Two Wheels in Transit: Cycling the Gaspe: Fleuve Saint-Laurent

We hit the road this morning by 7:55 with an overcast sky, a temperature of 7 degrees, and a forecast for the possibility of rain. We lucked out in the rain department but the temperature never got out of the single digits the entire day. We also benefited from a reasonable strong tail wind that pushed us along on the flattest riding day of our entire adventure. I guess today was the reward for our persistence on the difficult days.

Today's ride also took us through the only productive agricultural land we have seen on this trip. Previously, the agriculture appeared to be subsistent at best. Today was different. We rode by dairy farm after dairy farm with their multiple silos towering over their barns. None appeared to be really large but they were all good looking operations. It was almost enjoyable to smell the special 'aroma' wafting out of the liquid manure pits as we have been smelling nothing but salt air, combined with gas and diesel fumes.

Yesterday while riding in the rain, we had several cars honk their horns and give us the 'thumbs up' signal, truly friendly gestures. Today not so much. The horn honking was due to the fact that some cars in a construction zone in Matane thought that we were holding them up. I suppose we were but we really had nowhere to go unless we had had the ability to levitate our bikes. It reminds me of a quote I once read from Rudy Niebur who is famous in the tour cycling world (so I am told). It goes something like this: "Cyclist's Prayer: God give me grace to accept with serenity the motorist that cuts me off, the courage to cycle alongside him, and the wisdom to refrain from attacking him." Today, according to Sue, I was not real good at following this philosophy. She would be right!

We are staying at the Mon Joli Motel in Ste-Flavie. Our camping is finished as all the campgrounds in this area closed on the weekend. We are overlooking the river. Today was our last ride on the river. Tomorrow we will sadly say goodbye to the Flueve Saint-Laurent as we head south up and over the Appalachians once again.

Daily Distance = 81.33km. Time on the Bikes = 4 hours 42 minutes. Average Speed = 17.31 km. (It is amazing what a flat ride and a tail wind can do!). Maximum Speed = 40.40 km. Wildlife Sightings = Seal, Black Backed Gulls, Herring Gulls, Ring Billed Gulls, Great Blue Herons, Black Ducks, Black Guillemots, Juncos, Flicker.