Hello again friends, I am back at it with an exciting blog post that was written in collaboration with the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association. This blog post is all about cycling in the Ottawa Valley and let me tell you that there is a multitude of ways to get engrossed in cycling in the Ottawa Valley. Let\'s hop in the saddle and get to it!
Cycling events
June is cycling month in the Township of McNab/Braeside
In the Township of McNab/Braeside, there are several different cycling-related events. These events include cycling meet-ups, rides on the Algonquin/OVR Trail, a fat bike demonstration, and topped off with a 14km easy ride at the end of June on June 29th. These events would be a fun way to meet other people in the community while doing a fun outdoor activity. It is also a great way to get immersed in small-town life. Have a gander at the poster for more information.
Tour de Bonnechere
The Tour de Bonnechere starts in Eganville and is a timed, self-supported race that is scheduled for August 28, 2022. This means that you need to be a tire pump and water with you on the race. I think this race is pretty neat because there are several distances that are appropriate for all skill levels. There are 20 km, 50 km, 65 km and 100 km routes that are available for registration. I also really like how the organizers lay out how much elevation is gained and lost over the course of each route. For example, the 20km route gains 71 m and loses 70 m (meaning it is a fairly flat route) whereas the 100 km route gains 1,153 m of elevation and loses 1,152 m of elevation. Yes, that is over one kilometre of elevation that is gained on the 100 km route.
I should also mention that this event and the proceeds support The Renfrew County Mental Health and Addictions Planning Table. This planning table has the representation of several sectors with the goal of creating more effective, efficient and client-centred services. For more information on the Renfrew County Mental Health and Addictions Planning Table and services available in Renfrew County, see the link here.
Tour de Poutine
The Tour de Poutine usually takes place in September in the Township of McNab/Braeside. The event is usually 24km in length and there is usually poutine at the finish line. In previous years, the entry fee was $5 per participant. Details about this year’s Tour de Poutine have not yet been released. Keep your eyes peeled on the Township of McNab/Braeside’s Facebook page for any and all updates surrounding the Tour de Poutine. The Township of McNab/Braeside’s Facebook page can be found here.
Spring Chicken
Although the Spring Chicken has already taken place this year, it is still worth mentioning as it is a yearly event. The Spring Chicken event has two different length courses - a 32km course and a 60km course. The 60km course is significantly more difficult than the 32 km course due to hilly sections with rocks and roots on the trail. The 32km trail is relatively flat with the potential for some mud sections in the last five kilometres of the course. The race starts and concludes at the Beachburg Heritage Hall at the Beachburg Fair Grounds. The Spring Chicken event is put on by the Beachburg Off-Road Cycling Association (BORCA).
For those who are not familiar with BORCA, this organization is not-for-profit with the mission of developing single-track cycling trails. Since its inception, BORCA has created approximately 45 km of single-track trails that have been made with intention by the association.
Although the Spring Chicken event has already taken place this year, there are still a variety of trails to explore in a non-motorized and self-propelled manner. I should add that you can become a BORCA member, which has its own benefits including discounts at GearHeads, Martin Cyclen and Small Engine Repair, and Whitewater Brewing Company at both the Lakeside and Riverside locations. The membership fees help with trail maintenance, trail-making equipment, signage, winter snow grooming, and insurance.
For more information on Spring Chicken and BORCA, check out the BORCA website here.
Fall Poker Run Ride
A fun upcoming cycling event is the fall poker run ride that is hosted by BORCA. This event is set to take place in November, although no formal date has been announced as of yet. This event is non-timed and there will be prizes for best and worst hands. Basically, you make a poker hand with cards from the ride. The cards are picked up at aid stations along the ride. I feel like I would inevitably have a terrible hand since I am a terrible poker player, which means that if I were to participate I would end up winning the worst hand, which is still a win in my books. Stay tuned to the BORCA website for more details as to when and where the Fall Poker Run Ride will be held. Their website can be found here.
Wendigo Fatbike Ultra
This is another event that has already taken place this year but is worth mentioning nonetheless. The Wendigo Fat Bike Ultra is a fat bike race that consists of three different distances: 50 km, 100 km and 200 km. This event is self-supported and racers are not permitted to pre-plan support on the route. Racers are permitted to utilize trail magic and can receive support from other racers that are still racing. The only other support racers can receive is that they can make purchases from local stores as they pay through towns, but other than that racers are on their own.
This is a true gut check of a race. The distance can be tough, but then you add in the time of year that the race is held adds another layer of complexity. Did I mention that this race takes place in February when temperatures can be -30 Celsius? Needless to say, this race is not for the faint of heart or for the first-time winter rider. For more information on the Wendigo Fat Bike Ultra, please consult their website here.
Cycling Routes
If you are not interested in a cycling event but are interested in cycling routes…you’re in luck with the Ottawa Valley Cycling Map. This map outlines 17 different road cycling routes, which vary in distances and difficulties, as well as locations for off-road cycling and mountain biking. The distances of the routes range from 18 km (Pontiac Heritage Trail) to 269 km (The Voyageur Route). There are also a couple of routes in the Townships of Madawaska Valley, Bonnechere Valley, and Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan which offer lots of rolling hills that are complete with some killer views. The cool thing about this cycling map is that it has routes on both sides of the Ottawa River. If you are a cyclist, this is the perfect way to explore the communities in Renfrew County and the Pontiac region of Québec.
The Ottawa Valley has a multitude of different areas with different geographical features, what better way to discover it all than in the saddle of a bike. Printed copies of the Ottawa Valley Cycling Map are available at the visitor information centres throughout the area (Arnprior, Barry’s Bay, Calabogie, Cobden, Killaloe, Eganville, Pembroke, Petawawa and Renfrew) or by calling the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association at 1.800-757.6580.
GearHeads
With all of the talk of road bikes, mountain bikes and fat bike races, of course, there needs to be a place where you can purchase bikes, get them serviced and purchase accessories. We are in luck as GearHeads in Petawawa is here to fulfill all of those needs. GearHeads sells a variety of different products from BMX & dirt jumpers, mountain bikes, road bikes, skateboards, nordic skis & boots, alpine skis & boots, snowboards, snowshoes, apparel and supplements for when you’re out enjoying your activity! GearHeads also offers workshops to teach people the basics when it comes to servicing their bikes.
One of the things I love about GearHeads is that they have a good grade program. Essentially the program offers a discount on complete skateboards or parted-out skateboards based on the student’s four best grades. This is an awesome incentive for students to get good grades so that they can get a greater discount.
For those people who are looking for a way to make friends and connect with like-minded cycling people, GearHeads hosts cycling club riding nights and trail rides. For more information about either of these rides, check out GearHeads Facebook where they post all of the updates. A link to their Facebook page can be found here.
I should also add that GearHeads participates in the Sounds of Business and has hosted it in the past. This is put on by Petawawa Business where local musicians perform while attendees are treated to food and beverages from local establishments.
For more information about all things GearHeads, check out their website here.
Yantha Cycle
Located on TV Tower Road in Pembroke, Yantha Cycles is a “full-service stop for both cycling and motorsports enthusiasts.” They offer free parking for the Algonquin Trail from March to November. Another service offered by Yantha Cycle is cycle repairs and instant onsite repairs for simple things like tube and tire replacement. Yantha Cycle strikes me as really a community spot as they have meeting and rest spots for a storm shelter. It is efforts like these that really help to foster a positive community. For more information about Yantha Cycle, check out their website here.
Mad River Paddle Co
I also recognize that not everyone may have some form of a bicycle so that they can make use of all these hot tips. This is why places like Mad River Paddle Co are fantastic. You can rent fat bikes and E-bikes from Mad River Paddle Co for 4 hours, 8 hours, a weekend or a week…the world is your oyster, basically. Rentals include helmets, which is awesome because it is one less piece of gear to worry about. For an additional charge, Mad River Paddle Co will deliver to Burnstown, White Lake and Calabogie areas. For more information on rentals or the other services that Mad River Paddle Co, check out their website here.
Valley Cycle Tours
Another fabulous Ottawa Valley business that deserves a mention is Valley Cycle Tours. Based out of The Whitewater Inn in Beachburg, Ontario, Valley Cycle Tours offers tours and rental & shuttle services. Valley Cycle Tours has a variety of multi and single-day tours. The multi-day tours include tours like the Ottawa Valley Loop, which is a five-day self-guided tour. This tour includes nightly accommodation, breakfasts, route maps, luggage transfer and on-call roadside assistance.
If doing a multi-day tour is not your thing, you can also rent road bikes and e-bikes. Valley Cycle Tours offers a shuttle service that will drop you off at two different locations with two different pick-up points. It is safe to say that there are lots of options that can be tailored to all skill and activity levels. If I were to do a tour, I would rent a bike for a day and then just take my sweet time riding around while taking in the sights. For more information about Valley Cycle Tours and their services, check out their website here.
Coming Up Next
In the next blog post, we will be putting the spotlight on the Township of Bonnechere Valley. Until then, have a gander at the previous blog post where the Township of Bonnechere Valley was featured. You can check that one out here.