A short ride takes us to the end of the trail at 200 km. Another 1 km takes us to an abandoned and boarded up station house where the trail actually ends. Now we retrace yesterday’s pedaling on yet another cloudy, coolish day.
Leaving Mont-Laurier, we come across a cattle field filled with daisies, red clover, grasses, and low-growing bushes adjacent to a wetlands. Today we will get to see what we didn’t yesterday because of the rain. The sun starts to penetrate the cloud cover forcing Ted and I to drop layers.
High running water floods the sides of the trails, submerging much vegetation. Detritus, sand, and soil streak our path in sections where runoff washes over Le P’Tit Train du Nord. Surrounding streams roar with white foam and rapids. Lakes bulge with excess. Silt coats the lower reaches of trees and bushes along these waterways.
We stop at a turtle crossing, where a wetlands to our right drains into a lake to our left. Its water level is a good 6 feet higher than that of the lake. Huge amounts of water flow in an attempt to equalize the levels.
So far, few cyclists have crossed our path as we dart in and out of shade and increasing light as the sun starts to warm us. Occassional wind shakes water off the leaves creating the illusion of light rain. We slow as a pair or workers haul away cut up sections of a large white birch, which looks as if it was recently toppled.
The damage of the prior-day’s storm is apparent. A usually smallish stream flows loud and fast. In fact, the forest is noisy with either wind shaking leaves or water running amuck. It’s hard to tell the difference.
A long curve takes us downward a mountain with a gentle glide. We emerge on a tall embankment that must be at least 75 feet higher than a lake to our left and a forest to the right. We ride along the tops of trees.
Approaching Lac-Saguay, we are hungry and ready for lunch.
BAM!
Ted hits a road hazard marking a repair spot. It is hidden by water and he is unlucky enough to find it. Our first flat of the trip. We make quick repairs as an orange butterfly flirts with Ted, landing and flittering about. Other insects decide to visit me for a quick drink and bite to eat.
A filling lunch recharges us for the last 12 miles of our ride today. The sun is now hot and bright. The temperature jumps up and down with shade and proximity to water. We are gently coasting to our B&B alongside loud and turbulent streams.
While today’s ride is easy (because it is mostly downhill) we are stopping a lot to take in what we have missed. Ted says that this is perhaps the most scenic section of trails we have traveled in a long time and I have to agree. Around every corner there is a new spot to take in and absorb. One such spot is where a rest stop is perched above a lake with a mountain behind it. Absolutely sublime.
A bridge over a raging river buffets trees and bushes in its path. Foam and large standing waves look to topple a black cherry tree in its path. We watch and marvel but soon move on as we are hot and look forward to a cooling dip in Lac Nominingue.
