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« on: February 21, 2007, 11:11:58 pm »
It has been about 17 years since I biked in Nova Scotia. I am sure its beauty is still there. I have actually done 2 trips in Nova Scotia. The 1st was a ferry ride from Portland, Me to Yarmouth, bike to Halifax, then accross and back to Digby, and a ferry to St John, NB. The second was Yarmouth to Halifax to around Cape Bretton Island to New Glasgow and a ferry to PEI.
If you go try to stay off the main highways, but also don't get caught up with going around every pennisula. While the scenery is great, it can get a little redundant, and you could spin alot of miles just going from Yarmouth to Halifax. Halifax is a wonderful city. While the population is not great, many people from all over Nova Scotia would go there to shop or party. (this was 17yrs. ago, before Walmarts in every little town) it is also a big navel port. I met a couple of fishermen from Newfoundland, who came to Halifax for a couple days to party. Had a wonderful time. All of the people I met were extremly friendly. Definetly spend an off day there. The historical fort is really neat, and the gardens were nice.
If you are in for a challenge, go around Cape Bretton Highlands National Park. I have to say that bicycling this stretch ranks with biking the "Going to the Sun" route through Glacier National Park. The scenery is outstanding. While the elevation gains in the climbs may only be 1000 - 1200 ft or so, they are steep. I have to say that the climb to Cape Smokey was one of the most exhilarating climbs that I have ever done. If you travel counterclockwise, you will be climbing some next to a cliff straight down to the ocean. This gave me a huge lift, and plenty of adrenalin to finish the climb.
Do realize that fog can be a big bummer, and take away all of the great scenery. Both of my trips were in August, and I never had any prolong periods of fog. You may want to research this aspect.
Anyways, my advice, is that if you can get out to Nova Scotia, go and have a great time.