Cape Breton Celtic Colours Bicycle Tour

Special Fall Colours/Celtic Colours Tour! October 5 - 10 2008

Cape Breton shows its true colours in the autumn with hillsides aflame in brilliant foliage.

Cape Breton's Cabot Trail is the classic Maritime bike tour, with miles of road hugging the shoreline and climbing to dizzying heights above the sea. It's a challenging trip, but the rewards of its scenic beauty are well worth the effort. To help the less experienced rider handle this rugged area, the shuttle van is available for a ride up any of the difficult climbs...French Mountain, North Mountain and Cape Smokey.

Basque fishermen visited Cape Breton in the early 1500's, followed by French control in the early 1600's and British rule in 1763. Coal mining, the steel industry, fishing, and seafaring have shaped life in this region. Most of the people living here are of Scottish descent, and this is evidenced by the Scottish flavour of the older buildings. Although English is the predominant language spoken here, Gaelic is still spoken in parts, as is Acadian French in small Acadian villages. Native American communities continue on.

The Cabot Trail is one of the most spectacular rides in Eastern North America. All accommodations and dining experiences along our route are selected for their individuality and charm.

The adventurous cyclist in you will be rewarded with breathtaking views and unsurpassed hospitality. Spend six days and five nights with us on the Cabot Trail; circling the highlands and exploring the coasts and valleys, discovering the enduring character of "New Scotland."

From our starting point in Baddeck at, we set out to explore the best of the Cabot Trail. Along the way, we ride around Lake Ainslie, experience the Acadian culture of Cheticamp and roll up and over Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

The route through the highlands and along the coastal inlets is challenging, but the road passes under our wheels while the awe-inspiring scenery exhilarates us. Take time out along the way to explore a wooded path, to watch whales frolic in the Ocean, or to tee up on the magnificent Highlands Links.

Our tour of the Cabot trail, with its exceptional scenery and splendid cuisine, will linger in your imagination long after you leave our friendly shores.

Our tour starts and finishes in Baddeck, an idyllic vacation town in the heart of Cape Breton. This is a six-day tour with five nights' accommodation. All dinners and breakfasts are included as well as two picnics. Capers are a friendly folk, many of whom love Celtic music and dancing. Many of the region's festivals feature different aspects of local culture. Take advantage of the many country inns, tucked into little coves or mounted high on craggy escarpments overlooking the blue Atlantic.

Route notes: 48-80 kilometres/day, with optional extras. There are several noteworthy climbs; van support is provided throughout to enable relaxed riders to enjoy the scenery. All roads are paved.

If you are coming to Cape Breton for our fall colours tour, don't miss the world renowned Celtic Colours International Music Festival October 10-18 2008.

http://www.celtic-colours.com/core.php