Ottawa, ON to Richmond, QC

Real talk. I’ve had poutine at three of my last four meals. It’s been a wonderful few days.
A nice rest day in Ottawa at Chateau Bernardo (Thanks Andy!) some minor bike repairs, nice morning cycling to Byward Market, and a catch up with friend, Acadia family member and coffee guru Ed Hemphill.





Yesterday, I was on the road before 7 and cruised along the river until crossing over to Quebec at Thurso via ferry. What followed was some of the nicest, flattest and best designed cycling I’ve experienced on La Route Vert – a great network of cycling trails across the province, and part of the inspiration for The Blue Route – an amazing project bringing the same concept to life in NS. Flat, well signed and with ideal stops in towns every 15–20km, and lots of rest stops along the way (with great food!). I decided to push myself a bit yesterday, hitting 237km and getting just beyond Montreal (didn’t want to deal with congestion on Monday morning).
Today, I spent much of the day along La Route Vert (and threw in some decent climbing on the 243 Nord, I know you don’t want me getting soft). It poured most of the day, so, after close to 200km, a hotel in Richmond looked pretty good. I had no phone, garmin or other technology for most of the day, and it was wonderful, allowing my mind to daydream about work, friends, love, and future adventures, or simply getting lost in the scenery. Life is good. Trying not to get antsy about being home and getting back to work. My entire sense of time has changed over the past several weeks. I feel a new level of patience and presence, which I hope to keep with me when I get back into the fray next week.






Gunning for Quebec City tomorrow.
Make it a great day.
