Almost a loop in the Gats -- or as much as you are interersted in -- before heading across the Gatineau River to Perkins via chemin Fogarty, then up-and-down to Cantley, more of the same to Wakefield -- a serious 18% downhill at km 82.1 -- before returning.

GRAVEL ALERT: about 4km of fairly chunky gravel at the north end of the segment between Mont Cascades and the 366.

NOTE: The Wakefield Spring is potable, once more! Fill up your tanks, if needed.

DANGER: There is one hazard that I should mention -- it's marked by two, separate caution signs on the map: it is a right-hand, hairpin turn at km 85.3. At least one of our riders, in the past, has flown off the outside of the turn (fortunately, they had not achieved escape velocity and are still with us!). It is particularly deceiving because the approach to the hairpin is a beautifully gentle, meandering -- bank right... bank left... -- downhill from Mont. Cascades which screams to be taken at speed. Be aware!

Welcome, Super B's, Chill B's, and "hey... we're just bein' beez, man; can ya dig?" to your first big climb of the season: 971 metres of UP. If you live in feet, as I do, you have about 3200 of them to climb today. By comparison, if you did the Century Plus route on this year's RLCT, you climbed a mere 420 metres. You're climbing >2X as much today, in 40 fewer kms. A second comparison is that of a loop from Parc Moussette to Champlain Lookout, which is 755 metres of climbing. You must be ready! Fortunately, that total is broken up into several climbs. Also fortunately, there are two checkpoints in the early going from where, if you're finding yourself a little wobbly, you can make a retreat.

You're getting off light, I created, first, an 1100 metre route! Who says I have no empathy?

So, be sure you take note of how to return on your own from (CHECKPOINT 1) atop the initial climb on chemin des Érables, and (CHECKPOINT 2) from anywhere along chemin Ste Elisabeth (on the RWGPS route elevation profile, Ste. Elisabeth is that loooong stretch of UP from km18 to km26). If you are alive, upright and smiling at the Ste Elisabeth summit, that's a very good indication that you are fit to continue. If you are gasping, that's a sign that you must turn around, coast all the way back down ch. Ste Elisabeth/ ch. des Érables and recover. And the climbing is not yet done! See that big dip at km 35.2? That's an 18% downhill followed by a not-quite-as-steep climb to regain all that you just lost.

This is one of your routemaster's favourite rides, particularly the section between Cantley and Wakefield, but this one is truly not a walk-in-the-park. You must earn it. Before heading off, you must know that you can do it.

GRAVEL ALERT: about 4km of gravel at the north end of the segment between Mont Cascades and the 366.

NOTE: The Wakefield Spring is potable, once more! Fill up your tanks, if needed.

Know that this is a beautiful ride, if challenging. And there are bakeries and cafés in Wakefield where you can refuel for the "coast" back to the start. Plenty of photo ops, too. Know, also, that there are easier ways to arrive at those bakeries and cafés: See the "C" ride, below!

DANGER: There is one hazard that I should mention -- it's marked by two, separate caution signs on the map: it is a right-hand, hairpin turn at km 38.10. At least one of our riders, in the past, has flown off the outside of the turn (fortunately, they had not achieved escape velocity and are still with us!). It is particularly deceiving because the approach to the hairpin is a beautifully gentle, meandering -- bank right... bank left... -- downhill from Mont. Cascades which screams to be taken at speed. DON'T DO IT!

The D's are heading to Mackenzie-King so they'll need someone to lead the way. But, who will lead who? TBD

Bonne Nouvelle! La Source de Wakefield est, encore une fois, potable! You can once again fill your water bottles at the Wakefield Spring. So, pack all your empty 5 gallon water bottles on your back and save a few bucks.

I'll route you via the 105 to Wakefield, where you will descend the hill right past the spring where you can stop and fill up. You can also cheat and follow chemin de la rivière on the way to Wakefield, if you happen to know where to turn, then climb up the hill a little to access the spring. The return is via River Rd (or you can be a true rebel and climb the big hill right past the spring and follow the 105 back to Chelsea). HINT: the river road is much more scenic than the 105.

You have fair bit of climbing over the day, so take 'er easy.

EDIT: JUL 14: To make for easier going, I've removed the segment (& climbs) from P5 to Penguin to P8 to Chelsea. Route now descends into Chelsea from the Mackinzie-King Estate.

Today, Grasshopper, you will study the ways of the hill on your way to the Mackenzie-King Estate and beyond, in Gatineau Park.

Today's ride is a little shorter than last week, and has some overlap with your last ride to Chelsea, a month ago, but it will challenge you with some significant hills. You will be happy to know that all the hills have an end and it is expected that this ride won't be -- well, it will be, in fact -- a ride-in-the-park. The protocol is to encourage each other as you go and regroup at the top of each hill.

This ride is perfect for riders who have intentionally avoided cycling in "the Gats" because of the hills. You'll discover the satisfaction of climbing to Pink Lake, perhaps for the first time, and build confidence in your riding. Gatineau Park is also a beautiful place to ride and, de plus, the parkways are empty of cars on Sunday mornings. Rest assured that, once you climb a little in the park, you may even entertain the notion of riding all the way to Champlain Lookout later in the season!

The ride includes a few kms of rail trail as you loop around Chelsea before your refreshment break. Your ride leaders are knowledgeable in the ways of the hills and, if truly needed, how they can be distracted while you sneak around on flatter ground. Plan, however, on stretching yourself!