Duceppe and Peladeau take pre-campaign bike ride through Quebec

REPENTIGNY, Que. – As rumours of a weekend federal electoral campaign launch swirled in Ottawa, Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe hit the road Wednesday — on a bicycle.

Duceppe left the Montreal-area town of Repentigny in the morning and travelled some 100 kilometres, arriving in Trois-Rivieres by 5 p.m.

His cycling companion was Parti Quebecois Leader Pierre Karl Peladeau and the two rode through several communities on a day when temperatures hit 30 C.

The two visited a produce stand, a restaurant and an ice-cream stand during several stops in rural towns.

Duceppe took the time to highlight his commitment to protecting the supply management system for dairy products which is reportedly threatened by Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade talks.

Both of the sovereigntist leaders are experienced cyclists. Peladeau made headlines after being injured in a bicycle crash in Quebec’s Eastern Townships in May 2014.

Duceppe says he is in good shape as he seeks to silence critics who have questioned his decision to return to politics at the age of 68.

He is often quoted as saying he cycles 20 kilometres a day in the summer and rides a stationary bicycle in the winter to keep fit.