Three Wise? Men and a Shepherd

 A.T., G.T. and Louis met up at the foot of the Atwater pedestrian bridge along the Lachine Canal on a blustery, but relatively warm for December, day. Louis was accompanied by Karl Kron who came along for moral support as his current ailments precluded his participation in the fixture.

The route planned for the day was to include a passage across the new Champlain bridge given that it was soon to be the one year anniversary of the opening of the bicycle path on the bridge. 

The three well clothed members set off for Nun's Island and the bridge. Along the way, we were given a stern reminder that Red Zone restrictions are still in place.
It was heartening to see that a portion of the path on Nun's Island, which had been dirt and gravel for the last 11 months had finally been paved. We continued on around North Point towards the bridge.
Fortunately, the strong wind was blowing out of the west so we got a nice push going across the bridge though it portended a harder return to Montreal. A.T. and Louis were doing their best to keep warm.
We zipped down the far side of the bridge, at least until we turned the corner and hit the wind while making for the small bridge to pass over the 132 and on to the Riverside path.
Is there anywhere in or near Montreal where you don't see the infamous orange cones now?

We carried on east down the river to pick up the Jacques Cartier bridge to take us over the Ile Ste. Helene. Louis was not happy with the wind direction for this leg and felt the fixture organizer should have directed the weather gods to change its direction or reduce its velocity.
Parc Jean Drapeau is advertising a winter bike path that will be maintained throughout the winter. There was no snow to test it today but they did have the odd sign up.
Oh, for the wonderful days past when the members could stop at a trendy café and rest their limbs and replenish their stores.
On the plus side, the adjacent toilets were open, which is like finding an oasis in a desert these days.

Buckminster Fuller, who was always ahead of his time, might have designed the perfect structure to ensure social distancing.
The members headed across the island to pick up the Pont de la Concorde and another headwind. Something about the direction of the wind and the speed of it pleased the bridge and the members could hear it singing as they were labouring into the wind.
Riding along the harbour, some ships were obviously secured for the coming winter with their bows pointing high into the air while other parts of them seemed to be rather more rudely suggestive.
A Seaway Crane, usually based in Massena, New York, was proudly displayed its patriotic colours though some members thought they referred to La France rather than our neighbours to the south.
Once back in the Old Port, the members went their separate ways to warm frosty toes or other extremities. It wasn't the most pleasant weather day, but it is always a good day when you can get out on a bike!

Totals for the ride varied from 35k to 45k depending on the member's start point. Louis won.


G. T. Bishop



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