MacQueen’s, based in Charlottetown, is PEI’s longest-running and largest bicycle specialty shop. MacQueen’s Island Tours’ self-guided supported independent PEI bike tours offer unparalleled flexibility for almost all levels of cyclist. There are no guides, groups, locked riding itinerary or pre-set dates. Stop, eat and cycle when and where you wish. Our team of local resident cyclists takes care of booking professional equipment, curated accommodations, expert route planning, mapping with some of our favorite local spots for dining and activities, transferring your luggage between inns and offering emergency road repair service for our rental equipment – should a problem arise we’re never further than an hour away. Our local team takes care of the details so you just enjoy the ride. Travel at your pace with confidence in MacQueen’s insider knowledge of Prince Edward Island.
Trips begin in Charlottetown with professional outfitting, a short city tour and accommodations in the historic district of Charlottetown. Cycle to the Island’s quiet eastern coast. Choose from stops in Point Prim, belfast, Murray River or Harbour, the riverside town of Montague or the former shipbuilding hub of Georgetown. From there you have a choice of cycling to Souris and the “singing sands” of Basin Head, to St Peters and the unique protected sand dunes of our PEI National Park at Greenwich, or heading west to the PEI National Park and Dalvay before returning to Charlottetown. Or, if you prefer, visit both Souris and St Peters or Goose River and savor the unique flavors of more destinations. Return to Charlottetown via one of our favorite sections of the Confederation Trail, encountering quaint fishing villages, lighthouses, farmland, beaches, serenity, and friendly, down-to-earth locals that are the true pride of Prince Edward Island. Depending on which areas you visit, you might incorporate stops at local wineries, distilleries, craft breweries, a learning experience at our famous Culinary Institute, seasonal U-picks, the freshest local products, dairy bars, food trucks, seafood shacks, clam digs/bakes, river cruises, or lobster boils aboard a fishing boat accompanied by the lilting tunes of a fiddling captain and his family, and some of the finest dining and local fare available on our fair isle. Your pre-trip information kit will include links to some of our favorite local culinary highlights, activities, cultural venues for the areas chosen and more, allowing you to customize your Island bike adventure to your own particular tastes and interests. Each itinerary’s food/drink stops and accommodation venues will be different.
If you’d like to take your doggo on holiday, they’ll lap up the fun and adventures in PEI too. We offer four dog-friendly itineraries, with pet cleaning fees and a Burley Tail Wagon included.
Tour details
Included
- Deluxe Hybrid Bikes: Includes professional outfitting, handlebar or trunk bag, rear platform carrier, souvenir water bottle, helmet and one lock per every 2 bikes. Additional rental equipment available as per our published rental rates. E-bike upgrades may be available when booked in advance. Road bikes are not recommended for the mixed terrain.
- Accommodation reservations in Island inns and bed & breakfasts. Rooms are equipped with private bath unless otherwise noted. Additional nights may be arranged before or after your tour. While lodging costs & booking fees are included in our published tour prices, we guarante rooms directly to the primary traveler’s card, so they’re charged separately.
- Breakfasts (exceptions: Lane’s Cottages, Dalvay, Shanty Stay or other properties where expressed in your itinerary)
- Luggage transfers
- Detailed route directions & highlighted maps (private digital access). Garmin rentals are available (extra $).
- Emergency road repair insurance (service calls may be assessed fees)
- All taxes
Cycling Dates & Availability
Tours can start any day you choose. Many of the properties are small Inns and B&Bs and space is limited. Some operations are seasonal and may not be open from October to May. It’s important to book early, especially for travel in July and August when «no vacancies» often occur, although we have alternative accommodation options in each destination when our first choices aren’t possible. Some of PEI’s dining operations are seasonal, so advance planning for meals becomes more important before mid June / after mid September. Groups: many of the properties we use are small scale, so ample advance booking is essential to avoid disappointment.
Families & Groups
We have child trailers available for family touring and a wide selection of youth bicycles and trail-a-bikes.
If you’re looking for adventure without any of the hassle, have us custom-design your custom PEI cycle tour – guided or independent. We can customize trip accommodations and distances. We’ll design your tour to your schedule, special needs and can book basic or deluxe hotels to suit your budget/tastes.
Routes & Terrain
All ride options indicate total distance and, when available, we often provide multiple daily ride options to accommodate different cycling abilities + comfort levels with shared roadways. After departing Charlottetown, most of our supported cycling itineraries aim to stay 2 nights at each property; not only does it help to keep luggage transfer costs down but on alternate days there are options to lengthen or shorten your suggested route or even take an occasional day off riding if desired. We mostly recommend scenic byways, heritage roads & the Confederation Trail. Road cycling will either be on a broad shoulder or on less-travelled paved surfaces. Terrain is generally gently rolling and our route plotting software includes an auto-generated description of each ride option’s terrain type, elevation and more.
Ride distances
Rides average ~50 kms/day, but vary according to available accommodations. Itineraries can be developed around a variety of our preferred small scale Island inns, bed & breakfasts or hotels with just minor fluctuations in daily mileage. Extensions are always possible. Shorter routes on alternate days too. For families with young children, our Confederation Trail or North Shore Bliss tours might be most appropriate, featuring less ambitious distances and more dedicated bike lanes.
Meals
Breakfast is included by many lodging partners, and your quote will reflect which properties include that service. In all cases, breakfast is available nearby, or at the facilities with local payment.
Your digital routes will contain multiple points of interest, providing flexibility to plan ahead for lunch and dinner. Nobody wants to wing it when food is your fuel. Your itinerary will usually indicate locations where reservations are recommended, or if a particular route has limited food options. Packing non-perishable snacks in your day bag is always a good idea, in the event of inclement weather, early closures, or unforseen events, especially in the off season.
Accommodations
We have a curated list of preferred inn and b&b operators for our independent cycle tour programs, mainly with private bath and near evening meal venues. We have a couple of programs with glamping options. We typically don’t arrange trips for self-contained tenters. Beware that PEI has a very limited # of short term rental properties outside of the main urban centers so it’s very important to plan in advance to secure preferred properties.
View current CAD-USD exchange rates.
Includes:
-Deluxe hybrid bicycle with rear carrier, helmet or trunk bag, water bottle cage & bottle, helmet, 1 lock per every 2 bikes
We can quote for upgrades to gravel or e-bikes if required. Bringing your own bike? Reductions are available.
-Dog-friendly tours are priced with a Burley Tail Wagon trailer included.
-Route plotting. Routes available in advance with private digital access for you to download &/ print detailed directions & maps. View sample routes with public access. Don’t have a Garmin? Have a look at the RideWithGPS app for Android & Apple devices and Tour Participant Benefits.
-Emergency road repair insurance included for all MacQueen’s rental equipment.
-Accommodation reservations (most with breakfast, details in itineraries), selected for proximity to evening meals
-Luggage transfer services (usually every 2 days outside of Charlottetown)
-Suggestions for meals & entertainment
Notes
Cycling Dates & Availability:
Prices vary depending on B&Bs/Inns selected and room availability, so occasionally the final itinerary and hotels may be subject to minor changes.
Tours can start any day you choose. Many of the properties are small Inns and B&Bs and space is limited. Some operations are seasonal and may not be open from October to May. View ideal dates by tour. It’s important to book early, especially for travel in July and August when “no vacancies” often occur, although we have alternative accommodation options in each destination when our first choices aren’t possible. Some of PEI’s dining operations are seasonal, so advance planning for meals becomes more important before mid June / after mid September. Groups: many of the properties we use are small scale, so ample advance booking is essential to avoid disappointment.
