Cape Breton and Cabot Trail Summer 2014

I finally got to get to Cape Breton on the bike and see what the Cabot Trail is all about.  I decided it was time to get it done as I have been wanting to ride CB for a long time. Especially since I had bought a new motorcycle and it would be a good time to see how it did on a longer trip.
A new Suzuki 650 V Strom was the steed and it proved to be a very capable ride with lots of power and comfortable to ride.

That picture is in front of Gilbert's Cove lighthouse in Gilbert's Cove. A nice little spot close to home.

Eastern Shore

I really needed to get out and get on the bike. I find riding really clears the old noggin and it's really fun to visit and see new places in Nova Scotia. Even though some are not totally new, it might be that I have not spent much time there. My plan was to hit the Cabot trail in Cape Breton. I only made it Canso where a friend lives though.
Cape Breton seems close but if you ride like I do and want to take all the back roads and stop for pictures etc. It takes a long time to get there. Digby is the other side of the province and even on the slab it's a good 6 hours. More like 10-12 if you sight-see.

Anyway here are some photos of the ride. First is the route I took.

Photos

Haven't been out for a long ride for awhile but here are a couple photos from a few short rides I have been on.

Phinney Cove

 

Phinney Cove

 

 

Phinney Cove

 Bridgetown lookoff.

 

Long Island , Tiverton.



MAY 28

Took a ride down to the Annapolis Valley to see if any apple blossoms were out. It's been cold and not very warm so weren't sure if they were late or not.

 The blossoms were out and almost fully blossomed. There are a few to open yet as you can see here.

Ride to Wedgeport Saturday April 26

It was sunny but not very warm on Saturday. At least it wasn't raining as it had been and it was also calling for rain for many days after today. So I figured if I was going to ride it had better be today.
Where to go? I though a ride down to Wedgeport might be good, I have not been there before and maybe someone would be fishing for tuna.

 

Weymouth to Yarmouth Rail bed

It was nice again today so I drove to Weymouth to pick up the rail bed and take it Yarmouth. I didn't go all the way to Yarmouth but very close. I stopped where the 340 crossed the rail bed.
Here is a map of the GPS track. When I turned onto the 340 it still tracked the route.

 

Rail bed from Digby to Weymouth.

Went for a small ride to see how the conditions on the rail bed were. Thought it might be wet, but it wasn't really at all. There were only about 2 or 3 large puddles. It would seem it drained off quite well.

It's not a bad time riding along the rail bed. It's quiet and you can ride along without even seeing anyone usually. Even those dumbass quad riders weren't out tearing up the trail like normal.

I know most folks ride the ATV's responsibly but some don't and just tear it up and act like idiots.

So here is the quick map of the trail bed. Some of the gps data missed the actual trail as it must have lost the lock somewhat. I'll have to put it somewhere better next time.

2014 Riding season

So the  new riding season is almost here.  Got some new wheels and I hope to put a bunch of.miles on her. V Strom 650 Adventure.

So thats what she looks like. I did get out on the klr650 for a few KM's today as the sun came out. Roads pretty beat up from winter but what can ya do. Here is one spot of trouble.

 You wouldn't want to run into that hole.

Anyway just a very quick note to start the season. More to follow. Ask if you have any questions about riding around the east coast. I also have a page on Facebook.

Thanks.

French Shore (Clare)

Was a very nice day and I thought I should go for a ride. Not very long but was nice to get out and go for a ride. The weather was warm and the sky was blue. The wind was quite strong at times but it wasn't too much of a factor when riding.

Here is a look at the map of where I went today. Not a long route but there are some nice things to see and it's always fun to ride along the water like that on a warm day.

Liverpool and Bridgewater

So a nice day was forecast and I had a day off. So I figured I would go over towards the opposite shore and explore some coastline I have not had the chance to see yet. So I went towards Liverpool and then Bridgewater. Taking in the shore. Here is a look at the route.  (Click pics for larger versions)

Victoria Beach

The weather forecast was promising so I decided to go for a short ride around to Victoria Beach. Yes I have been there before but it's still a great ride with almost no-one else on the road and great views of the water and foliage.

I didn't stop at Port Royal but make sure you do if you come along this way. It's a great little spot and has a ton of history to offer and some great views as well. I'll add some later as I have been there before and I like it a lot.
Also check out Port Royal on Wikipedia.

But just up the road is an old area of settlement called Melanson Settlement, worth a stop to stretch your legs and to look out over the water. No buildings or anything like that but some interesting sign boards that tell you what used to be there. If you are interested in that stuff it's interesting..if not then skip it.
There are outdoor toilets here if you really need to use them.

March 21, 2012 South Shore

It was such a nice day that I had to go for a ride. I wore my rain pants and wore a fleece against the cold, but soon was too hot and took them off. Which was odd since this time last year I was freezing my ass off and the rides were not that much fun. But today was amazing and it was so warm that the wind was warm.

Here is a map of the route.  I have been to Shelburne before but never taken the 203 and I wanted to see what it was like. Not really exciting, and not in great shape at all!!

2011 June ride with the brother

I just realized I missed this small ride with my brother!! Not sure why but hey better late than never. It's a nice area that I haven't put any photos up here yet.
Anyway we wanted to go for a small ride so off  we went around the Canning area and the back of the valley behind Coldbrook etc. The 221 was the road taken. Also Cape Split and Scott's Bay on another occasion.
So here are a few pics of where we went.
First stop was down Ross Creek road. It was slick with mud and water on the dirt road. mind you neither one of us had a lot of experience riding greasy dirt roads so we were a bit timid driving up and down the road. A more seasoned rider wouldn't even blink I suppose.

That is the view from the end of the road looking towards Cape Split. That's the 'bro and his Suzuki 650 DR. It's no KLR but hey we all can't ride KLR's!!

2012 Riding Season

So a wonderful day was finally here and it was warm enough to get out and not freeze to death on the bike. So a short run was in order on the KLR650.  The sun was shining and it was around 8 degrees Celsius.  Cool in the shade and warm in the sunshine type of spring day. (Click on the pics for larger versions)
Here is a look at the route.

Not a long ride but it was nice to get out and shake off the cobwebs!!

Digby neck and Islands

It was a very nice warm day and sunny without any clouds so I figured it was a good time to go for a run "down the neck". So off I went after grabbing my camera.
Here is a screen shot of the route.

Digby-Advocate- Canso and home

I Had four days off so I wanted to get some travelling done. Hmmm where to go?? So I always wanted to ride the shore along Walton and Noel. I also had not been over to Parrsboro area either, plus once there what the hell...Eatonville sounds enticing!!

So I was already to go Saturday...RAIN. Yup that sucks a lot, well since I didn't have to really be anywhere at any time I delayed and left Sunday. Sunday dawned bright and sunny. AWESOME.
I brought along my air mattress and tent and some clothes and off I went.

This is the view off Falmouth which is about 2 hours from Digby..depending on you ride / drive I guess as well. The hay has been cut and baled here already. There are very high tides here and it exposes a lot of mud when it goes out.

Mahone Bay

It was finally a nice day so I decided to take off and go to Mahone Bay. How to get there? I figured I would go to Bear River then off the Clement'svale road is the road to Greendal and Victory. It joins the number 8 that goes to Lunenburg. I have not been that way so now was the time.
Here is the route.

New France

A few of the folks decided to ride to New France. It is an old community  behind Weymouth,NS. They used to have electricity that powered a sawmill and the small community that surrounded it.

From Digby to Coldbrook along the Shore

I had always wanted to ride along the Fundy Shore and see what I could "see" I guess. It was a nice day and off I went to discover some back roads along the way. My route was..

Once I crossed over at Annapolis Royal via the Parkers Cove road, I rode along the shore as much as I could.

Digby-Barrington-Shelburn-Liverpool

The weather warmed up enough to go for a ride!! Not that warm mind you but hey let's go!!
The route...

The route.

I didn't get a ton of pics but here's what I did get.