After a big day and great riding around Cole harbour, I was transported back to the Pictou Ferry for my trip to Price Edward Island. I camped at the ferry terminal so I would not miss the six thirty sailing. I set up my stealth camp, my bedroll and sleeping bag and shut down the power just after midnight. I hadn’t planned for rain and when it came I simply grabbed my trusty blue trap, through it over me and slept until morning.

The ferry terminal was quiet and Ferry left right on time. The Caribou, one of two ferries that run between Pictou and Wood Islands is a classic. I enjoyed the islander breakfast special of bacon and eggs in the diner style eating area and I loved it. The ferry ride is a pleasure and once again I was traveling to a new province and one that holds a great deal of the worlds attention at the moment for the incredible work they have done on the Confederation Trail, Prince Edward Island’s portion of the Tran Canada Trail. There are just over 400 kilometers of trail on the island and a tip to tip mainline from Elmira to Tignish and the North Cape are complete.

I headed for Elmira and the East Cape of the Island from the ferry on the road following the sea. I was impressed with the unique beauty of this special place. After a few hours I arrived in the Town of Elmira. The trail begins at the Elmira Railway Museum the kilometer marker reads 279, and I am off. Amazing, I thought to myself I had traveled just past another covered picnic table, past the kilometer sign 268 and a fountain to boot. All the while riding along on a trail of red, smooth track and even with a slight headwind I was traveling along at a very good clip, it felt almost effortless. Had I died and gone to bicycle heaven? I pinched myself.

After fifty kilometers I felt something, it was a bump, startled, I looked around. I laughed uncontrollably, Since Elmira I had traveled over fifty kilometers and the surface was smooth, fast and a rich red, tempting you all the while to go faster. I have traveled and cycled my bike in many countries including Switzerland, Germany, Italy and France to name a few, and all have impressive cycling trail systems but Prince Edward Islands Confederation Trail represents the very best I have ever seen.

After a while I rode into the town of St. Peters on lovely St. Peters Bay. I stopped at there recently rebuilt boardwalk and shut down the power and kicked down for an afternnon nap, I passed on through Mount Stewart a major junction on the trail that takes you down to the coast to St. Georges and Montague Harbour.I was keen to see these branch lines and this was the longest at almost fourt kilometers. Unfortunately I had plans early in the morning in Charlottetown so those would have to wait. At eighty kilometers I came upon the Around the Bend campsite in Tracadie Crossing. A beautiful setting greeted me and I thought it would be a wonderful spot to end what had been one of the most amazing days I had spent on a bike.

Tommy