Gaspésie from Kyle's point of view (Rimouski QC - Campbellton NB)

Cliff's notes:

Best campsite views: Au Soleil Couchant/Grande-Vallée (Minke whale, beautiful ocean), Havre de la Nuit/Percé (elevated view of Rocher Percé).

Best rides: Two day stretch between Grande-Vallée and Percé, with an astonishing view of Rocher Percé as we rolled into Percé. Great climbs into Grande-Vallée and then to Percé.

Total km: Approximately 690


August 21, 2013

I boarded the train mid day in Ottawa. I transferred at Montréal to the Gaspé overnight train. The Gaspé train has a "bubble car" where you can enjoy a 360 degree view of the journey from above the other cars.

As darkness set in, I got comfortable in my "sleeper", a small bed and tried to get some sleep in. The Rimouski stop was at 2:05AM, so I "awoke" and headed to a hotel for the night so I could meet the girls (and Victor) first thing in the morning.

The train is great for travelling with a bike. A $25 fee (per journey), and they take the bike fully assembled. You just need to make sure your train and connecting trains will have baggage cars. I suggest calling ahead. Also, on the sleeper trains apparently you can BYOB.

August 22, 2013

Rimouski - Matane

Waking up a little groggy from not much sleep, and surprised by a nice tailwind we set off. This was my introduction to the perfectly organized and efficient "O2H" team. Off we went on a flat portion and into the Gaspé region..
We camped a bit outside of the city of Matane, in a nice wooded area.

August 23, 2013
Matane - Ste-Anne des Monts

With a full night of sleep behind me, on to day 2. Another 90km stretch of mostly flat, yet beautiful coastal views. This time we camped at the 'ancre jaune' (yellow anchor). 

August 24, 2013

Rest day in Ste-Anne des Monts

We hiked in the Chic Chocs at the Parc National de la Gaspésie. This was actually my first time seeing Moose up close, and there were so many Moose off the trail we took.

August 25, 2013

Ste-Anne des Monts - Grande-Vallée

Leaving Ste-Anne des Monts we knew we were getting into the hills. Everyone was a bit nervous, we are not used to this amount of climbing in the Ottawa region. Everyone stayed determined and we arrived on time as usual, with curving ocean views town after town, then a couple of pretty steep climbs at the end of the day.

Spending lunch at the café recommended by a local cyclist was nice, I bought a baguette and ate some of the local smoked salmon.

Break at café

We camped at Camping Au Soleil Couchant. This camping site had probably the best view and access to ocean on my trip. Highlights were when we saw what I think was a Minke whale swimming by.

August 26, 2013

Grande-Vallée - Griffon

This was a challenging day, with consistent steep climbs and descents for the whole day. It was rewarding though, and we got through it.

Roughly halfway there.

Arriving at the high point before Grande-Vallée



August 27, 2013
Griffon-Percé

Today we went through the town of Gaspé. We thought it would be a good idea to stop and have some brunch and taken in the scenery before moving on.

Stopping in Gaspé for brunch.

This was a pretty tough day after the last two days of culminated effort. We struggled through it and were rewarded at the end with glimpses of Rocher Percé towards the end, then after an exhausting climb we sped down the other end into town and to the campsite.

Starting out on some gravel.

Nice café stop, almost at Percé. Really good food and they were playing the Beatles' White Album too, so pretty chill rest stop for a tough day.

The Havre de la Nuit campsite, while cramped for space (seems to me they just rent out their bar's lawn..) has an incredible view.

August 28, 2013
Sick day!

I must have ate something that didn't agree with my stomach and had to stay in bed all day. I tried to be of some use by helping Victor with groceries.

August 29, 2013

Grande-Rivière (Pabos Mills) - New Richmond

Before we set off I made sure to take a photo of the Santa sign.. I'll have to investigate why Quebec campsites have a consistent Noël theme. We thought it was funny.

Merry Christmas!

Not really much to see on this ride. The day was overcast and threatening rain the whole time.

We had some gravel detours and farm views.

August 30, 2013
New Richmond - Campbellton

This was my final day with the group. We rode through a pretty steady headwind towards New Brunswick. There was really not much to see and for me this was probably the toughest day. We arrived in Campbellton and camped out at Sugarloaf Park, also pretty well known for mountain biking. Too bad I didn't have my mountain bike..

Bridge into New Brunswick/Campbellton

Riding through a lot of native territory.

Campbellton, NB - apparently lots of good salmon fishing.



This was really well organized. Thanks to all who put it together, and thanks to Victor for driving and doing chores! 

Good luck getting to $5000, and good luck to Victor's pHd.