Ride Routes
A Ride from Repentigny: 185 km Through Lanaudière
By the Groupe Contant Team · Published September 6, 2026
Quick Answer
What is a good motorcycle route starting from Repentigny?
A loop of roughly 185 km: take Route 138 — the Chemin du Roy — east through Lavaltrie, Lanoraie, and Berthierville, head north to Joliette on Route 158, continue north on Route 343 to Sainte-Mélanie and Saint-Alphonse-Rodriguez, then come back through Saint-Jean-de-Matha and Rawdon before dropping south to Repentigny on Routes 337 and 339. Budget 4 to 5 hours with stops.
Lanaudière is one of the few regions in Quebec where you go from the river to the mountains in under an hour. This loop leaves from our Repentigny dealership, follows the St. Lawrence along the oldest carriage road in North America, then climbs toward the lakes and waterfalls of the northern crown.
The route below is a suggestion, not a prescription: the roads, villages, and parks named are all real, but the order of the legs and the exact distance are worth adjusting to your starting point, your pace, and whatever roadwork is underway.
The Route at a Glance
| Route detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Start | Groupe Contant Repentigny, 33 Rue de Lyon |
| Distance | Roughly 185 km, as a loop |
| Duration | 4 to 5 hours with stops |
| Season | Mid-May to mid-October |
| Main roads | 138, 158, 343, 337, 339 |
| Surface | Paved — check for seasonal roadwork before you go |
The Route, Leg by Leg
- Repentigny to Berthierville on Route 138 (about 45 km) — this is the Chemin du Roy, laid out in 1737 between Quebec City and Montreal. The road runs through Lavaltrie and Lanoraie with the river on your right for most of it.
- Berthierville to Joliette on Route 158 (about 25 km) — you leave the river for farmland, with Joliette as the day's first real stop.
- Joliette to Saint-Alphonse-Rodriguez on Route 343 (about 35 km) — the leg where the landscape changes: flat farmland turns rolling after Sainte-Mélanie, and the first lakes appear.
- Saint-Alphonse-Rodriguez to Rawdon via Saint-Jean-de-Matha (about 35 km) — the twistiest part of the loop, and the part most riders in the region remember.
- Rawdon back to Repentigny on Routes 337 and 339 (about 45 km) — the run south through Sainte-Julienne, Saint-Esprit, and L'Épiphanie, straighter and quicker than the way up.
Where to Stop Along the Way
The stops below are all public places — parks, museums, village squares — chosen because they don't come and go from one season to the next. Hours and admission change, so check before you leave.
- Berthierville — the Musée Gilles-Villeneuve, dedicated to the Formula 1 driver who grew up in the village.
- Joliette — the Musée d'art de Joliette, one of Quebec's most significant regional art museums, plus a downtown worth stopping in for lunch.
- Rawdon — Parc des Chutes-Dorwin, the most photographed stop on the route; motorcycle parking at the entrance.
- Saint-Jean-de-Matha — Parc régional des Chutes Monte-à-Peine-et-des-Dalles, quieter than Dorwin and every bit as impressive.
- Lanoraie and Lavaltrie — two riverside stops on the Chemin du Roy, good for a short break by the water right after leaving Repentigny.
When to Ride This Route
The realistic window runs from mid-May to mid-October. Early June and late September are the two best moments: the roads north of Joliette are far quieter than in July, and morning temperatures stay bearable in full gear.
In September and October, the Saint-Alphonse-Rodriguez to Rawdon leg runs through maple stands at peak colour — the best time of year for this loop, and also the time when wet leaves make shaded corners more slippery than they look.
Before your first ride of the season, our motorcycle season prep guide covers the mechanical and paperwork checks worth doing coming out of storage.
Riding This Route on a Spyder, Ryker, or Canyon
This route makes a good first long outing on a Can-Am three-wheeler: Route 138 is wide and easy-going while you settle in, and the twisty stretch between Saint-Alphonse-Rodriguez and Rawdon comes late enough in the day to take on with the machine already familiar.
Groupe Contant rents the Spyder, Ryker, and Canyon at all five locations, Repentigny included — which is to say, at this loop's exact starting point. A full class 6 licence isn't required for a three-wheeler: class 6E is enough, and our 3-wheel motorcycle licence guide explains the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
A loop of roughly 185 km: take Route 138 — the Chemin du Roy — east through Lavaltrie, Lanoraie, and Berthierville, head north to Joliette on Route 158, continue north on Route 343 to Sainte-Mélanie and Saint-Alphonse-Rodriguez, then come back through Saint-Jean-de-Matha and Rawdon before dropping south to Repentigny on Routes 337 and 339. Budget 4 to 5 hours with stops.
Groupe Contant — Your Quebec Dealer
Want to ride this loop without owning the machine? Groupe Contant Repentigny rents the Can-Am Spyder, Ryker, and Canyon by the day — right at the route's starting point.