July 7, Louiseville to Montreal, 122 km

The hotel that we found in Louiseville worked out to be a perfect end to a long day.  The room was the cheapest of the entire trip, but equipped to meet all my needs.  I had a long bath upon arrival and rested some weary bones.  Was able to catch up on internet correspondence and enjoyed a meal in the room, thanks to the microwave, and some beer to cool off.  It was a very hot and muggy day and I put much of our clothing outide to air out....wondering if it would dry.  I am finding that Bob and I tend to have an odour about us, like wet dogs......not the most pleasant.  I am feeling like stopping to purchase perfume just to help out.  I fell asleep about 9 and had a very relaxing night.  I was thankful to be in a comfortable bed, with air blowing from an overhead fan and slept quite nicely.  Was awake early, but when you go to bed around 9, what can you expect?  We cooked porridge with raisins and granola, had oranges and made coffee.  It was a beautiful morning and we were on the road by 8.  It was a perfect morning, lovely scenery and little traffic.  Around Berthierville we ran into thousands of cyclists....it took over 10 km to get past them.  They were going in the opposite direction and it was a fund raiser for cancer.  My finger got tired from ringing my bell in encouragement to them.  There were people by the side of the road to encourage them along,  and when they saw Bob and I passing on the opposite side, they shouted to us as well.  I felt special (;-0  We cruised along at a good clip as traffic was light and we only had a slight head wind.  After one and a half hours we stop at a rest spot along the river and have a snack.  We meet a couple cycling to Quebec City.  They are from France.  By 11 we stopped for lunch in Saint Sulpice and have travelled 50 km.  I order poutine and an egg and cheese sandwich.  It was filling.  I think my eyes were bigger than my stomach, but I managed to do a good job eating.  Back in the saddle and looking for trail leading to and around Repentigny.  That worked great until we hit detours.  After a few wrong turns I beckoned to a cyclist travelling in the opposite direction.  His name was Jean and he said "follow me" as I am headed to Montreal.  So, we did.  Once on the island,  we came to the bike route that he advised that we take as he was heading in the opposite direction.  We thanked him for his help.  Stupid me had forgotton our Montreal bike route map at home, so we were relying on memory to get us to Chris and Clo's.  We arrived in Montreal at about the 97km mark; it was extremely hot and all I wanted to do was "be there".  For the next hour and a bit we are hot and frustrated realizing that it just takes time to be there.  We stop at a McDonalds for some pop as I need the sugar boost and ice.  Finally we hit the downtown and recognize the route to Chris and Clo's.  We arrive at 4:30 having travelled 122 km for the day.  Chris and Clo were surprised to see us earlier than anticipated.  It was great to see Rose and it only took her a few minutes to recognize us.  We have had an enjoyable dinner; lovely steak as Clo had promised, fresh beans, green onions, tomatoes and a potato dish cooked with coconut oil.  All yummy.   I had the pleasure of putting Rose to  bed.  Chris anbd Clo moved apartments on moving day, July 1 in Quebec, so we will lend a helping hand all week to help them get settled and boxes unpacked.  Acutally, they only moved from the third floor down to the main floor in the building they already occupied.  I don't regret not having to climp the 50 stairs to the third floor!!  Clo's dad came last week and did all the painting, looks great.  It is a bigger apartment and actually has a  basement living area as well, with the second bathroom.  I look forward to the week.  So, after 14 days on the road, the odomoter is reading 1389 km.  It was a great trip and I loved the time together with Bob, the scenery and the cycling.  We will be in Montreal (until we are asked to leave (;-0 and then take the train to Halifax to spend time with Trev, Tam and Jordyn before cycling back around Nova Scotia to home.