Route Verte in Quebec?

[KathiCville]

[My question is inspired by the wine country tour thread, which highlights what sound like great destinations and bike routes in Ontario and B.C.]

Does anyone have thoughts about or experience with itineraries using portions of the new Route Verte in Quebec? Someone mentioned the Route Verte in another TE thread a couple of months ago. (When I was looking for 50th birthday destinations.) I had never heard of it, but find the concept enticing........I haven't visited Quebec for at least ten years, and never on a bike. But I love the idea, particularly during the summer when Virginia and the mid-Atlantic get pretty toasty.

Here's a link for anyone who wants a little more info: http://www.routeverte.com/ang/

Has anybody biked portions of the Route? At the moment, most of it appears to follow existing roads, with just a small portion on dedicated bike trails.

[Voodoo Sally]

I also am curious. DH and I are planning on riding on portions of the Route Verte in July for a day or two while touring the Quebec City area. I've checked out the website thoroughly, but I'm all ears now.

[VeloVT]

I have no information to add, only wanted to say I too am interested in hearing more about this. We're close enough to Canada that we could actually ride up to catch it, and I would really love to tour Canada.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Thanks for posting that link. My husband and I drove up to Quebec 3 years ago and spent 10 days exploring there- beautiful! But we'd like to go back this time with our bikes. That looks like a very useful website.

[shootingstar]

Where's Grog...should get on the bike and wake her up.

There is nearly 4,000 kms. in total of Route Verte routes. http://www.routeverte.com/ang/facts....age=historique

http://www.routeverte.com/ang/facts....age=historique
1st time-- portion of route near the ski and mountain bike area, Mont Tremblant. That must have been a decade ago, at least. Probably did only 40 kms. of it.

2nd time was cycling out from Quebec City in 2005 for a few days. Enough rain at that time.
http://www.routeverte.com/ang/voyager.lasso?code=quebec We did the red route on the map.

His very dry, technical analysis. It's not literary, believe me.
http://cycling-touring.thecyclistweb...005_Quebec.cfm

Mid-afternoon we finally got to our lovely B 'n B: Auberge de Bastide.
http://cycling-touring.thecyclistweb...e_Portneuf.htm

http://www.quebecweb.com/aubergelaba...llerie_en.html

part of our cycling trip was visiting, sampling and buying from Quebec's cheesemaking farms. Ours had a goat cheese theme. I LOVE Quebec cheese. They craft their cheese more French style, more flavour, herbs and stronger if you want it. (I only like strong, aged Cheddar)

I think we cycled only abit over 250 kms. on the trip. Then I got back to Montreal, flew home....while he started his epic 9,000+ km. cycling trip eastward and abit south across Canada and the US.

Part of our Quebec City also included Ile d' l'Orleans.

On a separate trip, my partner last summer... (I'm getting some of his different trips mixed up abit.), cycled solo out from Toronto (after we both visited our families) to Montreal (up to Montreal is 400 kms.) and eastward. Did more different Route Verte routes, south of the St. Lawrence River, before he swung into New Brunswick...but that's another tale.


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...CHES/TPTravel/

http://www.routedesfromages.com/
http://www.routedesfromages.com/repertoire.php (website in English also. Here's the region where we went and cheese places.)

To Liza in Vermont: Hope you get to Quebec, soon! When we were cycle-touring on our own in Vermont, we were in Charlotte and so tempted to go back to Canada. At that time, I barely knew how to use my gears, not even toe clips, no cycling shoes yet. But enjoyed Wakefield, Stowe, Middlebury and Montpelier on 2 wheels. It was 1993. (I better check my cycling journal when I used to keep one.) We did around 500 kms...which was epic to me at that time.

[Grog]

There I am!

Unfortunately I cannot bring much enlightenment to this discussion. I have traveled portions of the Route Verte but not really on purpose. Part of Quebec's Grand Tour (http://www.velo.qc.ca/voyages/index.php?code=grandtour) was on the Route Verte when I did it, and a lot of it was nice, although other areas are, in my humble opinion, poorly planned (although it's not the majority).

I love the portions in the Eastern Townships ("Estrie" or "Cantons de l'Est" in French) that I have had the chance to visit, and the areas around Quebec City are, if I remember correctly, excellent.

There are lots of guides, you'll probably find a couple on Velo Quebec's web site. I'm sure the suggestions by ShootingStar are also very good.

If you have questions about specifics I'll be happy to help! Just PM me, though, as I'll be mostly away from my computer for the next two or three weeks! (But I'll take email, thus receive my private messages!)

[KathiCville]

Howdy....As I continue to poke around a bit online for Route Verte insights, this travel journal popped up:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?...c_id=2922&v=A0

Has photos and day-by-day commentary by a couple who spent two weeks riding it last summer.

[emily_in_nc]

Howdy....As I continue to poke around a bit online for Route Verte insights, this travel journal popped up:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?...c_id=2922&v=A0

Has photos and day-by-day commentary by a couple who spent two weeks riding it last summer.

Ooh, thanks for posting that link! My DH and I hope to tour on the Route Verte someday. I didn't take the time to read all the text, but the photos are amazing!

Emily

[zanaya]

It would be great if you post your "route verte" experience.

[KathiCville]

Hi Zanaya....Welcome to TE!....At the moment, I haven't put foot to pedal on the Route Verte, but am hoping to at some point, possibly next summer. A college buddy and I have just agreed to scout out the possibilities for a multi-day trip. We haven't taken a jaunt together in more than ten years, so teaming up for our own bike tour will be a great mini-reunion. Plus, he's fluent in French---a skill that will come in handy in Quebec!