When hundreds of cyclists travel thousands of kilometres using Voyager à vélo’s services, unexpected situations and memorable anecdotes are bound to happen!
Throughout the summer, the team collected plenty of entertaining stories. Some were amusing, others a little more concerning, but fortunately, they all had happy endings.
Here are a few of them.
Take the Ontario customer who showed up at Voyager à vélo’s offices, ready to ride the Véloroute Gourmande, with all his gear… but without the front wheel of his bicycle.
Fortunately, the Voyager à vélo team is used to thinking on its feet and finding solutions at a moment’s notice. They were able to lend him an e-bike.
His trip went ahead as planned, and his luggage was transported from one accommodation to the next without a hitch.
Losing Your Pedals!
Speaking of things left behind… Another Ontario customer had remembered to bring her clipless pedals to install on her Voyager à vélo rental bike.
However, she forgot to remove them before returning home.
The team had to find a way to ship the pedals to her in the days that followed.
No Route Planned
Sometimes, travellers coming from far away need a little guidance. A cyclist from France had rented a bike to explore Quebec on two wheels, but he hadn’t planned… a route in advance.
Used to finding last-minute solutions, the team suggested he try Le Québec à vélo, an online tool launched a few months earlier by Vélo Québec.
The tourist was then able to map out an itinerary using the cycling routes shown on the interactive map.
Along the same lines, another customer showed up ready to begin her trip… a full day before her scheduled departure.
Once again, the team had to improvise and rearrange the luggage transportation schedule to fit her into Voyager à vélo’s operations in the region.
A Detour Worth Taking
The team also remembers two groups of cyclists who followed the same route but had very different experiences because of detours.
The first group was unable to find its way along a route where a section was missing. The team had to drive out to pick them up and bring them back to their starting point.
Meanwhile, the other group managed to work around the obstacles and discovered an alternative route and some unexpected attractions, including a charming little shop that was well worth the detour!
A Pain in the… Bottom!
Every now and then, the team has to deal with some unusual situations. In the middle of the night, a text message from a customer alerted the Voyager à vélo team to a rather special request. The gentleman was experiencing some irritation… in the nether regions.
He wanted a ride to a bike shop so he could purchase better-fitting cycling shorts and continue his trip in greater comfort.
Two Doctors on Board
On a more serious note, one cyclist suffered a facial injury in a fall and was rushed to hospital. Facial reconstructive surgery was mentioned as a possibility.
However, after being examined, she learned that she would not need such an intervention.
She received further reassurance on her return journey, when she travelled with other Voyager à vélo customers. As it turned out, two of her fellow passengers were doctors. They confirmed what she had just been told at the hospital, putting her mind further at ease.
Memories Worth Sharing
Whether it’s a mechanical problem, a forgotten item or a more delicate situation, every cycling trip brings its share of surprises. Fortunately, the Voyager à vélo team knows how to adapt and find solutions so cyclists can continue their adventures with as little worry as possible.
After all, cycle touring is about more than kilometres travelled and beautiful landscapes. It’s also about the people we meet, the unexpected twists along the way and the stories that, once the dust has settled, become wonderful memories to share!
What about you? What’s the most memorable story from one of your cycling adventures?