We asked Star readers to tell us about trips they have taken and to share their experience and advice:
Where Prince Edward Island
When June 25 to July 2, 2025
Trip rating听5/5
What inspired you to take this trip? Last summer, our cycling club experimented with our first 鈥渙ut of province鈥 cycling trip. We did the聽The Parc lin茅aire le P’tit Train du Nord聽in Quebec. It was such a wonderful and rewarding experience, we were determined to try it again in a different setting. Neither trip would have happened without the pre-planning and constant fine tuning by our fearless leader, Andy.
Ten plus intrepid cyclists, belonging to our riding club of 33 鈥淭our de Friends鈥 from the Brighton area in Ontario, took up the challenge. Our ages range from old to 鈥 not as old. This motley crew exhibits a wide range of equipment and experience: road, hybrid and electric bikes; our expertise is quiet cottage roads to crossing Canada and somewhere in between. It鈥檚 estimated we covered 225 kms in eight days.
What was the best sight? Rows and rows of field potatoes, coastal rock formations, fishing boats, the occasional bobbing seals and stacks of lobster traps are all eye-catching. Other favourite activities included: the Canadian Potato Museum, Stompin鈥 Tom Centre, Green Gables Heritage Place, a rotating house and Singing Sands聽Beach in聽Basin Head聽Provincial Park. And, of course, the Confederation Trail, a 449-km, decommissioned railway line with well-maintained rolled stone dust, perfect for cyclists, runners and walkers. The Trail is sprinkled with authentically restored train station buildings, offering sparkling restrooms, tourist information, souvenirs, liquid refreshments and delicious baked goods.
What was your favourite thing you did?聽Many one-on-one conversations occurred while cycling, but off-bike, as a group, we also enjoyed the swimming pool, the hot tub, roasting marshmallows at a beach campfire and evening card games. Grocery shopping, meal prep and cleanup became social events, even forms of entertainment. Everyone pitched in for fun and laughter.
What was the most delicious thing you ate? The New Glasgow Lobster Suppers dining experience. This enterprise is a modern commercial replica of the once-traditional, all-inclusive, community lobster suppers of the past. Feasting on plates, loaded with fresh cooked lobster, buckets of mussels, salads and desserts, for more than three hours was especially memorable.
We also took advantage of several Island bakery caf茅s that seemed to appear out of nowhere just when we needed one most: M.J.‘s Bakery & Caboose Caf茅, The Handpie Company and Knead a Brake (bakery and bike accessories). We even happened to find a lobster-roll fundraiser for the local fire department.
What is the most memorable thing you learned?聽We appreciated most the genuine hospitality and friendliness extended to us by everyone we met on the island. Drivers stop to allow cyclists to cross the road where the road and trail intersect. Islanders cater to tourists, and this creates an authentic and genuine tourist industry.
As we visited fishing harbours and talked with fishers, we became more aware of the impact and importance of the economic value of the fishing business locally, nationally and internationally.
Talk to strangers! Their stories will enrich your experience. It is from these conversations that we learned so much about the local culture and island history. As a group, we appreciate visiting new places, sharing knowledge and experiences聽鈥 and poking fun at each other, and, most important, supporting each other and enjoying each other鈥檚 company. Cycling is the common link and friendship keeps us together.
What is the one piece of advice you would give?聽Cyclists should become familiar with bicycle maintenance to do simple roadside repairs. Pack a basic repair tool kit. Accessorize bikes with mirrors, front and back lights, panier(s), a bell and wear a whistle, and, of course, the mandatory helmet. For comfort, know how to set up your bike so the handle bars are in the correct position in relation to the seat. Carry water, sunglasses, a light snack, I.D. and contact information and medications. Be aware of the rules of the road!
Carol Robertson, Campbellford, Ont.
READERS鈥 TIPS
We’ve launched a series that invites Star readers to share places they’ve visited recently and would recommend, whether it’s a weekend getaway in Elora, a Banff canoe trip, or a jaunt to Paris or Rome. If you’ve been, loved it and want to tell us about it, we’d like to hear from you.
Email us with “TRAVEL TIPS” in the subject line at travel@thestar.ca.
Please include brief responses to these questions. If your holiday experience is chosen, we’ll be in touch.
1. Where did you go and when was it?
2. Where did you stay?
3. What was a highlight of your trip? Why?
4. Any travel tips?
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