Day 9 - Clarence to Ottawa (Home)

60.3 km - Total so far 690.4 km - https://ridewithgps.com/trips/9822261

After a quick coffee and breakfast with our hosts, we were off to Rockland to have coffee with Helene's parents. Within minutes of cycling in the morning heat, we realized it was going to be a tough ride to Ottawa.  

We decided to save ourselves a few kilometers to Rockland by riding along Hwy 17 for about 1.5 km. With the speed limit set at 70 kph for that portion of Hwy #17, we had no concerns using the road.  We made it quickly to the McDonalds and had a nice breakfast with Simon et Réjeanne.

Looking across the Ottawa River at the site of the Thurso ferry 

We decided to take the back roads to Ottawa and avoid the ever increasing traffic found on Hwy 17. We stumbled onto Route Arrows as we left Rockland and since the arrows pointed towards Ottawa, we decided to follow them. On our last day with only 60 km, we threw caution to the wind. As you can see in the picture below, those arrows are very easy to spot.

To add excitement to our ride we decided to follow these arrows

The arrows took us onto the Sir George Etienne Cartier Parkway and we continued following them to the Aviation Museum. We parted ways at that time in order to head to the DQ for a quick stop.

The bike path near the Sir Geoge Etienne Cartier Parkway

Encadreur! qui s'encadre sous la supervision d'une Encadreur(e)!

Our bikes were described as "F&%#$^% KILLER setup".
We could not agree more.

On the Sir George Etienne Cartier Parkway, we took the shoreline bike path that is covered in stone dust. That stone dust just gets in everywhere and we had to take drastic measures to get it off our bikes. I discovered that a 'leafblower' is a great stone dusting tool.

I mentioned previously that our set up attracts quite a bit of attention and generates many a conversation. We had such an encounter just as we were walking our bikes into the garage of our apartment building. 

It was a short but much-needed bike trip. We discovered what we needed to know about some of our new equipment, namely: alcohol stove, air mattress, and bike trailers. We also reaffirmed what we like most about bike travel and that is meeting people.

Day 8 - Rigaud to Clarence (ON)

86.1 km - Total so far 630 km - https://ridewithgps.com/trips/9822260

We left the TransCanada Camping at about 9 am and made our way towards the border. Quebec Hwy 342 generally follows the Ottawa River but stops at the Ontario/Quebec border. There is no way to cycle directly from Quebec to Ontario because of Voyageur Provincial Park blocking the way. Instead, we had to go over Ontario Hwy 417 then turn onto a dirt road for 4 km then back over Hwy 417 to finally onto Ontario Hwy 4.  The only thing missing was the border guard.

It is a really nice ride along the Ottawa River to Hawkesbury with lots of boats and awesome scenery. We had a quick stop to watch a farmer training with his plow and horses. We had brunch in Hawkesbury at the Good Times Restaurant. They make the best western sandwich. Well worth a stop.

Draft horses hard at work near Hawkesbury

The Ottawa River just shy of Hawkesbury. A beautiful ride along the waterfront

A very hot day, with strong headwinds, yet, still smiling

Did I mention it was really hot! We carry a total of six water bottles and they were all empty before we hit the restaurant. We pedaled just past l'Orignal, hoping to stop at Marcel and Sylvette's (Helene's brother and sister-in-law) home for a quick rest but unfortunately, they were not home.

Back onto the bikes and off to Wendover to pick up groceries and refreshments before heading to our final destination, the Leroux cottage at Carson's Point. We had never been to the cottage coming from Wendover and with that heat, it appeared to take forever to get there.

When we finally got there, we were welcomed by Helene's nephew, his lovely wife, and two kids. They were expecting two people on loaded touring bikes but they were still surprised to see all of that and two trailers in tow. After exchanging a few pleasantries and removing our cycling shoes, Helene and I jumped into the river. It was bliss.

We should all be able to find a hammock after a hard day's ride

We had a nice sit-down supper and everyone moved to the riverside to watch the two kids, Beatrice and Arthur quickly reel in fish one after the other. Once it was agreed that all of the fish had gone to bed, we bid a good night to Pierre-Yves, Catherine, and the kids. We got back into our bathing suits and had one last dip before getting ready for bed ourselves.

Pierre-Yves, Catherine, Béatrice et Arthur merci encore une foi pour votre hospitalité et le petit café ce matin. Bonne fin de vancances!

We quickly fell asleep.

Day 8 - Near Clarence Creek Ontario

I missed the sunset by about 1 minute. There will not be a blog tonight as we had a pretty challenging day given the high temperature and head winds for most of the after noon. We are both tired and are ĺooking to go to bed shortly.

Good night to all!

Daniel and Helene

Day 7 - Ormstown to Rigaud

93 km - Total so far 544 km - https://ridewithgps.com/trips/9797594

We had a nice ride today (93 km) with lots of crosswinds and headwinds. We did not break any speed records but managed to maintain a steady pace. Heading out of Ormstown, a Surete du Quebec police car pulled up beside us and the policeman inside gave us a "thumbs up".

Once again we illegally crossed the bridge over the Beauharnois Canal saving us a good 30 km. We promise to maybe never to do it again.

Many mosquitoes tonight so it will be a short write up. See you tomorrow

Separate bike lanes on a major boulevard in Valleyfield. Why can't we have those everywhere?

"Souffle d'Eole" a monument to women textile workers who fought to improve their work conditions in 1946

The church in Valleyfield overlooking the bay

The type of boat used in the Valleyfield regattas

Large mural (by Sophie Wilkins) under the Monseigneur Langlois bridge

Helene having a "Time out" enough said!

The biggest climb of our trip so far

Can't wait to race down this one with our trailers

Below is a video of Helene riding down the first major hill of the trip. The trailers tracked true behind our bikes and felt really solid. We had to be careful when there was a cross wind but other than that we are very satisfied.

Supper in Rigaud

By far the nicest camp ground bathrooms we have ever seen!

Day 6 - Huntingdon back to Ormstown

81.8 km - Total so far 451 km - https://ridewithgps.com/trips/9797593

Petite Aventure 2016 - Journée 3

The presentation last evening went well and we might have encouraged (to the great chagrin of the gentleman's wife) at least one person to try cyclo-camping.

Pulling pole in Huntingdon

We got up at the usual time to have breakfast with the gang but could have slept in till 8:30am. For the last day of the ride, we were the last team to leave and our task was to sweep the course for stragglers. The sweep (balai) team only leaves after the last participant has left. This occurred around 10:30am.

Late starters finally leaving the village

Helene and I were assigned to sweep the optional course which meant that by the end of the day we would have pedalled the longest of the routes. We did not get very far as we found a number of participants stopped at an alpaca farm less than 5 km from the start. We knew then that it was going to be a long day. We made the best of it by checking out the alpacas ourselves.

Kids and furry things go together like ,,,,,,

Once again the high winds made it a challenging ride for all concerned and it was amazing to see families with kids pedalling the optional course. Being stronger cyclists than some of the participants we acted as wind protection so that they could pedal easier.

Water taxi service from Valleyfield handles passengers with bicycles

Part of the bicycle trail runs through farmers fields.

There is a long-standing tradition on these rides that all of the Encadreur(e)! and participants that have completed the ride welcome the last cyclists of the day's ride and their Encadreur(e) sweeps. It was our first experience as sweeps and it was awesome to be welcomed with cheers and whistles.

We want to salute all of the families who, in spite of the challenging high winds managed to successfully complete today's ride. Well done to all!

Quiet times after everyone had left. The field beyond Helene was full of cars

Day 5 - Huntingdon Loop

52.8 km - Total so far 369.2 km - https://ridewithgps.com/trips/9797592

Petite Aventure 2016 - Journée 2

This morning we were the first team to leave the Tent Village. As members of the first team, we go directly to assign posts and wait to be relieved by members of the second team. Helene and I were assigned to cover off the two railroad crossings in the town of Huntingdon. Railroad crossings are a concern because they are slippery and difficult to negotiate on a bicycle with 20 in wheels.

Team Number 2 ready for action

The weather conditions were difficult with high winds, colder than usual and overcast. It took a while for the participants to leave the comfort of the tented village and only approximately 1,000 of the 1,700 made it out. The winds were from the west at 30 km/h gusting to 50. It was a challenging ride with those winds but a lot of fun when going uphill with a 50 km/h tail wind pushing you.

This is what happens when you don`t use your bicycle

In Ste Anicet waiting for the lunch crowd of 1,000 starved cyclists

Church in Ste Anicet, QC

Helene and I both got back pretty early and got to enjoy some of the perks available when you finish early. We got free nuts from Caisse Desjardins, we completed ballots for a draw giving away cycling jersey and shorts and posed for a picture with our friend Nicolas, another encadreur.

A mighty fine trio of Encadreur(e)!

We are going to: spend a bit of time tidying up the tent as this morning we had a very early start and also prepare for our short 10 minutes presentation this evening.

Cyclists arriving at the tent village

Our tent is too the right of our bicycle 

Enjoying a chat with our Encadreur(e)! friends. L to R Jean-René,
Hélène, moi, Nicolas, Michel and Louis. Absent (taking picture) Jean Pierre

We forgot to mention that riding to La Petite Aventure caused us a small logistical problem. Normally, we can store any excess items in our VW bus but not this time. 

When we mentionned our problem, Jean-René (pictured above holding a bag of chips) was quick to offer us the back of his vehicle to store our two trailers and extra panniers. Being on the sweep team, we got back to Ormstown much later and never got a chance to thank him for his kind gesture. We will get a chance to do that on `Le Grand Tour`in August 2016.

Day 4 - Ormstown to Huntingdon

58.7 km - Total so far 316.4 km - https://ridewithgps.com/trips/9797591

Helene - https://ridewithgps.com/users/13982/activities

Petite Aventure 2016 - Journée 1

La Petite Aventure started bright and early for us this morning. Once again Helene and I woke up well before the alarm set time of 5 am. 

We easily settled back into our well practiced routine of packing everything inside the tent, loading up the bikes, tearing down the tent and taking our luggage to the truck. By 6:15 am, we were ready for the coffee and continental breakfast that is provided to the volunteers.

Jean-Paul is the distinguised looking gentleman with the white ball cap

Once again, we got a chance to catch up with other friends we had not seen in almost a year. At 8 am, our team leader Jean-Paul Blais, briefed us on the route and our assigned tasks for the day. Being the second team to leave makes it easier to quickly move to our assigned positions. We are dispatched one at a time every 25 or so participants.

Encadreurs milling about the start point. The guy in the blue long sleeves is me.

Both Helene and I got a chance to help out participants with minor issues but otherwise everything was pretty uneventful. We both like it that way and can thus take advantage of the nice Quebec country side.

Participants heading to the lunch stop

I was here the first time as an Encadreur in 2010 and for some odd reason I had forgotten how lovely this area was. Today being Canada Day, there was little traffic on the road and all 1,700 participants got to enjoy a nice day of riding. The area is mostly flat with the odd little climb to offer a challenge. 

Encadreur friend posing for posterity!

Good thing we were not riding the day this happened. We saw a few
trees like that on the route

The required picture of the Covered Bridge

I was surprised to find TARDIS sitting in front of the General
Store in Athelstan, Quebec

We are here in Huntingdon for two nights so we don`t have to tear down the tent in the morning, The plan for tomorrow is for participants to do a 50 or so km loop starting and ending in Huntingdon.

Tomorrow evening, VeloQuebec is giving a lecture on `cyclo-camping`and we were asked to speak about our touring bicycles and trailers. Helene and I are both looking forward to that. 

Who needs a titanium bicycle when you can have one
made of bamboo

Day 4 - Petite Aventure - Lunch

We are on the second team of Encadreur and I just got to lunch with a few participants. Hélène got here earlier and she is ready to head out again. 1700 persons are signed up for the 3 days.

Daniel et Hélène