Daughter has graduated college and house is almost paid off, so my wife and I are bull dozing in to our second childhood. I have owned a couple fxrs, an 89 and 09 Ultra Classic but never have done any real touring. Purchased a 14 LTD and looking to do Nova Scotia and the Cabot Trail next summer. I live in CT and plan on a 10 day trip, has anyone else done the Cabot.

Thanks

 

i did it on the Hoka Hey. Can't say much about it(other than it is a very technical road) as i did it in the dark around 930 at night.

Can't comment on the views, i was just trying to stay alive and finish the ride.

 

Go East to West, so that you are on the ocean side of the road.

part of the area is of French back ground incl. Cheticamp- stop for crab. ( France controlled this part of Canada to the 1750's)

I'd suggest you go East through the center of Cape Breton Island, the Alexander Graham Bell Museum is a good stop. Aside from the phone he worked on aviation projects there
There are fresh oysters at the roadside in a couple of locations.
So hwy 105 pass Baddeck and you'll see the turn off for the trail at St Anns

Keltic Lodge at Ingonish Beach is pretty cool, good for a couple of nights.

Families like the Bells and the Grosvenors ( National Geographic) brought plenty of money to the area in the early last century and there are splendid remnants.
the Island economy has been around fishing, coal mining and agriculture.

strong Celtic background, I knew a few people who spoke Gaelic as a 1st language, learning English at school. ( and if your last name is MacDonald- you'll be related to 85% of the population)

Stop and talk to people Nova Scotians, and particularly Cape Bretoners are very friendly.

Weather can be changeable, even warm summer days can require a sweater. carry rain gear and be prepared for high winds at times.

if you feel like more adventure, Newfoundland is just a ferry ride away...

Mike

 

Yeah it's worth the trip. I did it in '08 but had the advantage of taking the Cat out of Portland ME over to Yarmouth NS. As for the Cabot Trail, we took 2 days for it. Stayed in Port Hawkesbury the 1st night and rode the CT the next day with the scoot unloaded and then stayed that night in Port Hawkesbury again and left the next day. I strongly recommend doing the CT CCW so that you are on the outer edge when traveling it. That trip we did 5 Atlantic Provinces, took 5 ferries and saw the most road kill I have ever seen in my life. It was an awesome trip.

 

Definitely worth the trip. Make sure to bring a camera and go during the daylight hours. Depending on time of year you are able to see whales and not uncommon to see an iceberg or two. My advice would be to go counter clockwise as that way you are on the Ocean side of the road looking out over the ocean. Awsome cliffs and lots of little places along the way to stop and eat seafood etc. Also, lots of other little shops and attractions to catch your eye. Watch the weather as there can be some pretty high winds in Shediac area. Cape Breton Island has lots to see. Bras D'or Lake, the Inland Sea. Brador is where Graham Bell Museum and all kinds of things to see and do. Check out the Old Fort in Louisbourg. You can drive along the Trans-Canada Hiway and return on the other side of the lake through where Rita McNeil has a Tea House and a bit of museum and on through St. Petersburg. Old Fort in Louisbourg should be one of your stops in the Sydney area. Figure on a day for that.

 

Rode the Cabot trail last May nice riding although, New Foundland was way better.
If you go be sure to ride to meat cove it feels like your at the end of the world, the last
10 miles or so is dirt but easy to ride. There is a small restaurant and a campground at the of the road, campsites are right along the cliffs awesome views of meat cove, a must see.

 

Nothing I can add to what MKGUITAR said.I ride the trail a couple times a year,mid summer on the bike,and by car in the fall,and every time it impresses me.Did it this past Aug,the temps were in the mid 20s,it was perfect,you could nearly see Newfoundland....lol.

 

Great trip. Send for the book Motorcycling NS…its free…we spent 21 days and it was well worth….people are very friendly….can't say enough….plan it around the Wraf Rat Rally in Digby and then take the ferry over to St Johns and home….Are they still running a ferry from Maine? They weren't a few years back...Good luck!

 

+1 on Meat Cove, if you make it that far North, it is a must. But be warned the road is dirt and not the best, but not the worst. Campground at the cove sells beer and food. We had eaten before we got there and just wanted beer. If you buy food, you can then buy FIVE beers. But no beer if you do not buy food?!?!?! Cape Breton thing, didn't understand it but it was still worth the extra ride. Also had the gas station attendant that wouldn't let me get gas if I was still sitting on the bike?!?! Oh Canada!!!

And yes, counter clockwise. We were there in late July, weather was excellent, though it mostly looked like it would rain. We stayed in Baddek for four nights, Inverary Inn. Good central location for the trail or to head over to Nova Scotia. We also did a couple of days on PEI, Charlottetown. Good Irish music and pints of Guiness.

 

We have spent 4 weeks touring Atlantic Canada the last two summers, both times in August and the weather was great. This year we took the ferry from St John, NB to Digby, NS and travelled along the south coast of Nova Scotia to get to Cape Breton. We enjoyed this far more than the ride through New Brunswick. The roads are good, the views amazing and there was little traffic. Once you get to Cape Breton I would leave plenty of time to ride the Cabot Trail - it is amazing. We do it both ways as you get different views each way - they are equally spectacular. We spent a total of 5 days riding the trail this year and I would still go back again!

Since you are in the area I would recommend a visit to Prince Edward Island also. It is a different experience but again there is a lot of great riding.