Today saw us go "only" 86 mies from Coteau-du-Lac to Granby, Quebec. The first 55 miles was through the south and east outskirts of Montreal. It was certainly the most urban riding we've done since Salt Lake City, and had many challenges, including wrong turns, committee meetings for navigation, a tunnel, narrow bridges, struggling through conversations in French to get directions, and quite a number of miles on freeways (not the safest thing, but preferable to being repeatedly buzzed by big trucks on surface streets). The last 20 miles were much more rural, and we even got to ride on a very nice bike path for the final 8 miles or so. We are camped in a huge RV park and campground, with over 1,100 spaces.
Being in Quebec is fun, especially since I do possess some rudimentary French. It's like bicycling in Europe, but without the expense of getting overseas. Of course, it did take some effort to get here, now that I think of it.
Some highlights of today's ride included some very nice views of the St. Lawrence River, especially from the bridges (sorry, no photos -- we were in busy traffic), and seeing a freeway exit toward New York! Believe me, after riding all the way from San Francisco, that "New York" sign really lifted our spirits.
I'm realizing that I'm running out of time on this trip to dedicate some space to Kathy and Cindy. What an incredible support crew they have been! It is beyond words how grateful Rich and I are, and how amazed we are, by all they do for us day after day after day. They take care of almost all of the motor home needs every day -- hooking up and unhooking water, electrical ,and waste connections, and putting the stabilizers up and down. They find campgrounds and maneuver the vehicle into campsites, leveling it if necessary with blocks. They plan all our menus, purchase the food, and do most of the cooking of all dinners (Rich and I do the outdoor grilling, but that's about it). They almost always do the laundry. They keep things organized in our tiny home on wheels. They send us off in the mornings and happily greet us at the end of our rides. They meet us on the road for lunch. They search out local foods, which they always creatively include in our menus. When the weather is bad they keep extra close tabs on us, making sure we are OK. I can't tell you how wonderful it is, at the end of a day of biking, to have them and the motor home there to welcome us, with the canvas chairs out for us to collapse into, while they and the bikers share the adventures of the day.
I'm probably forgetting some important functions, which will occur to me after I have posted this, but suffice it to say that it is just amazing to Rich and me that Kathy and Cindy have dedicated their summers to supporting this adventure. I must add that they are both incredibly capable and accomplished people. Kathy is a retired change management consultant. Before that, she was a project manager and systems analyst, and before that she was a music teacher and choir director. Cindy is not at all retired. She has worked many hours this summer as a partner in the marketing and public relations firm of Graves-Fowler and Associates. Kathy and Cindy are also mom and grandmothers, and enjoy regular contact with their children and grandchildren while they are on the road.
I hope, after this trip ends, that Rich and I will find some ways to adequately express our profound thanks. We definitely owe them, big time!
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