A BEUATIFUL RIDE.

July 3/21

So after just over two weeks, just over nine hundred kilometres, we couldn’t ask for a nicer day for our final run back to Almonte. (Thanks MariLee and Peter (Images include Peter’s office) for your gracious hospitality as we go and come). Before we head out we have a quick trade of stories with the BBQ postmaster who fed us so well yesterday. We’re old hat now with a quick ferry ride across the Ottawa River and back to Ontario. Today we’ll just add to the seemingly endless kilometres of beautiful country backroads, rail trails, great road side snacks, fellow cyclists,…….and a dearest fellow cyclist.

It’s been a beautiful ride. 

Well spoken.

 

QUYON, QUEBEC. YOU FERRY.

July 2, 2020

With just a couple of days to go, that will include a partial (gravel) crossing of the beautiful Parc Gatineau, our last night of camping might be our favourite. Our target is Quyon, Quebec, a three horse town. The main one being a ferry that will next day transfer us one final time across the Ottawa River back into Ontario. 

Earlier investigation, confirmed when we arrived that the town is “Still Standing”, but barely. Our hopes of a mentioned food truck were not exaggerated and we were in for some great eats. The third horse and sometimes the mainstay of a cycle tourist, the local gas bar filled in all the rest we’ll need, including some wonder chats with the locals, for a great stay. 

Gone to the wayside, the town was once host to one of the province’s largest Jamborees. We’ll take a heaping helping of some leftover hospitality and get some extra shelter from some heavy summer weather that was passing through, eventually providing us with some fine dinnertime scenes and a pot of gold. (It’s all pretty bad as I think we were also watching a documentary about people cooking, eating,….) 

That pot being pulled pork, half side of ribs, Texas Poutine, onion rings,…..

(it was our last night!!!!)

 

WAKEFIELD, QUEBEC, HEADING TO.

We pretty much don’t rush for much, but here we’re breaking camp for a run into the quaint town of Wakefield, Quebec. We pretty much don’t rush for much but let me count some ways,…….. pizza, ice cream, a beautiful B&B,……..

 

After taking an extra day in Maniwaki to rest our minds, bodies, souls and asses, today we’ll continue south to what will slowly complete our loop back to Almonte. 

We’ve been thrilled with the bicycle network that has gotten us this far. 

We’re doubly thrilled to unexpectably find another seventy kilometres of transposed rail trail today. Right from absolutely fresh pavement to the unmaintained farm lanes we’d been advised of. Keeping in the Nemy family tradition, all conquered with much success (and in some circumstances much haste out sprinting some seasonal deer flies)   

With the margin of error somewhat compounded by travelling on bicycle, we know most days, taking in consideration of distance with available services, our target destination. Most of our designated camping days we’ll menu plan and shop accordingly. Due to the rural nature of our predetermined camp, the back-up “motel plan” will not be available so we’re hoping the unsettled summer weather we’ve experiencing will cooperate.(unfortunately some idea shelters along the route didn’t quite fit into our travel log) Let’s see. 

 

MANIWAKI, QUEBEC, CANADA.

We did finish the complete Le Petit Train du Nord linear Parc in the rain but it sure didn’t take away from our high regards of the overall ride. We continue to experience Quebec’s amazing commitment to cycling. After having hung most everything we brought to dry, we’re once again packed up and starting our way south back to Almonte. As for a good part of our trip, today we’ll enjoy some nice weather and more so some favourable winds. We’re off to Maniwaki, Quebec where we will reward ourselves to lunch tres bien.