I was not going to do the Tour de l'ile de Montreal this year, but changed my mind at the last minute. Even though it started in pouring rain, the atmosphere is so positive that I did not regret the decision. Within the hour, the sun was out and it was extremely pleasant as we stopped at the 2nd rest area in Lasalle.
Perhaps the raison d'etre for the tour might be diminished now that cycling has become integrated into the transportation fabric of the city, but it is still an energizing experience to the full access to the road without the worry of avoiding cars and trucks all the time. Long live the tour!
I have often noticed these signs around the Plateau, but did not really think too much about them.
I can understand the request in order to protect vegetation but, if it is just a question of aesthetics, why single out bikes? Why not request that cars not park in front of the yard, as well?
I decided to alter my normal ride out to Parc Maisonneuve and keep riding east on St. Zotique into Anjou. I followed the bike lane all the way, which zigzagged through the suburban east end of the city. East of Viau you don't see many cyclists and, clearly, drivers don't see you even though the bike lanes on the street are reasonably well marked. In fact, you have to be careful not to be lured into a false sense of security by the bike lane because alertness is the watch word. In a short span, I was cut off by several vehicles at intersections and drive ways, and even had one driver head right for me, oblivious of the marked bike lane I was following. It was a comfort to return to the Plateau where, for cyclists, there is safety in numbers.
Three weeks ago my ship was going through St. Lambert lock. Today, I took advantage of the few remaining days that cyclists can ride around Ile Notre Dame before the F1 train comes into town and then took the path that follows the South Shore Canal to the Estacade and Ile des Seours.
The sun was wonderful after several days of rain, but the clouds of shad flies meant one is well advised to keep their mouths closed. The bugs continued all along the river out to Lachine so I came back via the Lachine Canal and got to see the Dragon Boat crews practicing.
Even the buildings seemed to be enjoying the seemingly rare sunshine.
The Georgian Bay Small Craft Route winding through the 30,000 islands along the eastern shore of the bay is famous for its narrow channels through the rock strewn waters. However, the wide and sheltered expanse of Parry Sound just northwest of the town of Parry Sound makes for some idyllic and relaxed cruising.
Our next trip into town brought another vessel on a cruise in the Sound.
Not sure what he was doing that required him to display his 'Restricted' shapes, but we were the only other vessel around and were not planning on bothering him anyways.
