Nova Scotia Coastal Tour

The first whiff of Spring and I’m itching to get out on the bike for a week-long tour.

For so long I’ve wondered, what kind of cyclist am I? As of today, I’m a touring cyclist. It comes from my interest in ultra-light backpacking. I’m not drilling holes in my toothbrush, but I do count grams when hiking or biking. Over the years I’ve learned to be quite comfortable with less. Plus, I’m really good at doing laundry in a sink, which gives me something to do each night.

Followers of theFrankPetersShow might remember a trip to Ottawa last fall where I was invited to lunch at Parliament. After this lunch I was named an honorary member of the First Angel Network in Halifax. I was surprised and delighted to be so named, now I’m going to Halifax to see just what privileges come with the membership.

My friends in Halifax know how to rope me in; they’re hosting the National Angel Capital Organization’s Annual Summit in October where angel investors from around the globe will gather. And they’ve committed to a pre-Summit bike ride! That’s becoming my legacy; after being an angel investor for 14 years — I have no track record of billion dollar exits, but several great bike rides — such is fate.

So I’m getting antsy to see the bike scene in Halifax. I emailed my pals and invited myself to their monthly meeting; two meetings it turns out, one in Halifax and one in Moncton, New Brunswick. Why not combine these meetings with a bike tour down the coast?

Google maps is a great help in plotting the route. I just found out today at lunch that there’s a Rails to Trails route around St. Margaret’s Bay, so I can ride off-road if the weather cooperates. Speaking of weather, Spring hasn’t arrived yet. Mid-May is called the early season, which I imagine is a euphemism for something like the rainy season. My summer months here in California are getting booked up, so this early trip to eastern Canada suits me well, even if I do hit a little drizzle.

This will be a solo ride, so some of the utility items, like Monkey Wipes, that I split up with my companion on the Erie Canal ride will all be in my panniers. Then there’s the issue of the bike. So far I’m thinking that it’s much easier and cheaper to rent a bike for a week in Halifax, then there’s the argument in favor of shipping the new bike, but it hasn’t arrived yet. Hedging my bets, I’ve put a deposit on a hybrid rental bike.

I dug out my Erie Canal packing list and crossed out the things that won’t apply to this tour. Things like a lock, spare tube and a pump will be provided by the bike rental company; less for me to pack, but any extra space in the panniers will get filled with long finger gloves and some extra wool layers, essential items for this early season trip.

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