A Cold, Windy Ride

We enjoyed an awesome evening in Antigonish, a beautiful college town and gateway to Cape Breton Island, home to the Cabot Trail, a primary goal of our tour of Canada’s Atlantic provinces.

Leaving Antagonish

This morning, we woke to rain, cold temperatures, and high winds. Normally, this combination would mean a day off, but by 11:00 AM, the rain had tapered off, and the winds were forecasted to be a tailwind all the way to our destination. So, we decided to wait out the rain and move forward to Auld Cove, located on the south side of the Strait of Canso, which separates Cape Breton from the mainland of Nova Scotia.

An inlet of St. George's Bay

Today’s ride was exhilarating, largely due to the cold temperatures and powerful tailwinds. The gray overcast sky, combined with near-gale force winds and the occasional glimpse of the wild Atlantic Ocean, made for a wild ride. Our only mistake was not adding an extra layer of clothing or booties for our feet, which caused us to lose a lot of heat. By the end of the ride, we felt quite cold and have spent the last few hours trying to warm up our feet and hands.

Riding with the wind.

Tomorrow, the weather is supposed to change just in time for us to cross the Canso Causeway, a rock-filled, unprotected causeway that connects the mainland of Nova Scotia to Cape Breton Island and the Cabot Trail. Had we attempted to cross today, the wind could have blown us and our bike right into the ocean. Fortunately, tomorrow the weather is expected to calm, allowing us to cross the strait and embark on our long-awaited adventure to complete the Cabot Trail by bike! We are, to say the least, very excited!