cycling in canada bugs roads culture

I am thinking of doing a short tour, 600 miles, of canada to experience some
of its culture and beauty. I am thinking of taking a train to some starting
point, I am from Pennsylvania, and picking up a train to get me back home
when I am done. Any one have any suggestions? I would like to get a true
feel of my neighbor to the north. What season is best to avoid mosquitos?
How are the roads? Can I get through the major cities without riding on
major highways?
In tours I,ve done in the past I camped half the time and stayed in motels
half but I am open to other forms of lodging too.

"Norm" (nomd @ netcarrier.com) writes:
I am thinking of doing a short tour, 600 miles, of canada to experience some
of its culture and beauty. I am thinking of taking a train to some starting
point, I am from Pennsylvania, and picking up a train to get me back home
when I am done. Any one have any suggestions? I would like to get a true
feel of my neighbor to the north. What season is best to avoid mosquitos?
How are the roads? Can I get through the major cities without riding on
major highways?
In tours I,ve done in the past I camped half the time and stayed in motels
half but I am open to other forms of lodging too.





Try velo quebecs web site to start. velo.qc.ca. They have all kinds of
great rides and also about the "route verte" for cycling all over the
province.

The main highways in Ontario are in the 400's. In Quebec,, they're named
the 10,15,20, and 40.

I'd bring a bottle Off or something,,, but you probably won't need it.

Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto all have bike routes.

steve

On May 19, 9:57 am, "Norm" nomd @ netcarrier.com wrote:
I am thinking of doing a short tour, 600 miles, of canada to experience some
of its culture and beauty. I am thinking of taking a train to some starting
point, I am from Pennsylvania, and picking up a train to get me back home
when I am done. Any one have any suggestions? I would like to get a true
feel of my neighbor to the north. What season is best to avoid mosquitos?
How are the roads? Can I get through the major cities without riding on
major highways?
In tours I,ve done in the past I camped half the time and stayed in motels
half but I am open to other forms of lodging too.

Try riding from Edmonton to Vancouver BC via Jasper-Banf-Glacier
National Park. You'll love it.

"Kenny" wrote in message
oups.com...
On May 19, 9:57 am, "Norm" nomd @ netcarrier.com wrote:
I am thinking of doing a short tour, 600 miles, of canada to experience
some
of its culture and beauty. I am thinking of taking a train to some
starting
point, I am from Pennsylvania, and picking up a train to get me back home
when I am done. Any one have any suggestions? I would like to get a true
feel of my neighbor to the north. What season is best to avoid mosquitos?
How are the roads? Can I get through the major cities without riding on
major highways?
In tours I,ve done in the past I camped half the time and stayed in
motels
half but I am open to other forms of lodging too.

Try riding from Edmonton to Vancouver BC via Jasper-Banf-Glacier
National Park. You'll love it.

That would be a great ride, but if you're from Pennsylvania that may be
farther west than you'd like to travel. Bear in mind that Canada is
different on the east coast than on the west coast (or the prairies).
You'll get a feel for _that part_ of your neighbor to the north. Roads
should be fine. Canada is in general a more cyclist-friendly place than the
US and specifically, PA, although a jag-off tried to run my wife off the
road in PEI once.

Here are a couple of websites you can try:
http://www.canadian-cycling.com/cca/home.shtml

http://www.canadiancyclist.com/default2.html

"Jim Flom" wrote in message
news7l4i.29297$g63.110@edtnps82...
"Kenny" wrote in message
oups.com...
On May 19, 9:57 am, "Norm" nomd @ netcarrier.com wrote:
I am thinking of doing a short tour, 600 miles, of canada to experience
some
of its culture and beauty. I am thinking of taking a train to some
starting
point, I am from Pennsylvania, and picking up a train to get me back
home
when I am done. Any one have any suggestions?
Portion clipped:
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Conten...=1080080554487
this page has Amtrak policy on carry a bicycle on their train.
The Adirondack line runs from New York to Montreal. If you are in the Philly
area, I suggest using SEPTA regional rail from Philly to Trenton and using
the NJT commuter train to Penn Station, Off peak hours, to assure rolling
your bicycle on the train to New York. The above page has a 800 number to
call for the bicycle policy for the Adirondack line bicycle policy.
Be aware that the passport rule has or will change.

--
www.billcotton.com

On May 18, 8:57 pm, "Norm" nomd @ netcarrier.com wrote:
I am thinking of doing a short tour, 600 miles, of canada to experience some
of its culture and beauty. I am thinking of taking a train to some starting
point, I am from Pennsylvania, and picking up a train to get me back home
when I am done. Any one have any suggestions? I would like to get a true
feel of my neighbor to the north. What season is best to avoid mosquitos?
How are the roads? Can I get through the major cities without riding on
major highways?
In tours I,ve done in the past I camped half the time and stayed in motels
half but I am open to other forms of lodging too.

I'd summarize my Canadian biking experience as follows:

1. Most recommended route is 138 from Montreal to Quebec City on the
north bank of the St. Lawrence River - also nice north of there past
Montmorency (sp?) falls to Ste. Anne de Beaupre.

2. Quebec City to Riviere du Loup, then down to Edmondston, also gave
a good flavor of French Canada.

3. North shore of Lake Superior is beautiful but wild: hilly, few
towns, cold, often no cell phone service

4. East shore of Lake Huron is milder and more civilized for better
or worse.

5. Niagara Falls to Windsor - non-descript

6. Vermont to Montreal - same