Ride Canada’s Maritimes

Kickstands up 09:00. Full tank and empty bladder. This morning, we will ride to Shediac New Brunswick, the “Lobster Capital of the World”. After a group photo with the world’s largest lobster, we move to the waterfront where we’ll climb aboard a waiting vessel for an interactive ‘Lobster Tales’ cruise on the warm waters of Shediac Bay. Learn about the lobster fishing industry while enjoying a freshly cooked lobster feast, deliciously famous in Acadian culture. Later, we’ll ride across the 12½ km long Confederation Bridge onto Prince Edward Island. If you’ve never experienced this bridge before, it is a sight to behold; especially on a motorcycle which will include stopping for a group photo with our bikes and the bridge, then souvenir shopping before heading to Canada’s birthplace of Confederation, Charlottetown. Dinner tonight is on your own with plenty of fun places to eat within walking distance of the hotel.

Kickstands up 08:30. Full tank and empty bladder. Today we’ll cruise around Prince Edward Island. Our first stop will be a lighthouse on the Atlantic coast, in PEI National Park. From there we’ll ride to Cavendish Beach where we will experience the famous red sand beaches of P.E.I. A little further along we’ll visit the Anne Of Green Gables heritage site to learn about the island’s famous daughter. We’ll have a stop n’ stretch break at P.E.I. Preserves where you can have a taste of down-home island cooking for lunch if you’re hungry. Be sure to shop for their hand-made fresh preserves and jellies. We’ll finish off the afternoon with a leisurely ride through the countryside back to Charlottetown arriving early enough to allow for us to enjoy the Downtown of this quaint little city. Dinner is on your own tonight.

Kickstands up 08:00. Full tank and empty bladder. Leaving early, we have a ferry to catch and lots of ground to cover. Today we will ride over to Wood Islands to catch the Northumberland Ferry which will take us on a 75-minute trip across the Northumberland Strait back to Nova Scotia. After disembarking the ferry, our ride will take us along the coast to the Cape George lighthouse. Then we’ll ride through the ‘Highland Heart’ of Nova Scotia to the Strait of Canso which separates the mainland of Nova Scotia from Cape Breton Island. Cape Breton Island was originally settled by Loyalists from New York State following the American Revolution. These settlers were followed by Scottish immigrants, who chose this region because it reminded them of their homeland. Near the Canso Causeway we’ll have a stop n’ stretch for a photo-op of the Canso Strait and Porcupine Mountain. Then we’ll ride to Baddeck, overlooking beautiful Bras d’Or Lake where J.A.D. McCurdy flew the first manned powered Canadian flight above the ice of Baddeck Bay in his famous ‘Silver Dart’ in February 1909. Dinner tonight is at McCurdy’s Restaurant at our hotel.

Kickstands up 08:00. Full tank and empty bladder. Today we will ride the loop of the world famous Cabot Trail. Going counterclockwise, we usually will have the ocean on our right. Our first scenic viewpoint is after a nice set of corners at the top of Cape Smokey. After a short pit stop at the beautiful Celtic Lodge, we cut across the high points of the Cape Breton Highlands, and the many twists and turns needed to get there. After the switchbacks of Mackenzie mountain, we stop at its scenic viewpoint. From there we will dismount for lunch at the Rusty Anchor. We’ll enjoy the epic views from this iconic cliffside eatery. We’ll then continue on to Cheticamp and the famous Floras Gift Shop. We’ll make a point of stopping at Margaree Harbour to get a photo in front of the Cabot Trail sign. How else would your friends believe you were there? We’ll then cruise along the western side of the island returning to Baddeck for the night. Dinner is on your own tonight.

Kickstands up 08:30. Full tank and empty bladder. We leave Cape Breton Island today riding across the Canso Causeway heading south along scenic and twisty roads through sleepy little towns heading towards the incredible rugged coastlines and views as we cruise along the shore towards Halifax. Stopping for a stretch and a snack at a quaint tearoom in Sherbrooke, we will continue along the coast riding southwest along the eastern shoreline towards Halifax.

We can sleep in a little bit today and enjoy half the day on our own. We suggest visiting Pier 21 the Canadian Museum of Immigration and experience the beautiful waterfront. Pay a visit to The Citadel, which is the fourth British military fortification built on Citadel Hill in the center of Halifax. It has now been restored and is a Canadian National Historic Site. The original fortification was built in 1749. This afternoon, enjoy a Maritime experience, the ‘Tall Ship Silva’ Harbour Cruise. Dinner tonight is at the Waterfront Warehouse.

Kickstands up 08:30. Full tank and empty bladder. As we ride south from Halifax, we’ll cruise along Nova Scotia’s famous ‘Lighthouse Route’ a beautiful scenic ride that will take us through picturesque coastal villages and inlets to the rugged fishing community of Peggy’s Cove. With its breathtaking location on a narrow coastal inlet characterized by wave-worn granite rocks and crashing surf, it’s easy to see why this charming little community is perhaps Canada’s most photographed site. With a year round population of 30, Peggy’s Cove is a sleepy little town famous for several things including beautiful ocean waters, small narrow inlet, scenic lighthouse, and the unfortunate crash 8 km offshore of Swissair Flight 111 on Sep 02, 1998 after departing from New York’s JFK Airport. Departing Peggy’s Cove, we’ll ride along Nova Scotia’s beautiful South Shore through the picturesque seaside village of Mahone Bay to arrive in the scenic town of Lunenburg, founded in 1753. With its brightly coloured buildings lining the shore, Lunenburg is considered one of Canada’s most colorful postcard-perfect towns and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll have lunch overlooking the sailboat-filled harbour before riding some twists and turns along the route back to Halifax, passing through small villages that add character to the Lighthouse Route. Dinner is on your own tonight. Enjoy the many fun dining opportunities along the Halifax Harbourfront.

Kickstands up 08:30. Full tank and empty bladder. Departing Halifax inland, our ride today travels out past the local riders favourite ‘Fall River Tim Hortons’, and our route follows the historic Shubenacadie Canal for a time, before we turn and ride through rich farmlands, and pastures. After a stop in Windsor, the Blomidon Look-Off, one of the more scenic mainland viewpoints will be our destination for a photo-op. We’ll then continue riding a short distance to Halls Harbour, visiting this small fishing village on the Bay of Fundy. Be sure to note where the waterline is when you arrive, as the world record tides will make a dramatic change. The tide will be going out and will drop nearly 3 meters while we have lunch. Moving back up to the Northern side of the Annapolis Valley, our ride continues to Historic Annapolis Royal, on the Digby Gut, one of the first North American settlement areas over 400 years ago. After a short visit to this quaint area, we will move through Digby to catch the MV Fundy Rose on which we will enjoy crossing the Bay of Fundy to Saint John New Brunswick, where our hotel for the night is a short ride from the ferry terminal. Dinner is on your own onboard the ferry.

Our ride along the north side of the Bay of Fundy will be a challenge between wanting to carve the corners, or revel in the scenery. After a short ride from the hotel, we’ll check-out a seaside village for a stop n’ stretch and some coffee and tea while exploring a covered bridge. Departing from there, we enter the Fundy Trail Parkway. There will be a couple of scenic viewpoint and photo-op stops along the way, and a snack and refreshment stop at some point as we traverse this amazingly scenic stretch of road. Stopping to experience the magnificent Hopewell Rocks. A short hike will allow us to walk on the sea floor among the towering rock cliffs if we are there at low tide. From there it’s a short ride through Moncton to our hotel. Dinner tonight is at the Keg Steakhouse & Bar hosted by Freedom Biker Tours where we will relax, laugh, and enjoy a good last meal together, and reminisce about our ride and experiences together.

After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye and depart for home or wherever your next adventure takes you. The Freedom Biker Tours crew will be available to assist with any last-minute needs or farewells.