When Kyla and I decided to give vegetarianism a try back in 1997 it was solely for health reasons. Both our fathers and basically all their male friends (and families) were suffering through heart surgeries in their 60s. Of course eating a vegetarian diet isn’t a guarantee for good health but we felt is was worth it. There’s more to a healthy lifestyle than eating plants and so we try to get a daily dose of exercise too. “Experts” all seem to agree that 1/2 an hour per day or 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise is necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Now that summer is here we’ve added bike riding to our repertoire. Let’s face it, that’s a win win. Using your bike to run errands is good for us and the environment. When time and weather permit we also love to ride our favourite bicycle loop. We live in Ottawa but I’ll bet every city and town has a great bike loop or two. Eastern Ontario is pretty much as flat as a pancake so the riding here is easy. Our joke is “We’re from Ottawa, we don’t do hills”. That said there are a couple of ups to get the blood flowing. If you’re just starting out, try smaller loops to get a sense of how far you really want to ride. Remember you only need 30 minutes to do yourself some good.
There are plenty of stops that you can make along this route so you can complete the loop in an hour and half (or less) or make a day of it. The entire loop is about 30 KM and the beauty is that you can jump on the trail from many Ottawa neighbourhoods. Almost the entire ride is on paths so you really don’t need to worry about riding on roads at all. We used to take the kids on this loop when they were really young. In fact looking back now, I’m sure that would be considered some form of child abuse! All that to say, this route is great for beginners, families and road warriors alike. When heading out on your ride remember to sun screen up and take water and some energy balls to keep you going.
Britannia Beach is the most western point of the ride. This is a pretty good sized beach so if you start and finish here you can cool off in the river. There is plenty of parking here and a restaurant with a great view. Public washrooms are available along with beach volleyball, BBQ’s and plenty of space for a picnic. Find out more about Britannia Beach here.
Beach Coner’s is an ice cream shop and cafe that has become super popular in the last few years. It is situated right along the bike path between Britannia Beach and Mud Lake. This is the perfect spot to end your bike ride. You can choose from an ever changing list of hand made ice creams including vegan options. Find out more about Beach Coner’s here.
Mud Lake Conservation Area is just off the bike path so if you have the time it’s worth checking out. The trail around the pond is about 3 KM and will take you through pine and deciduous forests. This is a mecca for bird people and photographers. Heron’s, owls, ravens and lots of other species spend time in this area. There is a giant erratic rock, a beaver dam and is just a nice place to take a stroll. Find out more about Mud Lake here.
Westboro beach is a popular west end beach on the Ottawa River. The site is currently undergoing a renovation that will see it offer a restaurant and other services. This is a great place to stop and dip your toes on a hot day. You can see what’s happening at the beach here.
Remic Rapids pop up pub is part of an NCC initiative to make the Ottawa area a little more fun. This summertime pub is the perfect place to stop for a beverage and watch the river flow by. Find out more about Remic rapids here.
The Remic Rapids rock sculptures have been around since the 80s. They are the work of artist John Felice Ceprano who places the rocks he finds on site to create balanced sculptures that seem to defy gravity. Definitely worth stopping to have a quick look as you go by. Find out more about Remic rapids here.
Mill Street Pub is situated right where the bike path hits downtown. The pub is in an old mill that once housed the locally famous Mill Restaurant. They have a full service bar and food with awesome views of from the patio. There is some parking so if you start and end your ride here you can reward yourself with a cool down beverage. Find out more about the Mill Street pub here.
Chaudiere Falls has been off limits since forever but now the area is opening up as Zibi. Once a meeting spot for indigenous travelers and traders the falls are now dammed off to create electricity. You can ride your bike from the War Museum right out to the falls. This is worth the few minutes it takes to take in the impressive view. Find out more about the Chaudiere Falls here.
Canadian War Museum is one of Ottawa’s many federally funded museums and as such is free on Thursday evenings with a reservation. The museum has a large collection of artifacts from pretty much every conflict Canada has been in from colonial times to the present. There are exhibits that help put our relationship with each other and the world in context. Find out more about the Canadian War Museum here.
Parliament Hill is currently under construction so getting up close is difficult. The bike path goes along the river behind parliament hill and offers a different view of the buildings. Find out more about Parliament Hill here.
The Chateau Laurier is Ottawa’s most famous hotel. Completed in 1912 legend has it that some of the furniture destined for the Chateau were lost on the Titanic. You can pop in for a quick look of the lavish lobby and there are a few shops as well. Find out more about the Chateau Laurier.
As you ascend from the Ottawa River to the canal you’ll ride up a hill of all things. To your left are the first of the 47 Rideau Canal Locks. The canal was built as a way to avoid American artillery on the St. Lawrence. Riding up from the river will make you appreciate the engineering feat that is the lock system. Find out more about the Rideau Canal Locks.
The Lansdowne Farmer’ Market is open on Sundays and has a variety of local produce and products. Bring your panier bags and stock up on some fresh, local veggies. Find out more about the Lansdowne Farmer’s Market.
Dow’s Lake is the home of the Ottawa Tulip festival, so if your riding early in the season you’ll be treated to a display of colour. After that the area is just a popular spot for people to hang out by the water. There is a pavilion with a few restaurants and bars if you feel like sticking around the area for a while. Find out more about Dow’s Lake here.
The Ornamental Gardens at the experimental farm is one of our favourite places to stop. Over the spring and summer various plants and flowers bloom making it a popular spot for wedding photographers and amateurs alike. There are rare trees and a Japanese garden too. Bring your phone for some Instagram worthy shots. Find out more about the ornamental gardens.