Day 74, Thursday, Aug. 7 Municipal campground, Notre Dame du Lac 115 km

We left Sebka early (7:30) in an effort to get out ahead of the wind, which we noticed seems to get stronger as the day gets longer. We succeeded; however we didn't anticipate the fog that remained with us even as the wind sprung up - need I say, in our faces. By the time we got to Riviere du Loup, the fog had lifted and the winds had not reached the level of yesterday.

Riviere du Loup has a very high hill that goes straight up the escarpment. When we asked how to get to the the highly recommended trail that runs all the way to Edmunston in New Brunswick we were told at the info centre to go straight up that hill and turn right at the top. It so happens that one or two of us knew that there was an easier way than straight up. This route turned off about two blocks into the ride, before the hill. Dave 3, now known as David, was in the lead. He didn't know about the bicycle detour and went straight up the hill. Apparently near the top he looked back (he says it was about a 14% grade) to see that he was all alone. The rest of had taken the easier route. David survived and the rest of us had a good laugh. Though I suppose he had the last laugh for having survived a four block hill at such a steep pitch.

The day wasn't over however. Dave, David and I decided we should try to take the trail. We went a short distance on the Petit Temis trail (to be described by Ute and Jim later) but found it was too soft for our bikes and we decided we needed to go on the highway instead. We lost about an hour going in circles but advancing only about 5 km, but made good time once we got on the highway (185) which was hillier but had good shoulders. Of course, we had to expect hills as we were going over a mountain range. At the end of the day we had logged 115 km.

Dave and I were the cooks for the day so our day was especially long before we could relax and enjoy the lovely lake we were camped beside.
Submitted by Carol.