Training for the Gaspe Peninsula

I'm just back from a training ride with Tracy for our upcoming trip to the Gaspe Peninsula. We'll be on the road for 9 days with Tracy and Dave, and John and Sonya, who will ride a tandem. Our ride today involved tackling Clary Hill Road, a steep uphill grade that goes on for probably a mile or so before opening up into blueberry barrens at the top. We both accomplished the climb without having to stop--we're psyched! It's a beautiful day, cool and windy so we started out with layers which were soon removed as we climbed Clary Hill. We stopped for a little break to admire the view a little later on along the ridge then came down the other side of Clary Hill to ride past Beth's Farm Market and onto Middle Road to arrive at Tracy and Dave's two hours later. I had a fierce headwind coming home for their house but the long climb back up to Appleton Ridge along Butler Road was not gruesome, just a long slow slog. I'm feeling more confident about riding on the roads in the Gaspe. The blogs we've read tell us there will be big hills, headwinds, gravelly shoulders and at times heavy truck traffic. And wonderful views, interesting friendly people and a whole different culture to absorb. A little over two weeks to go.