Quebec stats

Quebec stats: 

759.8km 

7.5 days riding, 9 days total

101.31 km/day

3 flats

1 km with CAA

Many new friends! Wonderful highlights in Montreal and Tois Rivière

Best biking yet 

Day 59: 74.45 km

July 4, 2012

Norte Dame Du Lac - Saint Leonard

Today I crossed over into New Brunswick in a way I never thought I would.

I woke up this morning to rain. Rain always slows me down in the morning. I am strictly against packing my tent wet. Not only is it bad for the tent, but getting into a wet tent after a wet day sucks! So I put it on fluff in the driers. Except one drier a couple days ago was still so hot on the cool setting it wrecked the mesh of my tent a bit, which I am super upset about. Live and learn I guess. 

Just after 10am I was finally ready to leave. Dry tent, full tummy and all. I hit some pretty decent hills, but knew that in about 20 km it would be New Brunswick so it would be worth it! As I pulled into Delegis I realized I had a flat tire. So, I parked myself in a motel parking lot and fixed it. I have been super worried about my back tire blowing because it's been worn so thin, so I double checked it. It was ok, but it definitely needed to be changed. I took the glass out of the tire, and changed it up. My last tube on me was faulty! I realized this when I put it in and continued on. About 5 minutes later it was close to flat again! I got down on my knees and could hear the air coming out of the spout. Sweet. So I pumped it up and kept riding. I really wanted to make it to the New Brunswick sign and take a picture! I filled the tire 2 more times, and then I heard another pop. I looked at the tire, and it was completely flat again, and this time it was indeed my tire. I pushed it too far! But I was not stopping I needed that picture!!! So I walked my bike and chatted on the phone with dad and Scott. About a km away from the boarder dad suggested that I stop and take my tire off and hitch hike so people know why I am hitching. So, even though I was upset because I wouldn't get a good picture with the sign, I took my tire off and balanced it on my head as I Hitchhiked. Well kind of balanced it. The tire fit into my helmet so I was cheating a little. 

After a little bit no one was stopping. So, still on the phone with dad and Scott, I put my tire back on and continued walking. I got to construction, which narrowed the road and we reassessed. Then, Scott jokingly said "Hey! Your a CAA member, maybe they will come!". We laughed for a bit, but then I was like, I want to try! I called CAA to ask them. Turns out, Quebec is the only province that offers bike support!!! And I was  1 km away from leaving it! Have I mentioned that Quebec is the best province to bike in? I was so excited! I couldn't believe it! They were 45 mins away from me so I sat and made Kraft dinner on the highway as I waited. Just as I finished cleaning up, CAA pulls up! We loaded my bike, and hopped in. We got chatting about the trip, and then as we passed the boarder the driver (I completely forget his name I'm so sorry!) asked if I wanted a picture by the New Brunswick sign. UM YES!!!! I was so happy!!! 

 

CAA dropped me off at the Source for Sports, which was right beside Tim Hortons. It was on the road I had to take out of town too! I changed my tire to an armadillo, which I'm thinking and hoping implies that it is tough, and went and did my Kraft dinner dishes in Tim Hortons. Then, I went and bought a new towel (my old one was terrible) and some groceries, and I was off. I lost a lot of time doing everything, but I'm all set now! 

The USA across the river

I fought a head wind in the evening and was too exhausted to make it to Grand Falls, so I stopped in saint Leonard. I put up my tent and went out for dinner. 

I had a lovey dinner at the motel in town. As I was eating 2 couples came in. Their names were Tony & Virginia, Bill & Judy. They were so funny! I had such a fun dinner chatting with them! I had the pleasure of meeting them on Tony Day, and Tony was so excited! According to Bill it was Tony day yesterday too. So funny! They even paid for my dinner! I felt so lucky to have met them! I had such a great day!

Day 58: 106.89 km

July 4, 2012

Saint Andre - Notre dame du lac

I feel terrible! I had a radio interview this morning because I was going to cross over into New Brunswick, but I didn't get there! I got very distracted in Rivière du loup! 

I started this morning completely refreshed after such a scary night. At 8am I went down and met Daniel, the B&B owner, for breakfast. He is such a lovely man! 

He was so excited that he was remembering English words! "Oh, I am good today", he exclaimed after he explained the meal in pretty good English. Breakfast was in the art gallery and it was a 3 course breakfast. 

We started with fruit, and freshly squeezed orange juice, and then home made breads and crossaintes with home made jams. Then, an omelette and fresh cut potato squares. So good! 

 

I also got a history lesson from Daniel. The plums used in the jam came originally from France, and are grown right in his area. He even has a tree! He also explained that the houses and properties are in long lines backing onto the river so houses can be closer together, which is a method used in France. Quebec people are very protective of their heritage because everything about it is so unique and easy to lose. 

After paying what seemed like nothing for such an important and incredible stay, I was on my way. Daniel packaged a container of plum jam for me too!

 My lovely hosts

I passed through saint Andre right away, and felt so good about everything! Maybe it was because I ate a lot yesterday and was fueled up. Or maybe it was the sun and beautiful churches. Or the excitement of a new province. I powered the 35 km to rivière du loup! If I continued like that I would definitely make it to edmundston tonight. 

 

In rivière du loup I went to the Tim Horton's and got a chocolate milk and blogged. Then I met William, and that's where I got distracted. William is on a cross Quebec trip training for his tour in France, which he is doing for his 65th birthday! He has logged 38,000 km on his bike, with one flat! What the hell! I want those tires! He and I chatted about pretty much everything, and then all of the sudden it was 1:30pm! Crap!

William and I biked over to the information center so I could get information on the bike path that takes me to Edmundston. When we pull up, there is Annie!!!!! I thought I wasn't going to see her again! From rivière du loup she is taking a completely different path than me, so that was our last chance to see each other!!!! I was so excited! We caught each other up on the trip from Ottawa 'til rivière du loup. It was great! But then, 2.5 hours later than I thought, I was heading out from the information place. I was heading south, and Annie and William were heading east. 

 

Getting out of rivière du loup means climbing this gigantic hill. I mean huge hill. I've never seen one like that in a town before. Saskatoon people, think Ravine with a 12% grade instead of a 6ish, and twice as long. Cranbrook people, think of biking all the way up Gold Creek but instead of a 5ish % grade, a 12. 12% in a city! Huge. But the bike route took me on switch backs so it wasn't as steep. I don't think I would have been able to push my bike up that let alone ride it! 

Then I got to the top, and the beginning of my journey on the path. I thoroughly enjoyed the bike path for the first part. There were lots of people on the path and the gravel was thin and rideable. It was sunny and beautiful! There were even little cafes on the path! But about 20 km out of rivière du loup there was hardly anyone on the path, and it was thick gravel. I was hardly moving because of the gravel, so I trekked a way to the highway and continued on. I had amazing shoulders! It was great! 

After a good chat with mom, dad, and Michelle, I pulled into Norte dame and knew I had to camp here. The sun was setting fast. I went and ate on the marina, and then showered and set up my home.

Guess what!! I'm about 2.5 hours away from Edmunston. Haha great! That's ok, bigger days for the next couple to catch up! I'm ok with that. Chatting with William and Annie was worth it. I have heard New Brunswick will be quite a lonely stretch. I think 2 days without a town? That will be so hard for me. I need people in my life! So it's going to be quite a quiet stretch!

Day 57: 104.78 km

July 2, 2012

Montmagny - Saint André

This morning I woke up a little later than I hoped, but it worked out perfectly because I got to chat again with Carol my neighbour! I learned that Quebec had laws for cyclists and vehicles. Vehicles had to pass 3 meters away from a cyclist, or stop behind them and wait to pass. No wonder so many people bike here!!! It's bikers paradise! 

As I left the campground I was offered coffee by a few campers. It was such a friendly place. Then I headed into Montmagny for breakfast. My usual at Tim Hortons. I was so proud because yesterday was probably my first day in this trip without a treat all day! Even through Quebec city! Not one chocolate bar or icecream! Pretty dang impressive... So I get two today. 

I biked along the river all day, passing many beautiful towns with amazing churches.

 St. Laurent

Then, in Saint-Jean-Port-Joli I was starving. All I saw were art shops, and I ran into a tour group! They knew of a great place to eat and invited me along. Lunch was delicious! We ate at a pita place and I got to chat with Peter and the americans. Peter is the tour guide with East Wind Cycle in New Brunswick, and they also do tours in Mexico! He was guiding a lovely group of two couples through Quebec by bike. I had a great lunch chatting with them, and getting great route advice from Peter, which was much needed! Now I feel ready for New Brunswick! 

After lunch we parted ways and I went and got icecream. Of course. Then Peter showed up again! His group was touring a church 5 minutes away and he had a feeling that I would be chowing down on some icecream. Then we biked and caught up with his group, and I looked in the church. Absolutely beautiful!! It was surprisingly colorful too!

 

Then we were all off in our separate directions. It was so nice to meet them! I hope they have a fantastic trip! 

Then, as I was told, I biked through a few amazingly beautiful towns. Kamouraska was stunning!

 

I followed a biker to a restaurant and stayed to eat. The language barrier got the better of me this time and I asked for pasta and I got a whole dinner shindig. Starting with cold soup, then that pasta that is a giant tunnel? I'm not sure the name, but I only got two with a ton of cheese, and then creme brûlée. The creme brûlée was delish, but I was full! Then I google mapped directions to my campground for the night. 

Google maps failed me. Badly. When I google map directions I have to use the maps for walking directions. If I don't, it takes me on highways I am not allowed on. These directions were terrible.

 Getting lost...

Mom had other ones but of course I fought to follow google so I knew how many kilometers to go. Mothers are always right. It sucks. All of the sudden I'm climbing big hills on a dirt road in the middle of no where.

 very lost...

I was so lost, the sun was setting, and I was terrified. The houses reminded me of houses in the chain saw massacre. I looked at my phone and I was going in and out of service, and my phone was dying. Great.

 

I finally reached mom to chat. I needed to hear someone's voice. I was so scared. Then I pass this sign "Le Pavillion Vert: Gîte" while I was freaked out on the phone with mom. Turns out it was a B&B! I ended up staying in a lovely suite and ate kraft dinner and watched House in English!!! It ended up being a great night!!!

    

 

Day 51: 76.6 km

June 26, 2012

Ottawa- Calumet QC

I miss my mom!! Today mom and I woke up and had a delicious breakfast in jail, and then ran around taking pictures. It was so much fun! Then we got in the car and went around taking more pictures! (Most of these are on yesterday's blog post.)

Then we went into Quebec, because we were literally just across the bridge, and I started there. The shoulders were so much better! It's incredible how that can change, province to province!

 

A little ways down the road mom and I stopped and had lunch. Then she had to go to the airport. It was so sad to see her go! I have really learned that life is much more fun when you can share it with the ones you love! I miss her already and can't wait till she flies back!!!!

I biked until about 5 and found a campground on the river. It's a nice little place with a shower for midgets! Then I crawled into bed and watched Xmen until my iPad died. Then I passed right out. I can't wait for Montreal and New Brunswick! It's all coming so soon!!!