Sunday Ride 25-08-31 - Parc Moussette
Time Change Starting Next Week
Beginning on September 7, departure time for Sunday rides moves back to 9:00AM.
More speed options
There has been a call for speed ranges outside the norm. We'll experiment a little with this. Note that if riders are spread too thin in several tiny groups, it may make sense to combine some groups together on the day. So, sign up for what you prefer but be open to shifting if a critical mass of like-minded riders doesn't materialize.
A quick reminder for riders
The Fall road construction season is upon us.
e.g. With thanks to a regular route scout, Audrey Lahay, construction in the Gatineau Park has been identified between P3 and Bd des Allumettières. To wit: the pathway is closed 24/7 until construction is finished. The roadway is open on the weekends, but the suitability for road bike tires is unknown. This affects A, C and D rides this week; your RWGPS routes have been updated to include a detour on Bd du Lac des Fées. C riders - note you have a brand new route URL; A & D rides retain the original URL.
Try as I might to stay on top of construction when planning routes -- with a little help from you folks who send me helpful notes -- your group may come across something that I missed.
First observation: it is rare to come across a construction zone -- even culvert replacements, which are all the rage right now -- that you are not able to walk or carry your bike across (I think I have come across just one in my 10+ years of Sunday rides); so, don't turn around when you see something in the distance on the road ahead. Be sure to cycle right up and check it out.
Second, if you can't get past the construction, then you and your group will need to make a decision as to how to modify your route. No worries, you'll figure it out by consulting a map.
Sunday Ride
Please note that you must be a current OBC member to participate in any events.
Description : Road Ride
Start Location : Parc Moussette
Start Time : 8:00 AM Departure - gather 7:30 -- 7:45
Back to the hills, again! Already! Challenging, but satisfying. Just take note of the elevation for each ride. Look them over and decide.
Sorry, registration closed.
Available Rides
A (141 km, 1432 m elevation gain)
NOTE: The RWGPS route has been updated (Aug 30 @ 13:10) with a construction detour in the park @ P3.
Well, this is what happens when I have too much/ not enough time on my hands and not enough streets to choose from. A mish-mash, reversed in some cases of other longer rides out of Moussette. Feel free to add a little here (you may wish to take a break in Buckingham, which avoids a pretty solid uphill on the shortcut, subtract some there (maybe you've sampled all the coffee in Wakefield?). There are significant hills, including that brutal little bridge gully on the way to Buckingham - be ready for the very steep climb-out (Is there a steeper hill this side of San Francisco?). With all that climbing, there must be some rewards besides St-Elisabeth (a reward, nonetheless). Take a look on the map where to find comfort stops.
B (94 km, 730 m elevation gain)
A repeat of the June ride, with minor changes, for those who missed it the first time around and those who enjoyed it and would like to repeat. The highlight is the steepest downhill I've ever attempted on a bike. But it is short (nonetheless, ensure your brakes are working well!). There is also beautiful scenery in the Quebec uplands and also along the river on the Quebec side coming home. Please have a look at the map on your desktop computer to familiarize yourself with the route and possible watering stops.
C (76 km, 877 m elevation gain)
NOTE: The RWGPS route has been updated (Aug 30 @ 13:10) with a construction detour in the park.
I wee bit shorter than last week but a weeee bit taller! In fact, you've got more climbing than the B ride... how does that work?! You might be able to bribe your group leader to shave off a few metres. :)
This week, you head into the Gats to visit the Mackenzie King estate -- briefly or a little longer if your group wishes -- before heading on to Wakefield. You get a fair amount of verticality along the way, so do pace yourself and enjoy the flats alongside the Gatineau River to and fro your destination.
D (48 km, 684 m elevation gain)
Note: The RWGPS route has been updated to include a detour around construction in the park between P3 and Bd Allumetiere.
A walk in the park! Well, let's call it a hike. But the park is beautiful and there to be taken advantage of.
This week, you'll head to the Mackenzie King estate, have a look around if you like, then complete a small loop from P8 to P9, before coastin to a refresshment stop in Chelsea, Be ready for more hills than the D ride usually sees but there is gold at the top! Or, maybe the gold is in the next valley? Take your time, use all your gears and have an enjoyable, if challenging, ride.
This will be a strenuous ride up to the Mackenzie King estate. But, take it easy and, if you find a chatting buddy on the climbs, the hills become much easier!
Looking at the map, you'll see that it's easy to cut-off the odd-shaped "bunny ears" at the top of the route: the P8 to P9 loop and it's hills, and/or the loop beyond Old Chelsea, if desired. See how energetic you feel on the day.
Also note that it's not expected that everyone climbs at the same pace. So, identifying re-grouping points is normal practice.