I never dreamt that I would contemplate joining him on this same ride, as it is 130 km. However, despite an incredibly intense week at work, it seemed like a good idea to make the attempt.
We began the ride at Place Jacques Cartier and Stuart said it was really easy to navigate, just keep the water on our right. This plan was good for a whole 200 yards until we hit a cul de sac and had to do a 180 degree turn and then found the water on our left!
We eventually got onto Notre Dame and headed to the east of the island, a place the west islanders call the badlands (allegedly). I stop and take a very unfair picture of the industrial part, the east is actually very pleasant in most places.
Some of our friends have also said that they will join us, but only John is brave enough to aim for the whole ride. He met us at Place Jacques Cartier at 7am. We make excellent progress and in no time at all find ourselves at the pointy end of the island.
If you have ever read my blogposts before, you might have noticed that I like to bring colours up using the super viv function on my camera. However, this option should actually be called the Oompa Loompa function as you will see from the picture below. (Thanks Ti for this suggestion!)
When we get to the top of the island we are joined by more friends (Stephen, Cecile and Nobuko). We stop in one of the parks to make some bike adjustments. Well, actually, the guys work on the bike adjustments....
... whilst the girls figure out how to take selfies, by balancing a camera on a bicycle.
In this park we also get to meet the cutest of puppies, called a Corkie (yorkie/cocker spaniel cross)
Last week, on our ride around Montreal we noticed how few leaves there were on the trees (none), this week the place is now completely green! We have had a glorious week of blue skies, sunshine and around 25 deg days, and Montreal has raced through its Springtime in 7 days and we are now in Summer. I think they call this greening week.
Last week I was also reminded about the potholes in Quebec, but this week I am reminded about the incredible politeness of Montreal drivers. At every junction and stop sign the drivers just wave us through, whether it is our turn or not. This would not happen in the UK!
The inevitable lunch at Herbs!
We are also delighted that Stuart's good friend (and my adopted Uncle) Keith rides out to join us at Pointe Claire for a coffee in the afternoon. (Note, the Oompa Loompa function is off in this photo, but the sun is now starting to set, casting some beautiful light on the pictures).
The forecast today was for 30 deg and thunderstorms,and the storms finally hit when we are just a few hundred yards short of our goal, St Ambroise terrace and its marvellous apricot beer. We have no choice but to shelter under the bridges until the torrential downpour ceases. Sadly, this rain also thwartes Gavin from joining us, but he did nearly make it!
When we finally made it to the terrace there was much discussion as to whether John would complete the final part of the journey back to downtown, or head straight home on the metro with Nobuko. Despite the threat of being named half-assed John or halfway Johnny, he opts for the metro home. To be fair, Demi-John did in fact complete 96.15% of the journey!
We sit so long on the terrace, we find that it is nearly nightfall when we leave!
For me cycling is about fun times with good friends (not distances, speeds and watts) and this day was exactly that. Thanks to John, Nobuko, Stephen, Cecile and Keith for joining us and making this a fantastic day!
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