Quebec and the wind

Yesterday we had another early start and were away by 8:15. The blackflies were bad last night and the mosquitoes were bad in the morning. Nothing like biting insects to get one going. The bike trail followed the railtrail for the majority of the trip. We stop at old rail stations that had been converted to tourist stops. Julia had been watching the weather and couldn't believe how much cooler it was in Quebec City. Sure enough we hit a town called Lyster at which point we bikes through a marked temperature gradient and it became cooler. The wind also picked up and became very strong. The weather report suggested 40 to 60 km gusts. It was tough work biking. Fortunately the trail was lined by vegetation. When we got to Quebec City we had to cross the Pont Quebec, one of the world's tallest or longest cantilever bridge. I can't remember exactly what it was. There was quite a narrow biker pedestrian path on the edge of the bridge. With the wind howling down the St. Lawrence it was a difficult crossing. We obviously had to walk but even that was pretty difficult with two loaded bikes. I could feel my helmet being pulled off my head the entire time.

We are now in Quebec staying at the Deux Lyons. It is an old house converted into a B and B hotel. It is very luxurious after the camping.Two nights ago we called the Laval summer residence. Initially they said that we could stay but then they emailed us half way through the day telling us they were full. Thank goodness for cellphones. This place was on the Route Verte website as approved and is actually close by to where Cheryl, Madeline and I stayed last summer. It seems rather luxurious after the camping.

This morning I headed off by myself and did the Parcs Canada tour of the fortifications of Quebec. I think Quebec City is the only walled city in North America built by successive French then English governments. Saved from demolition by Governor General Lord Dufferin. Parks Canada always puts on a wonderful tour. This afternoon I biked to Canadian Tire and got some more white gas, did laundry and visited a bike shop to get my tires pumped up. We are heading out for supper again tonight.Read more