{"id":2103,"date":"2012-06-09T19:26:44","date_gmt":"2012-06-09T23:26:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/?p=2103"},"modified":"2017-07-20T18:10:17","modified_gmt":"2017-07-20T22:10:17","slug":"the-great-ontario-to-quebec-via-rail-2012-biking-adventure-day-nine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/the-great-ontario-to-quebec-via-rail-2012-biking-adventure-day-nine\/","title":{"rendered":"The great Ontario to Quebec VIA Rail 2012 biking adventure \u2013 Day Nine"},"content":{"rendered":"

[If you missed any of the previous or subsequent articles in this series, there\u2019s a list of all the articles with hyperlinks here at the end of Day Ten.<\/a>]<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Rideau<\/a>

Rideau Canal and locks in Ottawa<\/p><\/div>\n

Back in Ottawa now and I plan to get in two provinces\u2019 full of bike paths today. Starting out from downtown Ottawa, I worked my way to the Rideau Canal and followed the bike path past the Rideau Locks down to the Ottawa River. Heading west on the Ottawa River Pathway, I stopped to watch some kayakers learning the slalom course, just off Cliff Road.<\/p>\n

Where Cliff Road runs under the Ottawa River Parkway, there\u2019s a great public art display called Eco Art Eco<\/a>. It\u2019s an environmental set of photos, shot by Canada\u2019s youth, enlarged and mounted on walls, tunnels, etc. Some of their shots are just outstanding. See some samples in this slideshow of Ottawa photos<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On the Ottawa River Pathway, you could pedal yourself all the way out of the city, but I headed north over the Pont Champlain Bridge and found myself in Quebec Province in the town of Gatineau.<\/p>\n

Following their Voyageurs Pathway, I worked myself north and east in search of Gatineau Park<\/a>, a 361 km\u00b2 length of greenway, west of the city. Mountain bikers can really enjoy themselves here. With three difficulty grades, there are a total of 90 kilometers of scenic mountain biking trails. Mountain biking is permitted from May 15 until November 30 only.<\/p>\n

Before arriving at the park, I realized that I had left without my water bottles. Luckily for me, just outside the park, I discovered a great little bike shop \u2013 Velos Des Ronds Points.\u00a0 In less than ten minutes I had a new water bottle, fully loaded with Quebec\u2019s finest tap water. Not only that, \u00a0the proprietor was nice enough to give my squealing brakes a much-needed adjustment and I was on my way again \u2013 quietly this time. Thanks, guys.<\/p>\n

After enjoying a good section of the Gatineau bike paths, I returned to the Voyageurs Pathway and started heading east toward the Canadian Museum of Civilization. It is a true architectural masterpiece and one of Canada\u2019s most popular museums.<\/p>\n[See the slideshow of images from the Gatineau side of the river<\/a>]\n

Right along the riverfront, outside the museum, is the dock for the Au Feel de L\u2019eau water taxi<\/a>. For $5, it will take you across the river to Ottawa, which is exactly where I was headed. When I looked up the hill I would have to climb to get on the Alexandra Bridge, it was a no-brainer.<\/p>\n

The water taxi is equipped for bikes and wheelchairs in addition to the standard pedestrian passengers.\u00a0 A bike rack across from the driver\u2019s station kept the bikes safely out of everyone\u2019s way.
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