Day 10

An exciting exit from Old Quebec awaits anyone launching a weighted bicycle down the steep cobblestone streets on route to the ferry to Levis across the St. Lawrence River.  I made sure I was not eating a sandwich and braking with one hand. (Some of you will understand this reference!)

We had figured out the ferry yesterday so it was a simple ticket purchase, wait in line for 3 minutes and onto the ferry.

The view of Old Quebec and the Hotel Frontenac is spectacular from the river.

Ten minutes later we were riding off the ferry and the bike trail was right in front of us.

The Route Verte today started out on perfect separated bike lanes through Levis and then turned onto the highway and will remain mostly on paved shoulder from here on.  The highway was not busy, vehicle speed was respectable and big trucks were limited so our ride was no problem.

After a few hours of riding along we were getting ready for a coffee break. A couple of little towns we had passed through did not look promising for a nice fresh coffee.  As we rounded a corner we saw what I thought must have been a mirage, for right before our eyes was a sign advertizing latte and espresso.

We entered the small shop and sure enough there was an espresso machine.

The photographer who owned the small shop made us the most delicious cappuccino while we browsed through his photography books and pictures.

A curious color scheme dominated houses in the whole town.  Almost every one was brilliant white. The photographer explained in French why this was and I chose to understand that a large pallet of white paint had been delivered years ago and people had carried on the tradition.

 

At one point we realized that we had forgotten our cheese and yogurt in the fridge in Hotel St. Anne in Old Quebec.  Fortunately we found a small shop offering delicious local cheddar and some yogurt so our lunch was complete.

If it is possible to pick the perfect weather for a bike ride today might qualify.  The sun was often shaded by light cloud and never became too hot.  Now.. let me tell you about the wind....  Imagine a stiff breeze about 25km. per hour heading, quite coincidentally in the exact same direction as your bicycle… Impossible you say… In some miraculous way it happened today, breaking all the cycling rules of wind direction. We spent extra time having a break so we could delay arrival at our B&B at an appropriate time.