A short bike ride

In the spring, hikers are quite annoyed. The trails are not welcoming. There is still a little snow on some, snow that smashes, that does not carry. Most of the other trails are muddy and some are completely closed to prevent erosion.

Mountain biking enthusiasts are no more pampered: they too must avoid wooded trails so as not to damage them.

There is a solution: turn to the road bike. Even if we talk about asphalt, we can find a bucolic route. But beware: unless you have been cycling during the winter, the body is a little rusty. The bike itself too.

A bike and a fit body…

“We cannot leave with a bike that is not in good condition, with a puncture or a mechanical problem,” recalls Jean-François Rheault, President and CEO of Vélo Québec.

But now, for a tune-up, you have to make an appointment as soon as possible.

“As in previous years, the watchword is patience,” says Mr. Rheault. The demand is extremely great. According to Moneris, over the past two years, Quebecers’ spending on bicycles has increased by 200%. »

He recommends taking it easy with the first outings, when the muscles are less accustomed to this type of exercise.

He suggests that those who haven’t ridden in the winter should take short outings fairly quickly.

“With that, we get back in shape quite quickly. »

Beginners can aim for the bike paths first.

“If you have a little more experience, you can choose the roads with lower traffic, and also those with paved shoulders. »

Jean-François Rheault notes that the gravel bike allows you to travel on unpaved roads.

“People choose these roads because there are fewer cars, it’s quieter. »

He notes in passing the electric bike, which allows you to do physical activity in a less intense way.

“It allows you to go further than you would otherwise, it allows people of different levels to ride bikes together. The e-bike can be a tool for everyone to have fun and go at their own pace. »

The first routes

The choice of the first routes of the season is important. Jean-François Rheault suggests looking at regional tourism associations, which are developing more and more content for cyclists, in particular with route suggestions.

“The Montérégie has put together a magnificent guide with routes all over the region, he gives as an example. It can be very interesting if you want to discover new routes. It is available everywhere, but also online. »

Vélo Québec Éditions also offers a number of guides, such as 25 circuits around Montrealwhich offers routes from 35 to 107 km.

Ulysses Travel Guides just released Cycling in Quebec: 50 dream routeswhich essentially offers courses lasting several days.

It presents the routes by assigning them a level of difficulty thanks to a very particular pictogram: a bicycle helmet. Thus, a course with a helmet is easy and has a low drop. It can represent one to three hours of cycling per day.

We are thinking in particular of the chemin des Patriotes, in the Richelieu valley (a 115 km loop to be done in three days), or a 49 km route in the eastern part of Laval, which is still very agricultural.

A route with five helmets is demanding, with a significant drop or many technical difficulties. It can represent more than six hours of cycling per day. The guide suggests in particular a great tour of Quebec, an epic of more than 4200 km to be done in 56 days.

Jean-François Rheault suggests a slightly more modest trip to start with, Parc national des Îles-de-Boucherville.

“It’s a really easy and really enjoyable cycle touring experience. We find ourselves in nature with deer. You can bring a tent or take a ready-to-camp site. »

We can also think of hostels.

“Vélo Québec has a whole list of ‘cyclists welcome!’ accommodations, generally located along cycle paths, which allow you to combine cycling and a great weekend in the outdoors,” says Mr. Rheault. And around more organized tours, there are more and more luggage transport services. It is organized very easily. »

Even though summer is still a long way off, start planning these adventures now.

That’s good, after two years of absence, the Bike Show is back, this time at the Olympic Stadium, from April 29 to 1^er may. Enough to forget the unpleasant season of the bouette while hiking.