Sunday, August 18, 2024

We’ll be back in Guysborough in 2024 for our 8th year bringing cyclists to enjoy Lost Shores’ low traffic oceanfront 35, 50, 90, 120 and 155 km routes. Our Lost Shores Gran Fondo evolved to this acoustic version which we are happy to offer FREE to anyone who has a birthday in 2024. This is all about the joy of cycling. It’s a fully supported ride with signage, snack stops along the way and cake and ice cream at the finish. It’s our way to pay it forward and make these amazing rides accessible to everyone. For a look around the neighborhood, check out some of our most popular images at https://lostshores.ca/parkway-tour/.

Event site is at Guysborough Mall with gas, groceries, convenience and NSLC all on site and open 7 days a week.  Overnight parking is allowed and we’ll have porta potties available. Look for the Lost Shores trailer with the big banner. We’ll have a welcome table with sign-in sheets, granola bars and water. Robins Donuts opens at 6 am. Post ride showers are available free at the nearby Chedabucto Lifestyle Center on Green Street.

Rides start at 0900 following a brief Motor Vehicle Act reminder. Turn left exiting the mall and let the fun begin.

35, 50, 90, 120 km and 155 km routes, stunning oceanfront scenery, all well marked with our distinctive yellow arrows. Want the Whole Enchilada? Try the 120 and 35 for 155 km of true glory. Expect rolling hills, lots of them. The 35 km Intervale Loop is back with with minimal hills, new paved shoulders and its own rest stop. For everyone else, water/snack stops at Port Felix (km 43), Canso (km 73), Queensport (25 km from the finish).  It’s a bit remote out here with limited cell service so we provide roving motorcycle support.

Fear & Loathing in Lost Shores Hill Climb returns for the 6^th year. You’ll need the Strava app on your smartphone for this. Load up with some carbs at the Queensport rest stop and see how your time compares with 300+ other Strava riders. Here’s the Strava link, https://www.strava.com/segments/21019533

Birthday cake and ice cream will be waiting for you at the finish courtesy of Breton Fuels.

RSVP appreciated to rob@lostshores.ca. That makes it easier for us to plan water, snacks, porta potties, birthday cake and ice cream. Either way, we’ll make sure we have extra of everything.

Special thanks to all our sponsors including East Coast Hydraulics, Canso Area Development Association, Del Mar Realty (www.delmarrealty.ca), Robins Gas, Breton Fuels, Chedabucto Mall, Guysborough Pharmachoice, Velo Cape Breton.

Here are the routes in downloadable format.

	Strava Link	Elevation Gain
35 km Intervale Loop	35 km Intervale Loop | 34.4 km Cycling Route on Strava	238
50 km Queensport Light	50 km Queensport Light Out ‘n Back | 45.7 km Cycling Route on Strava	557 m
90 km Lost Shores Loop	90 km Lost Shores Loop | 87.8 km Cycling Route on Strava	872 m
120 km Tickle Loop	120 km Tickle Loop | 121.3 km Cycling Route on Strava	1094 m
155 km Whole Enchilada	155 km | 155.7 km Cycling Route on Strava	1400 m
Fear and Loathing Hill Climb	Fear & Loathing in Lost Shores Hill Climb | Strava Ride Segment in Guysborough, Nova Scotia, Canada	71 m

	RidewithGPS Link	Elevation Gain
35 km Intervale Loop	https://ridewithgps.com/routes/33030016	238 m
50 km Queensport Light	https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29351749	557 m
90 km Lost Shores Loop	https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29351772	872 m
120 km Tickle Loop	https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29351789	1094 m
Fear and Loathing Hill Climb	https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31790971	79 m

Getting Here

Take the Trans Canada 104 to exit 37.  As you get off the highway from either direction, turn left at the stop sign and take Highway 4 for 1.5 km and turn right onto Highway 16 just before the railway tracks. Take Highway 16 for 30 km through Lincolnville and Boylston and you’ll find yourself in Guysborough. Highway 16 does a bit of a zigzag with 2 rights and then a left at the Courthouse Museum and Guysborough Mall is just ahead around the bend on your left, civic number #9996 Highway 16.

Where to Stay

Overnight parking is free at the Guysborough Mall and municipal parks in Dorts Cove and Queensport. There is also camping available nearby at Boylston Provincial Park or down the shore at Seabreeze Campground in Fox Island.

For lodgings, try www.visitguysborough.ca or https://www.airbnb.com/s/Guysborough–Canada.

Food and Beverage

• On site, Robins opens at 6 am with coffee, breakfast and light lunches.
• On site, Independent grocery store with excellent deli opens at 10 am
• Main St, Big G’s Pizza eat in or take-out. 902-533-1886, https://www.biggspizza.ca/
• Harts Store on Hwy 16 in Boylston also has sandwiches and more.
• NSLC store (with cannabis) at mall is open Sundays but consuming alcohol at the mall is not legal.

Got Questions?
Email rob@lostshores.ca or call Rob at home 902-358-2939 or cell 902-870-4793 (cell service out here is limited but a text will work).

Hope to see you Sunday, August 18th!