It’s a clear sunny morning, not a cloud in the sky. We have nearly 50 miles to ride today. There are no other cyclists on Le P’tit du Train Nord this morning. Within 15 minutes of starting we strip layers next to a beaver den. By the time we get to Rivière-Rouge, we have both started to sweat. It looks to be a hot day.
The trail stretches here are long and straight. We both get into a zone of pedaling as we dodge in and out of dappled light. Along side the trail are many different pollinating flowers. Tiny butterflies fly around looking for a drink. There are a few yellow swallowtails in the mix and I see my first monarch of the trip. There is a lot of milkweed for it nearby.
A rabbit jumps out in front of our bikes causing me to swerve a bit. No one got hurt.
The Rivière-Rouge is truly a deep red. It is raging loudly and flowing fast. There is a sign in French that instructs about canoe camping along the river. It and the current condition of the river reminds me of some of the canoe camping trips (and misadventures) I took in my youth. There is no way any canoe could survive the current set of rapids and is such a contrast to the river of a few days ago. A little down river, the rapids cease, but only for a while and they then restart under an overpass.
We enter a shaded, forested area, which we would often welcome. But we shouldn’t stop as I can see that Ted is surrounded by insects much like the bevy of satellites that orbit the Earth. Keep pedaling.
We pass a small section of scarred, burnt trunks of trees on our right. But this now sunny space is now being reclaimed by an explosion of small bushes and trees.
More cyclists are now on the trail, which in sections is becoming crowded. Among these groups are many families with children of all ages some of which who ride their own bikes and others who are towed.
After a water break and rest at Labelle, we are back on stone dust. The prior rain has dampened the trail so our tires are not tossing up plumes of dirt. Bluebird boxes sit on posts to our left. In fact, there are quite a few along the sides of the trail. I see one resident make an escape.
Flies are out in force today and even though we are moving at 10 mph, they find ways to stick to my clothing and extremities occasionally taking a nibble. Keep moving.
We reach the trail bypass of a few days ago and follow it into the village section of Mont-Tremblant for lunch. After 32 miles on our bikes, it’s a good time to stop as the temperature is well over 80 degrees.
After refueling and a rest, we make our final push, which will be mostly uphill. We appreciate the shade when we can find it, particularly the last 5 miles, which is a quite steep climb. Approaching the turnoff for our B&B, a fence is topped with whirligigs. Across the road are newly painted farm tools used by Town founders.
Ted thinks we deserve a treat tonight for dinner and I agree. We decide to splurge and go to La Savoie in the nearby mountain resort town in Mont Tremblant. We order a bottle of wine and La Raclette Savoyarde. It is a hunk of cheese that is slowly melted by an electric heater. This cheese is then spread on bread and a variety of meats. Decadent. I will sleep well tonight.
