A luggage transport service was exactly what Bernard Têtu and Aline Blais, two cycling enthusiasts from the Québec City area, had been missing in their cycling adventures.
Both passionate about bike touring, tried out the service offered by Voyager à vélo and now say they cannot do without it.
Bernard and Aline had used similar services during cycling trips in Europe.
So why not on this side of the Atlantic?
“If we wanted to ride all the way to Rimouski, for example, we practically needed two cars. We had to arrange a shuttle to get back. It wasn’t easy with the bikes,” recalls Mr. Têtu.
“In Europe, luggage transport services have been around for ages. We have used them a few times. We kept wondering why it wasn’t more common here.”
“The missing link!”
It was at the Québec Bike Show that everything came together. Mr. Têtu and Ms. Blais met Mario Belley and the team from Voyager à vélo.
Bernard et Aline en voyage
The energetic couple has nothing but praise for the company’s dedication. “It’s the missing link!” says Bernard Têtu.
“It’s exactly what we needed. It’s super helpful for cyclists like us. We’ve used all their services over the past three years. It’s perfect for those who like to travel light.”
Aline Blais loves the flexibility that the luggage transport service offers. The couple can choose their route, their accommodations, and—most importantly—their schedule.
“It’s a reliable service. The luggage always arrives on time,” she notes.
“We don’t have to worry about whether our stuff will be at our accommodation in the evening.”
Bernard and Aline describe themselves as “contemplative cyclists.” Riding about 50 kilometres a day, they give themselves permission to stop and take in the scenery—or enjoy a leisurely coffee break.
After four days of cycling, they take a day off. The couple uses that time to rest and explore the area. Again, the flexibility of Voyager à vélo’s service makes this kind of schedule possible, they say.
“I wanted it to continue”
Mr. Têtu recalls a story from their first ride using Voyager à vélo. “Mario was just starting out and was working solo. He asked me to carry something that belonged to an American client to the next lodging,” he remembers.
“I was happy to help! I wanted to support him. I wanted his business to succeed.”
And what about the rain?
Bad weather shouldn’t be seen as a barrier to this kind of bike touring, where you’re expected at the next accommodation by day’s end. In summer, the rain is warm. After a few kilometres of riding soaking wet, you barely notice it, says Ms. Blais.
“Don’t hesitate,” adds her partner. “You do have to consider headwinds. But we choose our routes to make sure the wind’s at our back.”
“We ride on the Route Verte,” Ms. Blais adds. “We want our rides to be safe. In the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, we take Route 132. The shoulder is good—wide enough for us to ride comfortably.”