Riding in Ottawa and/or Gatineau

Triathlon Forum
1

My girlfriend now lives in Gatineau and we dont know the place much. Can any of you suggest me some good places to ride? I know the Gatineau park but what else? Nice rides along the river? I’m looking for roads with not too much traffic…

Thanks

Richard

2

For summer Sundays, several main roads are closed to traffic for riding, etc. Take a look at:

http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/explore/seasonal/sunday_e.asp

Not sure that its exactly ideal for serious training rides (may be a bit crowded), but its more progressive than many a city, and qualifies as ‘not too much traffic’, at least the motorized variety.

Andrew

3

Why would you want to ride any other place than the Gatineau Hills. Of course, right now, they are all ski trails, but this is the best riding in the area. Other options include heading west of town towards Pakenham, south towards North Gower or head North of the Gats and do the MacGregor Lake Loop. There are lots of riding options. In the city, you can hammer out rides along the Rockcliffe Parkway, Ottawa River Parkway, and early in the morning along the Rideau Canal. In fact, the Ottawa Half Ironman along the Rideau Canal is 6x15K loop. It is really fun event on Sep 4th.

Dev

4

Thanks Paul, I was actually trying to plan a ride for april 2nd weekend and on the easter we. That’s mainly why I was not thinking about the park. I knew ther would be some snow because of this week storm but I did not know there was still skiing done. 2 weeks ago it seem there was almost no snow left! I’ll get a map and take a look at your other suggestion. I also try to stay out of the “family” path since I find it too dangerous to go fast.

Richard

5

There is still over a foot of snow in the Gats. I XC skied 35K this morning. I really need to switch over to tri training soon though…like April 15th.

There will still be snow in the Gats till 3rd week of April. Not enough to ski on, but too much to bike properly, unless of course you plan a “Paris-Nice” replica day.