After spending several days cycling the Gourmet Cycle Route from Montérégie to the Eastern Townships, cycle tourists will soon have a new option for returning to the Montreal area with their bikes.
Committed to meeting its customers’ needs, the Voyager à vélo team is constantly looking for ways to improve its services and make cycling trips more accessible and enjoyable.
Keeping an eye on trends and adapting its services to meet the needs of cycle tourists are part of the company’s DNA.
Departures from Sherbrooke
Starting next season, a new service will be added to Voyager à vélo’s already extensive range of offerings, which cover a large area of Quebec and Ontario.
A shuttle will transport the bikes of cyclists finishing their ride in Sherbrooke back to their original departure point in Brossard or Montreal.
The new service builds on trips the company already makes to collect luggage from accommodations used by customers cycling through southern Quebec. The difference is that cyclists will now be able to book transportation for their bikes in the trailer at an affordable price.
The Gourmet Cycle Route crosses Montérégie on its way to Sherbrooke in the Eastern Townships. / Files
“We want to accommodate people who have travelled to Sherbrooke after riding the Gourmet Cycle Route (Véloroute gourmande),” explains Mario Belley, president of Voyager à vélo.
“We also want to offer our customers a more affordable service. We believe this service could also help us attract a younger clientele.”
The vehicle will have room for six passengers. Bikes will be transported in a trailer pulled behind the shuttle.
Cyclists who wish to return aboard the shuttle will need to reserve their seats in advance. The rule is simple: first come, first served. Since seating is limited to six passengers, other customers can take a scheduled intercity bus back toward Montreal, while Voyager à vélo takes care of getting their bikes safely back to their destination.
Interested cyclists can contact the company for more information about reservations and the available return options.
Belley believes the new service will meet an existing demand and could grow in popularity over the coming seasons.
“I think there will be demand for this type of specialized service. It’s a product we want to develop, and we expect it to grow. We also want to expand our bike rental business.”
A Model That Could Be Expanded
The concept could be applied to other cycling routes, including the Saint Lawrence River Route between Montreal and Quebec City. Voyager à vélo is considering offering a weekly service on Thursdays.
“If people want to, they’ll be able to enjoy Quebec City and return by train or bus. I want to encourage forms of transportation other than the car,” says Belley.
With this new option, Voyager à vélo hopes to simplify trip logistics and give cycle tourists greater flexibility at a lower cost. By making it easier to travel between the starting point and the final destination, the company hopes to encourage more people to discover cycling routes and trails without necessarily having to rely on their cars.
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