Sunday Ride 26-09-27 - Lac des Fées
About the event
EDIT IN PROGRESS. PAY NO ATTENTION TO ANYTHING YOU READ HERE. EXCEPT THAT THE RIDE IS FROM GATINEAU.
Sadly, we are approaching the planned end of the season, so let's enjoy the last few rides when the colours illuminate the roads (just don't skid on the fallen leaves!). Rumour has it that a wet summer leads to bright colours.
Things to do during the off season (when it gets here):
FINALLY GET GPS VOICE NAVIGATION UP-AND-RUNNING:
Every OBC member is entitled to use the Ride With GPS tool, at no cost, for any route that is found in the OBC's RWGPS route library. (Whether or not you are on a club ride).
Access this document to get specific instructions on how.
Ride With GPS also has a YouTube channel. Check it out for tips on how to get the most benefit out of the app.
CHECK OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP THE CLUB WITH A LITTLE OF YOUR TIME:
All of the various activities offered by the OBC depend on volunteers to make them happen. Please offer to help out, perhaps with an activity that you most enjoy, or something which youa re curious about. Planning for the Rideau Lakes Cycle Tour 2027 may well be already underway. Helping with group rides planning is an option.
REMINDERS FOR RIDERS:
Group ride participants must have previously attended an OBC Group Riding Clinic (GRC).
Sunday Ride
Cycling etiquette in Gatineau Park: the park management has asked cycling groups to pay closer attention to the (Quebec) rules of the road, and generally adhere to responsible riding behaviour when in the park. Consequently, where I've previously said that riding two-up when the parkways are closed to cars is likely OK, I would ask that, from now on, ride leaders ensure your groups stay single-file on the parkways, even when they are closed to vehicles. Apparently, the RCMP will make periodic checks on the parkways.
Please note that you must be a current OBC member to participate in any events.
Description : Road Ride
Start Location : Lac des Fées parking (near P3), GATINEAU
If you cycle to the start, here's a map of 2 likely routes to get there.
Start Time : 9:00 AM Departure - gather 8:30 -- 8:45
REMINDER: In Quebec, it is single-file only!
Heading, once more into the Quebec paysage. Hills for all, to varying degrees. Challenges for some. And great scenery! with luck, we'll see some colour.
The is the last, scheduled ride out of Gatineau this season so now is the time to challenge yourself. Or not. Best to enjoy yourself.
Bonne route!
*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.
Registration is coming soon. Please check back later.
Available rides
A (133 km, 1651 m elevation gain)
The season finale for the Gatineau launches:
1) Climb to Champlain;
2) Zip across to Perkins, climbing some hills;
3) Ride the roller coaster to Wakefield, climbing some hills;
4) Power back through Chelsea to the finish, climbing some hills.
There's a clear theme to this route.
There are several points at which the route can be altered as desired.
If you are not familiar with the roads, please see more description in the B ride which follows much of the same route.
Note that the Wakefield spring has a "boil water advisory" on it, currently.
B (99 km, 1126 m elevation gain)
One of the most challenging 100km routes in the OBC repertoire, where challenging equates to hills. It is also one of the most spectacularly scenic and enjoyable routes. Please be sure that you are able to complete the ride before signing on, noting that the total climbing is about 1.5 times the climbing you would do climbing from the Ottawa River up to Champlain Lookout in the park. Thus, if you aren't able to climb to the lookout before falling prey to hungry bugs, bears or chipmunks, this is not the route for you!
If you've never ridden these roads, you first put up with a bit of Gatineau suburbia before riding clear north of Bd la Verendrye (km 9).
PLEASE PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE LEFT TURN FROM BD DU CASINO ONTO THE PATHWAY AT ABOUT 2.5 KM. CLICK ON THE CAUTION POI ON THE MAP TO GET AN IDEA OF HOW TO NAVIGATE THE TURN.
Once you are in the countryside, it is a beautiful ride. Note that the QC seconday highways can have a fair amount of traffic (going into Perkins; between Cantley and Mont Cascades) but those sections have paved shoulders.
There is a very steep hill of maybe 300 metres length at km 50 that I ride my brakes down until I let them go about 2/3 the way down and feel like the elevator cable broke! Then you have to climb right back up again, though not as steeply. Just beyong that, however, is one of my favourites stretches of road in the region, between Mont Cascades and Wakefield: you may as well be 200 kms away from Ottawa.
ALSO BE AWARE OF THE UNMARKED RIGHT-HAND, HAIRPIN TURN (KM 54) JUST PAST MONT CASCADE AND AT THE BOTTOM OF A DELIGHTFUL GENTLE 700-ISH METRE DOWNHILL YOU MIGHT BE TEMPTED TO RIDE IT AT 60 KMH. DON'T!!!!
The return route from Wakefield is drawn along River Rd, QC-105, Scott Rd back to Chelsea but you can choose whichever option you like. Likewise, while the return from Chelsea starts off on the wonderful downhill on Ch Mine before turning into the park for the remaining kms, you can choose another way to close the rode. Note that the park is closed to cars only until noon. If the leaves have seriously started to turn, you can expect a lot of vehicle traffic in the afternoon.
The Wakefield spring is NOT potable at present.
C (76 km, 918 m elevation gain)
Route to come
D (61 km, 641 m elevation gain)
This is a trip for the D's to get to Wakefield. And back. It is routed on the rail trail for the entire distance. The gravel is very smooth and firm. If the group wishes to use the 105/ River Road pavement instead of the rail trail, that is certainly doable and would be of a similar distance.
Plenty of refreshment options in Wakefield. Note the public washrooms beside the rail turntable across from the bakery.