Bonjour
I wrote a review of the route verte trails around montreal last summer, search google groups for "my
big fat route verte vacation". I reviewed approx ten of the trails making up the route verte network
around Montreal.
The route verte is a 3000+ km network of "intermunicipal" bike trails" that are often rail to
trail paths.
Montreal itself is a east/west/north/south starting point to the route verte, and has an impressive
bike path network of its own. For example, the Jacques Cartier bridge has been rebuilt with a 8 ft
sidewalk added for better bike use, it was 4 feet before. (Now they need to make the signage to the
start of the bike access for the bridge a bit better, but I am nitpicking). Be sute to ride the
lachine canal bike path. Also, the Olmstead road up Mount Royal to the summit (all the way to the
very top on bike, yes) with a stop at the Mount Royal chalet lookout over downtown is extremely
spectacular. And from here you can survey the eastern townships that you will ride!
You can ride north and south and east and west for hundreds of KM exclusively on the route verte
bike trail network. It is really quite phenomenal.
The guidebook is excellent, and in English too. THere is another guidebook, guide to bike trails in
quebec, exhaustivly comprehensive, which fills in the local bike trails for communities that the
Route verte may pass through. (and others of course)
http://www.routeverte.com
Also, the chateauguay valley corner of quebec southwest of Montreal is very nice (read quiet, flat
and agricultural), and has chateauguay river (use the road across the river from route 138), covey
hill, and the beauharnois canal path for nice rides. Lots of backroads.
Quebec is a BIG place, and very scenic, and cheap for yanks to visit. The route verte network is a
huge addition to the provinces tourist potential. Come visit!
Bievenue!
tiger
[email protected] (Robert Taylor) wrote in message
news:<
[email protected]>...
> Since 1995 the Route Verte has been under consruction in Quebec. It consists of bikeways and
> marked roadways and will be 4000 km long when completed in 2005. I believe that 3000 km are
> complete at this time. There is a very nice guide available which I have beside me as I type.
> You can learn about the Route Verte and order a copy of the guide at:
> (
http://www.routeverte.com). This seems like a good place for you to look. I have the guide but
> I've not cycled any of the route.
>
> Bob Taylor