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Cycling in Quebec’s
Blueberry Country
Northeast of Quebec City is the “Veloroute des Bleuets”—
a route that covers a distance of 256 kilometres around
Lake Saint-Jean, Quebec’s largest inhabited lake. It’s an
intriguing, worthwhile cycling circuit.
My cycling trek took me through “Quebec’s Blueberry
Country” on a combination of paved paths, quiet streets, hardpacked
crushed gravel paths, and designated bike lanes. I
encountered beautiful parkland, rich farmland, thick forests,
stretches of sandy beaches, and many interesting communities
and tourist attractions. There were several services along the
route, too, including rental and repair shops — and wayside rest
areas. I also passed lots of blueberries! In fact, this magnificent
route provided me with a great four-day cycling adventure.
I usually carry all my gear on my bike, but for this trip I used
a luggage shuttle service for convenience. Gilles Girard offers
this service to cyclists each summer along this route (from June
15 to September 15). He picked up my luggage each day and
took it to my next destination ($35 per suitcase for the entire circuit;
1 888 342-6651).
I had a great deal of difficulty finding my way in and out of
Alma (on the linking paths), but once I got onto the main route,
the Veloroute des Bleuets itself, I found that it was very well
marked. I rode counter-clockwise around the lake (as had been
recommended),and I found that this was a little more favourable
(for winds and hills) than the reverse would be, but either way
is certainly feasible.
I began in Alma, and stayed overnight in Peribonka (at the
Aubergite au petit Bonheur), Site Touristique Chute a l’ours
(which offers both camping and a small motel near the rapids),
and Roberval (at Hotel Chateau Roberval) before completing the
circuit back to Alma (where I spent both the first and last night
at the Hotel Universel).
The ferry captain (Florian Girard) could speak some English,
so we got into a conversation, and I learned that he had driven
through my area on several occasions as he had a daughter living
in Toronto. (He ended up joining me for breakfast the next
morning — to practise his English — and to give me his mailing
address, so that I’ll send him a copy of this article).
When I completed my four-day adventure trek through
“Quebec’s Blueberry Country” (primarily cycled in cool, wet
weather), I rewarded myself with a great meal, which included
steak and, of course, blueberry pie!
For more information
www.veloroute-bleuets.qc.ca
www.saguenaylacsaintjean.net
July/August 2008 • 56 • Fifty-Five Plus Magazine
Contacts for specific attractions
along the route
Les Grands Jardins de Normandin:
www.cigp.com/jardin.html
Musee Amerindien de Mashteuiatsh: www.museeilnu.ca
Parc National de la Pointe Taillon: www.parcsquebec.com
Val-Jalbert: www.valjalbert.com
Zoo Sauvage de St-Felicien: www.borealie.org