4 July 2022 Up and Down the River

 Another wonderful day for a wonderful ride, including a cycle along the river to Varennes, then two (or three) stages on the water, enhancing the holiday feel and giving a different view of our environs, and a view of the Old Port in high summer mode with tourists and locals out enjoying our city. Unusually we had a coffee drought all the way to Varennes (!) and it would have been even longer if we had not arrived on the ferry dock just when the ferry was casting off. Cold coffees were really hit the spot (thanks A.G.!) and then some of us rounded out the day with pitcher of beer at the St Ambroise Terrace (thanks Karl!). 

 

Starting point was Ma Bicyclette Cafe on the bikepath by the Atwater Market, ideal for cyclists - except no coffee at 9am on Mondays!

 

Champlain Bridge was a new experience for Birdie and a first time for the year for others, but we got to the top and admired the view.

Lots to see from the bike path along the river -- greenery, birds, shipping, pleasure boats in the marina and for sale. A look at the ads for the motor boats suggests that biking is a far better choice of sport...

The city of Longueuil is investing in art in the parks, which somewhat compensates for minimalist approach to more basic facilities...

Boucherville is a lovely old village, but no coffee shops for the thirsty! But there was some old style workmanship to admire.

 

Pushed on toward Varennes enjoying the woods and well-planned parks that the bike path led us through.

Varennes is celebrating its 350th anniversary (1672-2022), and claims Marguerite d'Youville (born 1701) as one of its prominent citizens. Not surprisingly, it has a very splendid church.

 

Missed the ferry by a minute, but finally a coffee shop!  

This time we were well in time for the ferry... Summer cruise to Repentigny, a boat ride should be part of every holiday!

At Repentigny we waved goodby to Louis who was taking a longer cruise, and then discovered some of the leafy suburbs of Montreal by following A.T. on a winding path through the streets of Repentigny, the over the bridge to Montreal (waving to Louis en route), and then by a miracle of good timing and good planning, arrived at the eastern ferry dock of Pointe-aux-Trembles to greet Louis disembarking.

And by another miracle of good timing and good planning we caught the ferry a few km further west headed for the Old Port.This one provides a good view of the docks and the Jacques Cartier Bridge was traveling at such a clip against the current that some of us got an early shower. 

Greeted in the Old Port by the Cirque du Soleil and a great bustle of visitors and locals enjoying summer in the city.

 

And back on the bike path to Ma Bicyclette to close the circle after a great day!

Our trajectory (but the route through Repentigny remains a closely-guarded secret...)

Posted By Johanna