From July 2- August 4th, I am going to be at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi. Now, I live in Cincinnati, OH and am planning on *gasp* driving up there with one of my fellow students. Ill be there doing a summer French program, and was wondering if there is any good riding around there as I was planning on taking my bike. Any info/help would be much appreciated! Also, any local BF members who would be down for some rides, just let me know!
-Matt
I'm not from the Chicoutimi area, but I made some searches and I hope these links will be of some help.Originally Posted by mattfeet
The "Pavillon sportif" at Université du Québec à Chicoutimi might be able to help. Their website is:
http://sports.uqac.ca/pour_nous_joindre.php
Also, Vélo Québec has a list of bike/cycling clubs in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region at:
http://www.velo.qc.ca/fr/index.lasso...egion=Saguenay
Lastly, you might be able to get some infos through the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region portal at:
http://www.saguenaylacsaintjean.net/
Hope this will help you get started.
En passant, bonne chance avec le programme de français.
-André in Fredericton
Whether you want sedate riding or challenging rides, you have quite a few options. I'll give you a few:
– Riding around town, or between the neighbourhoods of Chicoutimi and Jonquière (about 10 km West, with a few road options), or to La Baie (15 km East). The Saguenay valley is rather deep, so riding along the riverfront isn't too challenging but riding away from the river is quite challenging. Neighbourhoods range from industrial to working class to luxurious; ancient (1930-1940) to modern.
– The Véloroute des bleuets : the stretch from Chicoutimi to Alma is either nice and challenging (not well designed bike path as far as I've read), or gently rolling and boring (via highway 170). Then from Alma to Alma, the circle around the lake is about 250 km. Some do it in one day, but I would suggest you do it in two days, visit Val Jalbert and enjoy the scenery. The Northern side of the lake is relatively intact (i.e. enjoy the scenery) and the Southern side is more developped (enjoy the sites).
– Riding away from the river, towards places like La Terrière, mont Valin, Saint-Fulgence. These are usually paved routes with brutal hills. Not much traffic, except when everybody wants to go to their cottage.
– If you have plenty of time towards the end, you might decide on a loop. Roughly speaking, from Chicoutimi, go east towards the neighbourhood of La Baie. Then:
- Highway 381 South to Ferland-et-Boilleau (tiny hamlet; no food) and Saint-Urbain; no service along the road, but just enough traffic so you won't get stuck in an emergency.
- Highways 138, then 362 from Baie-Saint-Paul to La-Malbaie (superb shoreline).
- Highway 138 East to Baie-Sainte-Catherine
- Highway 170 West to Chicoutimi.
Expect lots and lots of hills, in the 12-18% range; the scenery is simply breathtaking.
If you want some riding partners, I would suggest you visit the Vélocia forum (a French forum). There are a few participants from the Saguenay area (Marmalade or Marmelade is one that comes to mind) who would be eager to to a couple of interesting road rides.
Michel Gagnon
Montréal (Québec, Canada)
Thanks for all the information guys, I really appreciate it.
-Matt
I rode around there twice (touring) and saw lots of roadies on the roads between Chicoutimi and La Baie (rang St-Joseph/St-Martin). Many short steep hills with a plateau between the two towns. It's quiet farmland and you got to stop at Fromagerie Boivin just outside La Baie for some squeeky cheddar cheese.
There's good riding on the road to Lac Kenogami (Route Verte #8). There's a spring water source around the west end of lac Vert, on rang St-André, if my memory is correct (a roadie showed me).
If you like hills, highway 170 goes up From the shore near La Baie to St-Félix-D'Otis, all with a paved shoulder. I wouldn't go further unless I planned to ride all the way to the St-Lawrence. Highway 172 was a bit busy for my taste around Chicoute/St-Fulgence and doesn't always have a paved shoulder.
If you really like hills, I'd take a trip to Charlevoix and ride to Parc des Hautes Gorges, as well as the back roads linking St-Aimé-des-Lacs, Notre-Dame-des-Monts and St-Urbain-de-Charlevoix. Some of best cycling I ever had in Québec!
Erick - www.borealphoto.com/velo
Well, as it turns out, Im unfortunately no longer going to Québec this summer. Money got tight, and a GREAT summer internship opened up, so I just dont think its going to happen this year.
-Matt
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