car knocker

Planning a trip to Montreal from Prescott along the St. Lawrence. Once there we would like to do the rail trail. We are on a tandem bicycle so what would be our options to get to Saint Jerome , the southern terminal? Biking through the city ,taking the commuter train to Blainville , or taking one of the shuttle services? Thanks in advance.

BrianSullivan

Been considering that trip myself. Are you planning to go both ways on the trail? How many days are you planning? I was thinking of going one way -- out from St. Jerome, taking the shuttle back, and having luggage moved along the way to and from accommodation points by the shuttle service.

car knocker

Probably just a day up from Jerome and then back

Gordon P

Take a look at the route Verte website and you will see that you will have a few options. From Montreal city centre you can ride on the bad roads and cross over to Laval, which is hell on earth, and cross over to the Laurentiedes. You can cross at Oka and take the Route Verte along the top of Laval and miss all the bad urban planning. By taking the bike path to Saint Jerome you will feel like a hampster as most of the bikepath is fenced in. After St. Jerome it only gets better until you reach the end. Starting in Mont Laurier is the better way in my opinion.

RHoude

Best and most interesting option would be to bike the Route Verte from the Ontario border to Vaudreuil. From there, rather than going on the island of Montreal, you would be best to ride to Hudson and take the ferry across to Oka, then to take the Route Verte through Deux-Montagnes, then stay on the North Shore to catch the Route Verte north to the P'tit Train du Nord rail trail. This would keep you out of the heavy city riding. If you're interested, I could draw up a more detailed map for you.

The commuter train to St-Jerome would not be an option because they do not allow bikes on that train line. The Dorion-Rigaud commuter train, which stops in Vaudreuil, does allow bikes at certain times of the day (i.e. outside peak traffic periods).

Best,
Ron

Gordon P

Here is a link that is related to your trip.

https://www.igs.net/~rrodgers/Ottaw-M...t_Mtl_Ott.html