2016 Distinguished Gentleman's Ride

Ian and I participated in our second Gentleman's ride in Halifax, a fundraiser to support prostate cancer and suicide prevention. We drove up Saturday night (in about 8 degree weather) and stayed at a hotel in Bayers Lake.

The next morning we were off in our finest attire to meet at Point Pleasant Park around 9am. From there we headed through Halifax, Bedford and to the ChickenBurger for a much needed hot beverage. From there we ended in Cole Harbour at the Finbars Pub and enjoyed a beverage and food before commuting back to the valley. We forwent our change of clothes, thinking it'd be an easy drive back, but again it was brisk/wet and driving in a full suit isn't the warmest, but a very fun way to drive a classic motorcycle like Ian's 1976 Yamaha xs650 special, one of the funnest bikes I've ever driven!

Cannot wait until next year! Thank you again Ian!

We woke up shed the gear we did not need for the day and had a coffee at the Motel before heading into town where the Robin's Donuts staff are going to start recognizing me (I stop every time there for food)

There was a fundraiser going on Saturday www.ride4thecurecb.ca/  where close to 250 bikes were participating and driving through the Cape Breton Highlands Park. Although we didn't wait for them to show, we saw close to 100 of these bikes affixed with pink ribbons, quite a sight.

From Cheticamp we headed into the park around the beautiful west cost, full of twisty roads and sharp inclines and declines, a delight to drive via motorcycle, barely even noticing the road construction that had some of the road torn up to muddy dirt.

We headed north for Meat Cove, a road that has paved section on the steep sections of road to prevent slipping off the cliff (still a very challenging drive) but the trip was well worth it, about 45 minutes off Cape North. There is textured sharp rocks and mini Inukshuk's scattered across the beach, We stopped at the Chowder house for seafood chowder and fish and chips, a great spot to stop for a quick authentic bite to eat.

From here we headed back into the park and towards a dead ended White Point, where fishing boats were moored to the dock. We headed in through Ingonish and Smoky Mountain. At this point it was getting closer to 5pm and we decided to head back, with the sun in our eyes we drove back and experienced the awesome scenery once again.

We headed back into Cheticamp for dinner at Le Gabriel and had our traditional pie desserts before calling it a night by watching some World Cup Hockey.

After a late start on Friday (around 2pm) my father and I packed up and hit the road for Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The weather was calling for rain but we hadn't had any wet roads fortunately. We stopped at Antigonish to eat at Mother Webb's a quick in and out spot yet a sit down restaurant, with great steaks and ribs, worth the stop.

When travelling and mapping always add time for gas and bathroom breaks (as well as photo opportunities!). Although the trip called for 5 hours it was closer to 9pm (7 hours duration) to get there from home. There we stayed at the Cornerstone Motel ( http://cornerstonemotel.com/ ) which is owned by Greg and Kathy, fellow motorcyclists and had the pleasure of meeting him that evening and getting suggestions for where to go the next day, which included trips outside the park to Meat Cove and White Point (not the famous surfing area!)

Exhausted and excited for the next day we headed
 to bed early and rested for the next day