Heading out from Metcalfe on Monday morning and it looks like we’ll be getting wet.
We’re on our way to Quebec City though not planning too far ahead. First night is a campground in Ste. Justine, just over the border, and then a Warm Shower in Montreal on the Isle des Sœurs.
That was our best laid plan: as it happens, rain won’t be our big issue today; though we did get soaked.
Tires
After a warm and dry stop at the St. Albert cheese factory we’re back on the road when I notice a shimmy in my back tire which I assume is the tire going flat. I stop but everything seems fine. After another few kilometres on the brand new, perfectly smooth road, it’s getting worse.
Turns out the wall and bead are done.
Keeping our fingers crossed for the remainder of the day was not going to cut it. We stopped for a coffee in Maxville and watched a couple of trains pass by then Charles had the idea to use the laundromat at the gas station to dry things out. We got in trouble for appearing to be going indoors and not doing laundry; I think it was Charles’ stripping down to his underwear that alerted the authorities.
A couple more stops and we’re doing very well moving toward our campground for the night. Once again we encounter an old numbered school house for the gifted.
1878-1969
Roads are dry, I’m getting tired and our destination is close. BANG! This will be the first of three blowouts.
One thing I like about cycling with Charles is that he never gets upset when plans change and is always the first with alternative plans. With the tire repaired we push on with the idea to find a store that has the tires I need. BANG! This time we’re about 2.5 km from the campsite and we decide to walk the remainder. It’s getting dark and we’re tired.
Ste. Justine
After a warm welcome at the front gate we setup tents, put the chili on and get into dry clothing. Here’s the plan for tomorrow: call Dumoulin as no stores on the way have small tires. Switch the defective tire to the front and head to Vaudreuil where the tires will be delivered the following day. Yes, we’re losing one day on the plan but our host in Montreal is okay with the delay. (More about our Warm Showers family later.)
Day two will see us to Vaudreuil via St. Clet. We’re both a bit concerned that we’ll never find St. Clet or that we’ll end up going around it altogether.
The idea of changing the tires turned out to be just the ticket. Made it to Vaudreuil. BANG. Almost. Fixed this blowout and just want to find a cheap motel and relax. We’ll pick up the tires tomorrow and be on our way.
The motel is booked solid. No problem, there’s a Holiday in down the street and a Super 8 across the highway. The Holiday Inn is also booked and the woman running the motel informed us that the Super 8 was demolished a few years ago (that’s after I left a brilliant, informative message on their answering machine). She suggested the Chateau Vaudreuil up the street and I find it on Hotels.com for a good price. We’re off.
Many laughs as we check in and Marie allows us to put our bikes in a secure locker which contains all kind of odds and sods.
Pass the robe and slippers 
YMCA 
A quick shout-out to Paul at Dumoulin bicyclettes in Montreal. Paul, over a few phone calls, suffered through my French and was able to package and send new tires ahead of us on our journey.