Historic Quebec City

The walls of Quebec City
Guy Space!

Our Proposed Route - 1650 miles

(Thanks for the suggestion, Norman)

Les Trois MousquetairesBarnos, Petos and Ryanos

Well, we could have hit the road today... But what the heck, last chance to watch the Tour de France, and we can't leave without seeing Quebec City, and it's raining stair-rods, and blowing a gale out of the east.

QC is a great bikable city, designated bike trails everywhere, even the Super 8 motel gave us a trail map. So when the rain let up a little, the three musketeers headed off in the tracks of Samuel de Champlain. We followed the bike trail system down to the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River. Brutal headwind. Sure hope this lets up before tomorrow!

One thing about QC bike trails. Every time they cross a main road, you get a set of traffic lights with pedestrian buttons. But they operate on no principle known to art or science. You press the button and initiate a complex sequence of left and right turn arrows, round and square stop lights, and the traffic begins moving in a strange choreography of near collisions and honking horns. The only thing that doesn't happen is a signal indicating that it is safe for pedestrians or cyclists to venture into the intersection. In the end, we found that it is faster and safer to run for it on your own schedule.

Quebec City is it's own gig (quoth Ryan). So European, ancient stone buildings, winding streets of stores, bars and restaurants, street performers. It's the real thing. I wish Valerie could be here, she would love it. Definitely on the destination list.

So tomorrow, we ride. The weather forcast says rain tomorrow, but we are all in the mood to press on. Looks like the weather will start to improve soon. Goodnight friends, Barney