▶ Nearly 2,000 Canadian cyclists traveling through North Country
PLATTSBURGH -- Thousands of cyclists trickled into town Tuesday after biking more than 65 miles through the North Country.
Their stay at a makeshift village at Clinton Community College is a stop in Velo Quebec's Grand Tour, which began in Ticonderoga Sunday.
Today, the nearly 2,000 cyclists and about 250 employees will spend the day exploring the region, something that organizers say will bring thousands of dollars to the local economy.
"A lot of people will explore the area," said Genevieve Beauvais, director of public relations for Velo Quebec. "It's a discovery of a whole area."
RETURN TRIPS
Beauvais said the cyclists are looking forward to buying local food and products, as well as enjoying the area's businesses and resources.
She said local reaction to the tour has been positive.
"People have been so nice," she said, adding that groups of residents in Ticonderoga spent the day handing water out to the passing cyclists.
A survey concluded that 80 percent of the people would like to come back to the area again, either as cyclists or with their families, Beauvais said.
"This is good business," she said.
But business might have been the last thing on the minds of some of cyclists, who had just arrived at the CCC village site and found shade near the bistro area, which was rumored to be the hot-spot for beverages and dancing later Tuesday night.
Jean-Pierre Valiquette of Gatineau, Quebec, said the scenery was well worth the workout. It was his first Grand Tour, though he's been cycling for five years.
"It's nice," he said. "Nice landscape, scenery, roads ... I'd like more to eat," he added with a laugh.
He complimented the region's clean, pretty towns and accommodating residents.
"The people are really nice and welcoming."
'IT'S GREAT'
On his agenda for Tuesday night, Valiquette, who also canoes, kayaks and swims, planned to eat out at a local restaurant and do some shopping at local sports shops.
He said the tour in the North Country was something he would definitely do again.
That view was shared by many, like Sylvain Laurin of Montreal's North Shore.
"It's been great: the people, the fun."
He said drivers along the route were nice and aware of the cyclists as they made their way up Route 9.
Chantal Castonguay, also of the North Shore, has taken part in the Grand Tour for five years.
"It's great, it's really great," she said, adding that she plans to explore the City of Plattsburgh today.
FELT WELCOME
Luc Poulin of the South Shore of Montreal has been cycling for 10 years. This tour marks his fifth with the Grand Tour.
"The mountains -- they're on the Vermont and New York side. So that's really unique. And there's a lot of water and lakes. It makes for a very diverse, beautiful scenery."
Like the others, Poulin agrees that motorists were more than accommodating, saying they didn't honk and always gave the bikers the right-of-way.
"For bikes, it's just perfect. It overexceeds expectations."
He said he noticed the abundance of American flags throughout the area.
"It is a patriotic area," he said, adding that the ride through Lake George offered plenty of history.
"It's a great history of North Americans, ours and yours."
Today, he plans to hit the beach, see the marinas and go to Ausable Chasm.
"No doubt, it's a great region."
E-mail Michelle Besaw at: mbesaw@pressrepublican.com
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
Hurricane Forecast: 15 Named Storms Expected
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Search Intensifies for Missing Louisiana Woman
Bloomberg: Man Implicates Self in Etan Patz Case
NYPD: Person Implicated in Etan Patz Death
Raw Video: Fire on Nuke-powered Sub in Maine
Illegal Burn Suspected in Nevada Fire
Obama: 'We've Got More Work to Do'
Astrologers Predict Outcome of Presidential Race
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding
Raw Video: Passed Out Man Robbed
Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior
HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B
