A Tale of Two Rides

Sunset at the Cove Motel and Restaurant, Auld's Cove

We left what has become a favorite spot for us, the Cove Motel and Restaurant, this morning after a wonderful evening of music, food, and an extraordinarily long, picturesque sunset over the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It was one of those sunsets that draws you in, revealing the story of nature and, in a strange way, offering a momentary glimpse of the gift of life.

The Cove Restaurant's famous Lobster, Scallops, Shrimp, Haddock and Salmon combination dinner!

Today, we had the fortunate opportunity to retrace our route in reverse. We rode from Auld’s Cove to Antigonish, marking the only backtracking we've done during our journey. Though it was only 38 miles, the two rides could not have been more different.

View of St. George's Bay today

Six days ago, we left Antigonish on a rainy, windy, cold, and overcast morning. Eager and determined, we knew we were heading for the jewel of the ride: the Cabot Trail. Our excitement was so amplified that the challenging weather didn’t faze us; we powered through the elements, taking in the dramatically eerie landscape, and made it to Auld’s Cove—windburned and cold but thrilled for the upcoming Cabot Trail ride.

Today, as we retraced our route, the conditions were completely transformed. The sun shone brightly, its warmth penetrating our biking gear. The winds were calm, and the temperature was perfect for riding. We couldn’t have asked for better conditions. Rather than worrying about time, distance, or weather forecasts, we found ourselves immersed in the moment, which felt strangely reflective and blissful. We rode lazily and peacefully through majestic landscapes and ocean views. Unlike the previous ride, where we battled the elements, we were both at peace, relaxed and grateful for the gifts nature offered us today.

Mesmerized by the hills.