After our first cool night for a while I awoke to fog and a very damp tent,breakfast was hurried as itr was cold in camp and we hit the road early.
Today I was back with “the Dogs” an irreverent group of individuals that have emerged during the trip and include Tom, Randy,Don,Tim, Kevin(the dog),one sock and myself plus the odd guest. We were named after one of our group started howling when chasing a rider and the storey has grown to such proportion that we now actually howl and bark as we overtake the slower riders,very juvenile we know but it makes us laugh on long days!
Todays start was quite quick and we soon got through Trois Riviere and on towards Quebec. After about 50km we stopped fro Toast and Coffee and I was able to catch up with Z and then we hit the road again. We were really flying as we wanted to get to Quebec as early as we could so that we could get our housework done before the rest day tomorrow.
About 20km later Don had a flat and so a couple of us stayed back with him and then we cycled on together. Todays route was flat and ran alongside the St Lawrence River. It was quite a pleasant ride and we were soon bobbing along at about 35km/h without much effort.
As we got nearer to town the road started to pitch up a little and we had a couple of gentle climbs to reintroduce us to hills after so many days on the flat.
About 110km into the ride we stopped briefly for corn on the cob, provided by two members of last years tour. Funnily enough the same topics of conversation came up as when we have met other previous tourists.
The last 30km or so into town was picturesque but at time very steep, it certainly stopped us chatting a couple of times but we rolled into the University at about 2.30pm and had a hour or so to kill so we headed for the pub. At 4pm we checked into our rooms, which are single rooms with an extra bed forced in. By the time you get your clothes and a couple of bikes in you can hardly move.
The meal tonight was another disgrace, 4 pieces of pizza each and when I asked what was for dessert they produced an ice lolly each and 2 melons to split between 42 people. The food situation is really a joke at times its no wonder most people have overspent on the trip, if you didn't you'd starve.
After dinner most of us headed into town to see the Cirque Du Soleil show. The open air show is free 6 nights a week and it was brilliant. The gymnasts were incredible and the costumes amazing. After the show we went back to the University to the bar (cheap beer) but only had a couple before hitting the sack.
After the rest day we are into the final phase of the trip, we have 6 days riding until our next rest day some of which will be hilly and then after out last rest day we have 9 days on the trot until we finish, although one of them is a 14hr ferry ride. It's amazing to think that in just over two weeks this will all be over and I will be heading home!
Onwards and Upwards!
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