Vagabonds seek their Fortune

A quad of members (A. T. Lane, Louis Rubenstein, A. G. Batchelder, G. T. Bishop) met at the Bois Franc EXO station to take advantage of the free train ride to Deux Montagnes for what was expected to be an excellent day of riding though some showers were forecast for later in the day. The plan was to head west and then follow the Ottawa River to Carillon for a ferry ride that would take the group to Pointe Fortune and then downriver to Dorion for a train ride home.

On the way, A. T. stopped by a spot in Westmount to survey the area, along with Queen Victoria, that was the scene of a tragic accident the week before where another cyclist was killed by an automobile.

A. T. made it to the train station without any incident although he found evidence of people still coping with the pandemic, albeit with a bit of humour.

The train left on time and the members smartly remembered to go to the end of the train that would be beside the platform in Deux Montagnes. While aboard, safety and social distancing were the order of the day.

Eager to get on the road, the members headed onto the Vagabond path towards Oka sans the requisite group photo.

Last year, this trip would have engendered a big detour around construction work that was underway to prevent flooding in the area. Fortunately, the work is completed and the missing link has been paved over the stonework creating only a slight hump in the trail.

A nice tailwind kepts us rolling along and before we knew it we had sailed past the park at Oka and arrived into town. Louis was mulling over whether to continue on with the group or head across the river at this point but he finally decided to stick with the group and we headed out to the road and on towards Carillon.

Turning onto the 344, we met a short, steep hill and then were into Mohawk territory for the next few kilometres. https://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/Mobile/Nations/profile_kanesatake-eng.html
Most of what you have in the community passes by along the side of the road, whether it is a council building or an early childhood education centre or a commercial outlet for some of society's vices.

Needless to say that our trip through this section of the road brought forth some lively discussion. There was even an offer for employment from one of the proprietors when the group stopped for a drink but the pay wasn't deemed sufficient to curtail our ride.

We carried on along the 344 through Saint Placide and then Saint-Andre-d'Argenteuil, which sits along the Riviere du Nord just east of Carillon. There wasn't alot to distract us along the way so we made good time.

Following the Route Verte, we left town now along the 327 for a few more kilometres until we turned off to head towards Ile-aux-Chats along lovely country roads.

This back route to the ferry took us by a campground that catered to many leisure desires.

Just around the corner, we came to Riviere du Nord again and an impressive bridge to get across it.

Across the bridge, the members stopped to enjoyed the nature around them and to answer the call of nature before continuing on to Carillon.

Before heading into town and catching the ferry, A. T. wanted to revisit the monument we came across on our ride last year that has been nominated in the 'Ugliest Structure' category.

Not sure what the sixteen young men immortalized by this concrete would think of it or the undefined number of indigenous warriors who died in the battle of Long Sault.

A. T. decided it would be a good time to stop for lunch before we headed across the river and he picked out a lovely spot between the old and new Carillon Canal.

A. G. Batchelder took a moment to enjoy the view before sitting down to his meal.

Parks Canada does a great job of managing the small recreational locks and canals around the country of which Carillon Canal is one. https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/qc/canalcarillon/activ/decouverte-tours

Spying the ferry heading back across the river, G. T. Bishop suggested that we pack up and try to make the next ferry. With A. T. Lane following and Louis and A. G. behind, the group rode the short distance from the canal to the ferry dock just as the ferry was arriving. A minute later, we were walking our bikes down the ramp and on to the ferry. Putting our bikes against the rail, G. T. turned around and saw the ramp going up and only A. T. onboard with him!

Thankfully, the trip across was happening every five minutes so our separated group would be back together before too long.

A. T. took the opportunity to inject some funds into the local economy and to expose the members to the Pointe Fortune Corona in a can. Very much appreciated by all the members once we were re-united.

Finally, after carbing up, it was time to head out on the road again and the members took off the final leg of our journey down this side of the Ottawa River. The roads were smooth and the winds were just behind us and, before long, we were pedalling through Rigaud and out the other side.

Ironically, as we approached the tony environs of Hudson, the road turned into a bumpy (with accent on bum) ribbon of cracks and potholes that jostled us to no end. We took the opportunity of a cyclist's rest area to take a break and a drink and ponder whether the bicycles on display were sculpture or trophies, like heads on pikes.

A. T. and A. G. ventured ahead and stopped at an acquaintance of A. T.'s for a short tour.

Louis was a bit nostalgic for his younger days growing up in Hudson but as we entered town, his and our thoughts were directed at finishing this pleasant, though getting long, ride. It was decided to carry on and make for our EXO train, but to embark at Vaudreuil instead of Dorion saving a few kilometres.

The final section into Vaudreuil offered a view of some kite surfers that was reminiscent of the surfers at the standing wave in the St. Lawrence river in Lasalle.

We arrived at the EXO station in plenty of time to purchase our tickets (this line not being free like the Deux Montagnes line) and to enjoy the local arts scene.

Eventually, our train arrived in the suburban 'paradise' that is Vaudreuil and we carried our bikes onboard and relaxed for the long, slow journey into town. Long enough that A. G. was able to take advantage of the time for some restorative meditation.

All told it was another excellent fixture ride, the rain showers never did appear and the members clocked up about 110 kilometres each including the ride from home to the Bois Franc station in the morning.

G. T. Bishop