Shelburne, NS to Lower Argyle, NS

June 25, 2015

So we're on the final stretch. Less than 80 miles from Yarmouth! So close. So much wind lol!

Today's ride to Lower Argyle

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Today was another great day. Plenty of sunshine and warm weather. And a little flatter. Or so it seemed. Not really when you look at the stats, but it felt flatter. But the wind, which picked up in the afternoon, was tough at times. Gear down and keep spinning!

The day started out on reliable NS-3 for the first five miles. NS-3 is also known as the Lighthouse Route or the Scenic Route. It was the major highway through these parts prior to the 100 series roads being built. So it wanders through all the local towns and important places and follows the terrain very closely. Which means it wanders a bit to avoid natural obstacles, as many early roads do.

NS-103 is a major highway with higher speeds and more volume and is intended to move traffic. Not what we prefer to ride on but sometimes a necessity. So after five miles on NS-3, we spent some time on NS-103 as far as Barrington, about 15 miles.

So as bad as NS-103 had been the previous two days, it was getting better. Gentler terrain and a lot less traffic. Plus, we were dealing with it early in our day's ride, so we had more energy and a better attitude! Plus, it acts, in some places, like NS-3 and passes through local towns as well as interesting points . . .

Next, the Clyde River looking downstream.

And it's too nice not to include the upstream view as well (even with the utility lines, which seem to be everywhere).

But we were looking forward to exiting at Barrington, where we would recover NS-3 and stay on it all the way to Yarmouth. That section closely follows the coastline and passes through a number of small towns where fishing is the active employment.

And we finally made it to Barrington, the self-proclaimed lobster capital of Canada. We did not see any; however, we did stop at the Visitor's Center and the Military Museum, where we chatted up the ladies staffing the desks. They gave us some good pointers for restaurants about five miles down the road, so we made a quick stop for lunch at Dan's Ice Cream Shoppe.

After lunch, we just rode NS-3 and took in the scenery.

For this part of the ride, we had strong headwinds when headed west (and to a lesser extent when headed SW and NW). That really impaired our ride! With a headwind, 8 mph; with a tailwind, 14 mph!

After all the wind, we took a short rest about six miles out from the end of our ride.

We eventually turned north for Lower Argyle and our home for the night!

Ye Olde Argyle Inn. Right on the waterfront.

Boats not quite in the harbor . . . yet.

And finally, the sunset! I will be back soon!

With, appropriately, a double IPA before and after.

The lodge had a built-in restaurant, which was ideal given how remote it is. In keeping with my seafood exploration, I had halibut. It was delicious. I'm a confirmed seafood fan!

Today's ride: 54 miles (87 km)
Total: 3,243 miles (5,219 km)

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