shorter day planned….100km and only 750m.  😀

Aug 4 - Day 90 - Pictou NS!!! - 62 km

Dinner tonight, so great to get to a grocery store and buy some fresh food…..so tired of restaurant and gas station food!!!!

Welcome to Nova Scotia!!!!  #9 Whoop Whoop

On the trail today

This sign says Vancouver 6000km.  Well I’m at 8300…. I must have gotten really lost riding around in circles all that extra distance 😉😂

The amazing trail system on PEI

My friend Anthony who joined me for a ride today 

Stop at the bison farm

Farm land

 Another great day….and a new province….#9 Nova Scotia!!!!  Only a few days till I meet up with my SIL and we head together to Newfoundland.  

Today was a fun lazy day….almost like a day off as I only cycled 62 easy km.  Well a few hills in there, but they hardly count!  

I slept in this morning….cozy in my bed at the hostel.  It was so quiet.  Eventually I got up and packed up the bike….easy when I don’t have any camping stuff to pack up.  I noticed that the lady at the hostel had a big plastic jar with a lid that she took outside.  She was collecting the mosquitos from her room and letting them go outside.  Sort of like a catch and release!!!!  Of mosquitoes.  😵‍💫😳.  I watched her do this four times….but each time she opened up to door to bring one outside….another one would sneak in!  😂😂😂.  I didn’t have the heart to tell her that it’s more effective to just kill them on the spot.  I’ve been plagued by mosquitoes this entire trip….but to each her own!!!  

Eventually I made it into town for coffee and breakfast.  When I came out there was a man on his bike waiting by my bike.  We started to chat and he wanted to hear all about my trip.  Then he asked if he could cycle with me for a bit.  His vehicle was in the shop for a few more hours, so he had some time to kill.  Great….company for a while.  😀

He told me that he had retired a few years earlier, and that it took him two years to get used to retirement.  WHAT???‽!!! I was thinking that after this trip I would be eased in…..well I didn’t really think that, but thought I would be well on my way.  Not!!!!  He did say that something worthwhile to do in retirement is to mentor someone…..pass on my knowledge and skill….help someone else.  A powerful message….and I will have to keep my eyes open for an opportunity.  

Well….after an hour he got a call that his vehicle would be ready soon, so after a goodbye, we were off on our separate ways.  I made a detour to get onto a quieter road….then I got into the trail system…so great. 

Throughout my cycling on PEI, I saw road signs with a horse and buggy.  My friend told me that they have a large number of Amish that have come to farm the land, and also a large number of Mennonite people as well.  The past two generations have not been interested in continuing on the farming….so it’s great that someone has come to do it.  He did say that the current young generation is getting interested in farming.  

I made it to the ferry with lots of time….its a 75 min ferry from PEI to NS….with many ferries throughout the day.  A quick stop at the grocery store once I was in Pictou… then it was only a 5 km cycle to the campground.  Just over 300km to Sydney and the ferry to NL and 4 days to do it.  😀😀😀