Day 24: Tadoussac to Rimouski

100km/62m (not including the ferry), 4hrs47mins, 21kph/13mph, 590m/1918ft of climbing.

Cumulative distance so far, 1577km/978m.

Made it to the Gaspe peninsula today, courtesy of the ferry from Les Escoumins to Trois Pistoles. Up early, 40km from Tadoussac to Les Escoumins, where I had time for a rather excellent second breakfast before boarding the ferry. A ninety-minute journey, during which I saw more beluga whales, and the weather changed dramatically. I'd got pretty wet on the ride from Tadoussac, but by the time we arrived at Trois-Pistoles it was dry and hot, not just warm. And the first half of the route to Rimouski was flat, so I was able to rattle along.

Another word here for the bike nerds. I can't speak too highly of the bike. To be fair, it's probably heavier than one would need for most purposes, but fully loaded it is truly impressive. The stability is remarkable. With front and rear panniers, which catch a lot of wind, plus other stuff on the rear rack, plus me, I touched 73.2kph/45mph on a downhill section today without a moments anxiety. No wobble, no flex in the frame, absolutely solid. The Rohloff hub is terrific, too. Being able to shift down while stationary for hill starts is useful, and I've been grateful for the range of gears. And I've had no mechanical problems, not even a puncture. I've replaced a set of brake blocks, changed the oil in the Rohloff, lubed the chain and pumped up the tyres, but that's it so far. Not bad given that by the end of tomorrow I'll have covered more than 1000 miles. Long may it continue.

Sorry folks, back to the trip. So far, Gaspe reminds me of Scotland but with clapperboard houses. I have, however, only seen the first 60km of the coastal road and I expect things to get more dramatic tomorrow. And after a hot afternoon there is currently a thunderstorm, nicely timed to occur now that I am safely ensconced in a motel. Happy days. And there are some more pictures here, including a few of some apparently small whales...