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"Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul."
The Cabot Trail has been called one of the finest motorcycling routes in the world, and a worthy pilgrimage for any biker. It has some of the most spectacular twisties I have ever seen, let alone ridden, and none of these pictures really give you a sense of the scale and beauty of the region. Nor do they show the most challenging roads. I've done the trail twice, this is the second trip that I rode with my father in October 2004.
Here I am near the beginning of the Trail, a little way from Margaree Forks (the start of the Trail). The day we went was one of the most beautiful of the season, albeit a cold one.
Below Left: The valley seen in the above photo.
Below Right: One of the many river-valleys that cover the Cape Breton landscape.
The gorgeous coastline of Cheticamp. I tell you, the French know where to settle...
A river just north of Cheticamp. My godparents own a plot of land on the banks of this part of the river.
Dad with my old Beemer at the start of the Highlands National Park, on the northmost tip of Cape Breton. This is the point where the roads really get interesting as they snake around the cliffside above the Atlantic Ocean. Spectacular.
Another view of the above setting.
Old and new. The silver bike is my old BMW, which my Dad now rides, the other is my last bike, an '87 Honda imported from Japan. Lets just say the Beemer had a bit of trouble keeping up with my Honda in the twisties... I've got the scars on my toe sliders to prove it.
That's me getting ready to take off. Great shot, except Dad took the photo while I was backing up, so I look like I'm trying to run while straddling the bike. Looks real professional...
Off into the great blue yonder to drag my feet and knees and hopefully keep the rubber side down...
This is Igonish Beach, just past the Highlands National Park. Hey Dad, why don't you stand a bit closer to the deadly waves on those slippery rocks?
Igonish Beach again. Believe it or not, those 2-3 foot waves are coming in without ANY wind. This place would be dangerous in a gale...
Here I am proudly displaying my lovely helmet hair in front of Igonish Harbour.
Dad and the bikes on a lookout point. Note the coastline in the background.
Here is the part of the Bras D'Or river, as seen from Baddeck Marina. This was where Alexander Graham Bell tested the first hydrofoil sea-planes. It was also his home.
Below Left: The Honda's cockpit at about 90 KM/H. I was bored, so shoot me.
Below Right: That's Dad riding ahead of me on the way home. You can see the top of the Honda windscreen at the bottom of the picture. Not bad for a one-handed, dumbass "I think I'll take a picture from a moving motorcycle" maneuver.
