July 5 St. Anne de Beaupre to Pontneuf 104 km
I slept a bit more last night. Perhaps the 3 beer helped? The sun rose early and as we had both tent doors open it was bright inside. My ipod had enough battery power that I could compose yesterday's blog and eventually send it to my friend Jean to post once I found internet access. Thanks Jean. We were up after 6 and wandered across the street searching for washrooms, which weren't open yet. I will admit that it was "touch and go, and a brief scarey moment" until I found a washroom!! We cooked breakfast at the site, packed up and by that time the cathedral was open so I went inside to pray, and lit 2 candles. It is a magnificant building. I was awestruck, even though I have been inside once before. We went to McDonalds to use the wifi ( free) and since we were there I ordered my second breakfast, an egg mcmuffin and coffee. We finally hit the road at 9:30 and it was already about 24 degrees. We hadn't gone 13 km before Bob flatted. Of course, rear wheel, so had to unload all gear amd panniers. I found the "staple" which caused the flat. Bob had the wheel about to go back on when he realized he had the tire in the wrong direction ; the tires are directional) so he had to change it again. Back on road withon 15 minutes and we hit the route verte about 20 km east of Quebec city. Man, what a glorious trail it was. We followed it for 60 km in through and back out of Quebec City. They certainly we thinking when they created it!!! Kudos to Quebec. There were tons of people using it; on bikes, roller blades, walkers, roller bladers pushing strollers, bikers pusing strollers, young, Mainly older folk, which pleased me, all levels of fitness, all shapes and sizes. Men with no shirts, women in halters...... You name it, but it was great to see it being used!!! I was most impresses to see a rider, perhaps 30 ish pass us at full tilt, but he only had one leg!! Impressive! We passed through many beautiful and posh neighbourhoods, something that a cyclist gets to see vs highway driving. At the intersection of the #138 we stop for a lunch. It is very hot out and although we are doused with sunscreen I can see how "black" my hands are from sun tan/burn!! We head along the #138 and it is lovely farm country along the St. Lawrence. Many road side veg stands with their local straberries. We decide that we would push a bit further today and try to hot Pontneuf. We stop at McDonalds on Donnacona to use the free wifi to check out campgrounds and directions. We stop to chat with two cyclists heading to Halifax. We gave them our NB map and hit the road for the final 16 km into Pontneuf. Am showered, belly full and going to enjoy my third beer and then settle down and hopefully sleep?? Am enjoying this camping life. Bob is lubing up the bikes for tomorrow as we hope to put on another long day enabling us to hopefully hit Montreal on Saturday. My odomoter is reading 1158.1 and after the 30 heat today my butt is sore!!