Baddeck to North Sydney, Nova Scotia

I just had a half day of riding today, as Baddeck to North Sydney is only 57 kilometres. 

My day started with an unimpressive breakfast at the Ceilidh Inn. I was dining with a large group of elderly tourists, who are touring the Maritimes by bus. I chatted with one of them who is from Hamilton and is in the Maritimes for the first time. I found them an enjoyable group to interact with and observe, but the breakfast was lousy and the coffee undrinkable. My opinion of the Ceilidh Inn was dropping, and got even worse before I left, because I asked if I could leave my panniers in the lobby, and the person behind the desk refused! My wife is flying into Halifax this evening, so I will be driving back this way in the afternoon, and figured I could pick up my bags when I came back through and save myself the trouble of carrying them today. 

Annoyed, I got started, but before I left Baddeck, I stopped at the Knox Cemetery. 

I assumed this would be a safe place to stash my panniers, so I tucked them behind this wall.

Now significantly lighter, I carried my way on out of Baddeck along Bras d'Or Lake and back onto the highway. For a stretch here I was able to get some good speed going, but then there is a turnoff to the left which is the Cabot Trai continuing northward, but as the highway continues towards the right it begins to ascend Kellys Mountain. 

It took me half an hour to climb the 240 some metres! But, I climbed it, and then the descent happens quickly! Look at what Wikipedia has to say about the descent: "Travellers should be aware of a sharp hairpin turn at the foot of the eastern end of the mountain that switches back greater than 180 degrees after a steep descent." In other words, this small "mountain" makes for some memorable cycling!

On the other side you cross Bras d'Or Lake on the Sea Island bridge.

About 25 kilometres later, after navigating some disruptive highway construction, I reached the North Sydney wharf. 

We will catch the ferry tomorrow, so rather than the ferry terminal, it was the Avis car rental agency I headed to. I picked up the rental vehicle that will take me back to Halifax to meet my wife!