Montréal to St. John’s – Stage 5

We will follow the St. Lawrence Seaway out of Montréal along La Route Verte and other bike paths. Discover lesser-known roads and bike pathways along the St. Lawrence Seaway. Step back in time and experience a unique cultural landscape. Enjoy the vibrant sights and sounds of Montréal and Quebec City and the picturesque towns and landscapes along the route.

From Quebec City, we will cross to the south side of the St. Lawrence Seaway and ride to Mont-Joli, and then head towards Campbellton, New Brunswick and along the Acadia Coast in New Brunswick to the Confederation Bridge.

We will spend a few days on Prince Edward Island, including a rest day in Charlottetown, before taking a ferry from Wood Islands, P.E.I. to Caribou, Nova Scotia. With less than two weeks to go until we reach our destination of St. John’s, we will pass through Antigonish, Cape Breton Island, take a ferry to Newfoundland, and then pedal on to St. John’s. After 8275 km and heaps of unforgettable experiences, St. John’s will be our final destination.

The day-to-day route below is for planning purposes. Bike travel requires some flexibility for weather, road conditions, suitable camping and other factors outside our control. As much as possible we will stick to this itinerary, but please use the information below only as a general guide. Frequent updates will be available for each stage of the tour as we travel along the route. If you are planning to join us, please allow a few days on either end of the date range when making plans.

ConnecTour local events are in the planning stage

Most residents of the Quebec and the Atlantic regions will tell you that August and September are their favourite months as temperatures range between 15 and 34 degrees Celsius. August and September months frequently offer splendid weather conditions. The weather in this region of Canada is also an attraction all by itself with a fascinating array of types of weather: fog, cold, rain, wind, but also a lot of sun and warmth. The weather is unpredictable. Being close to water for much of this route also means that there is usually a breeze and at times can get quite windy. A warm and sunny day can turn cold and drizzly fast. Or otherwise. That’s why locals often say: “If you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes”. Daytime temperatures can allow for shorts and short-sleeved shirts. But, be sure to pack a sweater or light fleece, pants, and a rain jacket for cooler days and nighttime. Always be prepared to dress in layers.

The daily trip plan and activities are adventurous and fun. The trip is all about enjoying the bike travel experience – we will pack what we need, eat well, and connect with each other and the locals along the route.

All group members are part of the team.  Everyone will agree to participate in group activities, food preparation, shopping, camp setup/cleanup, and telling the story. Regular rotation of trip activities will include:

• Green team – minimizing our impact on the places we visit and stay
• Journal team – documenting and sharing our daily activities with the group and broader community
• Hospitality team – keeping the group in good spirits
• Cook team – meal planning and preparation, grocery shopping and cleanup

What is included?

All day-to-day bike travel expenses, including:

• All group meals
• Daily snacks and happy hour
• All group camping and accommodation
• Campground and park fees
• Reservations and coordination of activities
• Trip leaders and basic bike mechanical service and repair

Please note:

• Beer, wine, and alcohol and extra snacks are at your own expense.
• Group meals are meals that we prepare together at camp or at picnics along the road.
• Meals and snacks on rest days and event days are at your own expense.

Food and Meals

We will be doing a mix of cooking and preparing our own food at camp or at picnics on the road. We can accommodate most diets and you will be involved in meal planning and preparation to share your favorite recipes with the group. Those who prefer to eat at restaurants or prepare their own food are free to do so at their own expense. You will have the opportunity to shop for food, snacks and drinks most days.

The fun thing about bike travel is that you can pretty much eat as much as you want. The food tastes better, the scenery will change the way you think about nature, and your mind will be clear. There is nothing better than ending a day’s ride by enjoying some snacks or a local craft beer. Sit around a table and share your daily highlights and images from the day. Wake each morning and go for a bike ride and do it all over again.

Our home on the road will be a mix of camping (sometimes not in official campsites) and home-stays as guests of friends and family or communities. As much as possible, we will choose well-maintained campgrounds and local stays with comfortable arrangements including indoor facilities and showers. In more remote backroads camping scenarios, we may have to improvise portable toilets and water features for cleaning up.

Those who prefer not to camp are free to stay in hotels or Air BnBs along the route, at your own expense. We will communicate with you each day about meeting points and other logistics.