Amqui to Matane

We had a gentle rain all night, which very conveniently quit at 6a.m. when we were getting up. We packed up rather damp things, and hit the road after a leisurely breakfast. Most riders took the optional short-cut that went along the lake. I rode on the regular route through the back hills. Lots of ups and downs. When we rejoined the full group, we climbed several 15 % hills. Quite a scene as folks found their ways up. Followed, of course, by a series of lovely downhill. Got back to the car by 1:30 to pack up and get back to Montreal.c

Campbellton to Amqui

SHot a picture of John and his daughter Amelie, and she shot one of us, as we were packing up camp.
As we rode out of town, I saw a house with both an Acadian flag and one of the long freighter canoes, which I duly photographed to complement my description of yesterday's highlights.
THe forecast promised rain, which turned out to be occasional and very light,so we rode comfortably.  I took the first optional route, which promised a big climb, and enjoyed the back country ride, but the scale on our profile chart waswrong, so we climbed half as much as expected.  WHich was fine, because it meant that very few people went that way, so it was not crowded at all.
AFter that, there was a long stretch on hwy 132, which has nice wide paved shoulders, but a lot of traffic, including large trucks and large RVs. After a while, I grouped up with a couple travelling a suitable speed, and we pulled each other to the lunch stop. After lunch, the route crossed the river and followed an old road with very light traffic. Nice ride.
Got to Amqui and set up the tents before the rain started again. Lots oftimeto read. 

Ride around Campbelltown

Another lovely summer day. It was the rest day, so no official ride today, although they did set out a regular route and an optional extension, which added up to 100 km.
We started out along the Restigouche estuary, got to Dalhousie, where it meets the Baie des Chaleurs, which was very pretty. We then came back West inland, which was less interesting, until we got past Campbelltown, where it turned hilly and forested. That is where the optional ride went up into some steep hills, interesting  riding both physically and visually.
Two things struck me; first, the number of Acadian flags, and secondly the extraordinarily long freighter canoes that were stored in many peoples' yards. They must be 24 feet long, and they are clearly the preferred type of boat to have.
I was amused by the restaurant sign that seemed to advertise "poutine wings"!

Day 4 New Richmond to Cambellton

The day started off rainy, but the sun broke through after an hour. We rode along the coast of Baie des Chaleurs, and up in the hills above the coast. Lovely rolling country.
Stopped at a museum in miguasha, which is a world heritage site because of the exceptional fossils of 380 million year old fish found in the shale in the coastal cliff . These are fish that were beginning to develop lungs and legs before vertebrates established themselves on land.
Second highlight was an optional climb up a hill which included a one km portion at 16%. That climb was tough, all the more so because a downpour rolled through as we were heading up! The ride down was fast on the smooth pavement. I hit a personal record speed of 90 kph.

Day two

Weather forecast promised rain with wind night and morning.
I went to bend early with my earplugs in, and enjoyed a lovely sleep, waking up to hear gentle rain in the night.
By the time I woke up again in the morning, the rain had quit, and the temperature was down to 20.
We got going by 8:30, rather later than most, climbing into the hills to cut across the peninsula from st. Anne des Months to New Richmond. It was a gorgeous ride through a park and over a 500 meter pass often along a salmon river. It reminded me a lot of the foothills in Alberta.
It was a long ride, 140 km. and the temperature went up again, so people were fading at the end. I stopped twice to soak feet and head in the nice cold river.

One hour before arrival, I ate an electrolytes concentrate, and drank a lot of water and found myself passing people like they were standing still, even though I was riding at 50% heart rate.
Tents are set up. We stay here for two nights.

Day one

A bit of a rough night last night. We went to sleep early, when it was cool and calm, but around 2 am a South wind blew up with enough strength to shake all the tents violently. Hard to sleep with the tent dancing around. The wind also brought warm air.
Sunday was windy and hot; over 30 on the bike's thermometer.
We saw some beautiful coast, with villages, beaches and rocky points. We also climbed up into back country where we saw dairy farms.
I stopped at a beach to walk in the water, which was nice and cold.
Apparently we are about 1,700 riders, which they are able to handle efficiently. Minimal line ups for food or showers. Very civilized.

Getting there

Flight from Winnipeg to Montreal went smoothly for me, not simply much for my backpack with clothes and camping gear. It got wayward in Toronto, and had to catch up later. It was delivered to John's house at 1am!
We enjoyed a lovely afternoon and evening around and in the pool, Amelia joined us, and  we got the bikes ready to go.
Six hour drive along the south shore with lots off vacation traffic and lots of vehicles loaded with bikes.

This week, I have been testing my touring accessories on the bike; map holder, rack bag, and water containers. 
I have had some trouble with a spoke coming loose on my rear wheel.  Last night I installed the spoke with some non-permanent locktite compound.  This morning, I deliberately went over some rough spots on my training ride, and the spoke held, so I hope I have solved that problem.

I gave the drive train a thorough cleaning and oiling.
Departure for Montreal tomorrow morning.