Not all ride days are the same or can be measured equally. With the first two days of riding we completed over 400 kms each day, the 3rd day was only 261….Weather and directional challenges can make a 261 km ride seem like a much longer day that the 400+ day.
We started out a bit late partly waiting for one of those “breaks” in the rain. Day 3 with rain gear! Although we had similar type of conditions for the morning we had a few more stops than usual to ensure we were on the right track and as we got closer we wanted to have a more detailed route to Gilles and Nicole’s house.
We followed the 139 South for the first part of the morning, looking for the 104 that would take us to Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu which was our final destination. We enjoyed riding through all small, beautiful communities and we are still surprised by how many large and seemingly successful farms they have here in this part of Quebec. There are a lot of large farms!
As we approached what we knew was going to be a change of routes (104) we hit some construction….and that is where we got to see more of Quebec than we had originally planned! We always say we are never lost, just finding new roads to explore. We knew that at the end of Route 104 we had to turn left and at that point we would be in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and ready to begin our more “detailed” route….when we reached the sign 104 FIN, it didn’t seem like we were in the right place….I mean it was a lovely little town with decorated mannequins everywhere….but nothing beyond that we were at the end of 104 seemed familiar with what we were looking for. Low and behold we had been travelling East and not West, so around we go, through the streets full of mannequins, headed West….we can now say with full confidence we have travelled Quebec route 104 from end to end.
As we finally arrived in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu we were surprised by a few things….how many 3 and 4 way stops, but also how the community seems very active and young…there are a lot of walking/running trails along the canal, coffee shops, artisan galleries and people. It seemed like a very busy, active, summer community. Indeed, as Gilles explained to us, where he lives used to be a campground. It all seemed very New England summer home type of area and apparently that is what it once was. It reminded us of the Hero Islands which, coincidentally, are located just south of here across the border in Vermont. We have driven through there a couple of times on other trips.
Now that we had successfully navigated the right end of the 104, we easily found our way to our final destination. The rain, which was forecasted, held off, however the humidity which took it’s place as we navigated the stop and go of stop signs and people, was almost suffocating even in our breathable rain gear. We were happy to finally land, and strip off all of the layers, take a shower and feel human again. While Nicole had to be out of town for the night, she made sure we had a lovely dinner (lasagna and Caesar Salad - one of my favs) and we caught up with Gilles on his recent travels and some of his trips that are planned…I am not sure but I think I heard he and Larry making plans for another….
We are here for a couple of nights and then continuing our journey across the way. The folks back home have moved in…..and I got a pic of one smiling puppy, who apparently was confused as to why we were not there to greet her! Didn’t take her long though to settle in just like she was staying with us!
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