Spring Ride in February!

 At the behest of Louis Rubenstein who was looking to get some exercise before hitting the Holguin beaches, a fixture was scheduled this day when the mercury shot up to 6C. Karl Krone joined Louis and G.T. Bishop at the Montreal West Second Cup to discuss possible routes, all things public transit and the Big Owe roof repair.

G. T. won the day, suggesting a ride along the Bande Verte towards the Lachine Canal and Nun's Island. Louis led the way through his hood, stopping at the Mtl-West station to discuss with Karl its deficiencies and waste of monies.

Louis then led the members towards the start of the Bande Verte by the U-Haul warehouse, using local knowledge to head the wrong way down one-way streets.

It was a mystery when the members found themselves blocked from proceeding along the Bande Verte. No cyclists or pedestrians???

G. T. then took the reins and led the members over the 20 towards the Lachine Canal at which point, Karl decided to return homewards and G. T. and Louis had to push their way towards a bridge over the canal as Parks Canada still obstinately refuses to maintain the path in winter.

Eventually, the members remounted and then zig-zagged their way through Lasalle and Verdun towards Nun's Island.

Interesting Sinusoidal church on Allard-St Jean de Matha

Prior to embarking on the REM, the members stopped for a soup and sandwich at Cafe Welina. Highly recommended.

It took the members a while to find their way to the REM station, signage being so discreet as to be non-existant. They stopped to ponder the mystery of the bike racks installed so far from the entrance to the station. At least they are under cover.

Louis took up station at the front of the train and enjoyed the view back into town to the Central Station.

Fortunately, it is only a Zone A trip from Nun's Island to downtown so it was free for the members as verified by the Ticket Inspectors at the end. 

Louis and G. T. parted ways exiting the Central Station after an enjoyable early year fixture.

Total for the day, around 25K after deducting the REM leg.

G. T. Bishop