Bikes, Boats and Bridges

Quick Stats

Length
301km
Ascent
1,159m
Gravel
38%
High Point
131m
Difficulty
2

Categories:

200km - 500km

Overview

The Bikes, Boats and Bridges route was designed as a means of showcasing not just the Ottawa River, but also the capital city of Canada. The Ottawa Valley is a relatively flat area that one never has to venture too far off to find some beautiful gravel roads to ride.

This route was created by

Chris Panasky, host of the Bikepack Adventures Podcast.

Current Trailhead Weather

  • Ottawa cycle pathways
    • Ottawa River Pathway
    • Rockliffe Pathway
    • Sentier des Pionniers Pathway
  • Quyon Ferry
  • Ottawa's surrounding cities of Kanata, Aylmer, Hull, Gatineau, Orleans
  • Parc National de Plaisance
  • Fassett-Lefaivre Ferry
  • Prescott-Russell Recreational Trail
  • 6 Ottawa Bridges
  • Paliament of Canada

In the event you are planning to do this in one day as a big, fast training ride, it is very important you plan your bridges according to their schedules. I opted to start from CHamplain Bridge (route start point) as it is a 50km ride to the first bridge and still allows me enough time to ride another 150km to the second bridge in Fassett before it closes.

  • Recommended Bike: For this route, you will be more than fine with a gravel bike. It could even be ridden with a road bike with a minimum of 28c tires, provided they are capable of riding on gravel roads and are a bit more resistant to punctures.
  • Recommended tire size: I’d recommend just about any size tire ove 28c. I rode 32c Continental GP500 TL tires and had no difficulty, even though they are slick tires. I would recommend something with a bit of a tread pattern if possible.

I have incorporated about 11km of Parc National de Plaisance into the route, but in the event you don't want to spend the ~ $10 entry fee for the parc, you can just continue along Rte. 148, rather than enter the park. However, if you have time on your hands, they have approximately 50km of bicycle friends trails in the Parc which you are sure to enjoy.

There is a great location for camping in Parc National de Plaisance where they have bicycle friendly campsites which only cost a bit over $11 for the night. I believe you will also have to pay around $10 for access to the Parc.

Food and water resupply can be found in regular intervals along the route. After crossing the bridge in Fassett, you will have a chance to resupply in Alfred, after which there won't be many options until you arrive in Ottawa.

Average Physical Difficulty - 2

At 300km in length, Bikes, Boats and Bridges is for the most part a route with roads that can be considered a difficulty of 2. The route is extremely flat, with very little elevation gain. With regards to type of trail, the route is comprised on paved roads, gravel roads and rail trail.

Average Technical Difficulty - 1

This route is not technically difficult in the least but does take the rider on a journey through many small towns that make up the Ottawa Valley. There are no trails, or overly rough roads..

GPS Route + Points of Interest

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