I took the Canal out to Lachine and then Lakeshore out to Ste. Anne the other day when my aunt showed me how to get off island out towards Hudson... but its well over an hour each way without even getting past Dorion. But its west so the air is better. (Aside: You're definately right about the bike path through Lachine, horrible laid out, but its sooo fun for cornering that I just feel compelled to do it anyway. I'll check out Nun's Island sometime for sure.)

bci-there is tons of wind here... headwind and more (more, more) headwind when riding in Montreal, great resistance :P. But unlike Cali where wind comes from the Ocean here wind comes from Toronto and the Ohio Valley pushing their Smog to us.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!