My Friend Lucille

Saturday, July 12, 2025

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Friday, July 11, 2025

July 11 - Day 66 - lac st Augustin- 82 km

These day lilies are everywhere….not sure if they are all planted or if some a wild,

On a family trip to Québec years ago, our Dad would read out this sign…fresh strawberries…after the 5th time with no response he stopped the van and said…well if no one else wants any, I’m getting myself some! He did share, fresh strawberries with heavy cream….and I can still taste it now. I’ll have some soon, just not today.

Poutine. So yummy, this one had pulled pork on it….baby size as it’s quite calorie dense.

My view

The road today was fairly quiet

Just another church

Breakfast this morning

Campsite

Today was almost like a day off…. I slept until 0700, eventually got up….took some selfies before tearing down the camp, had a banana and chocolate for breakfast then rode to breakfast 7 km away. I had the entire tenting area to myself….which meant I had all the mosquitoes to myself!!!! Yeah ☹️. My legs look terrible today….but as long as I don’t think about it, they aren’t itchy!

Breakfast was in the next town, and today I ate the entire plate and almost wanted more. About 10 km later I stopped for iced tea and water. Another 10 km I stopped for my first poutine of the trip….so yummy! So I left just after 0900, and it’s now 2pm and I’ve only cycled 30km! Not sure I’ll make the campsite! So kept on going, but now it felt like I had energy. Another 10km and a Tim’s stop of iced lemonade….now I had lots of energy for the last 40km, and they actually flew by! What a great feeling.

I just took the day easy….stopping when I felt like it. I was beside the St Lawrence again today….so did feel some cool air at times. Lots more great views….still looking at the homes, yards and flowers. More spectacular churches, one in each town. Not sure how these small towns can keep such a large structure open and operational, but they all seem to be in excellent condition.

So a short day today….tomorrow will be short as well as I have a tour guide for Québec city tomorrow 😀. I crossed over 6000km yesterday!!! And with the extra days I just noticed that I have….I'm going to enjoy.

Thursday, July 10, 2025

July 10 - Day 65 - Batiscan - 126.5 km

The church in this small community. Every small town has a huge church. When I see these old churches, I think of the community of people that came together not only to build it and to sustain it.

This was in the outskirts of Trois-Rivière.

The thunderclouds thus afternoon. Missed me…but I hear the thunder tonight.

Farmhouse

Quiet roads mostly today

Hello….well the day started off difficult…and it had no choice but to improve 😀. I’ve been getting to sleep late, usually around midnight, and I’ve been getting up around 5am, so I think I was just a bit tired this morning. Breakfast was at the gas station, no tea available but they had hot chocolate….more sugar, and for someone who loves sweets, I am getting tired of the constant sugar, and I’m eating so much just because it’s easy. Just as I got on my bike, it started to rain. So I sheltered under the awning for about 15 min when it slowed to a drizzle. Off I went…..into the drizzle with a head wind. It was really slow going.

I stopped for a real breakfast at the first town I got to which was after 20 km, but although it was good, I just wasn’t hungry so barely ate 1/4 of the meal-I did eat all the fruit😀. I did meet Patsy, the server…she is so nice, asking questions and wanting to follow the blog. I felt bad that I wasn’t a bit more enthusiastic, I was just tired. I thought the breakfast would perk me up, but not. ☹️

Eventually I made it to the outskirts of Trois-Rivière, and there was a large area to view the St Lawrence. I sat at a table and fell asleep sitting up. After about an hour someone asked if they could share the table….well that was my cue to get going. The wind had stopped, the temp was just right and although there was a large detour in town, I felt good. I kept watching the clouds as the forecast was for thunderstorms around 5 pm.

The downtown area of Trois-Rivière was very vibrant, two streets were blocked off to vehicles and lots of people were walking around, the roadway and art were colourful, and there were many little shops with doors open. I would have loved to stop, but I wanted to make it to the campground before dark and before the thunderstorm that was forecasted.

I bought dinner on the outskirts of Trois-Rivière, when I still had about two hours to ride. I bought a salad with charcuterie meat, and some juice and a bubble tea. The wind picked up again for the last hour, but it didn’t bother me…I was feeling good.

All in all a good day….and the weather wasn’t too bad. I got to see many homes and yards. So many have huge hydrangea bushed, day lilies and hostas. Thanks to everyone who texted today, wrote on the blog or sent me positive energy. Tomorrow Québec city!!! 😀😀😀

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

July 9 - Day 64 - Lanoraie 112 km

My favourite type of house style….French Canadian farm house. The house of my grandparents in the Gaspé area was this style. Looks like a barn style with a veranda.

Cycling path….most of today was shaded like this

Vieux Montréal with cobble stone streets

Cycling path…..this was so amazing today…I can’t help but post several pictures 😀

Cycling path

Notre Dame

I’m so happy, the second day in a row where I was either on quiet roads, or on a dedicated bike path….for the whole day!!!

I got up early to say goodbye to my host Isabelle, and after tea and toast I was off. Initially I was on a quiet road where I could look at all the houses as I cycled past, with just the occasional glimpse of the St. Lawrence River. Frequently there were parks, so that I could see what was happening on the water. Sail lessons, kids in non-tipping boats, paddle boards, kayaks. Summertime fun!!!!

The minute I crossed the bridge onto the island of Montréal, it feels like I’m back in Europe. The architecture, most of the houses are built of stone or brick, and the shapes are different than out west. The little stores, shops and market are more open, with everyone spending time outside. Everywhere the grass is lush, so much greenery without feeling closed in.

It was 60 km of cycling to go from the south to the north of Montréal - I had no idea it was that large. And almost the entire time I was either beside the St Lawrence, or a canal which I crossed several times. There were many cyclists out today, some hard core cyclists out training or commuting, some out for their daily exercise, and tourists wanting a different way to see the city. What I noticed is when faster cyclists were behind someone just sightseeing, or someone quite slow, they patiently waited until there was an opportunity to pass, they never pressured the slower cyclists to pull over, nor did they put anyone in danger by trying to pass when it wasn’t safe. Their bike path network is great, but even with all the signs and markings, it was so nice to have the GPS, and follow the map.

I passed right by Old Montréal so of course I had to stop to see Notre Dame. It wasn’t easy to tour around much more than that, as I had the bike, and the streets and sidewalks are crowded with tourists. I did walk on the cobble stone streets, looked into the shops and cafes and took the time for lunch.

I was in the next town north when I noticed a bike shop. Yesterday my bike fell over, and since then I’ve had difficulty getting into a lower gear. Perfect opportunity to get it checked out. I opened the door to the service area and walking in….everyone in the shop from the techs in the back, sales people and even customers stopped what they were doing, and looked with interest. I was immediately approached by a tech who asked what he could do. When I explained the issue he brought it to the back. A few minutes later, he asked if he could take it for a ride….everything was working well. He checked and oiled the chain in those few minutes he had it in the back….and it’s working! Yippeee! Then he started to ask…where did I start, how long had I been riding etc. so fun when someone is interested. I decided I needed gloves. I lost the first pair in Nelson when I left them on my bag and cycled down the big hill…. I wasn’t about to cycle back up for them. I replaced them in Cranbrook. I haven’t been wearing them for a week now because they are smelly, and I keep forgetting to put them in when I’m going laundry. Well a few days ago I noticed that I only have one ☹️. So anew pair today. The lady who helped me had many more questions….why was I doing this, how old I am etc! I then asked about the road and shoulders…everyone was eager to help with info. I tried to acknowledge them all, and thank them. Great experience.

I made it to the campground, then headed into town to buy dinner - a sandwich with smoked meat at a food truck 😀. I bought it even though I wasn’t hungry. My camping neighbor came over with a bottle of cold water, then came back with a comfortable chair that he positioned so that I could see the St Lawrence, then he returned a third time with a plate, knife, banana, orange and apple!!!! WOW! I traded the sandwich for the fruit! So fresh, so yummy. Just what I needed.

Then I went for a shower….and made a rookie mistake….forgot my towel! It’s warm enough that it really only took a few minutes and I was dry enough to get dressed. That was my day….I’m so happy…. I feel so comfortable here, feels like I’m home. And practicing my French is fun too. Thanks for all the texts of encouragement, suggestions and information. I’m learning a lot.

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

July 8 - Day 63 - Montréal 124.8 km

Cycling by the Ottawa River

After 31 days in Ontario….welcome to Québec

Hills

The different flavours of dipping sauces for the soft ice cream

Another stellar day for many reasons…..I’m staying with family tonight 😀, it was a Goldilocks days….sunny but not too hot, and not too cold….and my GPS found the best routes ever….country roads with very little traffic all the way through to Montréal.

I slept in this morning, and finally got going just before 0900. No services ahead of me for 45km, or I could have gone back to the town - backtracking only about 4 km….but...you guessed it…. I had breakfast ahead at 44 km! I did have a banana and chocolate bar, and a bit of water before leaving.

I hadn’t gone very far when I remembered that I needed to oil my chain. About 4 km from the campground there was a rest area by the water, with picnic tables. A nice place to stop and do some care for my chain. I was just finished and was ready to go when I got a phone call from the campground. She was calling to let me know that I had forgotten my yellow jacket - darn, but I was only about 4 km away, not big deal for me to return….but no…wait, her husband is going to bring it to where I am!!!! How kind of him!

After that, I followed my GPS….one fantastic road after another….quiet, most with wide shoulders. Perfect. Sometimes the pavement was really broken up, but it was so quiet I could ride in the middle of the lanes. Most of the day I cycled near the Ottawa River. Sometimes there were trees, sometimes houses…gorgeous houses…..and about 1/2 the time I could see the river!!!! Such great views all day 😀

I made a stop for some ice cream, soft ice cream and a choice of 9 different dipping sauces…..I just had to know what ‘Barbe de papa’ / papa’s beard is!!’ Turns out it’s cotton candy 😂😂 😂

I had to cross over two bridges to get to where I needed to go….thankfully found the cycling/walking path to get across….no police escort required this time 😀😀

Now I’m in the home of my gracious host, a restful evening! Dinner was on the enclosed porch with a view of the back yard…we were almost done eating when the fire flies came out to play. Beautiful.

Monday, July 7, 2025

July 7 - Day 62 - Wendover

Rain at lunch

Rain this morning

Hello everyone…I’m about half way between Ottawa and Montréal 😀

We knew it was going to be raining today, but we still wanted to get up early, just in case the forecasters were wrong….well they weren’t wrong! We were up at 0700h, had some breakfast and tea…got the bike packed up and opened the garage door….it was warm and muggy, but ok to ride until….wait, there’s a down pour. We check the weather app….looks like the thunderstorm is going to blow over in 20 min….then it looks good to go….as the rain intensified. It stops raining hard, just drizzling a bit. Helmets on….wait there’s another storm passing through. We did this until 1130!

We seemed to have a larger weather window…and we were off. Marc leading the group, I was in the middle with Jenny in the back ensuring I didn’t get lost! We road through the experimental farms, then along Rideau canal. So lush and beautiful. Just as we were passing a restaurant on the canal it started to pour again….a good time for lunch!!!! During lunch the rain stopped while we were eating, so off we went to see the parliament buildings. The rain held off and Jenny and Marc made frequent stops to point the bridge that opens to allow sail boats to pass, their childhood home, the locks, the falls etc! They are proud of their city, and happy to show it off. Took some photos with the Parliament behind me. It would have been spectacular to be here during the July 1st celebrations. Another time.

My friends got me on the right trail to head out of town to my campground, and we said good-bye before I headed out. Initially it was nice….with a bike path….but then the path got smaller and smaller, then it started to rain. I was still about 50 km from my campsite when I started to look for another campground. I called one that was only 15 km away….yes they are open, and yes they have room for a tent for tonight. Yippeee!

I stopped to pick up some dinner, and when I stepped outside it was really raining…..oh no! I had 3 km to pedal to the campsite….far enough to get soaked ☹️. When I arrived they offered for me to set up my tent on their back patio that was covered, thus sheltering me from the rain. So nice, and only $25. She then mentioned that she had a room for rent, just $110. I was tempted, but figured I would be fine in the tent. She then showed me that the bathroom was inside their house, along with the shower and spare room. I was tempted, and when she said $50 for the night I agreed!!! So many nights I’ve paid up to $60 to tent…with dirty bathrooms….so only $50 for a huge room and sparkling clean bathroom….what a great deal!

Tomorrow I’ll finally be in Québec staying on the west end of Montréal. Whoop Whoop