Tuesday 20 October 2009

Gatineau Park Ride: The Best Way to Spend a Saturday Morning in Ottawa


On Saturday I joined a group of cyclists, all members of the Oakville Cyling Club visiting Ottawa for the weekend, and took them on a loop ride through Gatineau Park.  The weather was cold but clear and we had a great time enjoying the fall colours.  It was pretty early in the day so the traffic that plagues the park at this time of year had not yet materialized.

As usual, the route took us through the park, up Camp Fortune Road and on to Champlain Lookout.  I checked my GPS and for the first time saw that our altitude was 387m ASL.  Not exactly the Alps, but a good view nonentheless!  By the time I got home I had ridden 74 kms and climbed about 1000 m.

I have not had the chance to do group ride since the end of my European trip, so thanks to Tim, Ian, Paul and Robert for the great outing.  I have ridden with the OCC when down in the Oakville area to visit my mother and hope to ride with them again next summer, or when they are back up here.  One of the great attractions of cycling, to me, is the camaraderie of the open road and the good friends I have made in this sport.

(photo by Paul Castonguay)

1 comment:

Lily on the Road said...

Leslie, it was the perfect day to show off our gorgeous City, Park and terrain. So glad everyone had a great day, good time and you could share wonderful camaraderie.