This is the route to St-Andre-Avellin that the A's did a couple of months ago but with a mildly shortened return on the Ontario side.

I had positive reports for the first go-round so here is a reprise but with colours, which should be spectacular. Do you folks ever stop to take a picture?

Here's the blurb from the July ride, with edits:

!! : bring 2 x $2.00 for the ferry.

Some notes on the route:

1. at km 18.6, there's a left turn into Rockland to avoid the crappy condition of Baseline Rd east of the big downhill. If you don't mind the crappy road condition, you can continue straight on Baseline through to Landry Rd, where you will turn left to rejoin the route en route to the ferry.

2. Construction on Rang St Louis, between km 49 and km 57 is complete.

3. Having never been to St-Andre-Avelin, I don't know the cafes. However, Google says there's a pastry shop that's open Sunday, but you might need to take a short detour over a temporary bridge to get to it. You're welcome. There's also a Tim Hortons on your way south from St-Andre, just after you turn off the 321 just after crossing the 50.

4. At km 80.9, the route goes straight ahead onto unknown roads. [I heard no mention in July of any problems on this road].

5. Addition: note that, to avoid the crappy section of Innes Rd between O'Toole and Cox Country -- fast traffic, lousy pavement, I have routed you over 1.x km of gravel on French Hill over to Frank Kenney. You can decide which you option you would rather take.

Other refreshment stops include Rockland, Thurso. I believe there are toilet facilities at both ends of the ferry crossing.

Following the A-team, I'm also sending you across the river, on a shorter tour through the Quebec woodlands. I note that the route is a few kms longer than even last Sunday but I couldn't see an easy way to lop off only about 6 km. Nonetheless, this ought to be a beautiful ride and well worth the extra time and effort. Note that there is less climbing than last Sunday, and a big downhill!

Ferry, there and back again, 2 x $2.00 - $4.00.

On the way out, note that, at km 18.x, I have you turning north into Rockland. This is to avoid dodgy pavement east of the "Big Hill" on Baseline. If you prefer, you can just continue east, go down the hill and follow Baseline to Landry, where you would turn left.

Thurso will be your hub for the Quebec loop; you can find refreshments and toilets, there, before and after as needed. I leave it to you to consult the map for likely places to stop. Worst case, there's a Metro store / Subway. You might find a casse-croûte in Plaisance (km 63).

Note that you may want to stop for a photo op at the Chutes de Plaisance, km 46.7 (well, you can see one small chute without paying $$ as the road passes right over it). Hopefully, you will find a toilet there, as well. Note that you lose a lot of altitude over 5km, starting at km 53.3. I have climbed that hill a couple of times; I'm sure you'll have more fun coming down! Make sure your brakes are working well.

Your return to Thurso is along QC-148. It has a good paved shoulder but do pay attention for any unexpected bumps as you go along.

Back on the Ontario side, note that I have routed you over 1.x km of gravel on French Hill Rd between O'Toole and Frank Kenney. This is to avoid the parallel section of Inned Rd which has lousy pavement and fast cars. You can decide which option you wish to take.

Staying on the Ontario side, you'll be touring the colours of some local woodlands and fields, down as far as Vars. Any reseemblance to a ride from a few months ago is purely coincidental.

An almost mid-way stop is at Midori Market, in Sarsfield. Another option, a few kms from the finish, is Sunrise Bites in Navan.

A familiar routing via Wilhaven, Bouvier and the PRT to Hammond for a comfort break. Then on to Sarsfield and Midori Market for refreshment.

I have you coming all the way along French Hill Rd to Frank Kenney, which gives you 1.2 km of gravel. FYI.