We invite anyone who is interested to join in the fun of the ride.
We will be providing support equipment and logistics to assist in keeping the experience high and the costs low! Fully supprted ride with extra bikes and wheels for breakdowns and flats.
The dates on our calendar include Friday to travel to Cape Breton. Most of us are content to drive home after our final ride on the third day so we didn't add an extra day for travel home. We'll be starting at the (old) KOA campground in Baddeck. Remember that Monday is a holiday so you can likely do the whole trip without taking time off work unless you work on weekends.
Each day averages 100k or so. Some days are tougher than others but don't let that deter you from joining. We'll be going in a Counter-Clockwise orientation this year. The thought of cycling the Cabot Trail may be intimidating to some but I can guarantee that you will find the level of involvement that is right for you and simply love the tour. Set your own personal goal or simply come to enjoy time with your friends and the incredible beauty of the trail. The intent is to include not deter.
The general information that you need to know is as follows; all participants are encouraged to travel to Baddeck and car pool where possible. Vehicles that aren't used as support are left in Baddeck until we complete the loop. Costs associated with traveling to and from your location to Baddeck is not included in the costs of the Tour. The cost of the Tour does include... support vehicles, breakfast (Sat, Sun, Mon) and dinner (Fri, Sat, Sun) (Lunch is not provided, you can bring your own, but most stop at a restaurant along the way), transportation of gear between campsites, camping fees, National Park fees etc. A current Cycling PEI general membership is required for cycling participants ($30).
Riders are discouraged from bringing loads of camping gear and cooking supplies. If you have a huge tent, consider sharing it with others. Campsites generally limit how many tents can be placed on a given location. Less is more!
If you have a spouse or a friend who is not interested in cycling, but wishes to join you, the cost is $25 less, again to cover the above mentioned costs.
The key to this being a successful event is early registration to book campsites, plan food and logistics. We generally cap participants at 50 which keeps logistics and service manageable. Please promote, challenge others and bring a friend!
Please consider contacting us as soon as you can to book your spot on the Tour!
If you haven't joined us in the past, or have never even been on the trail, ask someone who has. Plan ahead, and book the long weekend in September now, you won't be disappointed!
Cost is $160 and $230 with a jersey. The jerseys are high quaility and you have your choice of 3 different designs.
Clockwise Itinerary
Day 1
Start: Bras D'Or Lake Campground
Finish: Cheticamp Campground
Distance: 84km
Mountains: none
Average Riding Time: 4 hours
Average Speed: 21km/h
Lunch: Cheticamp
Notes: Although no real mountains, this section has lots of rolling hills, with a long grade up Hunter's in the first few kms. Co-op in Margaree Forks for snacks, etc at 40km, Dancing Goat 30km. Supper will be ready at 6pm at Cheticamp Campground.
Day 2
Start: Cheticamp Campground
Finish: Broad Cove Campground
Distance: 102 km
Mountains: French, MacKenzie, and North
Average Riding Time: 6 hours
Average Speed: 17 km/h
Lunch: Town of Pleasant Bay 34km just after descending MacKenzie MT.
Notes: From South Harbour we suggest taking the scenic route through Neils Harbour. Take a left onto White Point Rd and continue on through Neils Harbour and take left back onto the Cabot Trail. The route adds 6km to the day, you won't be disappointed. Lots of climbing today.
Day 3
Start: Broad Cove Campground
Finish: Bras D'Or Lake Campground
Distance: 103 km
Mountains: Smokey
Average Riding Time: 5 hours
Average Speed: 20 km/h
Lunch: The Clucking Hen 55km in Indian Brook.
Notes: Most take the shorter and fun route to the Englishtown Ferry. Take Rte 312 to the ferry after lunch stop. Ferry is about 5 minutes and is free for cyclists. We suggest taking the scenic route #205 in through Baddeck rather than highway #105. Showers available at Bras D'Or Lake Campground for cleaning up before heading home.
Registration fees
Ride With Jersey Closed
Already a CPEI Member
-
$230.00Feb. 1 - Sep. 1
Ride Without Jersey Closed
Already of CPEI member
-
$160.00Feb. 1 - Sep. 1
Non Rider Closed
For people travelling with the tour
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$130.00Feb. 1 - Sep. 1
Ride with Jersey and Cycling PEI Membership Closed
Non Member
-
$260.00Feb. 1 - Sep. 1
Ride with a Cycling PEI Membership Closed
Non Member
-
$190.00Feb. 1 - Sep. 1
Tour de Cabot History
Besides being a great ride to share with both old and new friends, it holds particular significance to me. In the first year that we attempted the ride, I encouraged Lorna Jay to use the trail as a training goal after her first bout with Cancer. We cycled a lot on PEI that year with the aim of 'cycling the trail' at the conclusion of our cycling season. Neither one of us had done anything like the trail and Lorna hadn't even driven around the trail before. She trusted me completely (something she didn't do 'completely' afterwards) and we did, in fact, complete the trail. We shared that ride with Ron Hately, Greg McCormick, Sean Deagle and Phil Carr. We had a lot of fun, cracked a lot of jokes and made memories that I know we'll carry forever. None of us truly knew what we were in for. A little bit of research indicated that we could be expecting anything from freezing cold temperatures requiring us to wear winter or work gloves and possibly be lifted off the roadway and deposited into the abyss. Fortunately, this information proved to be far from accurate but even more unbelievable was the fact that it didn't deter us from our adventure.
As I'm sure everyone receiving this email knows, Lorna passed away earlier this year after her second fight with Cancer. While Lorna only returned twice in the five years that followed, I have always connected the ride with my friend and that first year. In later days, we reminisced about the challenges of climbing what seemed like an insurmountable first hill. My assurances (or lies if you like) that the top was 'just around the corner' were repeatedly given and repeatedly believed (did I mentioned she didn't 'completely' trust me after that trip?). I can still remember the gusts of winds that literally blew Phil up part of the trail when he opened his jacket as a sail. In my mind I can still see Greg doggedly attacking what was arguably one of the toughest of the hills (North) and gaining my respect with every pedal stroke on that hot, hot day. I can hear the sound of the wind as it bent my tent over as we tried to sleep in an admittedly poor choice of camping site (campgrounds forever after). There was that refreshing cool water from a waterfall that Ron knew of, having hiked in the area before. These are my memories. I've had a lot of great ones since but there is only one 'first' time for memories like the ones that year. That was a great time for all of us but most of all for Lorna. She had challenged these hills and beat them. She had beat them as handily as she had fought and won her fight with Cancer, at least for the moment. From the time that I knew Lorna many years before, she had always wanted to live life fully. She inspired me and many others because of that. What I saw in Lorna after that first fight with Cancer and that first Cabot trip was a renewed sense of life. She somehow knew that what followed was a series of moments, each precious. She had a greater focus on family and friends and all of the things that made life worthwhile. For what the hills of Cabot gave Lorna and us all, I will be forever thankful.
Mark Creamer had it right when he said 'beautiful scenery...the best people...'. If you want to make some memories, share some stories and possibly reconnect with life, please consider coming along. All are welcome, whether you cycle or not. Adventures are for the adventurous.
Event schedule
- Sat., September 2, 2017 9:00 a.m. - Tour Start
Contact information
- Event contact
- Mike Connolly
- mconnolly@sportpei.pe.ca
- Phone
- +1 902-368-4985
- Website
- Visit website
