David- In the event that you are approaching Cape Breton from the south or departing in that direction, be aware that the annual Stan Rogers Folk Festival is held July 25-28 at Canso. Every tent site and motel (there's only one motel) will be reserved in that area well in advance. Canso is on the NE Atlantic corner of mainland NS before you cross over to Cape Breton.
I cycled up to the festival from NH one year by way of the Portland ME ferry (now defunct, it has moved back to Bar Harbor). A wonderful trip, I stayed at the Sea Breeze CG near Fox Island/Hazel Hill.
