BobG

Tom,

If I understand the VIA Rail schedule correctly the only train with a baggage car in that direction is the "Ocean" which travels all the way to Halifax eastbound on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. But that train will not off load checked baggage until beyond Ste. Foy (Quebec City). If that's indeed the case, no you can't travel from Montreal to Quebec City and off load your bikes but yes, you can get off with them anywhere beyond there that has checked baggage service. For example, La Pocatiere or Riviere-du-Loup. Best to call VIA Rail to confirm.

The only reason I'm familiar with these details is that last summer I was planning a trip similar to yours using the 'Ocean" for my return. The trip didn't happen. Maybe I'll see you all out there this summer!

edit: I see there are several trains with roll on service between Montreal and Quebec City. Train 628 on Saturday and Sunday and also trains 23,24,26 & 29

https://www.viarail.ca/en/bike

chinook07

You have actually 3 ways to get to Quebec City from Montreal. Route Verte 5 and Route Verte 3 follow the river, mostly on paved shoulders of routes 138 and 132 respectively, and go through some pretty nice towns. Route Verte 1 will add lots of extra kilometres, take you through Granby, Shebrooke, and Victoriaville, including some steep elevation between Waterloo and Magog, as well as between Rock Forest and North Hatley (flat shortcut possible), but consists mostly of very linear rail trails. If you don't mind cycling in straight lines and prefer rail trails to road traffic, this is the best option. You will cycle through 2 Quebec national parks (Yamaska and Orford), and a few nice lakes in the Eastern Townships. Note that the Route des Champs rail trail will be a shortcut from Chambly to Granby, shall you choose to not follow the Route Verte in that area.

jimblairo

Here is a link to a Montreal - Quebec ride report

The Bicycle Tourist: Montréal ? Québec City (by Michel Gagnon)

I would e mail Via rail about transporting your bikes as they have different policies in summer than in the res of the year.

mikesnow

By chance, does anyone know if a 700x23c tire (small road slick) could get through the (unpaved) crushed stone section?

Thinking of going in October...
Any help appreciated, Thanks

djb

depends. Depends on your bike handling skills, how much stuff you plan to have on your bike (either bags or even your body weight) and most importantly, if it rains.
I've ridden it a few times with 28 slicks and in dry it is perfectly fine. My wife has ridden it on 25s and her bike handling skills are fairly middling.
Some areas are softer than others, the sides can be soft easily, and when you cross some roads there is softer sand.

bottom line is that if there is rain, 23s will most likely be a pain in the keester. Last Sept I rode on it for two days and the second day it rained and rained and rained and I ended up bailing on the trail due to the frequently annoying soft muddy sections in one area--but there was a heck of a lot of rain, and I had about 25lbs of stuff on the bike with 28 slicks.