I finally convinced my partner to follow me into a "bikepacking" trip to Wakefield and stay in a motel!!! I know I know... she is not very fond of sleeping in a tent...

We are students and we do not have much money, so 200 a night sounds out of our budget: does anybody have an alternative?

I've been looking around and on facebook Ive discovered some X-ski clubs that allow fatbiking on the trails.

So far ive found:

• Ottawa West Winter Trail
• Kichi Sibi Winter Trail
• Britannia Winter Trail
• Rideau Winter Trail

Hey everyone.

Back in September, I asked how realistic it is to cycle during the winter since this is my first Canadian one. Now that we’re in the middle of it, I thought I’d share my experience.

Honestly, it’s been very doable! I’m not commuting long distances—usually just 1 to 3 km—but I also do some longer rides for fun, around 8 to 15 km, and it’s been manageable. The tricky days are after heavy snow when black ice is everywhere, but even then, it’s not impossible if you’re careful.

I don’t have studded tires, and I’m not even sure what kind I’m using—they’re not completely flat but not mountain tires either (according to the place i went to, to fix my bike). So far, they’ve worked fine.

The key for me has been layering up. I wear multiple layers, and my top layer is windproof, which makes a big difference. The one issue I haven’t fully solved is covering my face while wearing glasses—they keep fogging up, which is super annoying.

I’m considering putting a mountain tire on the front to see if it helps with stability. Has anyone tried that or have tips?

Overall, winter cycling has been easier than I expected, and I’d definitely recommend giving it a shot if you’re thinking about it!

Four frames found dumped beside the Rideau Curling Club at 715 Cooper St. It looks like they were taken for parts.

Last summer I rode across the state of New York with my then 10 year old daughter; it was our third annual tandem bike tour. We rode alongside a group from Ottawa for a while one afternoon, and their enthusiasm for the cycling in & around their city has me thinking to do Toronto -> Ottawa -> Montreal for our 2025 installment.

Following a fairly direct route like this but maybe starting in Oshawa (via the GO train) not central Toronto looks like 7 days of riding (5 to Ottawa, 2 more to Montreal) at ~90 km/day.

We'll have probably 3 more days (10 total, after leaving a day for a little sightseeing in each city) for riding than that.

I'm tempted take a "scenic detour" on the way to Montreal. Riding down the Petit Train du Nord from Mont-Laurier into Montreal sounds like a lovely three days.

But Mont-Laurier looks a bit too far for us to cycle in two days from Ottawa, so that'd add some complication. We'd probably have to catch a ride (on a train/bus/rideshare/Uber, after folding our tandem into it's large carry bag) part of the way. Or shave a day from Toronto -> Ottawa by similar means, so we could afford three days to get from Ottawa to Mont-Laurier.

Opinions on whether including the Petit Train ride segment may be worth the hassle? Alternate suggestions?

Thanks!

Any suggestions on safe places to lock up? Was thinking either the LRT station at uOttawa or Sunnyside library on Bank.

Anything closer and safer?

Any bike shop in Ottawa stocks top tube protectors?

If not I'll order an Atelier Atwater one, but I'd tought I'd check locally first

So I love biking to work, not only cause I get exercise, but also cause I'm free to leave work and move around as needed. And I get so save on sucky OC Transpo.

My commute is generally speaking, from Island Park Dr to the Tim Hortons on Walkley. I want to avoid as many major roads as possible. So no Holland, Baseline, or Heron, and I want to limit Walkley as much as possible.

I find Maps is not very good at this. It always ends up giving me around 1.2km in a major road and I'm not comfortable with that. I've tried Waze as well and I think it's slightly better but still give me a pretty long bike on Heron.

What I was thinking was: from Island Park go down Scott until Albert, continue until O'Connor. Then turn right on O'Connor until I get to Isabella. Then Main St until it turns into Smyth, then go Alta Vista Dr, Pleasant Park Rd, Haig, then Halifax.

Would that be an considerably safe route?

Also, this is what Maps show me...

Hi everyone, I'm looking to get into outdoor cycling once the snow melts, and I'm looking for a good bike. I'm 30F, and would say I'm a beginner beyond the fact I'm fairly active and do spin classes. I'm not looking for anything too high end -- if it becomes a major hobby, I'll upgrade. Any suggestions of where to start? It would be for going along the bike paths in Ottawa, not trails. Thanks in advance!

https://ncc-ccn.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=f8da0e1314fd4493b2eeb7a3439d17a5

I ask because, I have an ice bike(studed tires). Are the Gatineau park trails better designed for snow (fat tire) bikes ?

Planning some rides for next spring/summer … so, question to the community, maybe one of you has experience on this - Is it possible to take a gravel bike onto a Via Rail train to get out of Ottawa and then ride back? Basically riding to the Ottawa Via Train Station and then:

1.) Taking the train to Smith Falls and riding back to Ottawa via Carleton Place and Sittsville on the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail and Trans Canada Trail. Around 90 km.

2.) Taking the Train to Alexandria and then riding back to Ottawa via Vankleek Hill on the Prescott Russel Trail. Around 120 km.

Could I just jump on the train with the bike or would I have to go through some sort of luggage process and a baggage train cart?

Next summer my friend and I plan to bike to Montreal ( about 200 kms), we want to ramp up to 200 kms with a long ride each month, starting at 50 kms and going up. Both of us are avid cyclists with about 10 years experience bike commuting. My friend bikes about 30km total to go l to work and my commute is 20k total. The longest I've cycled in a day before this is 80K to Gatineau park and back). We both like long endurance activities like thru-hiking and running as well.

I love long rides. For this, would love for the rides to be on bike lanes or pathways or quiet roads, and for the final destination to be nice (ie a cafe, restaurant or nature feature). We will likely be starting from Britannia beach. I've used bike ottawa'S maps but they never quite work for me, so if you have any suggestions for route planning tools let me know!

How do y'all have the heart to take your bike out in them salt puddles? Even with a beater bike, it still BURNS (pun intended) my heart and want to take some mitigation practices against salt damage. Do you rinse down your bike after every ride?

Hey all, I'm looking to get some bar mitts, any recommendations for Ottawa winter? Right now I'm using heated glove liners by themselves which are great down to -5 or so, but below that none of my ski glove/mitt comvos cut it, especially with my thumbs...

I'm hoping to get something I can use my heated liners with, and am bouncing between 45nrth Draugenklaw and Cobrafist mitts.

Does anyone know the state of the path next to the rapibus after the casino in Hull? I need to get from Gatineau to Sussex, I heard the path on Fournier isn't rideable

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/court-challenge-bike-lanes-ontario-law-1.7407324

Curious to hear what folks are using for lights on their winter bikes.

I have the Lezyne Super Drive 1800 (front) and Lezyne KYV Drive Prop Smart Rear light.

AND I HATE THEM! Dont get these :D

It was gifted to me and I would not recommended them for cold weather.

Always needing to charge them.

What are others using in the winter ?

Does anyone know if the Flora footbridge in Ottawa is winter maintained? The ramps are quite steep so wondering if I will need to find an alternative route to cross the canal. Thanks.

Hi! Does anyone know how consistently you can cross at champlain bridge in the winter? I live in the west end but regularly cross into gatineau, and am hoping I don't have to go all the way downtown just to get across a bridge safely. I've been looking at this map and it doesn't look like it is plowed, but was wondering if there was anyone who tried to cross earlier this week when there was more snow and might know what it possible, even if it is on the sidewalk. I will check it out today regardless, but would love some insight!

Friendly cyclist from Toronto here. Just wanted to share this news, the Ford stooges are apparently hiring "their own" contractors to start with some removals in Toronto but this update also came out.

"The government has also talked about removing the O'Connor bike lane in Ottawa ."

The more of us speaking out the better. Toronto has started some big cycle protests and we could use your help.

https://www.joelhardenmpp.ca/mpp_update_234?fbclid=IwY2xjawG8byFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHd0VMxS-R4H5kGd6oL5Zi6Bxm4puI45Rk3DtNDSa0K3cYJha46JjksMpGw_aem_InSPRaBRpBmmGzgWPo4XOQ

It is time