Before retiring, Michelle Campeau built her career in the maritime world.
She was part of the Laurentian Pilotage Authority, a federal Crown corporation responsible for providing marine pilotage services, particularly on the St. Lawrence River.
From her base in Saint-Lambert on Montreal’s South Shore, Ms. Campeau handled, among other things, the “roadmaps” for pilots taking the helm of ships transiting the river.
So yes—she knows transportation!
Michelle continues to write her story in the vast world of transportation. After ships, it is now cyclists she accompanies in her own way—and she does it with the same seriousness, along with plenty of pleasure.
Originally from Saint-Zotique, near Valleyfield, she has been part of the team for about three years.
She first heard of Voyager à vélo through a recruitment announcement. The company, specializing in services for cyclists, was looking for people to transport clients’ luggage to their next overnight destination.
“I said to myself: why not? I love driving!” she exclaims.
“We meet wonderful people. People on vacation are friendly. I like to know where they’re going. And I like talking with the people at the inns and hotels where we deliver the luggage.”
From the River to the Road
This part-time job has already taken this grandmother of two as far as Cornwall, Ontario.
“Long distances don’t scare me. It’s a nice drive to Cornwall. That’s what I like. I’d be happy to do more,” she shares.
Travel also connects her to her family. “My daughter lives in La Malbaie, in Charlevoix. I just went to see her. I spent two weeks there. It’s not that far. I got to see my two granddaughters. I spoiled myself…”
Traveling Light
Michelle doesn’t worry too much about the weight of the luggage she transports. Cyclists like to travel light, she notes.
“The luggage is generally not heavy. It’s not that bad,” she says.
“And often, cyclists have one or two suitcases. That’s all.”
She encourages anyone looking for a part-time job to consider luggage transportation with a company like Voyager à vélo. It’s stimulating, she explains, to meet travelers who discover the country differently—at the pace of their pedal strokes.
Each trip is also an opportunity for Michelle to rediscover her own region. Whether driving along the St. Lawrence, winding through quiet country roads, or passing through picturesque villages, she savors these small road trips behind the wheel.
She even inspired a family member to join. “My brother-in-law, Jacques Boiteau, also does it. I’m the one who got him into it,” she admits with a burst of laughter.
Reinventing Herself
Michelle’s story proves that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. From overseeing St. Lawrence cargo ship navigation to handling cyclists’ suitcases, she has found a new way to combine her passion for transportation, her love of meeting people, and her appreciation for the freedom of the open road.
To read:
Conquering Cancer, Embracing the Road as a Luggage Delivery Driver