After courageously battling an aggressive cancer, François Cartier yearned for a fresh start, a way to rediscover himself and find joy.
His first step: embracing cycling. Mr. Cartier took to two wheels as a path to recovery and a vibrant way to stay active.
Next, he sought a fulfilling pastime. Why not a part-time job that truly spoke to him? Bingo! Two years ago, he found his calling as a luggage delivery driver for the wonderful clients of Voyager à vélo.
“I used to do a lot of volunteering, but often found myself doing all the work alone,” he fondly recalls.
“I faced cancer in 2019, which led me to put everything on hold for two years. I lost 50 pounds during that time.”
Falling in Love with Cycling
Thankfully, the cancer was caught early, after a bout of jaundice. A successful operation and treatments helped him triumph over the illness, shares the spirited Granby native, now 72 years young.
“Slowly but surely, I was able to resume my activities. Cycling came to mind, and I decided to buy an electric bike. That’s when I truly fell in love with it!” he exclaims with a smile.
“I’ve had the pleasure of exploring many beautiful bike paths throughout Montérégie and Estrie.”
A Passion for “Hitting the Road”
Not long after, a compelling advertisement caught François Cartier’s eye. Voyager à vélo was looking for drivers to transport luggage between their clients’ accommodations.
“I needed a hobby, but I wanted it to be more than just volunteering. Delivering luggage keeps me wonderfully busy. This is my second year with Voyager à vélo, and I’m so happy to see how much it’s growing,” he observes.
“I’ve always had a soft spot for hitting the road. I do my deliveries in the mornings, and often I’m back home for lunch, leaving my afternoons free. It’s also a job that brings me wonderful encounters with people. Sometimes, I even get to offer clients a few helpful pointers for their route when I know the area well.”
A Touch of Responsibility
Taking on this kind of role comes with a special touch of responsibility; you can’t simply leave Voyager à vélo clients’ precious belongings just anywhere, he emphasizes.
First, you always double-check that the accommodation address is spot-on. And, of course, confirming the clients’ reservation is valid is a must.
Mr. Cartier shares a memorable anecdote from a few months ago. The reservation had unfortunately been misplaced by the accommodation chosen by the clients. “It just didn’t work out. The B&B was fully booked, leaving no room for our clients to spend the night,” he explains.
“Voyager à vélo sprang into action and found another lovely accommodation in the region. Sometimes, you truly have to be ready to pivot on a dime!”
Another unique aspect: hotels aren’t always equipped with elevators. When luggage needs to go up to the second floor, a little bit of good old-fashioned elbow grease comes into play. “Just the other day, I did a delivery for a group of cyclists… and there were 11 suitcases!” he recounts with a chuckle.
“They all made it up to the second floor, no problem!”
His Special Service Area
François Cartier’s delivery routes are lovingly concentrated in the beautiful regions of Montérégie and Estrie. He firmly believes these two areas are an absolute dream for cycling, especially with their fantastic network of high-quality bike paths.
“We are truly spoiled here!” he wholeheartedly agrees.