25th
Day 10 June 22nd: Repentigny, Quebec to Place Laurier, Quebec City
On our way to Repentigny, Quebec, we made a quick stop at MacDonald’s, which was definitely not my first choice of places to eat. In fact, I haven`t set foot inside a MacDonald’s in about 10 years. However, I was so hungry that I was willing to forgo the self-imposed boycott in order to prevent my stomach from starting world war three. It needed food and I wasn’t going to stand in its way (I use the word `food` loosely when referring to MacDonald`s). As I was eating I couldn`t let myself to think of what I was putting in my stomach or risk having it give a repeat performance.
Again, we spent the night in a Sears’s parking lot in the Bunk Truck, and we used the store’s facilities in the morning to get ready. When I was in the washroom, two male caretakers came in, and at first I thought it may have been other riders, but when I stepped out of the stall I realized I had no clue of who they were. One started talking to me in French, but I have only a very mediocre grasp of the language and I told him I couldn`t understand. He only spoke French, but the other caretaker could speak English and he asked me questions about the ride—like what the furthest distance we had been so far. I told him and he said the farthest he had ridden was 50 km.
We had an early start today—7 am—since we had a 250 km ride and we had to fight wicked head/cross winds again. The route took us from Repentigny through Berthierville, Louiseville, Trois Rivieres, Port Neuf to Quebec City on hwy 138 (The King’s Road) and hwy 343 (Montee de Sulspice). The King’s Road (Chemin du Roy) is the oldest roadway in Canada. From 1737, it linked New France’s three largest cities: Montréal, Trois-Rivières and Québec City. Nowadays, a marked itinerary allows you to discover the rich heritage of the Québec City and Area, the Mauricie and the Lanaudière regions. This route runs for the most part along the St. Lawrence, and several sections are part of the Route Verte (green route) bikeway.
The infrastructure was in such horrible condition, and in such desperate need of repair, that not only were the roads full of potholes and gaping wide holes, but huge trenches that would surely be disastrous for the cyclist that got his wheel stuck in one. It was so bad that it made more sense to call out where the road was undamaged as opposed to where the potholes were. We would have had better luck riding on mountain bikes; the rough terrain made our brains rattle inside our skulls and our teeth clatter together. The pain that vibrated up my spine was excruciating and I wondered how long my back would hold out. Jamie suggested that maybe I should consider going in the RV, but I told him the only way I was getting in that RV was if someone knocked me unconscious and dragged me there.
It was slow going to Trois Rivieres where we stopped for a spaghetti lunch outside the Sears store. There was a stage set up and a strange mix of music was playing through the loud speakers. An aerobics instructor was there, and he directed the people that gathered into various exercises. Debbie, Kathy, Jen and I took one look and decided to join them, cycling cleats and all. I couldn`t understand a word as it was all in French, but it was easy enough to follow and we had a great, if not cheesy time.
We made great time to our next stop in Port Neuf at the city hall where the Mayor greeted us and we were fed once again. Then, on our way to Quebec City, approximately 5 km away from Place Laurier, we faced a 14% grade hill to climb. Unfortunately we were stopped at a red light part way up and had to unclip. When the light turned green I had trouble clipping back in, given the awful condition my body was in. Next thing I knew, I was a Nascar driver in the Indy 500 with the pit crew running to my aid. They held onto my bike while I clipped in and then gave me a push for good measure.
At Place Laurier we were greeted enthusiastically by Sears’ employees, and local people. A guitar and voice duo was there to perform for us and a clown was there making balloon hats. I asked if he could make me a bike, but he admitted he wasn`t very good at them, but would make me something equally spectacular. He made me a balloon hat with a sunflower. The food was subs and salad and some great desserts. 13 year old Maria Metivier made a beautiful speech about her journey with Leukemia in French which was translated my Monique. Monique also made a speech in French on behalf of the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride.
I was in so much pain when I got to our final destination that I was given a hot pack for my neck to ease some of the pain, and drugs to knock me out in order for my body to heal.
We rode 250km today.
