A slice of old Europe, and a lovely loop around the lake ...
We begin this tour with an evening followed by a quiet morning cycling tour of Old Quebec, then drive on up to Lac Saint Jean, located 2.5 hours north, for a lovely 4-day ride in Quebec's blueberry country. Biking from village to village around Lac-Saint-Jean is an opportunity to discover a region of undeniable charm and rare beauty. Covering an area of 1,000 sq. km, this vast body of water leaves quite an impression. From Alma, you will follow a section of the famous Véloroute des Bleuets, crown jewel of the Route verte. While admiring the lake from every angle, you will be able to appreciate its extraordinary natural setting, especially in Pointe-Taillon Park. You will also have time to enjoy the many local attractions and delicacies, such as the Saint-Félicien Zoo, the famous Perron cheese in Saint-Prime - and of course blueberries of every variation!
Included
- 6 nights lodging at two and three star hotels or inns
- 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners
- Area-knowledgeable and cycling expert tour guides
- 6 nights lodging in 3 and 4 star hotels or inns
- 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners;
- Gratuities for included meals and accommodations
- 3.5 hour guided/narrated cycling tour of Montreal on Day 2
- In-ride drinks and snacks
- Van/sag support (mechanical assistance and van ride, if needed)
- Luggage transportation
Daily post-ride informal gathering with light snacks light snacks (fruit, cheese, crackers, chips, nuts etc.) and non-alcoholic beverages
Itinerary
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Day 1 - Saturday
We meet riders at our hotel in Old Quebec and have an introductory meeting at 5:00 p.m. Then we'll walk to dinner through the streets of this charming city, featuring cobblestones, gas lamps, and hanging flower baskets everywhere.
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Day 2 - Sunday
After breakfast we'll enjoy a leisurely 2.5 hour cycle through Old Quebec. While we load bikes into the trailer, we'll pick up sandwiches to take with us in the van for our 2.5 ride northward to our accommodations in Alma, on the shore of Lac St. Jean.
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Day 3 - Monday
33 miles. We bike from Alma, along the lake, through several small towns until we reach Sainte-Monique, where we will spend the night.
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Day 4 - Tuesday
29 miles. We leave Sainte-Monique and bike to Dolbeau-Mistassini, where we will overnight.
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Day 5 - Wednesday
34 miles – We bike from Dolbeau-Mistassini through Albanel and Normandin to St Félicien where we will spend the night.
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Day 6 - Thursday
40 miles. St-Félicien to St-Prime, Masteuiatsh, Roberval, Val-Jalbert, Chambord, Desbiens to Metabetchouan, where we will spend the night.
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Day 7 - Friday
17 miles. We'll ride from Metabetchouan to St-Gédéon and back to Alma. Then we'll load into the van and make the return drive to Quebec City.
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Our tour of Quebec City will take us on a combination of bike paths and bike lanes in this very bicycle-friendly city. The Veloroute des Bluets is very well traveled by cyclists, and approximately 1/3 riding on a road shoulder, 1/3 riding on an unpaved bike trail, and 1/3 riding on small quiet backroads.
Suggested bicycle: Touring bikes, road bikes, hybrids
Suggested tire size for this tour: 28mm – 37mm (or larger)
Pricing
Individual Rider - $2,750
Single Supplement - $700
Bike Rental - $150
Your Travel Plans
We will meet riders at our starting hotel in Quebec City (to be announced). We will return you there on the last day of tour.
