Biking on Le P’tit Train du Nord…child’s play!

It took the cycling path Le P’tit Train du Nord to get Daniel Lefèbvre and Brigitte Boisvert to leave the comfort of their cozy nest, an heritage home in the heart of Old Longueuil, for a weekend. But they were ready to go on this great adventure: a first cycle-tourism tour in the Upper Laurentians. And as real cycling enthusiasts, they like to travel light, caressed by the wind, rain or shine. When I met the two lovebirds in Rivière-Rouge, they were totally in love with nature. You should have seen them at the grocery store. They were like two happy kids! In exchange for a smile and a bag of ice, they agreed to give me their impressions of the bike path.
 
“The northern part of the P’tit Train du Nord linear park, between Labelle and Mont-Laurier, is simply beautiful. The path is paved and runs through beautiful landscapes and forests, and past rivers and lakes. The Upper Laurentians section is dotted with shelters, benches, picnic tables, former train stations and cute little toilets along the way (made of wood and not plastic). We met cyclists of all kinds, little families, people on in-line skates and lots of patrollers – a constant presence. We are proud to have travelled the 94 km and are already looking forward to repeating this kind of experience (a record for beginners like us),” they said.
 
So let’s get real, here. They’ll keep coming…from overseas, from across Canada, the United States and other parts of the world to see this great country of ours. We are so lucky to have this bike trail right here in our backyard, free to use as we please, in any direction. It’s child’s play!
 
Le P'tit Train du Nord Linear Park Bus, Km 0, Place de la Gare, Saint-Jérôme, transportation between Saint-Jérôme and Mont-Laurier, bicycle rental. 450 569-5596 / 1 888 686-1323, transportduparclineaire.com <http://transportduparclineaire.com>.

Paule Guérin