Cape North is where the island's highlands finally give up. After the long, steep climbs of the national park, the road drops into a broad valley that opens toward Aspy Bay, and the landscape changes from mountain to rolling farmland and low hills. The small community here has a few shops, a school and a scattering of farms, and it sits at a crossroads: one road leads to the north tip of the island, another to the east coast and the long ride south.
Aspy Bay is believed by many to be where John Cabot first landed in 1497, claiming the new land for England, though historians still argue over exactly where. Cabot's Landing, a provincial park on the shore at the end of a short side road, has a monument and a long, quiet beach, and it makes a pleasant detour. To the north lies Bay St. Lawrence, a fishing village, and beyond it the wild shores around Meat Cove, at the very top of the island, reached by a long gravel road.
For the rider, this is a gentle interlude after the effort of the mountains. The road runs through open country, with views of the hills and the sea, and the bends are easy. The surface is generally good, though frost heaves appear in spring. Cars and campers are less frequent than on the busiest sections, and you may find the road almost empty in the morning.
Fuel and food are limited but available. The settlement has a few places to eat and some limited supplies, and it is a handy stop after the mountain section. Fuel is not something to count on, and in the shoulder seasons hours are short, so plan accordingly. The next real services are along the east coast, around Ingonish, and you should not run the tank down.
The best time to arrive is early, when the mist lifts from the fields and the sun rises over the bay. The air smells of grass and sea. If you have time, walk along the beach at Cabot's Landing and watch the waves roll in from the open Atlantic. It is a good place to think about the long journeys that began on this shore, and the shorter one you have just finished.