I'm going to Quebec this summer with a couple of my friends. I'll be in Montreal from June 18 - 22 and in Quebec City from June 23 - 28. I decided to go on a whim and didn't find out until later about how good the biking is in Quebec. I want to bring my own bike, but I'll be traveling by train and the VIA doesn't allow bikes on their trains. I was wondering If anybody had ANY bicycle lying around that they never used. Road bikes, mountain bikes, fixed gears, 100 dollar super market bike, penny farthings. Seriously, anything! Even if it's in somewhat poor condition, I'd be able to tune it up with some small tools that i bring. I work at a bike shop. I'd be happy to tune up or help with anything that you have going on with your "good" bikes too. My email's Funkdeal@hotmail.com Also, what are the cool bicycles shops? I ride mainly road bikes and fixed gears and single speeds, but I like all bicycles. Thanks for your attention. I'll be practicing my French. Peace!

Sean

I'm going to Quebec this summer with a couple of my friends. I'll be in Montreal from June 18 - 22 and in Quebec City from June 23 - 28. I decided to go on a whim and didn't find out until later about how good the biking is in Quebec. I want to bring my own bike, but I'll be traveling by train and the VIA doesn't allow bikes on their trains. I was wondering If anybody had ANY bicycle lying around that they never used. Road bikes, mountain bikes, fixed gears, 100 dollar super market bike, penny farthings. Seriously, anything! Even if it's in somewhat poor condition, I'd be able to tune it up with some small tools that i bring. I work at a bike shop. I'd be happy to tune up or help with anything that you have going on with your "good" bikes too. My email's Funkdeal@hotmail.com Also, what are the cool bicycles shops? I ride mainly road bikes and fixed gears and single speeds, but I like all bicycles. Thanks for your attention. I'll be practicing my French. Peace!

Sean

Hi Sean,

Actually, most VIA trains allow bikes as checked baggage. There is a $20CDN fee and the VIA web site (http://www.viarail.ca/planner/en_plan_baga_volu.html)provide guidance for preparing the bike for travel. Which one did you say did not accept them?

If you want to look for a used bike, you could check out the Ad section on the Velocia Forum (http://www.velocia.ca) or on the Kijiji on-line Classified Ads site (http://montreal.kijiji.ca/f-buy-and-sell-sports-bikes-W0QQCatIdZ111).

Another option would be SOS Vélo (http://www.sosvelo.ca/site/index.ntd). SOS Velo is a social re-insertion program that gives old bikes a new lease on life.

Best,
Ron

Hi Sean,

Actually, most VIA trains allow bikes as checked baggage. There is a $20CDN fee and the VIA web site (http://www.viarail.ca/planner/en_plan_baga_volu.html)provide guidance for preparing the bike for travel. Which one did you say did not accept them?

If you want to look for a used bike, you could check out the Ad section on the Velocia Forum (http://www.velocia.ca) or on the Kijiji on-line Classified Ads site (http://montreal.kijiji.ca/f-buy-and-sell-sports-bikes-W0QQCatIdZ111).

Another option would be SOS Vélo (http://www.sosvelo.ca/site/index.ntd). SOS Velo is a social re-insertion program that gives old bikes a new lease on life.

Best,
Ron


Hi there. Thanks for the input. I don't know where I read that bicycles aren't allowed on VIA, but I reviewed their website, and it said exactly what you told me. I also read Air Canada's bicycle policy and it states for international traveling, "a bicycle is considered part of the free baggage allowance. If carried in excess of the free baggage allowance, the applicable excess rates will apply." I'm really considering taking one of my own bicycles now. Any suggestions on which shops to visit? Especially cool rides or trails? I'm staying in hostels located in downtown of both cities (my buddy booked the hostels..) and I was wondering what the best way to get out of the cities were. I don't mind riding all day, so please throw out any ideas you got. Thanks.

Try this http://brakeless.ca for a cool bike shop in Montreal (especially if you're into urban/fixed biking).
Cheers,

Virgil

Thanks for the suggestion, virgil. I'll definitely look into that bike shop. What are the cool trails and routes? Is Isle d'Orlean near Quebec a cool place to ride to and around? Just out of curiosity, what is the ride like from Quebec to Montreal? is it doable in 2 days? any information about anything would be helpful. Thanks, guys.

Especially cool rides or trails? I'm staying in hostels located in downtown of both cities (my buddy booked the hostels..) and I was wondering what the best way to get out of the cities were. I don't mind riding all day, so please throw out any ideas you got. Thanks.

In Montreal, I would recommend:
1) going into Old Montreal and the Old Port area, riding up the Lachine Canal and coming back following the Shore bike bath in Lasalle and Verdun (50-60kmi with plenty to see);
2) from Old Montreal, take the bike path to Jean Drapeau Park and the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit. From there you can go west along the Maritime Seaway to St-Catherine, cross over on the South Shore and headback east, stopping on the way in the Old Laprairie district. You can ride back to St-Lambert at the lock on the St-Lawrence Seaway and return to the Old Port district;
3) either take the river shuttle to the South Shore or the bike path to Jean Drapeau Park and the St-Lambert Seaway lock. Head east on the shore bike path. Just you arrive to the Louis-Hyppolite Tunnel, there is a river shuttle that goes to Boucherville Island. The ride around the highland in the Boucherville Island National Park is around 24km. Tons of nature at Montreal's footstep and plenty of Deer.

Biking from Montreal to Quebec City is doable in two days following the Route Verte (http://www.routeverte.com/rv/ang/index.lasso). You should plan a stop in Trois-Rivières.

In Quebec City, Île d'Orléans is doable from downtown via bkie paths towards Montmorency Falls, although the crossing on the only bridge is not the most "bike friendly" and it is not recommended to bike the Island on weekends, as the traffic can be horrendous.

Another ride from Quebec City is to take the ferry across to Levis. From there, you can do a loop heading west following the shore and crossing back on the Old Quebec bridge and then following the new Champlain Promenade along the river back into Quebec City.

You would probably also want to try going West on the Route Verte, starting along the Champlain Promenade, then to Portneuf. There, you cut North towards St-Raymoind or Ste-catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier, then back into Quebe on the Cheminot bike trail.

Just a few ideas...

Cheers,
Ron

Drop us a visit if you need access to more tools :)

Right To Move (bike coop)

As in bike shops, ABC Cycles (http://www.abccycles.com) for all around shop and Le Yeti (http://www.leyeti.com/)

Fixed/single speed needs:
Bellville Cycle Coop (http://www.bellevillecycle.com)
Revolution Montreal (http://www.revolutionmontreal.com/) (gives lesbian haircuts too)

Thanks for all the amazing feedback, guys. I've been studying a lot of maps and google earth, looking for the best ways to get around. Can somebody suggest the best way to get from Dorval International Airport in Montreal to downtown. I found a couple bike maps, but they seemed inconsistent. Is there an entrance to some sort of bike path on Rue Notre Dame near Avenue 32e? Will that take me to Boulevard de Maisonneuve Quest? Daijoubu, do you work at one of those shops or something? Daijoubu desu ka? ha ha. Thanks for the ride suggestions, too. I can't wait!

Thanks for all the amazing feedback, guys. I've been studying a lot of maps and google earth, looking for the best ways to get around. Can somebody suggest the best way to get from Dorval International Airport in Montreal to downtown. I found a couple bike maps, but they seemed inconsistent. Is there an entrance to some sort of bike path on Rue Notre Dame near Avenue 32e? Will that take me to Boulevard de Maisonneuve Quest? Daijoubu, do you work at one of those shops or something? Daijoubu desu ka? ha ha. Thanks for the ride suggestions, too. I can't wait!

Here is the route I suggest. It is the safest and most panoramic at the same time. You will love riding down the Lachine Canal. Once you get to Lakeshore Road, you join up with a bike path that splits off at 55th Ave into a separate dedicated bike path. On the Lachine Canal, you will cross-over onto the north side at Atwater Market, then up Atwater ave to Maisonneuve W.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=fr&msa=0&ll=45.463502,-73.65818&spn=0.107635,0.232086&z=12&msid=111958700984231633689.00044c7ce37cfff2e513e

Let me know if you have problems with the map.

Ron

Here's a link towards the map page of the Beaconsfield Cycling Club: http://clubcycliste.com/english/.
Their starting points are exclusively in West Island (not sure if it works for you) but also have some suggestions for drive and cycle.
Be aware that Montreal drivers are unlike any other drivers in the world. Cases of run-over pedestrians and bykers are very numerous. Do not assume that if you made eye contact and they can avoid you they will do it. They'll run over you and never botter to stop. Drivers are very late after the light changed to red (never be the 1-st to start). This is not exageration or rant. Beware!
Your best bet from the airport is a cab ($30-$40 to downtown). The other option is the aerobus (directly from the airport to the bus terminal in downtown). You may also try the STM bus network or STM + train depending on the time of your arrival (trains twds downtown run mainly in the morning).

Daijoubu, do you work at one of those shops or something? Daijoubu desu ka? ha ha. Thanks for the ride suggestions, too. I can't wait!

I volunteer at Right To Move on Sundays, from 1PM to 4PM

Awesome. That's a great map Rhoude. I'll probably end up taking that route. Thanks for the warnings too, virgil. I currently live in Southern California, so we'll see who's got the worse drivers.. Daijoubu, what is Right to Move? The link you provided was dead and a google search yielded nothing. I reall appreciate all the help. I feel confident that i can get around fairly efficiently now. I still haven't decided if i'm going to take my fixed gear commuter bike or my steel dork road bike with mustache bars. probably the latter.. Thanks!

Don't forget that june 24 is "La saint Jean Baptiste" Quebec's celebration day!!!

It's like our little 4th of July!

If you're in Quebec City the party is on "Les Plaines d'Abraham".

Maybe you should not plan any early morning biking for the 25th ;)

And why did you chose Quebec for your biking trip?

Just curious cause the're must be beautiful spots in South Cali!!!

Awesome. That's a great map Rhoude. I'll probably end up taking that route. Thanks for the warnings too, virgil. I currently live in Southern California, so we'll see who's got the worse drivers...

The nice thing about the route is that it takes you away from traffic for most of the run. Around lunch time and afternoon commute the traffic can get pretty dense on the bike path around Atwater Market. But overall, it's a route I love taking. I worked until last month on the edge of the Montreal International Airport and biked most of the route I mapped out on a daily basis from April to November, commuting to the South Shore, where I live. It's a really nice way to discover and live in Montreal.

Cheers,
Ron

Daijoubu, what is Right to Move? The link you provided was dead and a google search yielded nothing.

It's a bike coop where volunteer mechanics help out people fix thier bikes
The website works fine here though

Right to Move / La voie libre is at http://www.rtm-lvl.org/

Right to Move / La voie libre is at http://www.rtm-lvl.org/

I had never heard of a bicycle coop until mentioned in this thread. Maybe i can come in and help out? My hostel's just around the corner. I've been working at a bicycle shop for about a year, so I'm definitely not a professional mechanic, but I'd be happy to be an extra hand. Either way, I'll swing by and say hello. I'm not leaving for over a month, and already I can't wait. Can anybody suggest good places to eat in the area? Bakeries, delis, farmers markets, good, cheap restaurants. I don't eat very heavy food usually, but I'm sure I'll at least try that french fry, cheese curd, gravy monstrosity. I just won't plan any riding for that night..

Can anybody suggest good places to eat in the area? Bakeries, delis, farmers markets, good, cheap restaurants. I don't eat very heavy food usually, but I'm sure I'll at least try that french fry, cheese curd, gravy monstrosity. I just won't plan any riding for that night..

On your way to the hostel, you'll bike by Atwater Market, all kind of food and farmer shops. Chez Magnan is a popular tavern/restaurant near the Atwater Market. You'll want to go stroll on St-Denis Street.There are all kinds of café and terrasses in all price ranges and quite a 'colourfull' crowd.

You cannot leave Montreal before you've had a smoked meat. There are a few good delis like Schwartz and Reubens on Ste-Catherine street. For the best hot-dog and fries (hey! some food that is bad for you once in a while is ok! :D) you have to go to the Montreal Pool Room on St-Laurent.

There are tons of restaurant and cafés on Mount-Royal avenue (in the Plateau district).

And don't forget all the outdoor Festivals and free shows!!!

Cheers,
Ron