Hi there!
My name is Ralph. It has always been a dream of mine to bike from Toronto, Ontario to Truro, Nova Scotia. This is the year that I will do it! My Dad decided to ride with me and everything is looking good so far. We are hoping to make this trip in about 2 weeks, camping along the way. The first thing I really need help with is deciding a route. I was wondering if anyone had tips or links they could send me to help plan this trip.
This will be our first real bike tour and any help at all is appreciated!
If there is already a thread with relation to this please send it along!
Thank you so much!
Ralph
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Cycled that in both directions. Check routes, etc. at www.bicycletrek.org Have a great trip!
Dave and axine
Sent a reply but it did not appear in my "sent" list. So here it is again! Not a good idea as you will have to ride through a couple of shanty towns where theft is common. If you do have to ride, go in daylight and as you approach traffic lights adjust your speed such that you do not have to stop! Have you checked any Warmshower people? May be somebody with a pickup (bakkie) could meet you? What is your arrival date and flight info?
Dave
Thanks for the reply Dave! Could you link the page where I can find the route? I had a hard time finding that page.. Thoughts on following google maps bike route options?
Ralph
Thanks for the reply Dave! Could you link the page where I can find the route? I had a hard time finding that page.. Thoughts on following google maps bike route options?
Ralph
Anyone else have links or tips for this trip? I'm still trying to paste together a approperiate route.
Any help greatly appreciated!
Ralph
When you land in Toronto take the train to downtown with your bikes (the train from the airport allows bikes during nonpeak hours) and once you get off at union station follow highway #2 east until you get to Quebec.
When you get to Quebec the highway changes to #338, you will go over a couple of bridges and the road changes to Lakeshore Drive. Follow this all the way to Montreal. Once you get to Montreal you will then go across the water to the south shore. Once on the south shore, you can start following highway #132 east. The 132 is set up for cycling. Keep going east on the 132 until you hit Levis. From Levis, you can take a 10-minute ferry across the water to Quebec City, explore, eat well, spend the night, and the following day jump back on the ferry to Levis and continue on the 132 until you see the signs for highway #289 to Saint-Alexandre-de-Kamouraska.
Keep following this road as it will turn into the #120 and take you to Edmundston. Continue on the #120 until Grand Falls. Once in Grand Falls head south on the #105 and follow it to Youngs Cove where you then start riding highway #112. Follow the 112 to Moncton and then start riding the #106 until you reach Fort Lawrence. At Fort Lawrence, you will connect with highway #6 and follow it to Pictou. If you don't have time, when you reach Tatamagouche head south on the #311 to Truro, NS. I've been typing for so long I forget your final destination. But if you have any questions, send me a message, and I'll do my best to help.
Cheers, Brian Nadon
Sorry for the late reply! This was very helpful.. Chipping through the route plan and training now. Any things to keep in mind on this trip.. I.E Hills heading East, Cold weather, Wind?
Thank you very much!
Hi Ralph,
I'd encourage you to use the Route verte website to plan your Quebec portion of the trip.
https://www.routeverte.com/en/discover/?carte=https://carte.routeverte.com/rv/?locale=en
My recommendation for Montreal to Quebec city is going by the north shore. Although north and south are possible, the north shore (Route verte 5 / chemin du Roy / mostly route 138) is more historic and has the scenic villages. Of course if you're doing this in 2 weeks, you probably won't want to sightsee too much, but the distance is comparable whether you take the north or the south route.
As far going through New Brunswick is concerned, there are advantages and disadvantages with either route. Going via Edmundston and Fredericton is faster, but taking the coastal route via Campbellton might be worthwhile too.
Let me know if you have more questions relating to the Quebec portion.
Wow! thanks for your help! Sorry for the late response. I'll send you a message if any questions come up. This was very helpful!
Take Care!
Ralph