Our road trip had barely begun when it reminded us of something important: on a motorcycle, a beautiful day can change very quickly.
On July 2, 2026, we left Clermont for Shawinigan. LàLà was driving, Lagertha was filming, and I was settled in behind him with all my biker-dog gear.
We had barely left Charlevoix when we came upon a collision involving two vehicles on Route 138, near the entrance to Saint-Aimé-des-Lacs.
No one in our group was involved. We continued, but the mood changed for a few minutes. It was a quick reminder of why we never rush and why safety always comes first.
A long road ahead of us
After La Malbaie, we continued on Route 138 toward Quebec City.
And I can confirm this: sitting behind a motorcycle with the St. Lawrence River in front of my nose is not a bad way to travel.
Near Montmorency Falls, Lagertha filmed the Île d’Orléans bridge, the falls and a few open views of the river.
Me? I watched the scenery. Someone had to do it.
After a short highway stretch to bypass Quebec City, we returned to Route 138 at Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures. From there, we left the highway behind and continued toward Shawinigan along the old Chemin du Roy corridor.
In Portneuf, we were only supposed to ride through…
And that is often where the best memories begin.
On Route 138, we discovered Légende Cycle at 388 2e Avenue in Portneuf.
It is an Indian Motorcycle specialist garage run by an experienced mechanic, with a shop inside.
Of course, motorcycles attract my humans. I am harder to impress.
But right next door was Pon-Thai, a Thai food truck run by his partner. That is when I realized we might be staying a little longer.
What was supposed to be a quick stop became a true road-trip discovery: motorcycle enthusiasts, a great encounter and Thai food that made a lasting impression on my humans… while I was once again stuck with my kibble.
But that is exactly the kind of place we love finding when we least expect it.
Légende Cycle
388 2e Avenue, Portneuf
Indian Motorcycle specialist workshop and store.
Pon-Thai
Same address.
Thai food prepared on site.
Chemin du Roy kept surprising us
We then got back on the road toward Trois-Rivières.
At Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade, we crossed the river with the large white church directly ahead. You cannot miss it.
A few kilometres later, Batiscan gave us another classic Route 138 scene as we passed the Resto Rio and Marina Village Batiscan area.
This is not a road you take only to get somewhere. It is part of the journey. And that is exactly why we chose it.
Finally, Shawinigan
After all the kilometres, stops, encounters and images collected since Clermont, we finally arrived in Shawinigan.
Our home for the night was Hôtel Énergie Shawinigan, beside the Saint-Maurice River.
And I can truly tell you about this one. I slept there.
We stayed at Hôtel Énergie, directly beside the Saint-Maurice promenade and downtown.
After a full day on the motorcycle, seeing our room arrive was probably one of the best views of the day. Even a biker needs sleep.
Harley Bikers Dog truly tested Hôtel Énergie during this trip. Dogs are accepted. Confirm the current dog fee, eligible rooms and restrictions directly with the hotel before booking.
Why we would ride this route again
Because we rarely remember a route only for its kilometres.
We remember the collision that reminded us to ride carefully. The river stretching out in front of us. A garage we did not know. Thai food found almost by accident. The people we stopped to talk with.
And finally, that feeling when we turned off the engines knowing another adventure was waiting for us the next day.
Our first day was over. But the next morning, we were heading to Saint-Victor-de-Beauce.
And wait until you see where my humans decided to sleep…
FAQ
Which route did we take from Clermont to Shawinigan?
From Clermont, we followed Route 138 toward Quebec City. After Quebec City, we rejoined Route 138 at Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures and stayed on it toward Trois-Rivières before taking Route 157 North to Shawinigan.
Why avoid the highway?
Because our goal was not to arrive as quickly as possible. Route 138 offers more villages, scenery and opportunities to discover places along the way.
Can you stay at Hôtel Énergie with a dog?
Yes. We personally stayed there with Harley. A fee may apply and conditions can change, so confirm the details directly with the hotel before booking.
Where can I find the exact GPS route?
In our interactive Clermont–Shawinigan guide, which includes the HBD route and useful stops.
The next part of the road trip
The next morning: Shawinigan → Saint-Victor-de-Beauce.