Sunday 25 September 2016

 2016 Distinguished Gentleman's Ride

Ian and I participated in our second Gentleman's ride in Halifax, a fundraiser to support prostate cancer and suicide prevention. We drove up Saturday night (in about 8 degree weather) and stayed at a hotel in Bayers Lake.

The next morning we were off in our finest attire to meet at Point Pleasant Park around 9am. From there we headed through Halifax, Bedford and to the ChickenBurger for a much needed hot beverage. From there we ended in Cole Harbour at the Finbars Pub and enjoyed a beverage and food before commuting back to the valley. We forwent our change of clothes, thinking it'd be an easy drive back, but again it was brisk/wet and driving in a full suit isn't the warmest, but a very fun way to drive a classic motorcycle like Ian's 1976 Yamaha xs650 special, one of the funnest bikes I've ever driven!

Cannot wait until next year! Thank you again Ian!



Sunday 11 September 2016

We woke up shed the gear we did not need for the day and had a coffee at the Motel before heading into town where the Robin's Donuts staff are going to start recognizing me (I stop every time there for food)

There was a fundraiser going on Saturday www.ride4thecurecb.ca/  where close to 250 bikes were participating and driving through the Cape Breton Highlands Park. Although we didn't wait for them to show, we saw close to 100 of these bikes affixed with pink ribbons, quite a sight.

From Cheticamp we headed into the park around the beautiful west cost, full of twisty roads and sharp inclines and declines, a delight to drive via motorcycle, barely even noticing the road construction that had some of the road torn up to muddy dirt.

We headed north for Meat Cove, a road that has paved section on the steep sections of road to prevent slipping off the cliff (still a very challenging drive) but the trip was well worth it, about 45 minutes off Cape North. There is textured sharp rocks and mini Inukshuk's scattered across the beach, We stopped at the Chowder house for seafood chowder and fish and chips, a great spot to stop for a quick authentic bite to eat.

From here we headed back into the park and towards a dead ended White Point, where fishing boats were moored to the dock. We headed in through Ingonish and Smoky Mountain. At this point it was getting closer to 5pm and we decided to head back, with the sun in our eyes we drove back and experienced the awesome scenery once again.

We headed back into Cheticamp for dinner at Le Gabriel and had our traditional pie desserts before calling it a night by watching some World Cup Hockey.







Saturday 10 September 2016

After a late start on Friday (around 2pm) my father and I packed up and hit the road for Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The weather was calling for rain but we hadn't had any wet roads fortunately. We stopped at Antigonish to eat at Mother Webb's a quick in and out spot yet a sit down restaurant, with great steaks and ribs, worth the stop.

When travelling and mapping always add time for gas and bathroom breaks (as well as photo opportunities!). Although the trip called for 5 hours it was closer to 9pm (7 hours duration) to get there from home. There we stayed at the Cornerstone Motel ( http://cornerstonemotel.com/ ) which is owned by Greg and Kathy, fellow motorcyclists and had the pleasure of meeting him that evening and getting suggestions for where to go the next day, which included trips outside the park to Meat Cove and White Point (not the famous surfing area!)

Exhausted and excited for the next day we headed
 to bed early and rested for the next day

Thursday 4 August 2016

Day 3&4 Race Across the Province


Day 3 we set off early to head to Ingonish where the Franey Trail wait for us. Fortunately I found my sneakers for this hike, and it was a big one, straight up, over 1000ft elevation and some pretty rough trail. The end result was worth it with a spectacular view! About 3.5 hours of hiking done.


 On the way home we rode quite hard, up hills barrelling down turns and up one section all of a sudden Katie's bike up and quit. Not sure what the issue was, we had to leave her bike and take mine back. We contacted CAA the next morning had them take it to Middle River where MacKenzie Motorsports simply adjusted the clutch (embarrassed I didn't assess that just the gear and shifting) and we were on our way, a big thank you goes out to them!

On our trip home, and a bit behind we got stopped for about an hour due to a major accident on the 104 just passed Antigonish, we waited, returned to Antigonish for food, waited more, detoured and eventually landed back home around 11:30pm. Due to some cirucmstances this is where our trip ended, but still hope to one day do the Advocate Harbour loop, perhaps when Ian (who was supposed to come on this trip) is healed up.

until next time!

Tuesday 2 August 2016

Race Around the Province

Day 2 was essentially a drive from Porters Lake to Chéticamp where we were staying two nights at Parks Canada Provincial campground (no service or power but we got there safely) when we arrived we unpacked the gear and headed right out to the plaster mine site and hiked. After we came back we did the skyline trail for sunset (and just missed a moose and her calf). We did some offroad travel (hikers were confused but it was allowable!)

Tired, hungry and without a plan we headed back into Chéticamp for a meal at the local pub, The Phantoms (keyboard and fiddle) played and had a very great Cape Breton atmosphere while enjoying the greatest burger we had on the trip by far!

Up for another Hike and travel around the Cabot Trail tomorrow!


Monday 1 August 2016

Race Around the Province Day 2

Day 2 we woke up in Porter's Lake and had a great breakfast then hit the road towards Sydney. We took the 104 with stops in Antigonish and St. Peter's (just long enough for gas and coffee) and found a hotel for the evening, seeing as we would be camping/hiking the next few nights we pampered ourselves a bit.

We met up with Erin and Mike at the Drive In (one of only 2 in the province!) and watched Bad Moms and Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates. It was great to catch up with them and if we had a nickel for a stare people trying to comprehend a motorcycle at the drive in it'd have paid for admission. Great day, great weather!

Sunday 31 July 2016


Race Around Nova Scotia

Day 1: started off with a balmy 28 degrees at 10:30am to meet at Tim's in Coldbrook with Katie. Ian had been part of the trip (which had been reduced from race around Newfoundland) and was nursing a knee injury. We found out by days end he couldn't come on the adventure.

From Coldbrook we took Route 12 to the 103 where we stopped in Lunenburg to take in the waterfront, from there route 3 took us along the shore line with beautiful white sand beaches and a cool breeze. I am very fond of pie. In Mahone Bay we followed (sceptical) of a Pie Social--it did not disappoint! Grandmas and delicious pie everywhere! We landed in Peggy's and Polly's cove around supper before stopping at the Stubborn Goat for a refresher.

Lastly we headed to Porter's Lake where Katie's family kindly let us stay in their camping trailer, provided us with a delicious supper (and breakfast!) and a great campfire with their friends. Perfect start to the trip!




Tuesday 19 July 2016


June 15th my Dad and I travelled from Nova Scotia to Moncton, New Brunswick for the Breath of Life Motorcycle Rally to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

It was a great trip up, nice sunny hot weather, we stopped at the Bordertown BikerBash in Amherst before landing in that evening to Moncton.

The next Morning we traveled from Moncton and rode with a few other riders to meet in Gagetown at the Old Boot Pub for lunch.

It was a long haul back to the valley in Nova Scotia, closing in on 625 kms for the day, close to 1000km for the two day trip. It was nice to get out with Dad this summer and get this trip in to meet some really fantastic people who rode and helped support the event!

A friend of mine (who will be travelling through Nova Scotia in the coming weeks) went out to Scots Bay for a rip on the bikes as well this week, all in all fantastic weather and a great time to be on the bikes!



Friday 8 July 2016



July 5-6th 2016 Brier Island Adventure 


After taking some time to gear up and get ready we finally got on the road, I've been to the Island before,even by motorcycle, but I forgot the importance of luggage planning, perhaps I was a bit rusty. 500KM of fun, fog unexpected planning reminds me how much fun it is to be on the road and roll with the punches. Next weekend I will be heading to New Brunswick for Ride for The Breath of Life, a fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis Canada with my Dad. It'll be the first time in a long time we have done a longer distance ride. For more information, or to donate visit:
https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/startup.aspx?eventid=192412&langpref=en-CA