Two Wheels in Transit: Cycling the Gaspe: Putting Up The Wood

Last evening to be able to stay warmer we were able to use the 'family room' at the campground. It consisted of a kitchen, a mini museum, about 6 sets of tables and chairs, 2 couches and a television. We sat and read all by ourselves. What an amazing facility.

We had to take down a wet tent this morning as it had rained off and on during the night. We were able to use a covered picnic table to eat our breakfast and pack up our gear as it continued to rain. We put on our 'shower caps' and departed at 7:35 in a steady rainfall. It was a wet affair as we continued along the seawall highway. To make matters more uncomfortable it was a 'balmy' 9 degrees. Add a strong crosswind and to say the least it was not overly pleasant.

After a couple of hours the rainfall came to an end but we were still riding in cool windy conditions. The positive was, however, that we got to ride for 41 kilometers on the perfectly flat seawall. Along the way we saw numerous small waterfalls that we stopped to photograph and admire. We saw numerous ships plying their trade out in the St. Lawrence and again got up close to the seabirds...and no they still were not responding to my conversations...maybe I should have tried French...no that would never work either with my limited French skills!

The latter part of the ride saw us playing in the hills again. We were able to ride all but one...heck it is always nice to exercise some different muscles.

As we have slowly made our way around the Gaspe we have observed an awful lot of people 'putting up their wood' for the Winter. Some people are still cutting, others are splitting and piling and an awful lot are moving it. We have saw pickup trucks, cars pulling small trailers and quads pulling small trailers all transporting firewood. It appears that most people in these small communities still heat their houses with wood. I guess it makes sense. The area still has a substantial coverage of trees. Heck, I doubt anything else can grow! I am starting to wonder if these people know something that I do not. Early Winter? I hope not but it has me thinking that my 'putting up the wood' will have to begin as soon as we get home.

We are staying in Sainte-Anne-des Monts at the Motel Beaurivage. It is another nice motel facing where the Ste-Anne River flows into the St. Lawrence. We chose another motel as the weather forecast for tonight and tomorrow is less than great. We also know that tomorrow could be the most climbing of any day so far. We are always faster at exiting a motel than a campground.

Daily Distance = 65.51 km. Time on the Bikes = 4 hours 41 minutes. Average Speed = 13.98 km. Maximum Speed = 47.69 km. Wildlife Sightings = Merganser (female therefore could not tell if Red Breasted or Common), Black Backed Gulls, Black Guillemots, Merlin, Ring Billed Gulls, Herring Gulls.

P.S. "Whether the weather be fine, whether the weather be not, whether the weather be cold, whether the weather be hot, we'll weather the weather, whatever the weather, whether we like it or not."