In Search of the Seigneurie des Plaines

On the day following the Fete de la Saint Jean, a quora of ambitious members met at the Bois Franc EXO station to embark on a search for that rarest of creatures: a brand new bike path. Rumours were circulating in the two-wheeled world that a twenty-one kilometre path called 'La Seigneurie des Plaines' had just opened in June connecting the Petit Train du Nord near Blainville with the TransTerrebonne network near...Terrebonne.

To sweeten the endeavour, we were told by an EXO employee that the ride to Deux Montagnes is free during the period of the REM construction. It would have been even more helpful if he had told us not to get on in the front car since the platform at Deux Montagnes only extends to the rear four cars.

Still, the price was right and we finally disembarked at Deux Montagnes station and met up with the sixth member of our party.

A.T. Lane, Louis Rubestein, Mile-a-Minute Murphy, G.T. Bishop, Arthur Harries and A.G. Batchelder

The members followed various bike lanes eastwards towards Sainte-Therese where they would start a loop that would, in theory, get them to the new path.

A tempting look-out over the water was enough to get the group to stop to enjoy the view and to take another requisite group photo though A.T. wasn't quite fleet of foot enough to get around in time.

After weaving their way through road construction around the Ste. Therese EXO station, the members rode in earnest.

Some members were particularly concerned with the number of kilometres we were clocking up even though the riding initially was easy going with a southwest tail wind.

Louis, Are we on the Loop yet, Rubenstein

Unfortunately, one member decided to leave the group at the bridge access back to Laval but the remainder carried on to following the Green Line to the TransTerrebonne.

Once on the TransTerrebonne, the riding was very pleasant indeed.

In short order, the group turned left onto the northern trunk of the TransTerrebonne continuing in the search for the fabled new path.

Passing over the 640 highway, the group was focused on re-finding the TransTerrebonne but eagle-eyed G.T. Bishop spotted a sign with the magic words, Microbrasserie!

Turns out, the Ruisseau Noir had just re-opened this day and we were their first post-Covid customers! They were almost as happy to see us as we were to see the tray of cold beverages.

Hesitant to depart, but realizing we still had many kilometres to cycle and a bike path to find, the members mounted their steeds and carried on.

This northern trunk of the TransTerrebonne past the Microbrewery was every bit as nice as the western section. Finally, it ended, though, onto a suburban street, which the group followed to the next main road. And there it was!

La Seigneurie des Plaines is so new that there wasn't anything in the way of signage but that will surely come. The first couple of kilometres followed the road but then turned into the woods where it became, truly, a garden of cycling delights.

As with all good things, the path eventually left the wooded area and entered the town of Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines. The way was still marked by bike lanes on the streets. In theory, it would take us by a bakery on the main street where we could enjoy some pastry and help the local economy but...

At some point, this is supposed to be a parking area to allow cyclists to drive to the area and then embark on the path. Undeterred, the members zig-zagged a couple of streets over and managed to find the excellent bakery.

Replenished, the members carried on towards Ste. Therese and the completion of the loop. The route out of town was not quite a scenic as the way in but the pristine asphalt was hard to complain about.

Halfway to Ste. Therese, was the only hill along the route. A short but steep one that required you to be in the right gear to avoid putting a foot down. Though, if you stop for a photo, there is no shame in that.

The final portion of the path was in crushed stone instead of asphalt but all minds were turned towards the final goal of the ride, another Microbrasserie.

As the trail ended, the skies decided to open up for a refreshing shower as the members wandered around the light industrial buildings for the promised brew stop. Unfortunately, the Lord of the Hops was not smiling down on the group and the door was locked.

Not to be thwarted, the group continued on into Ste. Therese in search of any kind of establishment offering wet beverages. On the way, they passed an enticing but, for some reason, private lake.

The members finally found inspiration while passing an impressive church in the middle of town and, with Mile-a-Minute Murphy getting directions from a local, the group made their final stop in a local watering hole a few minutes from the EXO station.

Even accounting for the bit of rain and the closed Microbrasserie, all the members celebrated a very successful fixture ride. La Seigneurie des Plaines is certainly a bike path that we will be returning to in the future.

Finally, three members decided to call it a day and jump on the train back to Montreal with the remaining two planning a final ride back to town. One can only surmise whether they made it back or are still enjoying the liquid wonders on offer in Ste. Therese.

Approximate total kilometres for the ride (depending on each member's starting point) was between 80 and 90k though the two adventurous remainers would have clocked up over 120k if they rode all the way back to Montreal.

Note, the route displayed below includes the segments taken by train.

Note, as well, for any members wishing to check out 'La Seigneurie des Plaines', it is not yet displayed on Google Maps but you can check out their website to see the route with the start and end points. La Seigneurie des Plaines


G. T. Bishop