Louis-Jacques Bouchard, 66, new cyclist
“I have never been a great athlete in my life, but (...) I followed your adventures by bike throughout your journey and it gave me the taste to start cycling. "
Since the beginning of my cycling adventure, I have started to receive messages. Often encouragement, lots of questions, and occasionally words of thanks. Like that of Louis-Jacques Bouchard who, a few months ago, told me that he had just retired and had decided to take up cycling tourism more seriously. In turn, I was inspired, and touched, by his message and decided to ask him a few questions.
1- Mr. Bouchard, tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a native of Quebec, but I lived all my childhood and my adolescence in Saguenay. My professional life has mainly taken place in Quebec, where I have lived for forty years. I started traveling very early on, going from Martinique to Europe, from Japan to Cambodia via Vietnam and Cuba, of course Quebec, Canada and the eastern United States.
In Brittany.
In the Gaspé.
2- When and how did you start cycling?
I discovered in my childhood the pleasure of riding a bicycle, in my neighborhood, in my city, like all young people, and I continued sporadically as I grew older. I mostly used the bike for the pleasure of hiking around my home and to go to work in the summer. For several years, I have been cycling with my sister, with whom I discovered the bike paths in the Quebec City region.
3- How was the transition between walking and cycling?
It was only recently that I had the pleasure of cycling touring. Last year, I had my first experience from Quebec to Tadoussac on an electric bicycle, which I really appreciated. Then this year, I embarked on my Gaspé adventure in total autonomy with a traditional touring bike.
After watching and following your adventures, my interest in cycle tourism suddenly grew and I said to myself, why not me, despite my age… Throughout the winter, I did research and got the necessary equipment for the trip. Having originally organized myself to do this journey on an electric bicycle, I changed my mind a few weeks before leaving last June. I then had a bike mounted according to my wishes at a merchant in Quebec. A bike to go far, far, far ...
Motivation, I found it in your adventures, in the support and encouragement of my friends everywhere and in the desire to make a transition to retirement by staying active and discovering Quebec again at a slow pace.
In Brittany.
In his tent.
Under the rain.
4- You are proof that there is no age limit to go on an adventure and live your dreams. What would you say to people who would like to do like you?
There is indeed no age to start making your dreams come true. We must of course create projects according to our desires while being realistic and adapting everything to our physical condition. Everything is then possible.
Regarding cycle touring in total autonomy, I think it's a great way to discover the world and the people who inhabit it.
* All images are taken from blog by Mr. Bouchard, whom I thank very much.
It's one thing to go on an adventure alone or as a couple, it's quite another to embark on a cycle tour with children. I spoke to four families who nevertheless demonstrate that with a little preparation and adaptation, cycling remains the best way to travel and grow. Here is the fourth.