You know those workers who hold up stop signs for road construction on highways? On a bike trip you actually get to speak to them.
This morning my red bearded, sign holding friend (of course he had a red beard, I’m in Nova Scotia!) filled me in on all the details about my ride that I didn’t look up. Gleefully he shared that I will face not one, not two, but three mountains. (He also said ‘in one day’ but I didn’t want to spoil his fun and tell him that ‘pedal bike’ travel is rather slow so my suffering would likely be spread out over a few days.) Anyway, figuring he had bruised me enough, he let me proceed before the cars. Thanks for throwing me a bone, dude.
Here’s hoping Nova Scotia defines mountains like Ontario!
On to today’s riding. I cannot overstate the benefits of biking along a body of water. You have the breeze, the view and the option to swim. So much of a trip like this is psychological, of course, and knowing you can cool down any old time you’d like is very helpful. Actually doing so is pretty nice too.

It was HOT here today, 30+, but much of my short ride was along the Bras d’Or Lakes. This series of bodies of water are a unesco site. They are lakes but connected to the ocean so have a mix of fresh and salt water and also tides. The lake I swam in was also blessedly warm. And about 10 feet from the highway just after Baddeck.

I had about an hour and a half ride after that which was uneventful. Basically I was chasing cloud cover on the side of a main highway. I’m pretty sure I did end up being on the official Cabot Trail, but all I got was this lousy, puny sign. No big selfie ready plaque here.

I’d like to take this opportunity to rewrite history. Previously I had wondered why I scheduled these short ride days. Now it’s clear that it was simply my genius at work. Short rides for the heatwave. Duh!
I continue to be amazed by the lack of services in these parts. There are people and houses and cars but no stores. As luck would have it though, just next to my campground is a highway side fish and chips shack. To make matters better, it’s closed, but I rolled up when the proprietor was making himself some food so was happy to serve me. Icing on the cake… curry in the tartare. If you want to up your fish and chips game, that’s all you need to do.


Camp tonight is the Kluskap Ridge RV park, atop a hill overlooking an inlet from the Atlantic. I have a small field to myself. And they serve ice cream at the front desk. I’m on a roll folks.

~65 km today and a little less to get to the national park tomorrow. There’s a wee bump in the middle.
You are making me jealous with all the fish n chips. Love your posts. Enjoy the heat and your dips in the water. Stay safe. Love Ya, Ma
Thanks for posting Chadinsky.. you are an excellent accompaniment with my first cup of coffee. Our friends Randy and Ronalda are out in Cape Breton with their family ..watch out for them, they don’t always drive on the right side of the road. Fish ‘n chips and ice cream eh..I guess you’re not carrying a lot of food in those paniers. kudos to MacGyvering your disk with a chunk of wood..impressive!
Necessity is the mother of brute force repair
Great photos with your travel log.