Today, we went back to Kouchibouguac Park to do some cycling and swim at the dune beach there.
Our second visit to this park...
Got there around 11:00 and it was already quite hot and humid. We parked at the info centre and tried to get information about the cycling trails.
Trying to find directions from some of the locals... no luck!
I thought I'd try... still no luck!
We were able to get on a wide shaded crushed gravel trail and soon found the one designated 6.5km mountain bike trail. It was a really fun single track rolly type mountain bike trail with lots of beautiful boardwalks.
The pro rider! Check out the ready position!
Lots of fun boardwalk on this trail!
That trail ended near a beach, so we stopped at a picnic table and had an apple and a powerbar. We had done about an hour of riding. Robert checked out the campground nearby while I rested. Did i mention it was hot?? Glad we took extra water with us. We then took another tree-lined, wide, crushed gravel trail.
Then, along the ocean!
Beautiful diverse forests to ride through!
After a while, we decided to poach (bike) a hiking trail which looked pretty interesting, as no one was around. It would eventually take us back to the info centre and would follow the Kouchibouguac River. It looked like there would be a few access points to get back onto the main easy biking trail in case I got too tired and Robert would just meet me later. Saw one access point early on but I wanted to keep riding, practicing my newly learned skills from a mountain bike class Michèle and I took in Fernie. I did pretty good too, keeping my eyes ahead, picking some good lines and remembering to bring my arms down to climb. This trail was not used much and was much more challenging but I was enjoying it till... it went on and on and did I mention it was HOT??? By now, I was desperately wanting to get onto an easier trail but there never was another access point. We were drenched in sweat and I was feeling heat stroke-ish. I had to continue on as there was no other way out. I took another break, had another bar and got back on my bike shaky legs and all. Had to walk some rooty sections as I didn't trust my skills by then. Good news. We made it out ok! We had ridden for at total of 2 3/4 hours -31kms! Did I mention it was HOT???
Trail along the Kouchibouguac River
When we got to the info centre to change into our swimsuits, I was feeling pretty ill. Robert adjusted me and I had to lie down in the shade for a while before I could continue. Made our way to the beach. Robert took a dip in the cold Atlantic. I could only lay on the beach.
Recouping on the beach!
On the beach...
Needing to get out of the sun, we left soon after but took a small walk to the inner part of the dune and discovered the water was quite warm there. We both took a dip and then made our way back home. We left around 8:30 and the outside temp was still 28 degrees!
We stopped in Bouctouche to wash the truck - well needed!
Check out the name!
Felt so good to shower and then got to bed as we wanted an early start tomorrow.
Yet another day in paradise.
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