So desperate for a good long ride

I don't know if you have heard of the P'tit Train du Nord bike trail north of Montreal, but it is a 200 km linear trail (half asphalt, half hard trail) - very well maintained, used to be a train track. Now it is used for cycling and cross country skiing. My husband really wanted to do it, but the problem is getting transportation this time of year - you park you car at one end, you get the end of the trail, you have to somehow get back to your car (unless you feel like cycling 400 km!) In the summer there is shuttle transportation provided, but not in the fall.

So we supported him in his ride - he did 91 km to Mont Tremblant, stayed in a hotel at the end of the day, and then he finished the second day after 100km, and I drove him back to his car. I was his support vehicle. He was very lucky, it was beautiful weather.

Now I want to do it!!!!! Dh is willing to do the support side. We have Thanksgiving weekend next weekend, but the forecast sucks. Cloudy, low temperatures, even a chance of a flurry on Saturday. I don't mind adverse weather as long as I am not cycling in a monsoon - I can be pretty hardcore when I want to be.But would I be crazy to to attempt a long trip in colder weather? I feel so robbed by the weather - I really wanted to do that trail, and it looks like I will have to wait until the snow clears in the spring which probably will not happen until April or May. Should I give up the ghost and give it a pass, and put on my adventure hat and go for it?

I don't think it's crazy to ride in colder weather. However, with snow and Ice conditions, i'd say wait.

It is ice that would bother me - normally a first snow would be flurries that don't stick to the ground, but ice is another thing. I will probably wait until next year, sob....

This year why not stay somewhere closer to Mont Tremblant and bike around at least? Fall would be gorgeous there.

I've cycled abit of that bike trail and did stay in Mont Tremblant for a few days in summer.

My partner just returned from his cycling trip with bits of train travel in between. He took train from Toronto to Montreal. Then cycled himself on Route Verte...I believe to Drummondville..etc. and ended up at Perce on Gaspe pennisula. Took train back from New Richmond. There were several rainy days...with wind.

My advice (take it or leave it- just a fresh set of eyes/ears) I would go out and "test the waters (trail)" just because you start doesn't mean you have to finish persay. you have support. You could take each mile as it comes. If you get up there and its just nasty, I'm sure there are other things you could do for fun. let me know how it works out for you either way! and good luck regardless!

I'm doing it! I have been watching the weather for the past two weeks, and finally this week decided to book a hotel and try my luck. It still looks like there will be some rain on Sunday, but I will do the tougher part on Saturday. I have gathered a wet weather kit, and some warm waterproof gloves (it is supposed to be a bit cold, although not freezing). I am being followed at a gym by a trainer and nutritionist on a weight-reduction program, and my nutritionist gave advice on what to eat and drink before and during, so I am all set. Excited!

I'm psyched you're gonna go for it!! I find with the right layers that cold temps are enlivening on the bike. And even one day on the KATY rail-trail in Missouri where it rained all day with temps only around 50F/10C was one of the better rides I've ever done. Especially once I got dry and warm later! :)

woo hoo, that's awesome! I'm so pumped for you that you get to do it, it's something I need to do more of....mmmm, loooong rides... :) Love 'em!

Take some pics for us of the fall colour for us!

Thanks for the encouragement - I am so pumped! We took a hotel room with a fireplace in the room, I will just think of warming myself by it at the end of the day! Actually, there is something that gets me going about riding in adverse weather, appeals to my sense of adventure.

Advice: if it is going to be a few degrees above freezing, would you wear a turtleneck on the inside (I have a nice new one from MEC, Polartech) or should I wear a wicking t-shirt on the inside? Would I be boiling in a turtleneck?

Turtlenecks are kind of an individual thing. Me, I'd probably wear it. In any case, layers are always good in chilly weather.

I'm pumped about your ride, too. Do give us a ride report. Um, please?

It was a great trip! I am ready to write my ride report - never did one before. Is it more appropriate to make a separate thread (under tours?) or just attach it to my original thread?

Also, I have never attached photos before - what resolution is best?