On to Quebec

July 8, 2010 Bar Terrace, Montreal 3:30pm

Last day in Montreal. At this point, I’m just not ready to handle 160 miles in two days, so I’m going to handle it in 3 days instead. I’ve already communicated with the people in charge at The Ride to Conquer Cancer. All of the moneys will still go to the cause, but I just won’t be taking up tent space at the midway point.

Some good news…I got a new computer for the bicycle today. I was told at the shop that the only way to service a POLAR bicycle computer was to take it to a POLAR dealership, and since there wasn’t one in the whole of Montreal, I was pretty much shit-out-of luck. However, I got a new computer installed for about $40. A good deal. In addition, the bicycle technician was a little worried about putting a rack clamp on a carbon fiber seat post. So, I swapped out the carbon seat post for an aluminum one. Then I won’t have to worry about the post cracking and breaking at any point. I can replace the post when I get back to Dubai. Not a big deal. The new seat post cost $20. Another good deal. These guys in the shop (right around the corner from the Hotel) really knew their stuff.

So, I’m good to go tomorrow. It should be another hot day, but there is supposed to be some rain coming in over the weekend. I should be in Quebec City by somewhat early Sunday. I’ve located reasonable accommodation in Louisville (about 80-90km from Montreal) for Friday evening. I think I’ve located reasonable accommodation in Donnacona for Saturday evening. Then it’s into Quebec City. I guess I’ll have to try to secure accommodation when I get there.

I updated the blog this morning with a couple of pictures. I hope to keep doing that everywhere I can find Internet access. This Terrace Bar has WiFi access, so I’m good.

A bit of a lie-in this morning. Mostly because I knew the bicycle shop wasn’t going to open any time before 10. But also, because I had nothing really planned. There were no World Cup games, nor were there any Wimbledon matches. Just a leisurely day before heading out tomorrow.

One thing that I’ve noticed here in Montreal is that shoulder to elbow tattoos on both men and women seem to be INCREDIBLY popular. It’s almost as though everyone his walking around with one sleeve.

Earlier this afternoon (about 5 or so), I followed a HUGE performance group down the street. They wound up at a big square in front of an official looking building, and did quite a few amazing acrobatics. Of course, it was all rehearsed, but it was still pretty amazing. At the end of it all, the primary performers walked off down the street, and the rest of the performers followed shortly afterward at a run.

I’ll be heading to NAPOLI shortly for a repeat of last night’s dinner (except without the Onion Soup…not great). Bacon and ham pizza and a ½ bottle of Valpolecella. Good stuff. Tomorrow will be a long day, and I want to have sufficient fuel in my system. I should be back in the room by a little after 9 in order to watch the LeBron James special during which he reveals his new team. Most people are already claiming he’s going to Miami to join Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosch. Can all three of them survive with only one basketball? It’s one thing to have a bunch of superstars on an Olympic team which lasts for a finite period of time. It’s quite another to have them on one team for an 82 game season + post season. I mean, the Big Three in Boston all had to back off their egos in order to make it work. Can these three do it? They are much younger and perhaps much earlier in their EGO stuff. Just a thought.

I finished The Dancer Upstairs by Nicolas Shakespeare. It was a wonder, but heartbreaking story, supposedly based on true events. More’s the pity. It’s also supposed to be a movie with Javier Bardem. I’ll have to try to find a copy when I’m back at Mom’s.

So…back on the bike tomorrow. I should be able to follow Rte. 138 all the way to Quebec City. Here’s hoping.