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Cycling friendly Quebec

7/9/2017

11 Comments

 
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Cycling friendly but not so friendly Quebecians


The standard of Canadian generosity and friendliness has dropped markedly in Quebec. In the province that has delivered cycle trails which are totally bike friendly, the people seem blind and deaf to the waves and “bonjours” I fire randomly. Even fellow riders avert their attention as I pass. Maybe it is just the recognition that I am English speaking and represent a potential difficult conversation. In every other province every road sign is meticulously duplicated in both English and French. In Quebec there is just French.


The generosity of my friend Alex and wife Marion in Ottawa more than compensated. A few days recharging beside their balcony side lake in the central city refreshed mind and body. Marion's late night tour of the city revealed tree lined waterways and some classic architecture. A city with a good feel in the heart.


The ride down the Ottawa River followed one of the “route vertes” a network of green safe cycle trails throughout the province. Signage that connected every diversion with clarity (apart from a major miss in the middle of Montreal which saw me sail past the major junction to Route Verte 5 eastward).


I emerged into downtown Montreal through archways of green forest and back streets. A long day's pleasant ride but sadly lacking the planning I needed to find a place to sleep. Darkness descending, motels full for the long Labour day weekend. I killed time with the necessary chore of eating. The city was fully dark and just as busy when I finished. A lady outside one of the full hotels took charge and directed me to the only cycle-range accomodation in the area. I arrived, heart sinking when I saw the style of the place, no way my rest day budget would squeeze a room here. No choice, so an enforced night of 5 star luxury, damn.


Exit from Montreal in cold wet backlash from hurricane Harvey. Cycle trails lead me perfectly through the maze, until this uneasy feeling that it was a long time between the familiar green “Route Verte” signs. Emergency extract of the iPad, the cycle trail I was on should intersect downriver with the eastward route. In the end a painless extract from the big city.


Cycle touring works much better through the back country small town routes I have been following. Small town folk also have more time, to talk, to help.


The ride down the Saint Laurence has been picturesque. Classic waterside cottages, old farms and limited traffic. An emergency repair of my front suspension fork required a long French/sign language conversation with an elderly bike mechanic. No bolts with thread small enough for the repair. Then the eureka moment matching the threat on the end of a spoke for a number eight wire repair.


From here, after extracting myself from Quebec City, I will cross to the south bank of the Saint Laurence to head to New Brunswick.
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Alex drops me at the start of Route Verte 1 in Ottawa
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Looking back at the Ottawa skyline
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Down the Ottawa River
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Onto the giant Saint Laurence
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Saint Laurence riverside country
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Heading into Trois Rivierres
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Les grand Maisons sur la rivierre
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Every small village has its classic church...
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...and old classic barns
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...and classic cottages
11 Comments
Phil Parnell link
7/9/2017 06:41:16 am

Hi Lindsay,
Weather there looks good a thunderstorm passed over Welly in the last hour not good biking conditions!
The quebecians obviously learned from the Parisians on their dislike of non french speakers!
You should be getting to Autumn colours soon and have given you above a multiligual website which should have info around mid Septemberonwards. The end is now in sight hope all goes well from here . Nova Scotia will bring out the friendliness again hopefully. I had a great day entertaining two Canadian doctors who had flown here with a medical evacuation from Vancouver recently. I showed them your tracked route they were amazed!
Bon voyage!
Phil&June

Reply
Brent
7/9/2017 08:41:00 am

yes it most certainly is ONE country of TWO Nations.

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Barb
7/9/2017 01:06:19 pm

Quite a contrast in people experiences this time. Love the French architecture though! Good point Phil about the autumn colours - looks like lots of greenery/trees coming up across New Brunswick - enjoy. Five-star hotel??? I guess you've earned it! XXX

Reply
Lindsay
8/9/2017 09:07:44 am

Thanks Phil. Yes the attitude changed immediately after crossing the Saint Laurence, back into friendly responses despite my kindergarten French. The rain today had a winter bite, and many of the trees are already half red.

Brent I can see Quebec still fighting a separatist movement

Reply
Ang
8/9/2017 09:41:28 am

HI Linds, great to hear your news again, hopefully you will sieve out some more friendly Francais speakers soon. As we spent an hour with Des's old sick Dad yesterday,we had him look at your photos and listen to your radio interview in Canada,it made his day, he just loved your "beautiful clear voice" and hearing your stories( even thru morphine and two hearing aids)....Linds, your magic has spread today xxxxxx

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Lindsay
8/9/2017 12:24:38 pm

Thanks Ang. Glad it gave some pleasure. Checked your house sitter tonight she is enjoying the peace and quiet and long Lucy walks

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Brent
8/9/2017 10:14:18 am

Lindsay, the 10 million dollar question, when you arrive @ Cape Berton or where ever ??? how far do you have to RIDE BACK to get back..

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Lindsay
8/9/2017 11:26:00 am

Only 12,000 kilometres depending if I add on the Labrador 1,000

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Mum
9/9/2017 04:27:53 pm

good to read your update.yes a bit difficult not being fluent in a language.however you are through there,so good you had company as the days are long with the miles you do .time seems to have gone much quicker.love you dear,good riding and meeting happy, caring people.see you in oct.xxxxx

Reply
Peter Sagar
11/9/2017 03:00:13 am

Hi Lindsay,

It was great meeting you in Ottawa. Sorry that you missed connecting with the people of Quebec. My personal experience has been the opposite - their joie de vivre and openness to outsiders is fantastic. Hopefully you will come back - La belle province is truly beautiful, open and fun. Oh, and it has the best food in Canada!

Safe travels and enjoy NB. If you are passing near New Glasgow Nova Scotia, let me know and I will hook you up with my son Stephen, an avid mountain and road cyclist.

Cheers
P

Reply
Lindsay
13/9/2017 05:52:02 am

Thanks Peter. Likewise enjoyed meeting you. South of the St Laurence met some great people always a matter of place and time. Expect to pass in or near New Glasgow 2-3 days time. Message via my GPS Track page is most reliable. Cheers Lindsay

Reply



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