we meet a wrong-way-on-the-one-way rider

We met a ride going the wrong way on a one-way street, because he was also on our side of the street.

We asked him if he knew he was on the wrong side of the street. According to him, there is no wrong side of the street.

the secret to happiness is fresh asphalt

Our pursuit of happiness was successful.




Which is better? The scenery or the asphalt?

Wow do we ever have a big butt.





Admit it: you love fresh asphalt.


Add beautiful country scenery and you will be happy forever.

Or at least until the ride is finished (although effects can linger).


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The location of asphalt this good should not be a secret, it is chemin Premier Concession between Rt 138 and Montée Rockburn/Dewitville. And Montée Rockburn/Dewittville is pretty good itself too (plus it descends slightly going north).

A bike ride map using these roads is here on Bikely.

Cycling as cultural tourism?

150 years is a long time for a bridge, and yes it has been renovated.



Cyclist assessing some cultural significance



Cycling takes you to many places, some of which are significant in the cultural heritage department.

One example is the popular scenic attraction of covered bridges. Covered bridges are a real attraction on bike rides and usually a great place to take a rest stop to enjoy examining some pre-digital-era design artifacts.




New roof and lots of structural repairs means that this cultural treasure will be around for many years to come.

It took a lot of effort to get this bridge listed as a cultural heritage site and then getting it repaired and renovated. But it happened and we now celebrate the 150 year birthday... with a party!


Here's a bad translation by Monsieur Google:

Commemorating the 150th Anniversary

Culture> History and Heritage

The year 2011 marks the 150th anniversary of the bridge Percy, this unique work which spans the river Châteauguay between Hinchinbrooke and Elgin, in the Haut-Saint-Laurent.

Listed as a Historical monument by the Government of Canada in 1984 and by Quebec in 1987, this bridge has been completely restored at a cost of $ 900 000 in 2009. It is the oldest existing covered bridge in Canada and the only remaining example of a McCullum arch design in the world.

Still functional and representing one of the main tourist attractions in the Huntingdon area, the Powerscourt covered bridge will be an important event to celebrate as part of its 150th anniversary. Thus, a day of remembrance will be held on site Saturday, October 15. retired judge of the Superior Court of Quebec, John Gomery, will act as master of ceremonies.

The program for this celebration will include a historical parade, tours of the bridge, traditional music, thematic kiosks, and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque in the presence of Pierre Duchesne, Lieutenant Governor of Quebec, and many dignitaries.

The commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the bridge Percy is a project to promote cultural tourism of regional scope that deserves a resounding echo. (cycle fun montreal doesn't understand this sentence either)

Luc De Tremmerie, coordinator of the cultural development of the Haut Saint-Laurent and member of the coordinating committee of the festival. (Thanks Luc!)

The public is invited to this event at noon, Oct. 15. The event is also for day trippers mainly from the South Shore, Greater Montreal, the United States and Ontario. The beginning of the official ceremony is planned for 14 h.

Repair work done in 2009 on the old covered bridge was to raise the road structure by a height of six inches, to replace the structure below, change pieces of wood and repair the approaches. This bridge, originally built in 1861, was finally covered with a tin roof.

We love the Powerscourt covered bridge.


Here's a nice ride that crosses the bridge - and lots of fresh asphalt too!

The Bikely map link is here.

Rt 138 Howick to Ormstown now has paved road shoulders

This excellent Chateauguay Valley ride has just received two big improvements for cyclists - merci Transports Québec!

The red circles are the improvements, for a map of the ride on the recently resurrected bikely bike-ride-map web site, click here.



Real-time improvement in cycling safety


A repaving project on the Rt 138 betwen Ormstown and Howick in southwest Quebec has added paved shoulders to what was previously quite a serious death ride.

Why is this important?

Because a certain paradise for cycling road (called variously montée Bryson/Brysonville side road and further south Le Rocher/the Rock to St-Antoine-Abbé) required cyclists to ride one kilometer of Rt 138 "on the white line" between Brysonville side road and the Allan's Corners bridge across the Chateauguay river to the quiet River Road on the non-highway side of the river.

Getting paved shoulders here is a victory for cycling safety.

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A Chateauguay River bridge crossing is improved just for cyclists


Spot the improved part


In other news, the obsolete and closed (pont barré) Pont Turcot bridge that crosses the Chateauguay river at Georgetown church beside Howick Quebec has just been refitted for cyclists.

This is really excellent news for road cyclists. The Chateauguay river and the Chateauguay Valley are an excellent destination for road cycling. There were a few safety issues with crossing the river and short sections of Rt 138 to reach the quiet side roads heading south to the US border (first/premier concession road).


That's not a fence, just a slow-down entryway gate on to a great old bridge.




The Chateauguay river at Howick (Georgetown)

autumn colours & perfect roads ride

Southwest Quebec's nicest "easy 80K" ride?

Ormstown to Huntingdon along the Chateauguay river, then a bit of country and forest riding and then ride along US border to Powerscourt (covered bridge) and then more along the border on fresh new asphalt to Dewittville side road which we ride downhill to Dewittville and then follow the chateauguay river back to Ormstown.

Here is a bit of the ride's scenery:



Broken tree.



It was a mammoth oak tree, and the huge fallen part is only one branch.

It is a big tree!


Heading downhill north to Dewittville, this side road is one of our favorites.

It is a road to ZOOM down, give'er on every little slope and you will receive a real boost to your average speed and maximum fun levels.

La Presse likes it too.


Premier Concession (first concession) road had a dozen miles of fresh smooth asphalt.

Perfectly smooth roads are perfect for cycling.

Riding on pavement this smooth can cause feelings like "this is the best thing in the world and I am doing it." or "Nothing else in life matters, it is enough to be alive and riding my bike in the beautiful countryside." or "Wow. Wow. Wowowowowowow wow."



Pont Percy covered bridge across the Cheateauguay river.

This is the oldest covered bridge in Quebec, built in 1861. There is a 150 year celebration on October 15.




Everything was perfect for today's ride.


Perfect road, scenery, legs, weather, and no bugs: autumn is the best time to ride.


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Summary: this is a very good bike ride.

Ride map is here on bikely.

Trois Rivieres to St-Stanislas (eastern Mauricie)

Catholic church in St-Stanislas



Cannon in St-Stalislas




We had a scenic rest stop a this farm.


Because this tiny wire gave us a flat.



click to zoom and see the wire that continued our rear-wheel jinx


Someone has jinxed my rear wheel.




Tiny hole where the wire passed through the tire tread.

We inspected the inside of the tire and removed this wire. Problem solved, we put in our replacement tube and the ride continued.

We found the map for this 80km ride at the Velo Shawinigan web site, where you will find lots of good Mauricie rides.