The story of Jacques Nacouzi and his family on the Centre-Est loop
Written by Alexe Dupont
A memorable experience isn’t something you can buy; it’s something you create. That’s the sentiment I got when I spoke to Jacques Nacouzi, a Montrealer who doesn’t consider himself a cyclist but decided to get the whole family on their bikes for a vacation—himself, his partner, and their three kids, aged 7, 9 and 11. Here’s the story of a trip he’ll never forget.
A novel idea
Summer 2022. Jacques lives in Montréal, and he usually rents a car during summer vacation. But this time, there were no vehicles available. Jacques happened to come across an ad for the Montérégie network of bike trails. It was for a kind of tour package, but by bike. Travel by bike instead of by car… Hey, why not? He spoke to his partner and, before long, the idea had become a full itinerary.
Proper preparation
Basic gear and a repair kit, a luggage transfer service, good organization, and hotel reservations. It’s that simple. All that was left to do was to lose all notion of time and stop whenever they felt like it along the way.
Deciding on the route
They decided on the Centre-Est loop, a safe circuit with a moderate incline. The trip from Montréal to Granby took four days, including plenty of stops for good things to eat, local discoveries and accommodations. It was a familiar region for them, since they’d been to the Eastern Townships often to visit family, but never via Montérégie’s bike paths.
From the very first stop in Longueuil, Jacques and his family already felt they’d started to see things differently. When you’re cycling, you take the time to take your time. Need to rest for a bit? No problem. You really look at the landscape. You watch the sky turn blue to pink and orange on a warm summer night.
An experience beyond expectation
When I asked Jacques about his favourite part of the trip, it wasn’t the attractions that came to mind, but rather particular moments. Cycling is only a context for the rest. When else did he have the chance to bike back from a good meal at a local restaurant alongside a field, admiring the sunset and listening to the sound of his kids laughing blend with crickets chirping? That’s not something you can plan.
Another thing Jacques emphasized was how inexpensive bike touring is and how this allowed them to stretch their money further. For example, they were able to enjoy a meal at Le Mille Notre-Dame in Saint-Césaire and stop at local shops like Fromagerie des Cantons in Farnham for a snack with a view of the river.
A lasting impression
Jacques hopes his kids will remember the trip and consider recreating their fond childhood memories when they’re grown up. Perhaps with families of their own—who knows!
