Oh I was actually reading along ha, great journal. Thanks for posting! I was definitely saying the catchy title to myself repeatedly "lake champlain can't complain" maybe because I was on the Vermont side :)

Thanks for the travel report, the Vermont side of Champlain is better, wider shoulders, nicer drivers. A buddy and I recently circled most of the Lake Champlain, it's posted on Cycleblaze. Next time in Montreal check out St. Huberts-great chicken.

Distance is too far to be sure, but it is likely a rat snake or a racer. Definitely not venomous in any case.

Check for yourself.

https://vtfishandwildlife.com/conserve/conservation-planning/animal-inventory/reptiles-and-amphibians/snakes-of-vermont

I loved following along! A great trip!

Looks small but yummy.

Great Journal!

Fun, spontaneous trip! I enjoyed following along with you!

Let us know at shadybrook at shaw dot .ca if you need help from our son/daughter in law.

I was thinking about staying a couple days! Not sure what the plan is after maybe a short 2-3 day loop before returning to Montreal to catch a train home

Back in 1999, three friends and I did a tour around Lake Champlain and biked up to the Rouse Point border crossing just to take a picture. We didn't have passports but we asked at the US side and then said no problem, go up and take your picture. We did and on the way back the US border person said "No passports? OK, you will have to sit on the Group W bench and wait for the invasive strip search specialist to come in at noon." A little bit of border patrol humor, in the pre 2001 days!
You didn't miss much at that border point - https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/ombt99/day-4-isle-la-motte-vt-to-plattsburg-ny/

I completely agree with the above... the bicycle infrastructure in Montreal is better than any city I've ever seen. Pretty impressive for a city of 1.7 million people!

I wish I had known about the St. Viateur bagel factory and Schwartz's delicatessen when I finished last year's tour there, but I do recommend trying some poutine while you're there.

Also: thanks for sharing your trip with us!

The bike paths into and in Montreal are fantastic. We, being originally from Montreal, recommend visits to St Viateur bagel factory which any Montrealer will tell you are the best bagels in the world, and Schwartz's delicatessen, which is Nirvana for smoked meat fans. Hope you find those 2 places if you are interested and hope Montreal is fun for you. Are you staying a few days or just in and out? We have family we could contact for you if you need help while there.

So fun to ride with (new) friends!

On one of my journals, I posted a picture of a sign like this. It was a street called "Tenacity Lane." I liked it. I think all bike tourists are both carefree AND tenacious.

I'm glad you found Cycleblaze to post your journal.

Love such moral booster signs that appear out of blue..:-) Keep it going, Om.