Quebec City
This waterfront, out-and-back route, begins and ends at the Promenade Samuel-de Champlain, just outside Quebec City’s core. The park, which stretches just more than 4 km, was a gift to the city from the provincial government in 2008 in celebration of the provincial capital’s 400th birthday. Louis Carpentier, director of La Route Verte development for Vélo Québec, an association that promotes cycling in the province, recommends this ride. “It’s just beautiful. It’s a fabulous postcard for the region,” he says. After the Promenade Samuel-de Champlain, turn in from the water a bit and pass more parkland in the community of Cap-rouge: Plage-jacques Cartier and Nautique de Cap-rogue parks. Wind along the St. Lawrence, through the historic small villages of Le Calvaire, Neuville (home to the Marais-léon-provancher nature reserve), Donnacona and Deschambault before arriving in Grondines. The turn point is just after the stunning Saint-charles-borromée Church. A peek inside is worth it if the church is open when you arrive. Natural light illuminates the white and gold ornamentation. Mark the halfway point at Le Pop Café, a kitschy dépanneur and café that is a gathering point for locals. Return to the city via the same route, enjoy the waterfront views. If you still have some energy when you return to the Promenade Samuel-de Champlain, follow Champlain Boulevard 5 km more to get to the historic battlefield of the Plains of Abraham.
“” Squamish, B.C., is hands down my favourite place to ride in Canada. The amount of work and passion that go into the trail network from builders is at a whole new level. There are always new trails as well as maintained ones right at my doorstep.— Mirandamiller