Road to Meat Cove Nova Scotia?

[scootac]

My wife and I will be heading to Nova Scotia begining of September. Headed for Cabot Trail of course. Wiould be interested in knowing what the dirt road out to Meat Cove is like? Well maintained and wide, or narrow and rutted? My wife doesn't have much experience on dirt so how doable would it be for her on her ST1100?
Any hidden gems that I should know about as far as restaurants, museums, good places to stay/not stay?
Thanks for any advice!

Scootac

[Bones]

The road to Meat Cove is about 5 miles and has a pretty good surface for dirt, certainly better than some campground roads I was on last weekend. Ride slow and steady with smooth inputs and you'll be fine. You might want to take your wife on some dirt roads around home so Meat Cove isn't her introduction to riding on dirt.

I did it 2-up with my then-girlfriend (now wife) 14 years ago and it had been raining...not the best traction scenario for touring tires but we did OK. It's gorgeous. Your effort will be rewarded.

[Bones]

Hidden Gems? Go to the ranger station at the entrance to the Cape Breton Highlands National Park and get a good map. Find Benjie's Lake. Park your bike and walk the trail to the lake...under 30 minutes each way. I went there looking to see moose and had a great encounter.

If you get a lousy weather day (and even if you don't) check out the Alexander Graham Bell museum in Baddeck. Fantastic.

If you have time, ride the Cabot Trail clockwise and counterclockwise. If you have time for only one direction, go counterclockwise so the ocean view is always to your right. Stop at Green Cove...very rugged and scenic.

If you like switchbacks, hit the road up MacKenzie Mountain. Weeee! Go at first light, before the RV's are struggling to make it up.

I had a great lobster dinner in the restaurant at St. Ann's Gut.

You may want to check my article here (http://webpages.charter.net/scottawilliams/novascotia.htm). (FYI, since the story was published the Marine Drive has been mostly repaved and ferry service to Yarmouth is faster with the Cat serving Portand.)

One caveat: prepare for a full range of weather possibilities.

Nova Scotia is a lot of fun on two wheels.

[Caper]

Me and the Missus were out to Meat Cove for lunch on the ST a couple of weeks ago, the road was in good shape. But I will agree with Bones that it's not the place for someone to have a first time experience on gravel.
:biker:

[scootac]

Hi Caper--

You say you had lunch out at Meat Cove, is there a restaurant out there, did you take it along, or what? I've thought there's a campground out there and not much else. Don't mind packing my lunch to take along, but if there's a place out there to eat, so much the better. Any place on the way out to pick up something good? We'll be staying in Cheticamp, any place there you'd recommend?
Can't ride on an empty stomach you know! :eat1:

Thanks,

Scootac :04biker:

[Bones]

I stayed at a hotel in Cheticamp, right by the bridge and up on a hill. They served up good local fish...nothing too fancy, but fresh. Bonus: I got to watch bald eagles fishing for their dinner while I ate mine.

[Caper]

Hi Caper--

You say you had lunch out at Meat Cove, is there a restaurant out there, did you take it along, or what? I've thought there's a campground out there and not much else. Don't mind packing my lunch to take along, but if there's a place out there to eat, so much the better. Any place on the way out to pick up something good? We'll be staying in Cheticamp, any place there you'd recommend?
Can't ride on an empty stomach you know! :eat1:

Thanks,

Scootac :04biker:


No, there's no restaurant, the day we went out we packed a lunch with us. It's a great spot to sit back and relax, the scenery is great.
Sorry, I can't recommend where to eat in Cheticamp, I can't remember the last time I stopped there to eat, other than to grab a coffee or a Deli sandwich at the local Tim Hortons. I'm sure the locals wherever your staying will be able to help you out on the best places to eat.

Cheers!

[ST-DocLizard1]

Hi Caper--

You say you had lunch out at Meat Cove, is there a restaurant out there, did you take it along, or what? I've thought there's a campground out there and not much else. Don't mind packing my lunch to take along, but if there's a place out there to eat, so much the better. Any place on the way out to pick up something good? We'll be staying in Cheticamp, any place there you'd recommend?
Can't ride on an empty stomach you know! :eat1:

Thanks,

Scootac :04biker:

Our party of four ate lunch at "Nan's in Meat Cove in 1998." It is a small B&B at the bottom of the hill. The gravel & ruts were daunting at first, but after the first slide, you learned to feather the rear brake and stay off the front lever. The menu was limited to lobster & crab with homemade soup and biscuits. Ice cream and pie finished the meal.

I will try and check my records for places to stay. I have been to the Maritime Provinces in 1980, 1993, & 1998 and have always found them to be the premier place to ride in the Northeast.

Doc