Sunday Ride 25-05-18 - Andrew Haydon Park
Upcoming Club Events:
Please note that you must be a current OBC member to participate in any events.
Please take a look in the calendar (but we are transitioning from Google Calendar to this new events tool, so look here) to see what upcoming events you may wish to take part in. There is something going on almost every day, and new, recurring activities are still coming on-line for the season.
Weeks until RLCT : 5! Registration closes on June 1.
Also remember that many many volunteers are needed for the RLCT to function. Even if only for a couple of hours and whether or not you are riding the tour.
Please tap the Volunteer button on the tour website to see where you might help out.
🚴♀️🚴🚴♀️🚴
REMINDERS FOR RIDERS:
Group ride participajnts must have previously attended an OBC Group Riding Clinic (GRC).
Check the calendar to see when the next GRC is scheduled.
Is your bike ship-shape? Are you carrying basic tools and equipment? Be sure all the critical components -- brakes, drive train; tires -- are in good shape and thus ensure that your bike won't be inclined to leave you in tears at the side of the road. On all club rides (in fact, whenever you ride), please carry, minimally, a spare tube, tire levers, air pump (or equivalents for tubeless). Having bright, day-time running lights (front & back) is also a really good idea to improve your visibility to other road users.
Keep an eye out for trash, rocks, sand, gravel, etc. on the roads, especially rounding corners. It's unlikely that the street sweepers will be out tout de suite, so Spring requires special attention to the road surface.
Sunday Ride
Please note that you must be a current OBC member to participate in any events.
Description : Road Ride
Start Location : Andrew Haydon Park
Start Time : 9:00 AM Departure - gather 8:30 -- 8:45
What better way to celebrate a long-dead Queen's birthday than with a bike ride?
Let's return to Andrew Haydon Park and further explore the NW Ottawa attractions.
The big thing to note this week is that routes are getting somewhat longer! The reason is simple: the Tours de France (m/f) are coming up before you know it and we have to whip you into shape for the strenuous sitting, vocal & concentration work that at-home participants must prepare for. Additionally, the Rideau Lakes Cycle Tour is coming up, even sooner -- just 5 weeks away, now -- and many riders use the Sunday rides to get themselves ready for that weekend.
Ride lengths may be a little further extended over the coming weeks but not too much from what is presented this week.
When it seems to make sense, I am adding an additional (slower) pace to longer rides. Send me an email if you know of a few people that want a slower pace added for a longer ride; remember, though, that every group needs a ride leader.
Bonne route!
QUESTIONS about the ride? Contact the organizer at: kentheobcrm@gmail.com.
*Group composition will depend on having a Ride Leader, and interest for specific Distance/Speed combinations, as determined by who shows up at the start point.
Available Rides
A (131 km, 776 m elevation gain)
776m 131km
This clockwise loop offers variety, and even includes a small, river-side country road once you are past Ashton on your way to Almonte. There are options for going off-piste, as desired. Once you are past Stittsville, food options are in Carlton Place (in a pinch, as you need to go off-piste to find food), Almonte -- primarily, Pakenham (again, off-piste, the 1840s Bakery: marked on the map), Kanata. Starting out from Andrew Haydon Park, the route is on roads but there are paths to follow, if desired, to Cedarview.
B (100 km, 551 m elevation gain)
563m 100km
A straight-forward and very pleasant country ride. Climbs are generally long and gentle -- there is a fair amount of climbing, FYI -- with quick descents, notably: on Thomas Dolan; the arrival in Fitzroy Harbour; and 2 of the loveliest kms around on Loggers Way into Kinburn. There's not much in the way of coffee stops: the general store in Fitzroy; the gas station in Kinburn. The first sit-down cafe is likely not until Carp (but there may be picnic tables in the park in Fitzroy opposite the store): Alice's or the ice cream place 3 doors south from Alice. If your politics prevent you from entering Alice's, there is a grocery store a few doors down the hill on Carp Rd on the left. Comfort stops are few. The best option in Fitzroy is about 800m north of the store in the provincial park; see the RWGPS map. Ideally, drain your holding tank before setting out.
C (85 km, 496 m elevation gain)
496m 85km
You will follow the B riders 2/3 of the way to Fitzroy Harbour before turning right and wending your way to Constance Bay. With luck, it won't be flooded when you arrive. Don't pack your hip waders. The return path is roughly the same way you go out, with a couple of differences. Cafe stop at The Bay Cafe -- on your left as you are first descending into Canstance Bay. Other stop would be in Kanata, if needed.
D (54 km, 281 m elevation gain)
281m 55km
Complementing last week's Colines de Quebec, this week you ascend the formidable Carp Massif! (Just joking 😃) Also known as the Carp Ridge, O2 is not required. You'll be up and over in a jiffy before heading to Carp to tell tall tales to each other over coffee about comparisons to the Tour de France climbs. Alice's is the only sit-down coffee stop I'm aware of in Carp but down the hill a few doors there is the food store (on the left) and the ice cream dispensary (on the right). After crossing the "Massif", the route has returned to Carp Rd as it has been repaved and is now, apparently, great for cycling.