QUEBEC

We were looking forward to arriving in Quebec because it is familiar territory and we expected to find a lot

of bicycle paths. We were not disapointed. The  Route Verte system of bicycle paths throughout the province is very impressive.

Day 58    July 23    Chatham to Montreal     103km
A trip down memory lane today. We had headwinda all day but didn't really notice much. Went through St. Andre where we lived for 17 years. Not much changed. The road to Oka was newly paved with bicycle path all the way. Went through native reserve (Kanasataki) and counted 36 cigarette booths - rather a lot for a population of 1,100.  At Oka took ferry to Como. Continued along the lakeshore to Vaudreuil. Stopped to watch para surfers - looks like fun. Met Donna and John at Smoke Meat Pete's (best smoke meat anywhere) for lunch. Followed bike path all the way to Ste. Anne de Belleview then bike friendly roads all the way to the Lachine Canal. Signs all along the road : "IF YOU ARE IN A HURRY, TAKE THE HIGHWAY". Stopped to see our old house on Lakebreeze Avenue in Pointe Claire we had left over 20 years ago. The bike paths through Lachine and down to Old Montreal were very impressive and loaded with bikers. Found our way using GPS to Emma's (Bob's daughter) place for the night.

Day 59   July 24   Rest day

Day 60  July 25 Montreal to Bertierville    110 km.

Left Emma's and picked up bike path to Ice Bridge (Estacade) where we met John and Simonne. Followed bike paths to Longueuil, Bucherville, Varennes, Contrecoeur and Sorel-Tracy. On the advice of local bikers, we took the ferry at Sorel to conntinue our journey on the north shore. Stayed in Berthierville at Day's Inn.

Day 61   July 26    Bretierville to Trois Revieres    63km.
We didn't know it could rain that hard. We waited a while before departing but it didn't make any difference.
We biked in heavy rain most of the way. We had to shelter for a while from the thunder and lightening in the bay of a garage. we met another biker heading for Quebec City who advised us to head to Old Quebec via bike paths all the way and take the ferry to south shore. Obviously, we are in a motel tonight. We went to eat at  Buffet des Continets and had the most incredable buffet we have ever seen. $14.95 and they had just about anything you could possibly want. When we left there was a lineup of at least 100 people waiting for tables. (Situated in Carfour Trois Revieres).

Day 62   july 27    Trois Revieres to St. Augustin de Desmaures    120km.
Followed Route 138 Le Chemin du Roi  (bike Route verte # 5) along the St. Lawrence River. Pretty villages, beautiful gardens, great views and, in every village, a hugh stone church.

Trois Revieres is a large sprawling city with potential to be nice, but the nice budget musn't be very big.We stopped for lunch, a good healthy sandwitch and salad, in a pretty cafe in Deschambault Grondines. Thunder and lightening accompanied lunch - no charge. The sun came out as we finished lunch and we stayed dry for the rest of the day. Stayed at Colibri Hotel and had pizza for supper.



Day 63    July 28  St. Augustin to St-Jean-Port-Joli     129km.

We had a wonderful bike ride today. It started under cloudy skies. Nice route along the river made nicer when the sun came out to prove it still existed. Followed Chemin du Roy all the way to Old Quebec along the nicest bicycle paths to-date. Took ferry to Levi and followed bike path along river to highway 132. Stopped at a fromagerie for ice cream, curd cheese, and our fourth falt tire of the trip.Stopped at a bike shop in Montmagny for more bike repairs. Camped at Demi Lune campground on the river down a very steep downhill. Thunder all night....



Day 64      July 29   St. Jean to Rivieres de Loup     91km.
Breakfast at La Pocatiere. Beautifull ride along St. Lawrence. Bob's cousin Claude met us and rode into Reviere du Loup with us. arrived at his house at 2:30 and enjoyed being spoiled for the rest of the day. Aunt Claire, Madeline and Natalie (Claude's daughter) joined us for supper.

Day 65   July 30  Reviere du Loup to De la Republique Provincial Park, Edmonston, N.B.   128km.

Left Claude's house at 8:15. Climbed big hill out of town and met up with cousin Andre. Claude and Andre accompanied us all the way to Edmonston, where Natalie came to pick them up. Unpaved but very smooth path all the way. Claude made a great lunch which we devoured by the side of the path. Stopped at his cottage for a few beer. The campsite was very well equiped with a special area just for bikers, but unfortunately we were the only bikers and it wes very wet.



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