Off to Nova Scotia for Another Biking Adventure – Day 1 of 10 – June 14, 2025
Lauri, Mark and friends are off to Nova Scotia for a ten day biking and hiking adventure to a part of the world we have never been.
Day 1 Itinerary
Our goal: Just get there…
Why Nova Scotia?
The awesome biking attraction! During our first two days we plan to bike the Cabot Trail which, according to Lonely Planet, is one of the world’s top ten cycling destinations. This iconic route is known for its stunning ocean vistas and charming seaside towns. We’ll see!
We will also bike The Celtic Shores Coastal Trail, a 57 mi multi-use trail, along a former rail bed, stretching from Port Hastings to Inverness on the west coast of Cape Breton Island. It is a flat trail meandering along the coastline, through picturesque wilderness.
Beautiful Coastline: With over 13,300 kilometers of coastline, Nova Scotia boasts dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, and picturesque lighthouses. Hoping to bike and drive by many of them.
Bay of Fundy: I have always wanted to witness one of the world’s highest tide changes
Cape Breton National Park: On day 3 we plan to hike the scenic Skyline trail and hopefully enjoy breathtaking views. I am hoping to spot wildlife like moose and eagles. Lauri says she looks forward to seeing a moose from a distance!
In the second half of our trip we will bike and hike in Kentville and Lunenburg. Hopefully experiencing the raw beauty of the coastline and the iconic beauty of the province.
At 5:00 AM we were on our way to Nova Scotia. First flight left Salisbury at 6:30AM. Next flight has 3 hour layover in Philadelphia. We bought the airline tickets from American Airlines months ago with good comfortable flight times. Then American changed flight departure times. We would never plan flight times requiring us to get up at 3:30AM to get to Salisbury, MD airport on time, but we made it work.
Our flight from Salisbury, MD to Halifax, Nova Scotia
We had a 3 hour layover in Philadelphia so we took advantage of our American Airlines Priority status compliments of Frank and Heiddy who were kind enough of to give us “premier” upgrades providing us access to American Airlines Admiral’s Club. A nice quite lounge, hot coffee, a little breakfast and a place to comfortably access my laptop made all of the difference.
I love regional airports because they are so easy to get in and out. Below is the packed counter at American Airlines at Salisbury Regional Airport.
Our adventurous crew heading to Nova Scotia
Our rental car – a brand new 2025 Long Bed Chevy Silverado with only 200 miles on the odometer. Lots of room for our large bike carriers and luggage.
After a beautiful relaxing drive across the island of Nova Scotia we got to the town of Inverness. Once we left Halifax we noticed that there is not a whole lot of civilization in Nova Scotia. The allure is all about the natural beauty of the province. We did not see much in the way of schools, churches, subdivisions, shopping malls, chain stores, tall buildings, or factories. The landscape is dotted with occasional homes, and a commercial store every now and then, mostly farmland. You can feel yourself deflating from the daily stresses of life as you drive the vast green forests and lookout over the ocean. This is a land that is all about hiking, biking, and enjoying nature.
Below is Lauri in the kitchen of our VRBO overlooking the ocean.
The VRBO rental is nice and spacious but I am going to leave them a couple of suggestions. It is portrayed on the VRBO website as a home overlooking the ocean. Actually it is an apartment over a commercial establishment with a view of the ocean. The building is on the main street in the little town of Inverness. If you blink you could miss the town while driving through. Carl thinks the apartment might be converted commercial space . The apartment is sparsely furnished and I think we will recommend a couple of lamps for indirect lighting. It was very kind of them to leave a fresh container of coffee but I will recommend a coffee scoop or measuring cups and some cone shaped filters to match the coffee maker rather than the flat bottomed filters. All in all, I can tell the owner is making an effort to be accommodating.
Below is the evening view from the VRBO rental of the ocean. It makes up for the lack of a coffee scoop.
We found a rocking restaurant for dinner
Carl enjoying a magnificent sunset from Whit’s Public House.
Prepping our bikes for tomorrow’s ride
Everyone in Nova Scotia is very friendly. In the town of Inverness we stopped and asked a man cutting grass where we could get air for our bike tires. He explained that there was only one gas station and it was closed for the day and probably tomorrow. He offered for us to stop by his home later and he would allow us to use his own air pressure tank. After dinner we went to his house just outside of Inverness and he kindly helped us out and refused to take any money for his hospitality.
We are traveling with Carl who is always friendly and easily strikes up conversation with all who cross our path. However when Carl had us stop and ask a random guy cutting grass at a building in town where could we get air and the stranger says “come to my house” I was thinking , “ I am not sure about this”. We went to his cute bucolic home on a hillside and he greets us in a very friendly manner. He started to walk us around back of his house to a shed and I am thinking: “I am not sure about this”. But all went well and he was super nice and I am still in one piece. Lauri was in the truck with the motor running.
Thoughts for the day :
Lauri :
The drive here was a beautiful portrait of this somewhat remote part of the world. I am already enjoying the rustic scenery, stunning water views and sunsets that seem to go from 7 to 10 PM.
Mark :
So far the trip is exceeding my expectations. Dinner was a highlight at the lively Whit’s Public House after a long day of travel.
Carl Roberts
Upon arrival I realized we are not in a high tech environment. Very rural and reminds me of coastal Maine.
- Last Full Day in Nova Scotia – Hiking in Lunenburg
- Nova Scotia – Day 2 – Biking the Celtic Shores Trail – June 15, 2025
- Nova Scotia – Day 3 – Biking Cape Breton National Park – June 16, 2025
- Nova Scotia – Day 4 – Travel Day – Drive to Tattingstone Inn – June 17, 2025
- Nova Scotia – Day 5 – Biking Harvest Moon Trail – June 18, 2025
