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Montreal Bike Lanes
The newest and hottest way to get around the city! |
It was the
best of trails, it was the worst of trails. There were trails
of fine gravel and rest stops, then there were trails destroyed
by washouts and abuse.
My
route from Montreal followed the Route Verte due east towards
Sherbrooke, then swung north to Quebec City. This portion of
the Trans Canada Trail is a world class bike route that draws
thousands of bicyclists of all ages each year, taking advantage
of its carefully tended surface and immaculate picnic and rest
stops along the way. Although it's not the most direct way of
travelling between Montreal and Quebec, many retirees make the
600-odd kilometre journey during the summer, staying in the
various Bed & Breakfasts along the way.
Much
of the trail has been converted from railway, so in addition
to being straight and flat, it often runs right through the
middle of quaint Quebecois towns, connected to the subdivisions
and commercial centres by short spur trails. Within town limits,
the Route Verte bustles with young families and youth, especially
in the early evening around dinnertime. Most are on bikes, but
many of the townspeople are simply out for a stroll to enjoy
the sunset and warm summer evening air. Elderly people watch
the action from park benches doted along the way, watching the
world rush by and listening to the chatter and shrieks of laughter
from the passing children. Tourists are there too, taking in
a slice of local culture while licking spirals of soft ice cream
on waffle-flavoured cones. Along the Route Verte, it is the
best of times.
Could
it get any more civilized? The very concept of a non-motorized
trail running straight through the heart of town seems like
an ultra-modern innovation, yet ironically it facilitates a
scene that strikes me as old fashioned. Strangely absent are
people my own age in their late twenties and early thirties,
and I hope they aren't missing this perfect evening by driving
out to the Mega Mall on the outskirts of town for air conditioned
shopping and a drive thru supper like so many of us do.
The
Route Verte is indeed the best of times. So pleasant.. so civilized..
so... THUNK! Back to reality.
I've
just ran over a rock and am shaken from my day dreaming. The
trail surface has become a rocky, sandy, overgrown mess. I have
crossed the border into New Brunswick; it is the worst of times,
and getting worse by the minute...
To
be Continued..
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