For the last few years I’ve received an invitation from Vélo Québec to come to Montréal for the Go Vélo Festival. This year I was able to accept and travelled to Montréal as their guest.
Vélo Québec provided a bicycle and a guide – Anne – who helped us navigate around the city and made sure we got to all the events.
From what we observed, and even more than last year, Montréal is a bike-friendly city and Montréalers are happy cyclists. The extensive network of bike lanes, many of which are separated from the roadway with a cement barrier is impressive and a model for other cities.
I was able to ride and chat with other journalists and some celebrity guests, including Christophe Najdovski, an assistant to the Mayor of Paris for transportation, cycling and pedestrians.
Follow Olivier Razemon (in French) on his blog at Le Monde.
Isabelle Lesens, who was also a Vélo Québec guest, has an interesting blog (also in French) about cycling.
You’ll also find Christophe, Olivier and Isabelle on twitter.
I knew of Vélo Québec’s role as a cycling advocacy organization, but was unaware that they are also a travel agency, organizing cycling tours around the world. It’s worth checking out their (English) web site.
Fitz and Follwell rents bikes and offers several tours around Montréal.
Of course, I took the opportunity to take along a camera to review. Although I’d only planned to take one – by the time Kim and I left for Montréal I had three in my kit: the Canon G7X II, which provided the majority of the footage in the video; the Sony RX10 III, which was used for the interviews; and the Nikon D5500, which ascended hydro Québec’s bucket truck with me. Interview audio was dual recorded using a Shure VP64 (fabulous isolation – the party in the park behind us was loud!) and a Tascam DR-70D.
The Canon review is posted, the others will follow soon.
Voiceovers are recorded using the Rode NT-USB. The video was edited in Final Cut 10.2.3 with a direct output and upload to Youtube.
Although Vélo Québec sponsored my trip, the opinions expressed are my own. I’m obviously an avid cyclist, and also frequent visitor to the province of Québec and the city of Montréal – my thoughts about both were positive before this trip. Vélo Québec did not review this video before posting.
If there are details I’ve overlooked, or you have other questions, I do read and respond to all questions and comments.
