Cabot Trail Biker
The Cabot Trail, located on Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Island, is simply spectacular. As Nova Scotia's Tourism website boasts: "The Cabot trail is where breathtaking was invented." So I wasn't surprised by a call from Daniel Ross, an entrepreneur living in Antigonish, who wanted to encourage others to experience the beauty of the trail. About two years ago, Daniel purchased a new Harley Davidson and he headed for the Cabot Trail. He tells me there's a certain rush you experience when you reach the summit of Cape Smokey. An experience that can only be captured on a bike.
“I think that for what the Cabot Trail has to offer as a motorcycle experience, it should be a mandatory visit for every biker on the continent to experience at least once in their lifetime,” enthused Daniel.
Daniel has 19 years experience designing and printing t-shirts. He has also biked across Canada and has traveled to almost all the US states. More importantly, he loves his home province of Nova Scotia. So Daniel came up with an idea that married his three passions. He partnered with Jason LeBlanc and Keith More who own a restaurant called the Coastal Waters Restaurant in Ingonish, along the famed Cabot Trail, to hatch his plan.
“Nova Scotia's Cabot Trail is the best place to ride a motorcycle in Canada, said Daniel. “No one has anything to show for it...that was my opportunity.”
Inside this restaurant, you’ll find ‘the original’ t-shirts for bikers who’ve made the Cabot Trail pilgrimage. This is the only place you’ll find this t-shirt. It is designed and manufactured in Nova Scotia. Wrapped around each t-shirt is a little information about Nova Scotia, including a link to this site, and background on the t-shirt. Daniel has created an interactive website too: www.cabottrailbiker.com. You will find advice about riding the Cabot Trail and of course details on where to find the shirts! “This advice is not free…” the website says “you have to promise to go to Coastal Waters Restaurant and buy one of my t-shirts!”
The response? Overwhelmingly positive.
“We've sold a couple hundred shirts, and the restaurant certainly sold hundreds more meals than usual”, says Daniel. “The most rewarding result is hearing from the bikers after their trip, and how my tips helped their trip be more fun. I have even got letters from the people who were on the trip thanking me for helping out their buddy who planned it! I'm getting photos and comments that I keep putting on the site.”
And here are some of those comments Daniel mentioned:
Chip Galloway, Virginia: “I will be wearing my Original Cabot Trail T-Shirt often and I am sure I will be the envy of all my riding buddies.”
Harry Webber, New York “…would like to share my thanks to you for all your help planning our trip. It was in one word “fantastic”. Great weather, people, food and ride.”
Rob Bistro, New York: “One of us ran out of gas 3 miles from our stay for the night. It was late and all the stations were closed for the night. A total stranger went back to his house and brought back some gas for us. Enough to get us to the hotel and to an open station the next day. And that was right after a great meal at a restaurant that was just closing up. They welcomed us with open arms, served us a great dinner as we told stories of our journey”.
To read more about experiencing the Cabot Trail – visit Daniel’s website at http://cabottrailbiker.com. Happy Trails!
