A day to relax and a ride to Mabou and Antigonish...goodbye Cabot Trail

Day 31

With the weather being as crappy as promised I took advantage to down size and edit pictures, get caught up on some writing and emails. It was a quiet and peaceful day with Angela and Patrick scarcely around. I revelled in taking some time to myself to just sit on the deck and admire the birds and the tranquility.  Motorcycle Retreat…no better description for this place!

A peaceful and serene place

I had some camembert and crackers I had purchased the day before for my supper…after the lobster feed of the night before I was scarcely hungry and I took my tired but happy and contented bones off to bed.

Day 32

The morning started of very over cast, foggy and gloomy but you could see the skies were attempting to clear. Angela and Patrick filmed a motorcycle awareness video with me, I finished packing up my gear and stowing it on the bike just as we heard Daniel Ross’s bike begin the ascent up the driveway.  After two years of conversing by email I was to finally meet the man behind Cabot Trail Biker and the fabulous Tee Shirt!

After Daniel had a tour of Patrick and Angela’s Retreat, we bid farewell, shared hugs and off we went.

I really had a hard time leaving the Middle River’s Cabot Trail Motorcycle Retreat. This is one special place, run by very special people. Please check out their web site and if you are thinking a trip to ride the Cabot Trail is in your future, may I recommend that you try this place for your accommodations at least one night…book well in advance because this place has become very popular and has a lot of repeat guests!

Middle River's Cabot Trail Motorcycle Retreat
Phone: (902) 295 1087
Email: info@ctmcretreat.com
Web Site: http://www.ctmcretreat.com

Patrick had suggested that Daniel and I take the back highway to Mabou, the home of the Rankins and so we did, what a wonderful twisty little road, this whole place is so darned pretty.

Red Shoe in Mabou

Red Shoe Pub for tea

We stopped at the Red Shoe Pub for tea, this pub is owned by members of the Rankin Family and is filled with all sorts of memorabilia.  Daniel gifted me with a Red Shoe Tee Shirt and pretty soon we were heading outside. We ran into two riders who had just come off the trail and were heading to Daniel’s store in Antigonish to pick up their Cabot Trail Tee Shirts. We had a great conversation about the shirts, the riding and the scenery and then parted ways leaving them to their lunch and us heading to Daniel’s store. My Schedule was tight on this day and due to the heavy fog that delayed our departure we were running about 2 hours behind – I was supposed to be seeing the kids from the Bike Klub in Moncton.

The Dark Sky

We pulled in to Daniel’s shop and he took me on the grand tour. I met his gal Betty, she is the admin for Ross Screenprint and I was introduced to so many other really nice and friendly employees and I kick myself that I can not remember all of their names.  After the grand tour of his business and us going back outside to film his motorcycle awareness PSA and I had Ali call Marc Mazerolle to let him know I was leaving. After Daniel and I were done filming, Ali called me back to say that Marc had to cancel because it was getting too late in the day and between summer jobs and weddings, the kids couldn’t wait that late in the day.  While I was sad that I would not get to see the kids this trip, I was grateful not to have to push myself and to drink in the last of the Cape Breton region before heading back in to Moncton. 

Embroidery machines hard at work

With some new found time one my hands, I decided to stay and have lunch with Daniel, his wife was gracious enough to share their anniversary with me by letting Daniel show me around. We stopped in at a great little restaurant and had a bite to eat and Daniel got a call from his wife about his son’s hockey game time…so like any good bike trip, plans change, kid’s come first and off went to stop in at Alex’s hockey game where I met Daniel’s wife Shauna. 

At the Hockey Rink

But not before Daniel and I could discuss some business and he has agreed to start producing the Belt Drive Betty line of clothing here in Canada.  I am extremely happy about this alliance for as with Alanna from ArtaTude out of Hinton AB, where I get all of my hand out promotional materials, I am now hooked up with another biker in business to get my clothes made!

If you are looking for great Tee Shirts, hats, hoodies etc, why not give Daniel and his team a try!

Soon Daniel and I would part company

Ross Screenprint Ltd. 4053 South River Rd. Antigonish, NS B2G 2H6
(800)905-3388 Sans Frais
(902)863-4630 Phone
(902)863-6448 Fax
www.rossscreenprint.com

After a bit, we headed out on the bikes to where Daniel and I would part company and I would continue on to Moncton…

motorcycle canada

Truro to Cape Breton

Day 27...

After a solid nights sleep I went for breakfast only to be greeted by the cheerful smile of Diane – the Super 8 Truro’s employee of the quarter! Diane is a gem and when I told her that I needed some stuff for my bike, she made arrangements for her dad to come and grab me to take me to Canadian Tire.
I grabbed what I needed and we headed back to the hotel. I tended to Black Betty (my bike)

Diane offered me some wipe down rags and to get a bucket but with the looming rain I decided to not wash Black Betty but to wipe her down a bit from the mist that was all over her and just wash the bugs off the headlight and windshield.  I took a bit of time in the hot tub, went to the room and packed and got ready to head out. 

A camera shy Diane!

The hot tub and pool area

I had breakfast, and went to check out. I thanked Diane and her dad for everything they had done and was finally on my way to Sidney at about 10 AM.

The breakfast room

The Super 8 Truro not only had a really comfortable bed and great staff but the breakfast was really good too! If you find yourself in the Truro region – check this hotel out…Diane and all of the staff will treat you well, of that I am very sure!

The beds are so very comfortable

Super 8 Truro NS 
Treaty Trail
Hwy 102 Ext 13A East or West
Truro, NS B6L 1W3 CA
Phone: 902-895-8884
Fax: 902-895-8801
E-Mail: gm@super8truro.com
Web Site: http://www.super8.com

Onwards to Sidney in Cape Breton – YEAH!!!!

It was over cast and threatening to rain but it was warm and the entire way to Sidney I never got what you could call any amount of rain, it was more like a mist.

As I crossed the Causeway into the Cabot Trail region I was excited like a little kid.

It is so beautiful – words can not come close to describing how pretty.

I got horribly lost trying to find the rally head quarters, I wanted to stop there first before I checked in to the hotel, but in the end run, I ended up checking into the hotel first and getting directions from the staff at the Comfort Inn on how to find the rally.

Once I knew where it was, the actual finding of it wasn’t bad – the Casino and Tim Horton’s had great signage as to how to find them. I pulled into the parking lot and who should I run into? Micheal, the Ratbiker from Germany – he was holding court as many admired his eye catching rat bike. After a great gab, I went and took in the vendors, got en event itinerary and met up with the CMC and the Saddlebags.

Support The Sure

The gals from the Saddlebags and I made plans to ride to the Storm the Fortress Event the next evening (Sunday Night). 

I had the most wonderful visit with Glenn and Gwen from Motorcycle Mojo – they are in the process of setting up their cabin on the trail and had driven up with a trailer filled with furniture!  Glenn’s brother, John is a leather smith and has a shop on the trail.  I also caught up with Harold and Wendy Nesbitt from Tour Guide Nova Scotia and 5 area riders from Grande Prairie!

The gang from Grande Prairie AB

Riders at Cape Breton Bike Fest, visiting and sharing tales of the road

I saw Patrick from Pro Poly cushions in Yarmouth and he is going to make hubby’s 97 Road King seat as comfy as mine so that he quits trying to steal mine! (www.polyprocushioning.com)

It was wonderful. 
I headed back to my hotel to get rested up for Sunday, it was shaping up to be a busy day! 
When I got there the place was jam packed with bikes!

I was a tired, but happy girl to be here!

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The final day of the Wharf Rat Rally 2010

Last day at the Wharf Rat Rally saw me ride with my brothers and sisters of the 1st & 2nd CAV units - myself being from 3rd CAV meant that all of the units were represented!

It was an honor to ride with Trapper and to meet so many really wonderful people.

I got to hang out with Melinda from Cycle Source magazine and Bean're and Kendra - today was my day to be a photographer and a reporter.

In spite of the hurricane and the fact that the ferries were not running on Saturday - Sunday turned out to have a large crowd and although down from years gone by - still a decent turn out.

The people of Digby themselves were very warm and funny and the riders who came from as far away as Florida and Texas were incredible ....here are a few pictures and a bit of video to showcase the rally...

Trapper Cane of the CAV as we get ready to go in the parade through town

1st CAV, 2nd CAV - Air Force and 3rd CAV Patches

Trapper showing the flag that bears all of the unit patches for the CAV

The CAV

Trapper and his gals

A cute sign in Pam the Tee Shirt Gal's Booth

Theresa "Sweet T" Davidson

Her hubby Bob the Tattooist died of a heart attack and 

we held a minute of Thunder in his memory for her

The Digby Scallop Queen

Trapper assisting his newest conquest into his side car...the lovely 89 year old Pauline all the way from Texas gets her first motorcycle ride

Add caption

The Yarmouth Bike Gang came out for a while....

And these lovely ladies in pink were promoting Johnny Pag motorcycles

a rather interesting sign for you to draw your own conclusions from...

One of the smallest bikers at the rally!

Yes - the Wharf Rat Rally survived Earl and while attendance was down and the weather was not always ideal, the riding community still found ways to entertain itself!

Next destination...Truro

Until then...ride safe

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Digby or Bust!

The Bay in St John NB

I left Moncton New Brunswick at 6 am on September 1st - destination - St John New Brunswick and the Bay Ferry to Digby.

The matress I saw on the beach - how that ended up in the water I am uncertain ...

I must tell you folks - St John is disgusting. It is official - in my books anyway - that the roads in St John NB are the Worst in all of Canada - worse than ANY place - I mean that from the bottom of my heart. And the Bay Ferry - what a money grab - disgustingly filthy bathrooms at the terminal - worn out carpets on the floor on the Ferry and the cleanliness left lots to be desired there too and the same price for a motorcycle to cross as a car or pick up. $90 one way fare - 3 hour crossing.

RIP OFF - complete and TOTAL!

Shameful - had I known that's what it was going to be I would have ridden from Moncton to Truro and into Digby - seen some fabulous country and saved myself $40 and still been in Digby before the ferry. Another one of those lessons one sometimes has to learn the hard way.

In the Quey for the ferry with a couple - she was from Quebec and he was from Switzerland and behind me is the gang from Conneticut I hooked up with and Ian from

Sylvan Lake...Beanr'e and his crew came in a bit behind us...

Beaner'e and some of the crew ...

Nova Scotia is in sight....

Ian from Sylvan Lake AB, myself, Beanr'e and his crew from Florida all enjoyed each others company and road off the ferry together to the rally head quarters. About 18 of us riders in total. Ian found a place to stay here in Digby. I talked to the organizers of the rally for a minute - they were too busy to deal with me and the shipping concerns I had (DHL lost 4 of the 13 boxes and Grey Dog was really slow in getting the paper delivered - but this morning they finally arrived) - they (the rally coordinators) were trying to get volunteers sorted etc...so I headed off to Yarmouth and my motel at the Comfort Inn.

What a treat - after a day filled with frustrations and disappointments the gals at the Comfort Inn made this road weary girl's day. A hose and rags for Black Betty and a fruit basket for this Betty - man - I felt welcomed and wanted...after 6,300 KM to get here - it was one of the best feelings in the world. Melissa and Tammy were awesome on the front counter.

They showed me on the map how to find where the local riders hang out and after Black Betty was cleaned up and respectable again (thanks to water and a shine with some Hogswipe) we headed for down town Yarmouth. There I ran in to three of the local riders who took me on the most scenic ride along the coast - my only regret was that I had no camera with me as I had already unpacked the bike - I will remedy that later! (Maybe even tonight if I am not too tired when I get back to Yarmouth) I want to thank Jim Grattan, John Ryan and Fred Emin - you guys are great tour guides!

Any how - after a fantastic coffee and sandwich - great company and a fabulous ride back to the hotel I was pleasantly  surprised by a knock at the door. There was Tammy Muise from the front desk - she had printed off some tourism information for me about the Firefighters Museum and the local area churches - we had been talking about what attractions were in the area - she blew me away with her thoughtfulness.

Comfort INN

The hotel chain - the Comfort Inn - they have been fantastic and so very consistent in the amenities and customer service they provide and I am so deeply grateful to have them as one of two major sponsors for the this trip for the Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education

The parking area - man I LOVE the patio doors...and the breakfast area - hot eggs, waffles, cereals, bagels...breakfast is the MOST important meal of the day and I sure have appreciated the good start to the day!

Well - folks - that's the update for now - I will have a report on the Wharf Rat Rally for you all later in the week....until then - Ride SAFE...

motorcycle nova scotia | canadian bikers

I am looking forward to traveling Nova Scotia by Motorcycle!

This August I am planning a trip to Nova Scotia by motorcycle and I am am stoked. 

The last time I was in Nova Scotia was for the Harley-Davidson Dealership Convention in 1989 when I had an officially licensed product for Harley-Davidson - greeting cards and puzzles. Man that was another life time ago!

This summer, myself and a few crazies are supposed to be doing the Conga across Canada to Canada's largest motorcycle rally - the Wharf Rat Rally! 

It should be a blast! As we have the route and dates confirmed as to where we will be and when we will let you know. In the mean time some of my friends out there promise they will get us some information and pictures on Travelling Nova Scotia by Motorcycle!

motorcycle nova scotia | travel ns by motorcycle