There are those mornings when you wake up, look at the color of the weather and… change your plans! The weather is fine, the sun is rising and slowly warming the dawn. The call of the road invades us, and by the time we’ve had breakfast and prepared a few things, we’re on our bikes.
My boyfriend, who knows the Eastern Townships very well, will guide me through the bucolic landscapes of the Eastern Townships. I’ll be riding his Africa Twin Adventure 1100 DCT (automatic), and he’ll be riding his friend’s, the same model but just a few years older.
A region bursting with charm!
Thanks to its charm, the Eastern Townships region has something for every motorcyclist. With its picturesque roads through hills and valleys and its charming villages, what better way to explore the region than on a motorcycle! At the heart of this vast region bordering the U.S. is the city of Sherbrooke. Compton, North Hatley, Ayer’s Cliff, Knowlton, Magog, Sutton, Frelighsburg – there’s so much to discover, you could spend a whole day there!
In the Eastern Townships, it’s easy to create your own themed routes: the Wine Route, the Summit Route, the Townships Route, the Brewers Route, the “Têtes Fromagères” Tour, the Ponts-Couverts, etc… All you have to do is choose, according to your interests and tastes!
Today’s route: a trip around Sherbrooke
Today I’d like to share with you the “Route du Jour” starting from Sherbrooke. Take the 108 to the Ferme Beaulieu traffic circle, then turn left onto the 147. A little further on, the Milby covered bridge catches our eye. It’s one of the region’s historic monuments, dating from the 19th century.
Then it’s on to Compton, as we continue on 208 (Chemin de Hatley) where an unavoidable stop at Fromagerie la Station is in order. We pause for a local refreshment and, above all, to stock up on Alfred le Fermier! This organic raw milk cheese has won several awards and distinctions! At the American Cheese Society competition in 2024, it won in the category of farmhouse cheeses aged 60 days or more, with less than 39% moisture, and made from cow’s milk. Alfred le Fermier knows how to seduce my taste buds!
As I was leaving the place, what had to happen happened: while I was riding the motorcycle, a wasp got in under my glasses and, trapped, stung me a few times. I stopped to take a look – nothing major at the time, but it burned! The next morning, the monster appeared in the mirror! Ha! Ha! Ha!
To combine business with pleasure, we decided at the same time to climb the Mont Pinacle hiking trail in Coaticook to get some exercise. A true “sporting” jewel of the region, the view from the top offers an exceptional panorama of Lake Lyster and the surrounding area.
Chemin Provencher, chemin Madore, Marc then takes me on dirt roads. My man loves dirt roads! Standish Road, Fairfax Road, how pleasant it is when you’re well shod for this type of road, a pure pleasure to get off the beaten track a bit!
We then rejoin the 141 to Ayers Cliff, where we take a break on the shores of Lake Massawippi. Many of the boaters are having a great time! We then pass through Magog, where tourists and people looking for a good time flock, before heading west along the “Memphré”. We stop at the corner of Chemin Fisher and Chemin Lyman for a photo break.
Our goal was to get to the Abbaye de Saint-Benoit-du-Lac: a COUP DE COEUR! What a remarkable place! Oh, I’d heard of it but never been there. A true place of peace and quiet, it’s a pleasure to take a gentle stroll. Why not pick up one of their artisanal products: cheese, cider, applesauce, cider vinegar, etc.?
Leaving the Abbaye de St-Benoit-du-Lac, we took Cooledge Road for a break in Knowlton-Landing. There’s a dock along Lake Memphremagog, sailboats and a few fishermen in search of a good catch. We then hop on our bikes and ride along Chemin du Lac and Chemin Vale Perkins to Mansonville, where we stop to fill our gas tanks. Then I hear “Zabel”? A motorcyclist who follows me in my various columns recognizes me, we shake hands and discuss a bit – what fun!
Next, why not go for a short loop of gravel? Marc takes me along Miltimore Road, Daisy Road, Fitzsimmons Road and West Hill Road back to 243 (Route de Mansonville), which we then take north. We could have gone on and on down these little dirt roads, I’d say…almost ad infinitum!
Once in South Bolton, it’s 245 (Route Missisquoi) to Eastman, which takes us to Station d’Eastman, where we stop for a good pizza. I used to love going into the Savonnerie des Diligences that used to be there, in the adjoining premises. This colorful store (now closed), filled with the scent of soap, attracted its fair share of scent lovers!
Their products can now be found at various points of sale, including the Station. Then it’s on to 112, which takes us gently back to our final destination. One thing’s for sure, the Eastern Townships are full of pleasant roads to ride. Whether paved or unpaved, allow yourself to explore this superb region between lakes and mountains.
With our hearts full of happiness, we’re already thinking about our next getaway!
Good addresses
Mont Pinacle
- 1891 Chem. May, Coaticook, QC J1A 2S4
- https://parchfbaldwin.com
Fromagerie de la Station
- 440 Ch de Hatley, Compton, QC J0B 1L0
- http://www.fromagerielastation.com/
Abbaye St-Benoit
- 1 Rue Principale, Saint-Benoît-du-Lac, QC J0B 1B0
- https://www.abbaye.ca/
La Station Eastman – Café Dinette et Cie
- 439 Rue Principale, Eastman, QC J0E 1P0
- http://lastationeastman.ca/
Milby Covered Bridge
- Chem. du Pont Couvert, Waterville, QC J0B 3H0
