Day 52 - Quebec City to L'Islet-Sur-Mer QC - 86.7 kms
Day 52 Progress to L'Islet-Sur-Mer QC - 5,236.3 kms
Finally on our way down Rue St. Louis We both found that we were trying to stretch yesterday as long as we could as it is our last rest day of the trip - and because we both loved Quebec City and weren't ready to leave it yet. This continued again this morning. Ken gave Cam a little gift by shifting the alarm time from 8:30AM to 9:00AM and once the alarm went, we were both a little slow to get moving. The slow start was then aided by a very slow (but excellent) breakfast at Bistro L'Omelette a couple of doors down from our hotel. All procrastination opportunities behind us, we finally hauled our gear down from the third floor at around 11:00AM and the headed into the spooky hotel basement to retrieve our bikes. With only a single bulb to light the basement and create deep shadows, we both wondered what stories those walls could tell being almost 200 years old...
Queuing up with our fellow cyclistes To cross the St. Lawrence River, we had to take the Levis Ferry from Lower Old Quebec across the river to the town of Levis. We were told that the loading facilities for vehicles were broken, so we had to board by pushing our loaded bikes up an incredibly steep ramp. After disembarking (via the vehicle ramp!) with all of the other cyclists, we took one last sad look back at Quebec City, with the imposing outline of Chateau Frontenac up on the top of the cliff. We are both certain that we will be back again to spend more time in this beautiful and incredibly interesting region. We then headed Northeast along a beautiful bike path that took us about 10 kms to Highway 132 (Le Chemin des Pionniers) that would lead us to the border of New Brunswick.
As they rode Highway 132, Cam admitted to Ken that he was stuck in a bit of a funk. This has been common following rest days as we got back on the road - and we have referred to it as our "Rest Day Hangovers". However, this time, it felt a little heavier than the past. As we continued, Cam realized that this is probably because yesterday was our final rest day, and the trip is coming to a close. While we are very excited to be able to complete our dream and to be able to see our families, at the same time, this is also the end of our dream - and so there are some mixed emotions. In any case, Ken suggested that maybe we should stop for a cold drink - and we did in at a small depanneur (convenience store) in the town of Beaumont.
As they rode Highway 132, Cam admitted to Ken that he was stuck in a bit of a funk. This has been common following rest days as we got back on the road - and we have referred to it as our "Rest Day Hangovers". However, this time, it felt a little heavier than the past. As we continued, Cam realized that this is probably because yesterday was our final rest day, and the trip is coming to a close. While we are very excited to be able to complete our dream and to be able to see our families, at the same time, this is also the end of our dream - and so there are some mixed emotions. In any case, Ken suggested that maybe we should stop for a cold drink - and we did in at a small depanneur (convenience store) in the town of Beaumont.
Carole & Denise perked us up We picked up some cold Gatorade and Cam quickly downed half the bottle, which started the perk-up process. As we were sitting there, a couple of gals rode up on their bikes with some interesting contraptions mounted under the cross-bar. Cam had seen them on the road a little earlier, and approached them to ask "qu'est que c'est?" (English: "what is that?"). He learned from Denise and Carole that these were batteries for their electric-motor-assisted bikes. Denise spoke a little English, and Cam spoke a little French, so we slowly worked our way through a conversation explaining that we had ridden from Vancouver. They told us about the area - warning us about some road construction on Highway 132 and also giving us advice on hotels and restaurants. By the time that we had completed our conversation, the Rest Day Hangover had passed. We wished them "au-revoir" and got back on the road. Not long after, Cam was ready for the daily "living the dream" high five and began to enjoy being back at it after a great final rest day!
Interestingly, Denise told us that Paul McCartney was performing an outdoor concert in Old Quebec City tonight. We wondered if we might have reworked our schedule for the end of the trip if we had known that was happening?
Interestingly, Denise told us that Paul McCartney was performing an outdoor concert in Old Quebec City tonight. We wondered if we might have reworked our schedule for the end of the trip if we had known that was happening?
Cam contemplates having ridden to the St. Lawrence Seaway. The Chemin des Pionniers took us away from the St Lawrence River for part of the day, but then brought us back later in the day. As we rode, Ken asked Cam, "Can you believe that we are riding alongside the St. Lawrence Seaway? We are used to riding along the Bow River, and here we are!" It was another moment of realizing the magnitude of the journey thus far and served to further pick us both up!
L'Islet-Sur-Mer's Cathedral ca. 1758 We had decided our planned destination for today would be the village of L'Islet-Sur-Mer. This was a ride of about 85 kms and would leave a 100 km ride for tomorrow. We had called ahead based on the advice of Denise and Carole and found that the B&B in town was full, but that there was room at the Aux Deus Meree hotel 4 kms further down Highway 132. It turned out that the room Cam reserved by phone when speaking his broken French with the proprietor (who spoke no English) was a one bedroom apartment overlooking the St. Lawrence. It is beautiful, but we still don't know what the room rate is so we are expecting a bit of a shock in the morning,..
The hotel is owned and run by Gilberte and Jean-Marc Cloutier who are a wonderful couple and run a delightful hotel. As the closest restaurant is 4 kms back in town, Jean-Marc acted as our chauffeur and gave us a ride into town. He then came back to pick us up after a delicious meal on a patio with a view of the sunset on the St Lawrence. This saved us from having to ride another 8 kms after a tough day! He then revealed the "Maison d'eau" which houses a delightful hot tub to help us relax our tired muscles. It has been an awesome stay at their fine establishment!
Avez une bonne nuit!
The hotel is owned and run by Gilberte and Jean-Marc Cloutier who are a wonderful couple and run a delightful hotel. As the closest restaurant is 4 kms back in town, Jean-Marc acted as our chauffeur and gave us a ride into town. He then came back to pick us up after a delicious meal on a patio with a view of the sunset on the St Lawrence. This saved us from having to ride another 8 kms after a tough day! He then revealed the "Maison d'eau" which houses a delightful hot tub to help us relax our tired muscles. It has been an awesome stay at their fine establishment!
Avez une bonne nuit!
Ride Details:
- Distance: 86.7 kms
- Riding time: 4 hours, 8 minutes
- Average speed: 21.0 kms
- Temperature: 22 degrees Celcius
- Wind: East, light
- Cumulative: 5,236.3 kms
Tomorrow's Destination: Riviere-du-Loup, Quebec - 105.0 kms
For more ride details see Strava and for more photos from today, see our Photo Gallery.
- Distance: 86.7 kms
- Riding time: 4 hours, 8 minutes
- Average speed: 21.0 kms
- Temperature: 22 degrees Celcius
- Wind: East, light
- Cumulative: 5,236.3 kms
Tomorrow's Destination: Riviere-du-Loup, Quebec - 105.0 kms
For more ride details see Strava and for more photos from today, see our Photo Gallery.