"If one possesses such a commodity as a brother or a husband he can always be made useful on a cycling excursion. Never is a man better able to show for what purpose he was made than upon such occasions... Very gallant escorts use a tow rope when accompanying a lady upon a wheeling spin. These are managed is various ways: one consists of an india-rubber door-spring just strong enough to stretch a little with the strain, and about six feet of shade cord. One end is attached to the lady's wheel at the lamp bracket or brake rod by a swing swivel, and the other end is hooked to the escort's handle bar in such a way that he can free it in a moment, if necessary. When he has finished towing he drops back to the lady's side, hanging the loose end of the cord over her shoulder, to be ready for the next hill."

                                J.P. Pickell (1895)
                                All About Bicycling Etiquette

Quoted in Nova Scotia by Bicycle by Walton Watt.

The guide rates this ride: Gloriously Hilly.

Resting half way up Cape Smokey
(at about 78 kilometers on route profile)
which Liz walked most of the way, Catharine some, Rob none.

The guide says of Cape Smokey:
"a 185 m. (600 ft) hill with an average grade
of 12% over 1.5 km. (1 mi). The view from the top, looking almost straight down into the sea from 250 metres (800 ft) is unforgetable."

So is the thigh burn!

The guide says of North Mountain:

"The North Mountain is a 400 m. (1300 ft.) hill, usually the hardest of the tour. It begins with about 3.5 km. (2 mi.) that average 7% grade, but then there is 1 KM. (0.6 mi.) at 15%. There is often a noticeable headwind (westerly) on the way up North Mountain."

Liz walked all of the 15% grade, Catharine a little, Rob none.

The guide: "From Pleasant Bay, the MacKenzie Mountain's 340 m. (1100 ft.) look imposing, but the road follows a complex series of switchbacks that keep the average grade to about 10% for about 3 km. (2 mi.). The Trail the follows a high hilly ridge (The Boarsback) for about 12 km. (7.5 mi.), before plunging back down French's Mountain's 400 m. (1300 ft., 8-10% grade over 5 km. or 3 MI.) to the coast."

Pleased to report all three cycled it all.

          Fabulous!