Returning to Quebec on this mostly east-west route; this time to Montebello.

If you were on last month's ride to St-Andre-Avelin, you may recognize a few kms of the route on the descent from the highlands around the Petite Nation River but the climb up from the 148 is likely new for some. It's a worthy climb through scenic country.

Because it must be posh, the Montebello (Lefaivre) ferry costs more: $3.00 gets you to Quebec and $2.00 returns you to Ontario in Thurso.

A couple of route notes:

1. The route is drawn through Rockland to avoid the trashy pavement east of the steep downhill on Baseline Rd. Feel free to continue east on Baseline Rd to Landry Rd but be aware of 1) the steep hill which has limited vision, and 2) the crappy pavement on the rollout.

2. It's easy enough to modify the route to include Plantagenet. I leave that to you.

A slight variation of the classic route to Plantagenet, where you'll find the usual stop: Cafe sur la rive. There's a Timmy's in Wendover, about 1km off piste. Food and toilet (if you buy something) can be found at the grocery store in Bourget. There's a small convenience store 500 metres west of the grovery store. Midori Market in Sarsfield has coffee but the water is crazy expensive, say reports.

I'm saving you $7 in ferry fares this week but I think for the last Orleans start, in a month, we'll bite the bullet and head to Quebec for the colours. Send me a note to say the $7 would be well spent on ferries or better spent on a multi-adjective coffee on the Ontario side.

Note the steep hill on Baseline Rd (km 19.5) with limited visibility. Use caution on the hill and during the rollout after; the pavement is trashy on the rollout for a couple of kms.

The Classic 2-ferries ride. The ride is lovely, with an almost 14km downhill down to the return ferry.

$7 in ferry tolls - $2 at Rockland; $5 at Masson.

Note that the return ferry has jacked up the fare for bikes to $5; thus, the total cost is $7 for ferries. It sucks. Feel free to let me know your thoughts about the expenditure as I have been reluctant to program routes using the Masson-Cumberland ferry.

Buckingham refreshment options are limited but the 9AM start should assure that something is open. Of course, there is always Tim Hortons which is just east of the intersection (i.e, a left turn) at km 52-and-change. A reminder to stay off the road, south of that same intersection (there are traffic lights); turn a slight right off the road onto the paved pathway. Please be good neighbours and ride the path at a speed that keeps other users safe.

A loop along the lovely and talented Wilhaven Drive, east to Joanisse Rd, south to Hammond (portapotty central), PRT (a very firm rail trail good for any tire I know about; scenic, too.) to Navan. Suggest a stop at Sunrise Bites cafe at km 44.

Note that I have added a 25-27 option for riders put off by the $7 in ferry fares for the C ride.