Day 52: Deschambault to Quebec City

Yesterday morning, I had a breakfast consisted of two fried eggs, coffee, and a fruit smoothie made by Eléa. Just what I needed for the road.

Anas and I said our goodbyes to Eléa and left her house at 9 AM. We could feel the heat coming on already. We didn’t take too many breaks, maybe one in every 12 miles or so.

Around half way to Quebec City, the terrain became hilly. I had to push my bike twice up hills.

A little before 1 PM and after 41.8 miles of riding, we arrived at our Warmshowers hosts Boro and Maude’s place in Quebec City. Boro showed as a half renovated apartment where we could store our bikes and stay in the bedroom. He also showed us the second floor of his triplex house where there is air conditioning.

After settling down, Anas and I went to get some lunch. Almost every store was closed due to a Quebec provincial holiday. We were lucky that the first restaurant we went to was open.

At La Cuisine, I ordered a Pâté Chinois, thinking it’s Chinese pasta or noodles. As it turned out, I couldn’t be more wrong. It’s actually Shepherd’s Pie. Nothing Chinese about it.

After lunch, Boro and Maude, along with their stroller of two kids, came to meet us. We took a walk on Rue Saint-Joseph and chatted.

Boro is an expert in homeless politics and Maude is a midwife. Like all Canadians I’ve met so far, they are not a fun of Trump. I joked that I was hoping to meet a Canadian Trumper, but that day has not come yet.

We walked all the way to La Cale of the Port of Québec. It has shallow pools for people to sit in, but we decided to relax under the umbrella while having some drinks and popcorn. I enjoyed the Quebecois music and used Google to identify the songs and look up the lyrics. I was learning some French.

After hanging out for a while, we then took a walk by the St Charles River before coming back to the house.

I took a much needed shower. Boro’s mom made a delicious meal consisted of chicken, rice, and salad. Boro told Anas and me that we can sleep on the couch in the main house since it has the AC. Anas opted for the bedroom in the half-renovated apartment so I took the couch in the main house.

This morning, I was woken up by the sun, which is my preferred way. No one is up yet except for Boro’s brother, who was playing computer games all night.

Today, I plan to take a rest day and explore more of Quebec City and walk around Old Quebec. Anas will go meet his friend and stay at his place tonight before cycling back to Montreal, taking a more scenic route.

I will miss Anas. We got along great. It’s been nice having a cycling partner. I will be cycling solo again and going farther east toward Halifax via the Gaspesie Peninsula.

A beautiful rest stop

Walking my bike up a giant hill

Pâté Chinois, aka Shepherd’s Pie

Taking a walk on Rue Saint-Joseph

Cool murals under a highway

Posing on the Quebec sign

So many people at the marina swimming pool

La Cale of the Port of Québec