Canada: Nova Scotia Biking & E-Biking Adventure

DAY 1: CAPE FORCHU LIGHTHOUSE & CHEBOGUE LOOP

We meet after lunch in the town of Yarmouth on the southwest coast of Nova Scotia. You can choose to arrive in Nova Scotia via plane to Halifax or via high-speed ferry from Bar Harbor, Maine. After introductions, we'll get acquainted with our rental bikes and then head off for a fun ride to the Cape Forchu Lighthouse, which marks for ships the edge of the famous Bay of Fundy and its connection to the Atlantic Ocean. For those seeking more distance on this first day, we'll ride on Water Street through downtown Yarmouth (population only 7,000 people yet the largest town on our tour) and on a loop ride on the Chebogue Peninsula, past farmlands and salt marshes. After our ride we'll shower and walk over to Marco's Grill & Pasta House, with an optional stroll through Central Yarmouth (and perhaps a visit to one of its three breweries) if you have enough energy.

BIKING DISTANCE: 21 or 45 KM

DAY 2: YARMOUTH TO METEGHAN

Our main route today will take us north on the Evangeline Trail coastal road along the Bay of Fundy. The Bay is famous worldwide for its twice-daily tides, which sweep in and out from the Atlantic Ocean. The entire Bay fills and empties with billions of gallons of water, with the tides ranging from 11 to 53 feet - the highest tides in the world. You can see the rushing waters, so there is no slow movement over time, and boats can be left sitting high and dry as they wait for the tide to return. We'll pass some small coastal towns, several beaches, and two provincial parks on our ride. Well worth a stop is Mavillette Beach, with its two-kilometer long stretch of beach and sand dunes. Those seeking more mileage can do an optional extra loop to the St Benoni Waterfall and Moulin de Bangor sawmill. Dinner tonight will be at our hotel with delicious local seafood such as scallops, shrimp, and the many kinds of fish caught by local fishermen - directed from a seafood company located right on the bay.

BIKING DISTANCE: 25, 54, OR 66 KM

DAY 3: METEGHAN TO DIGBY

Today we start out on the beautiful coastal road, passing through Belliveau's Cove with its lighthouse and high-quality restaurants that make a nice lunch break, as well as the small village of Weymouth located on the Sissiboo River right before it enters the Bay of Fundy. We then head inland and and travel 30 kilometers along a car-free bike path. We’ll see agricultural fields and lush forests on this isolated route. Our goal is Digby,  a cute small fishing village with shops and restaurants located on the Bay of Fundy. Our inn is located right on the seashore, so a perfect place to explore at low tide. This evening we will dine at the Sydney Street Pub, featuring local seafood as well as plenty of other options.

BIKING DISTANCE: 21, 62, or 75 KM with options for even more riding

DAY 4: DIGBY TO ANNAPOLIS ROYAL

Today we head inland along the Bear River to find a bridge allowing us to cross over to the north as we continue our way up the coast of Nova Scotia. We'll face one long hill as we head from the bridge and back to the coast but from there it is moderate riding. Our last 12 kilometers are on a rail trail that runs straight and flat to our destination in Annapolis Royal, which in 1605 saw the first European settlement in North America - two years before the English settled in Jamestown, Virginia. The town now is a magnet for artists. Those interested in more cycling can do a loop ride to the Port-Royal National Historic Site, a reconstruction of the original settlement of the Acadians (the French who first settled in this area. Dinner tonight will be at Bistro East, a small but delicious purveyor of steaks, seafood, and much more. After dinner we'll stroll the National Historic District center of town, with its tree-lined streets and historic homes, perhaps stopping into the Annapolis Brewing Company.

BIKING DISTANCE: 36, 62, or 83 KM

DAY 5: ANNAPOLIS ROYAL TO WOLFVILLE

Today is our longest day as we cycle 105 kilometers from inn to inn. However, the good news is almost all of this is along the Harvest Moon Trailway, an old railroad grade that runs up the valley formed by the Annapolis River. We'll pass farmhouses, cute small towns, agricultural producers, and even wineries and breweries along the way. In fact, our target of Wolfville is the epicenter of Nova Scotia's burgeoning wine scene, with eight wineries in the area. It is a splendid day and worth every kilometer - but you will have three options for van pickup along the way in case you don't want to ride the whole distance. Reaching Wolfville, our historic inn is located in the center of town. We'll be tired after a long day but ready for dinner at Troy Restaurant & Grill. If you have energy, you can take a walk by nearby Acadia University in the evening.

BIKING DISTANCE: 45, 56, 80, or 105 KM

DAY 6: GRAND PRE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

In 1755, the Acadians of French descent were deported from what is now Nova Scotia by the British. 11,500 of the 14,000 inhabitants of the area were forced to leave. We'll continue this morning on the bike path we used yesterday to visit the Grand-Pré National Historic Site, which commemorates this expulsion from what used to be the heart of Acadia. On our return ride, you can stop by the Wolfville Farmer's Market, one of the largest in the area with 50 stalls - all with Nova Scotia food and artisan products. After our short ride, we'll return to the hotel to shower and check out. You are then free to shuttle back to Halifax or continue on your journey in another way.

BIKING DISTANCE: 11 KM